6 Essential Skills to Develop as a Leader

The importance of leaders having a grasp of, and being able to display, 'soft' skills is not new in 2024 - the theory these skills are more highly regarded than 'hard' or technical skills has been around for a while. The challenges of the pandemic, however, have highlighted how well developed soft skills will more deeply support your staff, your team, your organisation and yourself during times of change and uncertainty. So what's the difference? We tend to gain hard skills through education, experience or training. They are usually quantifiable and can be assessed and evaluated. Soft skills are interpersonal, or people, skills and are more difficult to measure. There is an increase in organisations considering soft skills more important than hard skills when recruiting into their leadership roles. Have a think about it - if you are a candidate for a leadership position you most likely already have a certain amount of hard skills eg. creating a budget, planning and implementing a project, developing a risk management plan. If you are lacking a hard skill, that is required for the role, it can be taught and learned. But all leaders need effective interpersonal skills to communicate with their stakeholders eg. their team, clients, customers, colleagues and executives or board. Leaders with soft skills understand human behaviour in the workplace. Soft skills are also easily transferable, they are an asset regardless of industry, organisation, department or project; which makes these employees very adaptable. The old, patriarchal, style of leadership (ruthless, fear-based, competitive) is out. A softer approach, is in. Your employees do not want to be dazzled by your brilliance at regular intervals. Nor do they want to fear you. They want to be empowered, inspired and led. Here are some soft skills you may wish to develop, to become a more effective leader in 2024 and beyond: SERVICE BASED Service-based leaders consider their role to be one of support and guidance. They focus on ensuring every member of their team shines! EMPOWERMENT These leaders empower their team by trusting their judgement and decision making. These leaders are comfortable surrounding themselves with people who may be more experienced than them. EMPATHY Being able to say "I hear you, I understand, you are not alone and I'm so glad you told me." (I must reference here my Queen of Vulnerability, Brene Brown). To show empathy these leaders are able to tap into their own courage and vulnerability. ACTIVE LISTENING These leaders are fully engaged in what is being said to them, and show their attention via body language and quality of questions. SELF COMPASSION Are you able to to say "I don't know"? Leaders who practise self-compassion have a growth mindset, are prepared to feel uncomfortable and ask for feedback. HONESTY Honest leaders build trust and give their employees the space to be honest in return. This enables more authentic and open conversations. Imagine being able to move through your career with unwavering confidence, clearly articulate your worth (even though you won't have to - your performance will speak for itself) and say sayonara to self-doubt.

Imagine having more courage at work, more confidence, more influence. Imagine nailing any professional conversation - an honest one, an aligned one, an inspiring one.

Imagine cultivating an emotional intelligence so strong that no situation, nor person, creates a reaction in you. Imagine being able to respond to any situation (or crisis!) calmly, rationally and intelligently.    

Imagine being able to clearly articulate your Vision - upwards, downwards, sideways - so clearly, passionately and persuasively that everyone's excited to help you create it.    

Can you feel it? Does it feel like personal power? Does it feel like freedom?

Does it feel like something you'd value spending one month stepping into?

Imagine - A more empowered you by the end of August THIS YEAR!  

I invite you to join me for my 2024 online leadership program, DEBUT: LEADING FROM THE START and take the reins of your career... on a really fun and magical horse. Maybe even a unicorn.   

It's going to be fun, contemporary (you can join Janelle for the presentations LIVE) and of extreme value. 

I invite all current, new and emerging leaders (if leadership is your next step this is your secret advantage) to click through and read all the information. If it calls out to you, we look forward to seeing you.  

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT DEBUT: LEADING FROM THE START 

Until I see you again,

Janelle