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GREAT LEADERSHIP STARTS INSIDE 

One of the biggest misunderstandings in the professional arena is believing you can “mask” great leadership. Leadership isn’t just a professional attribute. It starts personally and then overflows into your professional life.

Great leadership is an internal work that, if done correctly, can breed confidence.

During one of my leadership classes, I ask participants to share qualities of leaders, dead or alive, who they admire. Here are some examples of their answers:

• Reliable
• Fearless
• Brave
• Determined
• Humility
• Communicator
• Determined
• Dedicated
• Visionary
• Inspirational
• Engaging
• Empathetic
• Resilient
• Philanthropic

Do you see any qualities above that you’d like to exude? If so, here are three things you can do to begin developing these qualities and become an even stronger leader.

BOOSTING YOUR CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Confidence is important, especially for leaders. It displays your strengths and skill sets, leading to better job performance and engagement. Here are a few ways to increase your confidence at work.

• Gain knowledge – Never stop learning because life never stops teaching. Learn new skills that can add value to your or your team members’ jobs. Take a deeper dive into a subject you’re already familiar with.

• Ask questions – If you’re not sure about a project or company goal, ask for clarification. The more details you know, the more you can lead with confidence and certainty.

• Practice positive language – Using positive language can help reduce conflict, improve communication and increase optimism. It can also help you be more creative and courageous when taking on new tasks.