We’ve all seen it. We’ve all worked for some person who had no business being in a leadership position. How they got there is a mystery to everyone, and when it comes to using technology, oh my… they are about as sharp as a bowling ball. Am I right? So to make sure that you don’t end up like them, here is a list of 7 ‘leadership’ traits that can be enhanced, or hurt, by technology. Follow this advice and you are sure to be an effective leader.<\/p>\n
Trait #1: Character<\/strong> Trait #2: Teachability<\/strong> Trait #3: Generosity Trait #4: Competency<\/strong> Trait #5: Relationships<\/strong> Trait #6: Communication<\/strong> Trait #7: Problem Solving<\/strong> All these technology tools can help you become a better leader, but only if you use them and use them the right way.\u00a0 To get ahead you need an edge… you need to do things better than the next guy… and you need to be someone that people want to follow.<\/p>\n Now go answer those emails that have been sitting in your inbox for days.\u00a0 I guarantee you the person on the other end will appreciate it!<\/p>\n
\nCharacter is sometimes hard to define, and is probably best described using examples, but you know it when you see it. If you are ‘flakey’ in the way you deal with others, you will lose face in their eyes. Do what you say you are going to do and be respectful of other people’s time.\u00a0 For better or worse, the majority of people today rely on email to get work done and communicate with others.\u00a0 So whenever a colleague emails you and needs help\/information\/whatever, don’t just ignore it for days at a time.\u00a0 At the very least, respond and acknowledge you got it, and tell them you’ll get back with them.\u00a0 Same goes with voice mail.\u00a0 Hate voicemail?\u00a0 Give Google Voice<\/a> a try.\u00a0 It’s free.<\/p>\n
\nIf you want to be an effective leader, then learn something new every day.\u00a0 Be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.\u00a0 Nobody likes to work for someone who is inflexible, unwilling to adapt to new ways of doing things, or a ‘know-it-all’.\u00a0 So at the very least, stay in touch with what is going on in your profession.\u00a0 Use Google Reader<\/a> and Google Alerts<\/a> to keep track of what’s important and relevant.\u00a0 I know, you don’t have time to scour the web looking for news, right?\u00a0 So let Google do it for you.\u00a0 It’s free and it will save you a ton of time.\u00a0 Trust me.\u00a0 And don’t forget about www.twazzup.com<\/a>, which is a great way to glean real-time news from the world of Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>As a leader, be generous in everything you do.\u00a0 Giving to others will win you more friends and influence than you ever imagined.\u00a0 And that includes your words as well.\u00a0 Use technology to build others up and encourage them, especially your employees\/followers.\u00a0 Email encouraging, positive comments and copy others on the email so that they know you are bragging on them.\u00a0 Use www.eyejot.com<\/a> to send free video emails instead of text emails, and again, copy others.\u00a0 And lead by example by using www.freecycle.org<\/a> to give things away instead of throwing them away.<\/p>\n
\nBeing unorganized is a one-way ticket to people thinking you are incompetent.\u00a0 And that undermines your leadership.\u00a0 So let Google Desktop<\/a> organize your computer harddrive so you’ll never lose another file.\u00a0 Use www.evernote.com<\/a>, www.rememberthemilk.com<\/a>, or www.springpad.com<\/a> to capture and organize your life so you never forget or lose anything.\u00a0 And don’t forget about www.dropbox.com<\/a> or www.mesh.com<\/a> to always have access from anywhere to the important files that you need.<\/p>\n
\nOne of the best ways to develop your leadership is to build relationships.\u00a0 When you build a relationship with someone first they are more likely to do business with you later.\u00a0 So use all of the latest social media tools available today to build relationships.\u00a0 Yes, using Facebook <\/a>can make you a better leader!\u00a0 And the same goes for Twitter <\/a>and Sprouter<\/a>.\u00a0 So go get on Facebook right now and start building relationships!<\/p>\n
\nIf you want to make your employees\/followers lose confidence in you, then keep them in the dark about what’s going on.\u00a0 I have seen good leaders fail simply because they failed to communicate.\u00a0 So aside from email and your cellphone, what are some technology tools you can use to communicate in different ways?\u00a0 Try www.tatango.com<\/a> for free web-based group text-messaging, like with your soccer team or your church group or your chamber committee.\u00a0 Use video-calling programs like Skype <\/a>or ooVoo <\/a>to make video calls that are much more personable than text emails.\u00a0 Ever heard of WebEx?\u00a0 Try www.dimdim.com<\/a>… it’s better.<\/p>\n
\nSolve problems and people will turn to you when they need help.\u00a0 People turn to leaders to solve problems, so be a problem-solver!\u00a0 Don’t know the answer?\u00a0 Ask Google 411<\/a>.\u00a0 Struggling with that technical issue that just won’t go away?\u00a0 Give www.protonic.com<\/a> a try… it’s fantastic, by the way!\u00a0 Want to really impress them?\u00a0 Use www.gethuman.com<\/a> to get around those super annoying phone menus.\u00a0 The bottom line is… solve someone’s problem and your stock goes up.\u00a0 Every time.<\/p>\n