Women leadership 

7 Top Tips to a new Effective Leadership Style

Article by Consuelo Meux, Ph.D.

Women in leadership can have a leadership style similar to President Obama by studying how this style works. Ever since the campaign days, the world has been given a glimpse of a leadership method that touches the hearts and minds of people who are usually not involved with leaders of any type. This article looks at 7 top leadership tips women leaders can take from the President to build her leadership effectiveness in similar ways.

1. Think about Others

One of the most important aspects of leadership is being able to make it about others, not you. Traditional leaders often start to lose their influence when it becomes something that highlights their own needs and desires instead of those of the people who follow him or her. Keep the attention on others and you'll increase your leadership influence.

2. Courageous

Courage in leadership build confidence in followers. The new President shows his courage by being honest even when it means having to change his mind in public or saying ”I don't know yet.” People admire courageous leaders who are willing to stand for their values and take risks that let them reach the goals they set out to achieve.

3. Be Transparent

Another characteristic of Obama's leadership is being transparent. While none of us should expect to know everything the President is doing, we do enjoy knowing the major thought patterns that he holds and how he plans to implement these ideas. Learn to be appropriately transparent with the people who believe in you and they will feel more comfortable letting you make decisions that affect their life.

4. Collaborative

Being able to work with others in a collaborative manner is a key function of President Obama's leadership style. The words used when he speaks let others know they are a part of whatever it is that he's planning and that what they think counts. You can be a collaborative leader too when you let others know that you want to hear their opinions and you take what they say to heart.

5. Empowering

When you hear President Obama speak he always finds a way to include an action step that others can take to help move things along. This is a way to empower others for action. You can be an empowering leader by directly telling others how to take part in the plans you are implementing. Give others specific tasks to complete and let them know you plan to make them accountable to get the job done.

6. Supportive

It's common to see the new President being supportive of those he selects to work with him. Even if they have a hard time getting started, he provides that person with the assurance that he has confidence in his or her ability to get the job done. Be supportive of those around you. Provide them with resources to get the job done. Also, provide some mentoring that builds their knowledge base in ways they couldn't do on their own in order to let them quickly sharpen their skills and abilities.

7. Persistent and consistent

Being persistent means having a consistent message and task that you adhere to even when the going gets tough. Obama's leadership became obvious when he spoke a consistent message that others could begin to relate to over time. Be persistent and consistent in your leadership message and activities to establish your position as a trustworthy, strong and powerful leader. Make your values clear and build a leadership brand through a persistent and consistent strategy.

A new style of leadership is being made obvious with the administration of President Obama. His style of relating to others has captured the ideals of the world by showing a type of interaction with others that is attractive to large groups of people who are made to feel that they are a part of that leadership and a valuable person in the eyes of this dynamic leader. By studying this style of leadership, you can have similar effectiveness as a leader and will increase your influence and success in more areas of your life.

Consuelo Meux, Ph.D. coaches professional and executive women to build the confidence and communication skills to start and grow a small business that generates elegance and financial freedom.

http://www.consuelomeux.com