Download Article 1K ClubI have the ability to be a quick study of people and decide whether to connect with them or not. I can immediately determine whether I’d like to get to know the person, or if the person possesses something important that I’d like to learn. I guess this came from all of the hiring I did in one of my early jobs. I got to be very good at assessing people’s strengths and weaknesses and at making “yes” or “no” decisions on whether to hire. Building personal relationships is most important to me and probably best defines my leadership style.
My leadership is based in my organizational and personal relationships, and I’ve always been able to think things through. I’ve also grown in my willingness and comfort level to seek advice from others about how to approach something, and being open to ideas and suggestions. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I will act on the advice of others, but I am committed to seek and listen to it. I’ve seen a lot of people who don’t do this, and they can be ineffective. It’s important for others to feel they have been listened to objectively and not shut-out.
I have become a good listener and have always had thoughts and opinions about things and good insights. I generally manage to stay apolitical, and that is important to me. When I come across those who have a different perspective, I don’t try to dissuade them. Rather, I keep the focus on what we are both interested in. I like being part of a team and have never shied away from being the team leader.
I’m blessed with self-confidence and if I have something to say I don’t worry about what people are going to think. I have the ability to take a complex issue and simplify, find the essence of a problem. And I deal with ambiguity very well. Also, I am not particularly judgmental. I believe most people are basically good, so I don’t engage in discussions about how bad people are. I believe I have an ample amount of organizational sense, of what works and what doesn’t. Thanks to good schools and teachers, my English language skills are pretty good. I’m also very open and try to be approachable. People don’t see me playing games or having hidden agendas.
