1. Respect their time. No matter where you are on the corporate ladder, everyone’s time is important and showing that you respect their time speaks volumes about you. Being late or not showing up for appointments makes you seem careless and disorganized. Set up reminders to prompt you in advance for a meeting you’re supposed to attend so that you'll be able to get there on time. This simple but important personality development technique will help you command respect as a leader.
3. Keep your ears open. Smart leaders recognize that they need to stop talking and start listening. Don’t clamor to prove your point and demonstrate that you’re smarter than everyone else. Instead, be open to what you can learn from others. Don’t just provide feedback, but ask for feedback from your team and genuinely listen to what they have to say. You’ll be surprised at just how effective a leader you can be if you are open to listening to a perspective other than your own.
5. Work smart, not hard. Effective leaders understand that it’s not the number of hours you put in that count; it’s the results that you get. Most people work hard, but how much are they able to achieve and do the outcomes make a difference? Learn how to avoid time traps and focus on how much you get done, not the effort you put in. Make the most efficient use of your time by delegating tasks so you can focus on the things that really matter.