You often read about the qualities that management needs to lead a team. What are the qualities that an employee needs to become a leader?  To be recognized and admired by management?  To be a standout but also enjoy the job?
Stand Tall.  Believe in yourself and be confident about your ability and the skills you learned.  When you believe in yourself and your talents you stand tall. You are self-assured and positive about approaching management with new ideas.  

New ideas give you the opportunity to become recognized. When you are known for creativity and innovation, management becomes aware of what you can do for the organization.  

Speak Up.  When you are in a meeting, make sure you speak up. It is not about talking just to be heard.  But it is listening to the conversation and adding valuable insight and thoughts to what is being said.  When you speak up, management takes note of your leadership ability.  A true leader and recognized employee, interacts with the team, adds input and is an example and mentor to others.  

Be Mindful. When you are focused  on the task at hand, you are clear and able to make better decisions. The work-place can be a stressful environment with constant distractions, information overload and pressure. To help with the stress and workload, a practice in mindfulness, will allow you to respond versus react.  

Being mindful in the office, is about finding a second to clear out the clutter in your head and to pause on what is important in the moment.

Know your Fellow Employees. It is important to make friends at work. When employees get to know each other and make a connection, they feel part of the team.  Collaboration between employees is an important aspect of team development.  When employees make friends they are more likely to stay, be happy and build greater team engagement. According to an article in Lifehack,50% of employees with a friend at work, reported having a stronger bond with their company.

Have Courage.  Courage is not only important for leaders but for employees. When you have courage, you are not intimidated by management or others. But you are brave and tenacious and know that what you offer can help the organization you are working for.   You have faith in yourself, others and areopen to change and direction.  As Aristotle said, "courage is the first virtue as it makes all other virtues possible." 

Communicate with both management and colleagues.  Communication is the key to success.  According to research, effective communication is the number one reason you are promoted into management. Employees and leaders need to communicate with colleagues at all levels to improve performance and productivity within the organization.  

Clear on your Goals.  Be sure to have goals.  Know where you want to go in the organization or department you are working for.  When you set out on your path with clear goals, you have something to strive for.  You have a plan and can set a course to achieve it.  Letting management know your goals and path you want to follow, allows them to help you achieve your goals.  Effective managers help their employees with career development plans so they can continue to learn and grow.  

Confident and brave employees become great, courageous leaders! Please comment.
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Colleen partners with the Potential Project, the global leader in mindfulness in the workplace. To enhance focus and clarity for increased productivity, performance and resilience.
Speaking, training and coaching organizations and individuals on performance impact in their business and career.  Improving leadership, communication and team effectiveness.  Connect with her at  [email protected] andwww.colleencassel.com.

Whether you are the top boss, or the person climbing the ladder, leaders that make a difference stand tall.  When you are self aware you possess qualities that give you the "It" factor.   So what qualities make up the "It" factor? Ask yourself if you have "it" or do your leaders at work have it?

Curious.  When you are curious, you ask questions.  You challenge others ideas but with an open, inquiring mind.   Being curious is not about having an ego but a desire to understand and have interest in different points of view.  A curious mind is inquisitive and one that constantly wants to learn. 

Connect. People that connect, are genuine and know how to relate to others. They are not afraid to get personal and share stories.  When you share your story, you build the bridge to credibility and likeability.

Champion.  You rally behind the troops. You know how to give credit to others and are fine with not always being the one with the answers.  You are fair and empower others to be great.  

Focus. When you have focus you are mindful of your own actions and aware of others.  You understand the task at hand and are confident and clear in your direction. 

Feedback. You know communication is the key to all good organizations and it requires a two way street. You encourage feedback to enrich the conversation and find new ways to innovate and change for the better. 

Have their back. You stand by your colleagues and teams.  It is not a "me" culture but it is about "we".  You are positive and respectful of others.  Your collegues know they  are safe and work in a learning environment.

Self Aware.  When you are self aware you are emotionally intelligent.  You first understand what makes you click.  Your strengths, limitations and feelings.  You know how to manage your emotions, so you lead by example.  Understanding the feelings, motivating and inspiring your colleagues comes naturally.   

Regardless of your title, a leader and one that others follow is authentic and leads with focus and intent.  You know how to tap into your inner strengths to shine outwardly.  Your mission is to build other leaders.

Do you recognize these qualities in yourself?  If so, congratulations!  You have what it takes to be a leader others follow.

Colleen speaks, trains and consults with organizations and individuals on cultivating greater performance impact in their business and career.  As a Senior Consultant with the Potential Project, the global leader in mindful leadership, she works with you to enhance focus for increased productivity.  Connect with her at[email protected] and www.colleencassel.com