We attended the Salt and Light Ventures’ 16th Achievers & Leaders Summit at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel last November 9, 2016 to learn from top speakers like the inspirational Bo Sanchez, international etiquette specialist Jacqueline Whitmore, former Morgan Stanley CFO and International Care Ministry founder Dave Sutherland, BPO executive Carlo Mata, and experts like Gerry Plana of Investors in People and Luigi Mapa of Link-OD Solutions.
The conference began with a welcoming message from Vice President Leni Robredo. Â
I was glad I got to attend this conference. We learned a lot of new things and met a lot of new people, all in just a day. We tackled different topics like how to develop your own leadership brand and how to create leadership value at work, but one lesson that struck me the most was probably the most basic of all—that is, how to be a leader.
Did you know that when leaders transform, the organizations they are part of transform with them as well? That is why it is important that as a leader, one must constantly strive to improve in order to build a long-lasting and high performing team.Â
5 TIPS ON HOW TO BE A LEADER Â
by international etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore
The age old saying rings true:Â leaders are made, not born.
5. Be a life-long learner.
Always strive to constantly improve yourself. Remember: Leaders are readers!
4. Invest in relationships.
Investing in relationships is important, because most of the time, it’s not about what we know, but who we know. So go ahead and keep on networking!
Here’s a an etiquette tip everyone must know: When exchanging calling cards, always make sure that your card faces the person you’re giving it to.
READ:Â Most Affordable Business Cards And Printing In Manila
3. Go the extra mile.
When things get rough, it’s important to remember that it’s what we do with setbacks that separate great leaders from the ordinary. Jacqueline shared a story to us that I will never forget.
After being laid off from her work at Disneyland, Jacqueline’s then-boyfriend encouraged her to apply to a 5-star hotel. Being a southern small town girl, she felt completely unqualified for the job—she’s never worked at 5-star hotels before, she doesn’t have a master’s degree, nor has she ever been out of the country. But just when she told him, “I don’t feel qualified for it”, he replied, “but you have the ambition for it.”
Feeling encouraged, she applied for the job and made sure she went the extra mile.
How?
During the job interview, Jacqueline noticed that the HR who was interviewing her had a painting of a cow hung on her office wall. On top of her desk was a notebook covered in cow prints, too.
After the interview, Jacqueline went straight to the store to buy a thank you gift, but to keep things personal, she bought something she was sure her interviewer will like— a card with a photo of a cow on it (but of course)!
Since she was applying for a PR position then, she wanted to show the HR that she was creative and innovative, so she bought a blank puzzle, took out one puzzle piece, and wrote her name on it. Then she stuck a note that said, “let me be the piece to complete your team” (non-verbatim).
She personally handed her gift to her interviewer the same day. The morning after, she received a call to inform her that she got the job. The lesson of the story? Whenever you feel unqualified for a task, remember this: while there will always be someone better than you out there, you can always work with your strengths and go the extra mile. That’s how you can be different from others. Your ambition will take you to where you want to be!
2. Keep an open mind.
A good leader keeps his/her mind open to fresh ideas.
1. Be an inspiration.
Finally, a good leader mentors, teaches, and passes on his/her passion to others!
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