PECTIVE
REFLECTIONS OF INDUSTRY LEADERS
FILEX’s Keynote Speaker and
performance expert looks at
how to build your leadership
effectiveness and make
yourself worth following.
WORDS: LISA MCINNES-SMITH
Next, be a person who takes risks and
participates at every opportunity. Those who
get involved at all levels of their business
develop conscious competence as well as
connection. They take action rather than
procrastinate or spectate. People who take
the lead, fast track their own growth because
their weaknesses and strengths are quickly
revealed to themselves. When you participate,
it helps people to know you and grow with
you. Trust is built when you are willing to put
yourself in a position where everyone knows
you could end up looking foolish. In reality,
you are modelling how to lead.
It is critical to learn to speak nicely to
yourself, about yourself. The self-talk of
leaders is an integral part of their success.
You must be able to encourage and affirm
yourself even when others criticise or stay
silent. The most powerful words you will
ever hear in your whole life are those you
say to yourself, about yourself. You speak
hundreds of words to yourself throughout
the day, so make them count for good. Then
practice on others.
Next, apply focus to the areas where you
want to grow. Multi-skilling is a useful talent
to have, but to improve quickly you need to
focus. Practice focused thinking and putting
all your energy on one aim until you bring
about significant change. Progress comes in
lots of incremental steps on a regular basis.
Finally, coach yourself and one of your
team on a weekly basis. Repetition builds
skill, competence and confidence. Keep
your comments specific and encouraging.
Good leaders are good coaches. Don’t score
keep – coach! Remember how fascinating
you can be! We are all works in progress.
Lisa McInnes-Smith is a dynamic, internationally
recognised keynote speaker and bestselling author
who has presented to over two million people
globally and shared the stage with two American
Presidents. With a background in sports psychology
and high performance, she empowers everyone
she encounters to ‘lift their game’ and contribute
their talents to society. lisaspeaks.com
Progress comes in lots of incremental steps on a regular basis.
t was such a privilege to help
celebrate 30 magnificent years of
leading the way by Australian
Fitness Network during FILEX 2017. The
event was fabulous, and so were all the
attendees (thanks for your glowing response
to my presentation!)
So how can we, as individuals, take
inspiration from this sort of leadership and
grow our own influence and team building
skills? Leadership effectiveness can be
significantly improved with a little daily
practice and perseverance.
First, be a person who is fun to work
with and to be around. No one wants to
team up with someone who has no sense
of humour or fun. No matter how important
the job is, life is more enjoyable when we
work with people who are a pleasure to be
around. Smile often and show teeth! Do not
underestimate the power of pleasantries.
Expect your team to use them.
I
8 | NETWORK WINTER 2017
5 attributes that make you worth following
1. Knowing your values and articulating
them to others
Have ‘A Code To Live By’ and ‘A Code To Lead
By’ that you are happy for others to view.
2. Having a vision and a mission
Help people to ‘see’ and ‘feel’ the future
before it’s even created. Use your words
to paint pictures of how the future is going
to look.
3. Genuinely relating to and
engaging with others
Learn to communicate regularly and
personally. Teams are built one relationship
at a time. Build trust and attempt to pre-
empt the needs of your people at work
before they ask.
4. Encouraging problem solving
Help people to see that they are either part of
the problem or part of the solution. Encourage
them to innovate and initiate new ideas and
to communicate those ideas with conviction.
5. Being a decision maker
Empower others to make decisions also.
People who don’t make decisions don’t make
many mistakes, but they don’t make much
progress either. Decisions are necessary to
move ahead and to create a better future.
We learn from our mistakes as we go.