Leadership is A Skill You Can Learn

What is a leader?  A leader is a multifaceted style that encompasses more than managing people.  According to Kevin Kruse in an article for Forbes, “Leadership doesn’t automatically happen when you reach a certain pay grade.” (What is Leadership?)  It is a learning experience all its own.

"Leadership scholars define a leader as a person who sets attractive goals and has the ability to attract followers, or constituents, who share those goals. Above all, a leader must be trusted and respected. Trust between a leader and constituent’s opens up two-way communication, making it possible for them to realize their common goals." (Marvin Bower, The Will to Lead)

One of the most important aspects of leadership is good communication skills.  Whether it is coaching or delivering performance evaluations, leaders need to have the ability to communicate effectively.  Leadership and communication skills can be taught.  The ability to communicate and build teams is important for emerging leaders to be able motivate groups of people toward a common goal—the goal of the business. 

In an article, Businesses Don’t Fail – Leaders Do, Mike Myatt writes: ”Why do businesses fail? If you’re willing to strip away all the excuses, explanations, rationalizations, and justifications for business failures, and be really honest in your analysis, you’ll find only one plausible reason—poor leadership.”

In our new course series, Management to Leadership, instructor Dena Loverde explores the differences between managing people and leading them.  Not everyone is a leader, but with the skills learned in this course anyone can learn to be one.

Take a sneak peek at the lesson: Leader as Goal Setter, from the course Defining Leadership which will be posted live on our website: www.knowledgecity.com in the coming weeks.

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Business & the Future of Social Technology

There are 1.5 billion social network users world-wide.  According to a global survey conducted by McKinsey&Company, businesses can, not only benefit from social media, but actually become more productive in the process.  

By utilizing web 2.0, as social media is often referred, businesses can virtually eliminate the wait time created when using traditional methods of business communications such as e-mail and instant messaging.  In fact according to the survey, 72 percent of the companies reported that they used some form of social technology in their day to day business.  90 percent of these businesses reported a benefit from the use of social networking technologies.

Who is using social networking? Not as many people as there should be.  The highest percentage of social technology users were middle managers at 65 percent.  Frontline users were not far behind at 60 percent. As businesses begin to utilize social networking technologies as a way to connect with their customers, it is fast becoming the trend in marketing and customer service. According to the survey, 35 percent of businesses are using social networking for customer service.

Depending how much Web 2.0 technologies are integrated into the infrastructure of the business, the benefits can range.  What can be said about using social network technologies in business is that the more “networked” a business is, the more benefits they will see—internally as well as in their customer base.  Customers are way ahead of businesses on the social networking front and businesses have a lot of catching up to do.

Using social networking both internally and externally in business can increase the speed at which information is obtained—as much as a 30% improvement according to the survey.  It can also reduce communication costs, decrease travel costs, reduce operating costs, and increase the effectiveness of marketing.

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What's Your Learning Style?

In our jobs, we are constantly bombarded with all types of information in the form of reports, presentations, emails, memos, verbal exchanges, and more. In order to absorb all of this information in a quick and comprehensive way, and be more productive and efficient, you must know your learning style.

Start by identifying your primary mode of learning. Are you a visual, auditory, or tactile learner?

• Visual learners process information first by what they see. These learners like to watch demonstrations, and then usually try it out for themselves.
• Auditory learners prefer to listen first and have information explained to them in a step-by-step process.
• Tactile learners have to try it out themselves, and learn best by doing.

There are many advantages to knowing your learning style. Being aware of your learning style will allow you to comprehend information faster, and will give you more opportunities to participate as you understand material more easily. You will have better overall communication when you know how you best receive information. Most schools and businesses now use a number of different media to communicate information, including video, PowerPoint, and written and verbal presentations. Be proactive. Actively seek out information presented in the style that works best for you.

Keep in mind that it's a good idea to be aware of the learning styles of the people around you. What style is your boss? How do your team members learn? Try to present information in a way that helps more people understand your message. This can mean including different modes of communication when you make a report or presentation. At the very least, provide a written copy of your report. If possible, include a PowerPoint and verbal explanation.

Our new course on Career Success Strategies has additional helpful tips on various career-related topics, such as business ethics, conflict in the workplace, how to read reports and compare data, how to find your career strengths, additional insight into learning styles, and much more. Make sure to check out the first 3 FREE previews of this essential, in-depth course!
In addition, be sure to watch the free previews of our courses on PowerPoint and Business Writing for helpful tips on preparing presentations and reports.

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