Business Communication - 5 Qualities for Developing Leadership Skills No Matter Your Position

Every member of an organization, in every position, has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills. Leadership evolves from self-awareness, creativity, confidence and vision and that does not require a title.

You may be wondering how a person in an entry-level position or someone on the housekeeping staff can show up as a leader. If you look at the qualities mentioned above you might notice that they don't require a corner office-they simply need to reside inside a healthy self-esteem. Leadership can be defined as the ability to influence, to show the way, direct or guide.

I recall a woman, a member of the cleaning staff, who possessed the leadership qualities I'm talking about. I'm going back more than twenty-five years and she still stands out --that alone is an indication of leadership. What made her different? She spoke kindly of everyone, she spoke the truth even if I didn't want to hear it-something my co-workers were hesitant to do. Neither her heavily accented English nor her cleaning outfit prevented her from being a leader and she made a positive difference in my life.

 Here are 5 qualities you can develop to increase your influence to lead others:

1. Self-awareness. Step outside yourself to see yourself as others might see you. This will provide you with a necessary balance or reference point. This kind of insight helps develop empathy-critical for leadership. Try asking yourself this question on a daily basis: "Have I listened to myself today?"

2. Creativity. A recent, reality medical show revealed how a doctor and the maintenance staff worked together to help a patient who came into the emergency room with a metal casing stuck on his finger. The doctor was creative enough to call on the people who could shed light on what the inside of the casing looked like and together they came up with a solution and the simple tool (a tool each maintenance man had in his pocket!) to remove the casing without amputating the patient's finger. Leaders don't need to know it all they need to know who knows what they don't and utilize them.

3. Confidence. It is the first thing someone notices about you and confident people simple stand out as leaders. You'll find them in every level of an organization.

4. Vision.  Put the power of imagination to work to develop your visionary skills. No one did it better than Walt Disney. Leaders have a vision and commitment.

5. Acting like a leader. An early mentor taught me this important lesson. Even if you are an inexperienced sales clerk approach your work as though you were the owner or manager. What would you notice, what needs repair or correction, what trash needs to be removed? Then handle it without a lot of fanfare. Be responsible and own your actions.

Strive to improve your leadership ability with every action you take and word you speak.

Here are 29 more communication techniques you can use immediately--go to http://www.communicationskillssuccess.com and claim Free Instant Access to your 6 Part Audio Series - The Power of Effective Communications. Allie Casey is a speaker, coach and author- http://TheFastGuidetoCommunicatingatWork.com