Do the challenges differ around the world? Is there a common skill that cuts across all challenges?

The Center for Creative Leadership surveyed 763 middle- and executive-level leaders in organizations from China/Hong Kong, Egypt, India, Singapore, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S. These leaders consistently face the same 6 challenges:

1. Developing Managerial Effectiveness 
2. Inspiring Others 
3. Developing Others 
4. Leading Teams 
5. Guiding Change
6. Managing Internal Stakeholders and Politics 

One way to advance your skill in each of these challenges is to focus on a common skill that is very relevant to all these challenges.  One skill that cuts across all of these challenges is influence.

Here are 4 concrete things leaders can do to improve influencing skills:

• Learn about effective tactics for influencing. 
• Learn where you are strong and where you can improve your persuasive skills. 
• Get feedback on ‘how you come across’ and concrete advice on how to communicate more effectively.
• Learn ways to influence teams and networks, not just individuals.

Although the challenges are similar, each of us is unique. What one person can do to improve influencing skills, is not necessarily the same thing another person should do.

Where can YOU improve?

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