Summit Salon Business Center’s vision is to improve the professional beauty industry “one person at a time.” Part of growing people for a living includes providing mentoring in leadership development. Leadership is key to building a team that trusts, respects, and is dedicated to you and your company’s mission.

Summit Salon Consultant Marti Nelson takes some time to explain what qualities create a strong leader, and how you can start working towards being a better leader today.

“The age-old question is, ‘Are leaders born or made?'” Marti says. “Everything I have studied implies that leaders are made. Yes, there are some people who are natural leaders. However, those people aren’t always the ones who open salons! My responsibility as a Summit Salon Consultant is to develop leadership in everyone I have the opportunity to work with. And what I have learned along the way is that leadership does not always look the same for every person, but that there are common characteristics and action-oriented steps that can cultivate this quality in each of us.”

TOP 10 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

1. HUMILITY

This creates the Servant Leadership model. A leader’s greatest motivation must be to make their people successful. It is only when employees are successful that a company becomes successful.

2. ABILITY TO LISTEN

People want to know they are heard, and that what they say has value. This doesn’t mean you are going to do everything they say, but that you are willing to listen.

3. COMMITMENT

People need to know that you are committed to their success and the success of the company. They are doers, not just dreamers.

4. ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE

It’s not what you say, but how you say it. Leaders have to speak the truth. Create a safe environment where even the hard conversations can happen comfortably.

5. COURAGE

It takes courage to do the right thing. Take risks! Be brave!

6. PASSION

People need to know that you are passionate about growing them.

7. WILLINGNESS TO LEARN

Recognize we never know it all.

8. ABILITY TO DELEGATE

Know what you do well…and what you don’t. Empower others by delegating tasks that fit their strengths.

9. FLEXIBILITY

You cannot be rigid. Life happens and you have to be able to adapt to the circumstances that arise.

10. RESPECTFUL

We don’t respect our people because they have earned it, but because of their position in our company. If their behavior consistently doesn’t warrant respect, perhaps they shouldn’t be working for us.

Top 10 Tips on becoming a better leader starting right NOW

* Understand your “why.”

Be clear about your vision for the company. (If you don’t know, read Simon Sinek’s book, Start With Why.)

* Know and utilize your strengths and gifts.

No one is good at everything. Know when to delegate tasks to others.

* Be passionate and enthusiastic.

Find out what you are passionate about. If you don’t know, be passionate about finding out what you are passionate about!

* Live your morals and values every single day.

Never compromise!

* Set an example.

Good behavior is more caught than taught! Your people will easily recognize inconsistency.

* Set clear goals, write them down, and follow a plan of action.

* Maintain a positive attitude.

No one wants to be around grumpy people!

* Improve communication skills.

The most important part of building strong communication skills is learning how to be an active listener. Practice by following these guidelines:

Avoid distractions. Focus!

Look for ideas and emotions, not just words.