Did you know that when you subscribe to this weekly blog, not ONLY does it come directly to your inbox- but you also receive an exclusive offer on our Product of the Week! What are you waiting for? Sign up now!   Featuring, Marti Nelson Summit Salon Business Center’s vision is to improve the professional beauty industry “one person at a time.” Part of growing people for a living includes providing mentoring in leadership development. Leadership is key to building a team that trusts, respects, and is dedicated to you and your company’s mission. Summit Salon Consultant Marti Nelson takes some time to explain what qualities create a strong leader, and how you can start working towards being a better leader today. “The age-old question is, ‘Are leaders born or made?’” Marti says. “Everything I have studied implies that leaders are made. Yes, there are some people who are natural leaders. However, those people aren’t always the ones who open salons! What I learned through my time as a Summit Salon Consultant is that leadership does not always look the same for every person, but that there are common characteristics and action-oriented steps that can cultivate this quality in each of us.” Top 10 Tips on becoming a better leader starting right NOW Understand your “why.” Be clear about your vision for the company. (If you don’t know, read Simon Sinek’s book, Start With Why.) Know and utilize your strengths and gifts. No one is good at everything. Know when to delegate tasks to others. Be passionate and enthusiastic. Find out what you are passionate about. If you don’t know, be passionate about finding out what you are passionate about! Live your morals and values every single day. Never compromise! Set an example. Good behavior is more caught than taught! Your people will easily recognize inconsistency. Set clear goals. Write them down, and follow a plan of action. Maintain a positive attitude. No one wants to be around grumpy people! Improve communication skills. The most important part of building strong communication skills is learning how to be an active listener. Practice by following these guidelines: Avoid distractions. Focus! Look for ideas and emotions, not just words. Remove judgment. Have the humility to admit when you are wrong. People aren’t impressed with perfection, but they admire someone who is able to admit when they are wrong and move on. Don’t defend yourself. Continue to educate and improve yourself. Always continue to learn and grow. Featured Comments “All good information. I spend 2 hrs every morning in my office before my staff starts . I read any salon articals that can motivate and excite me. I forward to my staff anything I think they would like that’s more technical or great tips. I do some book work also in the mornings. When figures aren’t looking real good I keep going out further with my guestamites and hopes until things look real good. That gets me excited and gives me things to strive for that day. I get good sleep, I exercise, eat right and take vitamins!!” – Mena Dabbundo “I am a salon owner and am trying to grow my staff. These questions get to the heart of who that person is, and all 10 questions will determine consistency in that person’s answers. Thank-you! – Rita Gilmore What do you think? How do YOU continue to grow as a leader? I’d like to know!