Top 10 Leadership Skills to Help in any Industry

I've been evaluating my own leadership, went through a couple classes, and have a list conjured up so you can see what the best leadership skills are to have, which can help in any industry.

1. Stay focused. As long as you're looking ahead, the other things won't matter.

Many times, people lose focus in daily activities, distractions, etc. However, if you'll focus on the goals at hand, and ignore these other distractions - you'll start reaching leadership goals.

2. It's not ALL business. What you SAY and DO impacts people in some way.

People say, "It's not personal...just business." However, I disagree with this fact. What you say and do as a leader impacts the people you manage, and the people you don't manage. So, watch what you say and how you say it.
3. Decision-making is a marathon, not a sprint. Setting long-term goals shows you're aware of your future.

Most people make a bunch of short-term goals, but fail to produce a long-term goal. I'm not saying short-term goals are bad necessarily, but without a long-term goal - where are you headed with your work and challenges. Where are you headed with your leadership.

It's usually best to figure out your long-term goal(s) first, then come up with related short-term goals. This will keep your excitement level and patience burning for the long-term results. This helps reach your long-term goal a lot faster. Being a good planner is a sign of good leadership.

4. Find a mentor, someone to be accountable TO.

Finding someone who you can look up to, no matter any situation, is best. These people or person will keep you honest, correct, and humble. If one day you become a bit rich, having someone there as accountability will keep your head level and focused!

5. Be humble enough to ask for help when you need it! (Self-explanatory)

6. Leadership doesn't necessarily need a title, all it needs really is trust.

Many people are so concerned with titles that they don't self-manage their mindset. Instead of looking at how much more work a person does with a title, they just look at the title. This is bad, because you can lose that title.

Also, leadership is reflected on the fact that you have built up trust with people, not because of a title. If someone with a title does untrustworthy things, that makes them less of a leader. If someone with a title is very trustworthy, he's deserving of his title, because he's done the work of building trust. It's very important as a leader, before you get any titles (which don't matter that much anyway, except if getting promoted), to build trust for sure!

7. Learn to submit to a higher authority, even if they're mean or nasty to you. (Self-explanatory)

8. Grow your business network, especially if your personal network sinks.

Many times when we get so involved in a job or business, we lose our personal lives with friends. We lose our personal relationships. But, as a leader, it's best to build business relationships to replace those personal ones. This doesn't mean discard ALL of your personal relationships, but keep in mind that you're now dedicated to your work, because you have passion. Passionate leaders make awesome business connections, especially when they're trustworthy, hard-working, and have a good attitude.

9. How you handle screw-ups is important, and determines if you're a leader, or just an excuse with a bad attitude.

You make a mistake, take credit for it. That's the manly leader thing to do. Male or female, you should know that you're accountable for your own mistakes. Do not blame the people that you lead for a mistake that you could've taken credit for yourself. Even if the mistake was in someone you manage or lead, still take the blame. Because you're leading that specific person or group, you are accountable over that group. Don't mistake this.

10. You can win by patience: whatever is standing between you and success will move eventually. Keep pushing with the above skills, and be patient - obstacles will start moving for you!