Traits

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE SOURCE OF MERCY, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.

#1. Be Real 

Call it being authentic. Call it being yourself. The fact is that few things are as powerful as standing in the presence of a person who is really comfortable in their own skin. What I am suggesting is that you speak with your unique voice and that you live under your true values and that you present the real you to the world around you. Please trust me on this one. I promise you that when you get to the last hour of your last day, you will regret having lived the life society sold you versus the life that you knew deep within was meant for you.

#2. Smile

Sure this sounds obvious. But what makes greatness is the daily executing around simple ideas. And if smiling during good and hard times was so easy, then why is it so hard for most people? But no matter where you are, a quick and genuine smile to a stranger always connects, Uplifts.

#3. Use People's Names 

A person's name is the sweetest sound to their ears. And yet, it's so very easy to forget to go the extra mile and remember and then use someone's name. World-class communicators get that when they address people by name, it brings them closer and makes them stand out.

#4. Look People In The Eye 

Okay. I really need to rant mildly on this one. Sure we all have our smart phones, iPads and PCs. But this new way of communicating where our mouths move while we speak to the person in front of us but our eyes stay on the screens before us sends a message to that person that they just are not that important. The best gift you can give a customer teammate loved one is the gift of your presence. In this age of easy digitization, giving the human being you're communicating with 1000% of your attention is a spectacular method to lead the field. So, look people in the eye. Engage with what they are saying. Make them feel special. No, make them feel for the brief moment they interact with you, that they are the most important person in the world.

#5. Be Honest 

Again, simple, I know. But leadership and success really does come down to the daily doing of a series of fundamentals staggeringly well. Be the most honest person you know. Let your ethics drive your behaviour. And please remember, anyone can be honest when times are easy. The true measure of your leadership is how honest you are when everything's falling apart.

#6. Choose Good Words 

Walked into a new restaurant that advertised breakfast until 11:30 am. It was 11:50. I asked the man behind the counter: "Is it possible to still get breakfast?" His instant reply: "Absolutely not." Now I understand this man wasn't trying to be rude. He was most likely unskilled with his words. Just not a great communicator. But his words had impact (as all words do). A more effective communicator could have said, "I wish we could but we've just switched over to the lunch menu. I think you will love it. Common in and give it a try." It's all in the language. Instead, his words caused me to try his competitor and to think that this is a restaurant that just doesn't care that much.

Six pretty fundamental yet powerful ways to amp up the impact of your communication focused on appreciating relationships. Try them. Apply them. And innovate around them. Those around you will be grateful you did.