My office this week is Playa del Carmen, Mexico (Lucky me!) I’m not really in office mode at all, instead I am here to enjoy a week of rest, rejuvenation and reflection from the Association of Image Consultants International conference I attended last week in Mexico City and a busy first quarter, 2017.
I am not a “leadership” speaker as such; my topics of personal branding, image, presence and communication are often seen as “soft” skills however to me, those demonstrating excellence in these traits stands out as a leader.
Being the leader of my own business, it is important for me to demonstrate leadership qualities which I do through continuous learning and application. I’m always reading business and self-improvement books and blogs which help me to continually improve. No doubt you do the same as you know how beneficial that can be.
One book I read as a teenager was Dale Carnegie’s breakthrough book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Published in 1936 it is credited as being one of the first self-help books written. It was one of the first manifestos on developing your potential and presence and its writings and philosophy are still practiced today.
To help you demonstrate executive presence and evolve as a leader I’m sharing a few favourite Dale Carnegie quotes.
- You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
- Talk to someone about themselves and they'll listen for hours.
- The only way on earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.
- Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, ‘I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.
- There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a person as criticisms from superiors.
- The world is full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.
- He declared he never stepped in front of the footlights without first saying to himself over and over: "I love my audience. I love my audience.”
- About 15 percent of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85 percent is due to skill in human engineering—to personality and the ability to lead people.
- That is what every successful person loves: the game. The chance for self-expression. The chance to prove his or her worth, to excel, to win.
- It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.
- If you are satisfied with the results you are now getting, why change? If you are not satisfied, why not experiment?
Learn more about brand and image by downloading your copy of the Power of Personal Public Relations.
Read last week’s blog Conference Networking tips from Mexico City
Sue Currie is a personal branding specialist providing solutions to business owners and organisations to boost their image, renown, brand and business. She is the founder of Shine Academy™, providing education and professional development training and Shine Agency™ a firm providing personal branding and public relations services to help businesses and entrepreneurs position and present an impactful professional brand. Through speaking, corporate workshops, and consulting, Sue helps businesses and individuals to stand out and shine.
