5 Ways to Prove Your Workplace Leadership Skills

5 Ways to Prove Your Workplace Leadership SkillsThis time of year is pretty blahthe holidays are long over, and youre so far into your new year resolutions thatlets be honestyouve probably lost track of them. Its time for a jumpstart One way to get back into your fresh January groove is to start building your leadership skills at work. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) These strategies can help you platzset yourself up for success for the rest of the year, even without that lovely new goal scent.1. Steer conversations.This is not to say that you should bully people into a particular outcome, or try to establish a particular point of view. This means stepping up when theres a group situation, and making sure everyone stays focused on the task at hand. If a meeting seems to be meandering away from its purpose, be the one to say, Thats great, but can we clarify how that applies to X? or I think thats a great point, and we should set up some t ime to talk mora about it after we finish up here. This not only keeps your attention where it should be, but it also shows people youre committed to getting things done.2. Be proactive.Whenever possible, dont wait for assignments to fall in your lap, or for your boss to tell you the next steps. Try to figure out what the next steps will be. And if they fall within your role, confirm that youre handhabung them.If youre not positive what the next steps are, confirm with your boss that you think X, Y, and Z need to be donedoes she agree? Or if its clear that a group email conversation is slowly turning into a death spiral of unproductiveness, set up a meeting (with a set agenda) where everyone can call in or get in the same room to hash things out.Notekeeping is a great way to be proactive. In meetings, jot down notes about who welches there, what major points were discussed, any open questions that still need to be answered, and whatever the next steps are. Then email them to everyon e who was at the meeting, ideally the same day. It may sound tedious, but it shows everyone that youre taking the initiative to own the process. And it may save the day when, three days later, everyones having the same discussion over email, and you can be the hero who steps in with the reminder of what was already discussed/decided.3. Ask for feedbackThis isnt just a give-and-take between boss and employee. You can apply it to your meetings and everyday interactions with colleagues too. If you run a regular meeting, ask the attendees if the format works for them, or if there are any changes theyd like to see. (This can be done discreetly, over email.) Ditto for any workflows or processes that youre in charge of running. It shows that youre actively interested in making things better for everyone involved.4. and be prepared to give it.This is an area that calls for your best workplace diplomacyand its not an open invitation to criticize people. If you think a process could run more efficiently, and you have an idea of how to do it, pull your coworker aside and ask if he has thought of doing it a different way. Its very collaborative, and can build your relationships as well. Dont be afraid to share your (polite and professional, please) opinions5. Be a single-tasker on big projects.If you have a high-profile task or project, set aside time thats devoted just to that project. Most of us have jobs that require juggling a number of tasks and projects at oncebut for top priorities, make sure you have time built into your schedule when you can concentrate fully on one at a time. No email, no new requests, no meetings.If your concentration is best in the morning, block out an hour or two right when you get in the office. If you have your best ideas late in the day, set a 3 pm hunker down time. The idea is to show commitment to your highest priorities, and develop the confidence to say, This is what Im working on right now without letting others distract you.Even if youve let your workplace goals, uh, lapse a little, dont sweat itit happens to everyone at some point. But you dont have to wait for the end of the year to start fresh. A little stepping up goes a long way, and you can start building your leadership skills ASAP.