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How to Develop Your Leadership Skills

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Leadership is a valuable skills in business, the workplace, and a great skill to have on your CV as well. It can never hurt to develop these skills, and improve your yourself and your prospects too. There are loads of ways you can develop the skills you have, and there are lots of skills you can start to develop immediately. Whatever strength of weaknesses you have, you can improve these and develop so many more skills. Having better leadership skills can benefit you in so many ways. Anything from improving your relations at work, to improving your chances of getting a job you really want. Developing these skills can lead to many kinds of opportunities too, you never know where it might lead. Whether you are starting your own business, or you want to motivate young people, there is so much to learn and utilize when it comes to your leadership skills. Here are just a few ideas to get you started, and get you thinking about how you can go about improving your skill set. Whoever you are, and however many leadership skills you possess, there are ideas here for everyone. Read on to find out how you can become a better leader, and how you can do that today, because there are so many benefits for you and the people around you.

Get Inspired By Leadership

There will definitely be someone you know, or maybe even a celebrity, that is a good leader and you look up to. Knowing what a good leader is, and figuring out how they are a good leader as well, can be really useful when trying to develop your own leadership skills. There are so many great leaders, and many come in the form of politicians. Why not look up people like Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi, or even Barack Obama. Looking up interviews and researching people that you find inspiring and emotive, are great ways to get started.

There are so many talks by leaders on youtube, and you can watch back and analyze their skills, and at what point the crowd felt their words. The best way to develop your own leadership skills is to find out what kind of leaders inspire you, and learn from their skills. Take your time to research and see what you find inspiring, and  work on these skills to develop your own leadership. It is also great to have someone to look up to, and that can remind you of the goals you have in mind for yourself. This constant reminder can be  a great help when you feel particularly challenged, or you want to stop learning about leadership for whatever reason. Inspirational leaders can always benefit your own leadership skills.

Become a Part of a Team

Before you can start thinking about being a good leader, you have to learn about what it is like to be part of a team. Being a team member has a lot of transferable skills to leadership, and understanding how to be part of a team can  help you to understand team mentality. You can start by doing something as simple as volunteering at your local soup kitchen, or clean up the environment in your local area. Team sports are great as well, because the teams morale and leader, play a key part in how the team can play, and how they can bounce back from defeats.

Once you learn how to be part of a team, you will get to experience leadership first hand. All kinds of leadership is valuable, whether that be good or bad leaders. Bad leadership can teach you what effect this can have on a team, and ways in which you could handle things differently. Maybe a coach was too critical when helping a player improve their performance, and should have given motivating and positive. Learning from experiences like this gives you an idea of what it is to be a good leader, and how you can go about achieving these things.

Once you learn how to be a good team player, you will be well on your way to being a successful leader. So many things like supporting teammates, communicating effectively, and knowing how to function as part of a team, you will be well on your way to being a great leader. Understanding how a team works, is valuable when wanting to lead one, and when you want to learn how to motivate and unite people.

Everyone is Different

Although there are a few key skills that leaders have, like communication, emotive speaking, and a genuine concern for others, everyone’s style of leadership is different. Once you develop your skill set, you will start to figure out what style of leadership works best for you and those around. Of course this might change from situation to situation, and can depend on who you are leading too. Developing your own style, and utilizing your strengths is a great place to start. Things that you might consider your weaknesses, will soon turn out to be your strengths. Perhaps public speaking is something you find difficult, so you keep working on this. If you work on thins time and time again, with practise this skill will develop and soon you will be doing it with ease. The things you overcome on your way to becoming a better leader makes you human, and can be great for people to relate to, and a reason people will look up to you as well.

There are so many benefits to developing your leadership skills, and doing so can open many doors for you. It can improve your chances of getting that job you want, or improve relations with your own employees. It is great to start with looking at great leaders with fantastic skills, that can inspire you, and give you ideas of some skills and techniques you can try out. There are many styles, so try out different skills and see what works for you. There are many styles out there, and many of them could work for you.

Student @ Advanced Digital Sciences Center, Singapore. Travelled to 30+ countries, passion for basketball.

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Do’s and Don’t’s of Firing People

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As a business leader one of the hardest things that you could do is fire an employee. Of course, it sounds like an easy thing to do if the employee is rightfully deserving of being fired, but it is a lot easier said than done. Is a decision that many managers actually lose a lot of sleep over, because it’s such a difficult undertaking. 

No matter what you do though, whether you are firing somebody because they are just not the right fit for your business, or you are dismissing an employee for gross misconduct, legal issues can arise that could do damage to your business. HR professionals across the country will tell you that there are many different ways of gracefully terminating an employee’s contract, but there are some do’s and don’ts that you could do to make it an easier process that can help you deal with it. Let’s take a look at a few of those below.

