When we think about successful people, we often think of those that are outspoken, tough, and critical. We sometimes think of leaders who speak their mind first and think about the consequences later. We might even think about someone who is extroverted instead of those who are more introverted. But are these truly qualities of a successful business owner or leader?
If you look at many of the top business leaders today, you’ll find that many of them give off a sense of intelligence, wisdom, and leadership that’s devoid of brashness and condescension. You don’t often see them yelling at their employees, lashing out at others in their industry, or throwing away decency in the name of profit. There are many leaders out there who do exude that sense of brashness, of course, but you often see the more calm and reserved leaders as the ones who are talked about fondly.
Composure, although often overlooked as a key to success, is a very important skill to have, especially in times of peril and panic. Here are a few key personality traits for you to practice that can lead to a more controlled grasp over your own composure.
Responsibility
Taking responsibility for not only your actions but the actions of others can lead to a better understanding of how to remain composed. If you make a mistake that leads to a negative impact in some way on your business, it’s important to take responsibility for that mistake. Likewise, if an employee screws up, they aren’t the only ones responsible for the mistake; you are, too. Treat your mistakes as learning opportunities, and learn what you need to do next time to avoid the same mistake. Once you claim responsibility for you and your employees’ mistakes, you will give off a heightened sense of composure to those around you. Employees and customers will respect the dignified manner in which you handle your own responsibilities.
Compassion
Compassionate leaders are often the ones you hear the most about because most people love to hear stories about kind-hearted people. When you practice compassion in the workplace, you are showing others that you truly care about their well-being. Compassionate leaders are also rarely volatile in nature. There is such a thing as “tough love” but this speaks more to those who are trying to teach values through hard lessons; not individuals who are unable to control their own feelings and actions. Practice being compassionate to others and you’ll experience an increase in self-control.
Patience
One of the most obvious traits of a leader who constantly maintains their composure is patience. Patience is at the very heart of composure, and without it, composure ceases to exist. Those who practice patience don’t lash out uncontrollably at whatever inconvenience comes their way. They take the time to assess the situation, craft a solution, and implement that solution at the exact right moment for maximum success. Be sure to practice patience if you want to be perceived as a cool and collected business leader.
Keeping It Under Control
Most importantly of all, you have to keep a situation under control and prevent it from spiraling out of your hands if you want to be known for your composure. There are going to be problems and in order to be an effective leader, you’re going to have to solve them. By keeping the situation at a manageable level and preventing it from escalating, you will have to practice excellent problem-solving skills. If you learn how to keep a situation from getting out of hand, you’ll have no problem composing yourself and solving any problem.
Composure is a leadership skill that is oftentimes overlooked. After all, it’s not the most glamorous skill to have. But practicing good composure, as a business leader or a person in a position of power, will help you to earn the respect of customers and employees alike!
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