Leadership Skills That Will Propel Your Career

There are still many unanswered questions and unfamiliar roads ahead when it comes to the post-pandemic world. According to a report by Deloitte Access Economics, by 2030, two-thirds of all jobs will be “soft skill intensive.” Developing the leadership skills necessary to manage people, run businesses and build strong alliances and lasting relationships has never been more important. After all, a good business model consists of a quality product or service and caring, trustworthy and compassionate people who are anxious to deliver their best. Following are four leadership skills necessary to succeed in a professional post-pandemic world. Regardless of your technical training or tenure in the company, social skills are critical for dollars and good business sense.    

Flexible and Willing to Adapt to Change

Someone stuck in a dated or rigid mindset is a thing of the past when it comes to doing business. If the global pandemic taught us anything, it was the ability to adapt rather than catch up. My very first virtual client(s) was one of the most notable names in Hollywood. And we were all learning the new tech platforms. Stepping out on a limb, taking a risk and owning the mistakes that took place along the way made the learning experience more genuine, real and authentic. 

We all got a chuckle at not being “perfect.” But working through the kinks together is part of being a flexible and compassionate learner and leader. Yes, preparation is key but sometimes, even under the best circumstances, things go wrong. Flexibility is a true leadership skill.

Strong Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand, use and manage emotions in a positive manner. People with a high EQ know how to build strong and authentic alliances. They are aware of the importance of trust, do their best to understand other people’s feelings. They show empathy and emotion when the situation warrants it. People with emotional intelligence are not threatened by other people’s success and do their best to uplift others rather than compete and tear them down. They are thoughtful listeners and make informed decisions based on solid knowledge. They can take criticism without feeling defensive and they are empathetic employers and coworkers. This is a learned behavior and those who put in the effort reap the rewards.

Clear and Concise Message

People are often unaware of how their message is coming across because their (nonverbal) actions are inconsistent with their (verbal) words. However, a dated research project, one of the most cited, was led by Dr. Mehrabian in the 1960s. His work is still used as an example today, finding the interpretation of a message is 7% verbal, 38% vocal and 55% visual. Clear and concise communication involves words, actions and tone of voice—in business and social settings.

When communication is conducted through a face mask, on the phone, via social media or by text, some important cues get lost in the mix. Knowing this and doing everything possible to deliver the right message is the key to successful communication, positive and lasting impressions and continued business relations. 

Nonverbal Communication Matters

Understanding the relationship between hand gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice along with the verbal message is critical when it comes to identifying trust, credibility and integrity. Even writing this blog has challenges because the reader cannot see my face, hear my voice or interpret my message except for the words on the page. By going through my previous blogs, videos, and social media posts, they will better understand my personality and combine it with my words on this page. That is the importance of a universal brand, across the board, where people will research the business, person, or job interviewee online to determine if they really are who you say you are. You build confidence when words and actions align. Trust is broken when there is a disconnect.

For more information check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like Annoying Habits that Bother Your Coworkers. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.