5 Tips to Being a Better Leader

By Ashlei Jackson, Qlixite

We’ve all had plenty of experience with leaders...sometimes we even jump into the role ourselves. But as we can all attest - the title does not make you a successful leader. A title does not a motivator make...and that’s what a leader is - someone who draws the success out of others.
 Some leaders have a powerful presence with charisma oozing from every pore. They interact with others with flawless timing and give moving persuasive speeches. How did they become so good? According to Achim Nowak, author of Infectious: How to Connect Deeply and Unleash the Energetic Leader Within, they followed these 5 tips:

1. Be prepared. You can't be compelling if you're worried about what you're going to say next, says Nowak. Assess your audience and review the key points you wish to make but be sure to take about issues that matter to you. The words will flow with greater ease and with more confidence.
2. Shed the stoicism. "The moment we are in business, we step into what I call the veil of the professional role," Nowak says. “It's tough to be charismatic if your interactions don't have passion, humor, or some other element of emotion and human connection,” he says. Basically, if you set yourself apart from people, it's tough to truly connect with them. Nowak asks his clients to think about when they're at home with their children or out with their friends and when they're more "fired up" and to remember that feeling, tapping into it when they're in the office and need to motivate those around them.
3. Embody enthusiasm. Charismatic leadership is more than just what you say so pay attention to your body language. Notice how you stand when you're feeling comfortable and in control and practice that posture. Work on calming your breathing to appear more relaxed and confident. Smile and make eye contact. Crossed arms and anxious body language will undermine even the most passionate message.
4. Be authentic. If it's not your style to make jokes or use metaphors, then don't, says Nowak. Forcing yourself to adopt a style that isn't natural for you is only going to undermine your credibility, he says.
 Get rid of generic responses too. For example, Nowak helped one client increase employees' levels of engagement on conference calls just by changing her standard "that's great" response to more meaningful feedback. "It energized her and energized her listeners. It really is just retraining ourselves to look at how we interact with people on that micro level," he says.
5. Practice. It might sound odd to "practice" being charismatic, but Nowak says it's absolutely possible to increase your appeal and influence through repetition. The "muscle memory" of effective interpersonal communication is as real as that of physical activity.

 Good luck in all of your leadership endeavors!

A Healthier Approach to Change

By Richard Peatman, Pharm D, Meadow Vista Pharmacy

Here we go again. It's another new year, and we all like to think about making changes.  This is a great time to plan on improving your health, losing weight, getting more exercise and spending more time with your family. 

 Before you take the plunge, check with your healthcare provider for goals that are reasonable for you.  Start small, with one goal at a time, and make a solid plan. Remember: small changes really do add up. One way to be more effective is to create SMART goals. These are the elements of SMART goals:

• Specific. State exactly what you want to accomplish. Make sure your goal is not hard to understand. Getting fit is not a specific goal. Being able to run a 5K under 30 minutes is. Write down exactly what you plan to do as well as when and how often. Post it where you'll be sure to see it.  
• Measurable. If a goal is measurable, you can evaluate your progress and know when you've succeeded. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you can check your body mass index (BMI) or see if you can get the zipper up on a smaller pair of pants.
• Attainable. Maybe you want to lose 50 pounds by your class reunion this summer. But seriously, now, is this really realistic? Instead, have a conversation with your health care provider about safe methods and rates of weight loss.  Losing one pound a week might be more reasonable. Or, maybe you'd like to quit smoking cold turkey, but you know you need help.  Today, there are many excellent medications that make it easy to stop.  Get help!
• Relevant.  Is this really a goal you're interested in? Or is it something a family member has foisted upon you? Make sure the steps you're taking will help you meet your specific goal.
• Time-bound. It's human nature to put things off. So remember to set specific deadlines. Try setting lots of shorter time-bound goals. This may make it easier to stay on track and reach your final destination. 

You are also more likely to succeed if you are clear about why you want to make a particular change and know how it will benefit you. Also, identify your support system and ask for help when you need it. Unsure about what you should change? Friends, family and health professionals can offer advice but of course, it's all up to you.  Need more motivation?  Look to friends who have made significant changes for the better in their lives and use them as examples to encourage you.  Remember, sometimes the smallest changes can greatly improve your life.