Tool #5: Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed Employee Success Toolkit Copyright Harriet Meyerson

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, “Leadership is not a position - it’s a way of being. It’s about seeing what isn’t there and making it happen.” Roxanne Emmerich, author of, Thank God It’s Monday: How to Build a Motivating Workplace

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Be Extraordinary  Ordinary employees follow directions and do what they are told to do.  Extraordinary employees are always looking to improve the situation by asking, “How can we…?” Extraordinary is a combination of two words - “extra” and “ordinary”, that mean “more than the ordinary.”

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Be a Problem Solver Create “Leadership Opportunities” by looking for problems to solve.  Task related problems  Office morale problems

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Task Related Problems  Determine if any changes are necessary.  Make tasks more efficient.  Help facilitate cooperation with co-workers.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Office Morale Problems  Find creative ways to say “Thank You” to your co-workers.  Surprise everyone with special treats.  Share inspirational stories, poems and quotes.  Help plan fun activities.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Go the “Extra Mile”  Give a 100% effort to your work.  Concentrate and don’t let your mind wander while performing repetitive tasks.  Offer to help your co- workers.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Lead Yourself First  Be Up  Show Up  Follow Up

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Be Up OOn yourself UUnderstand your own strengths and weaknesses. YYour attitude AAlways look for the positive. YYour subject CContinue to improve your work skills.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Show Up GGet to work on time. DDon’t miss work unless absolutely necessary. BBe fully prepared. PPlan in advance for meetings, projects, appointments, etc. BBe mentally and physically alert. GGet plenty of sleep, eat healthy and avoid distractions.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Follow Up DDo what you say you are going to do. CCall a customer, research an idea, etc. BBe patient. WWith others and with yourself. Tasks may take longer than you expect. BBe persistent. DDon’t give up just because there are obstacles.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Any Employee Can Show Leadership Potential  Mary was an assistant to a group of executives.  The executives were causing problems with the outgoing mail.  Mary wrote a protocol for the executives to follow.  Mary was hesitant to distribute the protocol because she was frightened of possible repercussions. Mary’s Story

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, The Rest of the Story…  She asked permission from her supervisor to pass out the protocol.  The executives thanked her for bringing up the problems and pledged their cooperation.  The vice-president of the company complimented her on her initiative, saying, “You have leadership potential.”

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Build Trust  Create an environment where everyone is valued.  Get to know your co- workers.  Become aware of cultural differences in communication and work styles.  Realize that people with different backgrounds can contribute valuable new ideas.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Persuade Rather than Manipulate Instead of coercion, use the gentle power of persuasion by using: Compelling examples Facts Mutual benefits

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Learn New Skills Make learning and self-improvement your lifelong pursuit.  Keep up with new technology.  Learn communication, coaching and mentoring skills.  Read leadership books, listen to cd’s and take classes. 1.Visit leadership websites such as:

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Have a Vision Design extraordinary ways to do your ordinary work.  Imagine how something could be done better.  Write a detailed description of your vision.  Make a list of tasks needed to implement your vision.  Divide the tasks into easy steps, and begin to take action.

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Improve Relationships Avoid negative communication such as:  Gossip  Criticism  Sarcasm  Negative Comments

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Improve Relationships with Positive Communication  Encouragement  Appreciation  Cheery Greetings

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed Quiz & Discussion Questions

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Question 1 How can you lead by building morale at work?

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Question 2 Why are relationship skills important to leadership?

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Question 3 How can you make learning and self-improvement a lifelong pursuit?

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Question 4 What is your vision for making your job extraordinary?

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Question 5 What three steps can help you prepare to lead others?

Practice Leadership Skills, Get Noticed © Harriet Meyerson, Set Your Goals What are your three main goals for practicing leadership skills?