"Communicating with IMPACT" - Patrick Donadio, MBA

Traits Successful Leaders Possess - Responsibility Improving leadership skills increases the performance of those you work with and enhances your opportunities (and the opportunities of those you lead) for advancement within a company. As a leadership communications coach I have identified 18 traits successful leaders possess. Over the next few months I would like to discuss a few of these key traits that can help you grow and develop as a leader. Today let’s talk about Responsibility Leaders accept challenges as well as successes. Employees will never respect a leader who deflects criticism towards the team. Successful leaders think of themselves as “we” not “I.” It is a leader’s responsibility to ensure that everyone shares in the team’s success and that the team learns from its mistakes. If an employee makes a mistake, it is your responsibility to help him or her improve as well. Here is an assignment for this week: Look for "Learning Opportunities”. When you see an area wh

Improving leadership skills increases the performance of those you work with and enhances your opportunities (and the opportunities of those you lead) for advancement within a company. As a leadership communications coach I have identified 18 traits successful leaders possess. Over the next few months I would like to discuss a few of these key traits that can help you grow and develop as a leader. Today let’s talk about Recognition Recognition is a valuable communication tool! Most people care more about recognition from leaders and peers than about money. When an employee performs well, let him or her know. Happy people give better customer service. Recognition also goes along way towards keeping good people. According to the U.S. Department of Labor: “46% of those who quit their jobs last year did so because they felt unappreciated”. Here is an assignment for this week: Each day give five sincere compliments to various workers. Be on the lookout for some positive action or behavior t

Improving leadership skills increases the performance of those you work with and enhances your opportunities (and the opportunities of those you lead) for advancement within a company. As a leadership communications coach I have identified 18 traits successful leaders possess. Over the next few months I would like to discuss a few of these key traits that can help you grow and develop as a leader. Today let’s talk about Being Positive. You set the tone for your environment. An optimistic attitude from a leader can carry over to others. What type of tone are you setting at the office? Is it one of optimism? Or one of pessimism? Confidence is contagious as so is lack of confidence. Remember - Employees mirror the tone that leaders set. Be an encourager. Next time I will talk about Recognition. Do you have any successes or questions about been positive as a leader? Let me know and I will share them with my readers. E-mail Patrick

Improving leadership skills increases the performance of those you work with and enhances your opportunities (and the opportunities of those you lead) for advancement within a company. As a leadership communications coach I have identified 18 traits successful leaders possess. Over the next few months I would like to discuss a few of these key traits that can help you grow and develop as a leader. Today let’s talk about Initiating Initiate – Initiate conversations to help find solutions. Don’t always dictate change. Initiate change by creating atmosphere where creative juices can flow freely. Asking questions is a great way to initiate conversations. Try asking open-ended questions to help people focus on solutions, for example: “What can we do better as a company?” Encourage suggestions for improvement. Set out a suggestion box and reward good suggestions. Continually strive to Make the future better than the present.. An optimistic attitude from a leader can carry over to others. Ne

I have decided to toss my hat into the ring for President. Check out the Buzz.... Whoever you decide to vote for... please vote this fall! P.S - Sorry to bust your bubble, this is not real :)

Improving leadership skills increases the performance of those you work with and enhances your opportunities (and the opportunities of those you lead) for advancement within a company. As a leadership communications coach I have identified 18 traits successful leaders possess. Over the next few months I would like to discuss a few of these key traits that can help you grow and develop as a leader. Today let’s talk about Consistency. Don't be a tyrant one day and a pussycat the next. Flip-flopping between styles confuses employees. Also make decisions consistently. Those that look to you for leadership must know what to expect on a daily basis. We connect with some workers better than others. Try not to let the relationship taint your response. Treat all employees equally. Enforce company policies fairly. It is more difficult with the co-workers who are different than you. Remember to not to take things personally. When you take things personally it shifts how you react/respond, th

Improving leadership skills increases the performance of those you work with and allows for advancement within a company. As a leadership communications coach I have identified 18 traits successful leaders possess. Over the next few weeks I would like to discuss six key traits that can help you as a leader reach your next level of leadership. Today let’s talk about Visibility. Circulating the workplace will make you appear more approachable and available. Take advantage of every opportunity to interact with co-workers. Be supportive of others and try to help out with the little things. Management by Wandering around ( MBWA ) works! Make sure to practice visibility upwards as will as downwards. You do not have to always be physically present to be visible. Writing articles for you company newsletter, sending out a thank you note, conducting a teleconference... these are also ways to be visible. Next time I will talk about Consistency. What are some ways you have been visible as a

Anti-New Year's Resolutions? During this time of year, people starting thinking about making "New Year's Resolutions". I use to set New Year's Resolutions at the beginning of the year. Now I look at it differently. Every quarter I set and revisit my goals. I encourage my busy executive coaching clients to do the same. In addition to setting/revisiting new goals I ask my coaching clients to also create a "Not To Do List". Yes, I did say a "Not To Do List". Some of us (including myself) keep adding to our list and very seldom take the time to look at the list and ask, "What can I stop doing?" Here are a few ways to make "Anti-Resolutions" and remove some of those goals on your list that no longer serve you: 1. Does it fit in with you current mission/vision of your organization? Is not, take it off the list. 2. Is it the best use of your time? Can or should someone else be doing it? If so delegate it 3. Does is bring value to