How to be a good leader

We learn by doing. It's as simple as that.
The importance of being able to think and speak quickly on your feet is a vital necessity in life. How often are we comfortable with this?
Just like you cannot learn to swim without getting into the water, play piano by reading dozens of books on the subject, you couldn't possibly become a good speaker or leader without practice.
In the corporate world, haven't we all been privy to people who just cannot bring a boardroom alive? They go on and on, with dull facts and figures and are clearly unable to engage the room.
The fact is, presentations with facts and figures come alive when you master the art of speaking well. The human mind takes in an interesting story well crafted by the speaker and we are sold.
Not just that, can we ever afford to risk a bad presentation? Your next big pay hike may literally depend on it. So practising far away from corporate ears in a safe, supportive environment helps immensely. The mentoring and support that's received in organisations such as Toastmasters is highly productive. You might see the earlier soporific presenter turn a new leaf, sans 'filler' words and hard jargon.
The key takeaways from communication and leadership workshops are:
. Overcoming nervousness
This is a skill that is learned over time. You have to learn to place trust in yourself. The more exposure you get to being on stage, the lesser the fear gets and finally you are so comfortable in your skin that nervousness disappears. A few butterflies may turn up but the flow and formation of them helps every speaker positively.
. Organising and presenting ideas in a logical manner
One of the first things we learn to master is this skill. Instead of the ABC, it's the OBC that comes to the forefront. That stands for: Opening, Body and Conclusion.
How to craft a written speech with an attention-grabbing opening, a full and robust body with facts that are clear and presented well and to conclude with a summarisation of the above. The clarity of thought happens once this skill is persistently put to use.
. Listening carefully to other's ideas
I am sure you have heard that quote of how often we listen only to reply and not really listen in.
'Evaluation' of speeches is an exercise that makes the individual analyse the speaker's presentation. Every meeting inevitably has an evaluation section and this often leads the individual to start listening with all of his or her attention. Suggestions for improvement and the fact that you present your opinion and take full responsibility for it ensures the other party takes what's needed and discards what's not. Pretty soon at work, our rational thinking skills take on a problem solving enquiring nature that helps dissect the facts from the froth.
Also, simple things like looking into the speaker's eyes, asking questions, attentive body language all add to this.
. Offering advice to help others improve and participating in group discussions
Both children and adults learn key chairmanship rules and they are practised without a margin of error. Guidance through mentors and manuals show a quick enveloping of group discussions and positive spirit which we then take forward in our lives - be it at school or at work.
. Development of self-confidence
This is obviously a byproduct of what happens when you put in the effort. The magic unfolds in the degree of the investment you have put into it.
. Interpersonal communication skills
An increased sense of personal confidence, building of new skills and knowledge, developing new or deeper relationships results in a lifetime personal transformation. Once this occurs with the individuals in the team, then by default you are functioning at an elevated pace. A shift in perspective about one's self, others, the team or an organisation results in a boost to the interpersonal communication skills. Children are happy with their newfound friends and adults function in positive vibrant teams.
In other words, why live a life of mundane existence when a plethora of exciting change awaits you? Enroll and introduce yourself - to a new fresh 'higher plane' you.
-Saira Ranj is a Mentor, Dubai Silicon Oasis TMC branch of the Toastmas-ters Interna-tional. For adults 18 years and over, Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organisation that has been around for over 90 years, subscribed to by more than 4 million people in 142 countries around the world. In the UAE, they have over 100 clubs.

• UAE