The Fortune 500 Insiders Network is an online community bringing together senior executives of the largest U.S. companies according to Fortune 500 - an annual list compiled by Fortune magazine that ranks 500 of the largest U.S. corporations by total revenue. These managers express their opinions on various issues of corporate governance and leadership on the magazine's website. Alan Colberg, president of the insurer Assurant, for example, summed up the most important skills of leaders.
Leaders in any sector should master certain professional skills. They must also, however, master the art of personal conduct, dealing with various social situations and communication - generally speaking, soft skills. Colberg considers the following leadership skills the most important.
Courtesy
Treat everyone with respect regardless of their title or position. This applies to employees as well as customers. "Common decency" is even one of the key corporate values at Assurant.
Relationship building
Leaders should not remain in isolation. They must build relationships with people both within the company and outside in order to reach the widest possible range of different ideas, learn something new, help others and discover new business opportunities. One excellent way to help employees build relationships is to involve them in voluntary work and charity events.
Conscientiousness
Successful work is not only about fulfilling tasks. It requires enthusiasm for the activity and an interest in improving. Good leaders are constantly looking for ways to grow. They want the best from themselves and in this way set an example for others.
Integrity
Integrity is the most important leadership skill. It means being devoted to certain principles, being able to do the right things and maintaining a maximum degree of professionalism. "It is not enough to say you have the highest ethical standards; you have to actively live and demonstrate them on a consistent and daily basis," concludes Colberg.
-kk-