4 Leadership Tips To Make You A Better Influence In The Office

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Effective leadership is an extremely important component of a healthy business. In fact, a recent study found that lack of trust in leadership is one of the top reasons employees leave a company. Strong leaders have an innate ability to bring people together and guide them to success.

Here are a few tips for increasing your leadership effectiveness at the office. You can learn these tips and many more by enrolling in one of the many education leadership degrees available online.

Listen

One of the most underrated leadership qualities is the ability to listen. Good leaders are attentive and make their followers feel appreciated and understood. When you emotionally connect with someone, they feel important and will be more likely to follow your influence. Practice your listening skills by using affirmative non-verbal’s and repeating back what you've heard. Your team is destined to feel more connected to you and will be more inclined to follow your lead.

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Body Language Basics

Body language can be extremely powerful when influencing others. Recent studies have shown that high powered body language can dramatically impact opinion. Examples of high powered body language include holding your head high, sticking your chest out and keeping your shoulders back. This power stance puts you in a position of command and instills confidence in your followers.

Focus on Team

No one likes a one-man show and no one likes to feel like they are solely to blame for a mistake. A good leader will build a team environment where members feel supported and unafraid. To practice, actively use words like "we" and "us" in conversation and reward behaviors that reiterate teamwork and helping others. You might consider adopting a specific recognition practice for staff members that demonstrate a spirit of teamwork.

Lead by Example

The best leaders lead by example and exhibit the behavior they want replicated. Setting a positive example is not only ethical, it also disarms any resentment that may be felt by those in lower positions within an organization. If everyone is held to the same standard across the board, you'll find you have a more committed workforce. Leading by example is easier said than done, so try writing a mission statement for yourself. With each and every action, revisit this statement and make sure your actions reflect your values. This simple strategy provides a reference point for you in living out your day at the office.

These are just a few of the many strategies for improving your leadership competence. If you're struggling to gain the respect and support of your staff or simply looking to increase your influence at the office, try one of these highly effective tactics.

By  Brooke Chaplan	Embed
Author Bio - 33rd Square contributor Brooke Chaplan is recent graduate of New Mexico University where she studied journalism. She loves to hike, bike, run and explore around her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She also enjoys blogging about health, fitness, fashion and many other topics.