  • Do get everything in order before you fire them. From evidence as to the reason they are fired, to the paperwork for them to leave the business, get everything in order so that there are no loose ends. For a firing to go smoothly this needs to be prepared in advance. Before you terminate the employee, you need to be able to prevent any misunderstandings or even accusations of illegal activity going on. Follow the policies and procedures in place of your organization and if necessary, consult a lawyer. Secure computer files, make sure you pull together all in performance appraisals and written warnings as any other correspondence that you might need. You should also make sure that you have all of the payroll information in place so that you can reassure the person being fired that they will be paid according to the law.
  • Do choose a private space. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be fired from their job. It leaves a bad taste, it’s nothing to be proud of, and it can be embarrassing for the employee. When you are dismissing somebody, you need to choose the right time and place and make sure that there are no eavesdroppers. It’s always a good idea to do it as early in the week as possible at the end of the day so that you minimize impact to your business. If an employee depends on the company or their colleagues to get home, it just makes good sense to ensure that they are not going to be left stranded.
  • Don’t fire somebody with an audience around. As we mentioned before, anybody in your business has a right to privacy. Doing it in front of an audience will be poor behavior on your part as an employer. It also won’t help people in the office to feel comforted by the idea that they may not be next. Use an official meeting space, as it’s a private and neutral location that is free from any disruption.
  • Don’t forget to toe the line. If you terminate an employee on parental or medical leave, or you terminate an employee who is pregnant, you are going to open yourself up to a lawsuit. Toe the line when it comes to the law and make sure that you are firing somebody with all of your ducks in a row in advance.

Terminating an employee’s contract is not easy, but sometimes it needs to be done.

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Best Strategies to Create an Comfortable Atmosphere in Your Restaurant

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Creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in any restaurant is essential for success. Customers often form their first impression of the restaurant based on its ambiance, and if it isn’t pleasant or enjoyable, they are less likely to come back. It’s important to consider all aspects that can make up a positive dining experience — from the decor to the music playing in your establishment to the service you provide. Here are some strategies that will help you create an atmosphere that customers won’t forget.

Decor:

The key to creating a cozy environment is by designing decor that reflects your restaurant’s style and promotes relaxation. Think about what kind of mood you want customers to feel when they enter your restaurant — from the lighting to the art on the walls to the decorations that adorn your tables. Depending on the cuisine you serve and the atmosphere you want to create, consider investing in muted tones or warm colors for a calming effect or bright and vibrant shades for an energetic vibe.

Music:

The music playing in your restaurant can make all the difference. Too loud music can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, while music that’s too quiet won’t create an inviting atmosphere at all. Consider investing in a music player for restaurant so you can control what music is played and when it starts and stops. You should also consider whether you want to provide live or recorded music. Live music will usually give customers a sense of authenticity and provide them with something to enjoy during their meal, while pre-recorded songs can help set the background without being distracting.

Service:

Your service can be just as important as the ambiance in creating a memorable experience. Make sure your staff is well-trained, friendly, and attentive to guests’ needs. Ensure they understand your restaurant’s standards and expectations — from proper table setting etiquette to how glasses should be filled. Customers greatly appreciate being treated with respect and kindness, so make sure your waitstaff is not only efficient but also shows genuine care for their customer’s satisfaction.

Atmosphere:

Creating the perfect atmosphere requires more than just the decor, music, and service — it also includes small touches that will make your restaurant stand out. For instance, consider offering complimentary snacks or appetizers to customers while they wait for their meals to arrive. You can also provide warm towels after meals as a sign of endearment and appreciation. Additionally, choosing linens with exquisite patterns or using fresh flowers on each table will add even more charm to your restaurant’s atmosphere.

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Turn Your Passion into a Career: How to Make Money Doing What You Love

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Many dreams of turning their hobby, passion, or creative outlet into a career. It’s a beautiful idea, but it can take time to figure out where to start. Here’s a guide on successfully turning your hobby into a career. 

Do Your Research 

Before you turn your hobby into a business, please research and find out what the industry looks like, your potential customers and their needs. Next, consider your strengths, skills, and knowledge and decide how to use them in this new venture. Finally, consider what makes you unique in the industry and how you can market yourself. 

Take A Strong Career Test

A Strong Career Test can help you identify your ideal job and the type of environment you would flourish in. In addition, knowing this information can give you an idea of what kind of business to start and whether it’s something you’d be passionate about.

Think About Finances and Legalities 

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, consider the financial aspect – are there any costs associated with getting started? What sort of budget will you need? Will there be any tax implications? It’s also essential to think about the legal side of things – if necessary, consult with a lawyer specializing in business law so that you understand all the regulations associated with starting up and protecting your intellectual property rights. 

Create a Business Plan 

Now that you have researched and considered the legalities and finances involved, create a business plan that outlines all this information. Make sure it includes short-term and long-term objectives to keep track of your progress over time. Be realistic when setting targets for yourself – don’t aim too high at first because this could set you up for failure if it doesn’t pan out. Also, consider whether or not there is potential for growth or expansion once your business gets off the ground. This may include marketing strategies such as social media campaigns or investing in advertising materials such as brochures or flyers. 

Start Networking 

Networking is essential when launching any new business; it’s about building relationships with people who may be interested in your offer. Start by reaching out to family, friends, and acquaintances who may already know about your business or service offering; they may even be willing to share it with others! Additionally, join online groups related to your area of expertise – these are great places for exchanging ideas with like-minded people and potentially finding potential customers/collaborators/mentors/partners, etc. Finally, attend events such as trade shows or conferences where relevant topics are discussed – these are ideal opportunities for making connections within the industry that could prove beneficial down the line! 

Turning your hobby into a career is no small task, but it can be approached thoughtfully and strategically! Please research the industry thoroughly before beginning to understand its nuances; familiarize yourself with the legalities of running a business; create a viable yet ambitious business plan; network extensively (both online & offline). And never give up! With dedication & hard work, anything is possible.

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