In this episode of the Emajin Podcast: Beyond the 19th, we catch up with Stephanie Christopher, CEO of TEC, who provides insights into influencing others, leadership and the "Seven key skills of successful business leaders".

We begin the discussion learning that Stephanie actually started her career in a clinical profession, as a speech pathologist, working in hospitals and private practice before moving into a corporate career. The basis of clincial interviewing skills, dianosing problems and working in multi-diciplined teams applied to business, and thinking of an outcome, have a plan and influencing others translated to sales.

Gravitating to professional services marketing and sales, various roles led Stephanie to being placed as CEO of TEC over 10 years ago. It is through the various leadership roles that Stephanie learnt that is not always your title that leads change, it is your ability to influence those around you. Influencing enables you to guidie people toward the business outcomes, learning that not everyone is going to be on the same page but leading with insights and showing the value, demonstrating that you are someone who understands.

TEC has been in Australia for over 40 years , creating the space for like minded business leaders to access the power of non-competitive peer mentors, enabling business leaders to share their current issues and receive rich, diverse perspectives to assist their approach to move forward - the process enables those vunerable moments within a completely trusted, confidential and caring space with peers who want you to succeed.

Stephanie has learnt alot from the TEC community and as a result they have summarised the seven skills for successful leaders. In the discussion Stephanie outlines the skills as follows:

• Know your numbers - what are the numbers that are make or break for your business
• Inspire a shared vision - clear on where you are heading, everyone aligned on strategy and clear on their role within it
• Get the right people on the bus - know who you need, what talent is going to enable the business to succeed
• Be the Chief engagement officer - leading the culture and inspiring others to be part of it
• Create a customer-centric culture - making sure it is easy for your customer to do business with you
• Lead and let others manage - clarity of expectations, trusting the system, people doing things differently is often better
• Take care of yourself - understanding yourself and invest in those activities that you know enables you to be at your best 

It is a great listen, as Stephanie effortlessly provides valuable and very practical tips for our business community from a wealth of experience, you will appreciate the insights provided and the power of sharing.