Recently there’s been a lot of discussion about what makes a great leader and what the characteristics of a successful leader are. In the States, we’ve seen contrasting leadership styles as Mr. Donald Trump has met with a variety of world leaders including the UK’s Theresa May and Justin Trudeau of Canada.
At BNI we recognise that good members also make good leaders. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI in the US, recently completed a survey of over 3400 people relating to the best characteristics of a great networker. These were 5 key characteristics identified:
- Good Listener. This is the number one characteristic that people are looking for.
- Positive Attitude. That’s one of our core values.
- Helps others. Givers Gain – our principle core value.
- Sincere/authentic. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This is one of our traditions in BNI and it is important to show we care.
- Enthusiastic. Everyone likes to work with someone who is enthusiastic. It can be very inspirational for the BNI leadership team to show this trait.
All leaders are networkers
These characteristics are echoed in an article from local Leadership Development Specialist Jasbindar Singh – Why Leaders are Networkers https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-leaders-networkers-jas-singh. In this article, she notes that networkers achieve more and are much more likely to develop into leadership roles in business and points out that:
- Good networkers receive more opportunities: To develop a good network you need to be a good networker. Networking is a skill that must be developed. Otherwise, if done incorrectly bad networking can be just as destructive.
- Networkers are more visible: Often we think people get “lucky” but leaders make their own luck. Even luck is logical – the more people you are exposed to, the more chance there is to get lucky. Leaders network more so they are in more situations where opportunity can “see” them.
- Networkers can help more people: Giving is the key to leadership. All success is the by-product of value – providing something that others need in return for money, recognition or love. The greatest leaders in any calling are the ones who have served their people best. From Nelson Mandela to Mark Zuckerberg, leaders GIVE – a key philosophy of BNI.
Leadership at BNI
If you have some of these key characteristics, then you’re a perfect candidate for your leadership team. BNI chapters around the country are in the process of choosing their Leadership Teams for the new leadership term (April 1st through 30th September). Chapters are electing Presidents, Vice Presidents, Treasurers, Education Coordinators, Visitor Hosts, and Hospice Champions/Event Coordinators. Some chapters will also be putting in place Social Media Coordinators and New Member Mentors.
Serving on your chapter’s Leadership Team can help to develop your abilities as a leader. It may also bring you more business, because it increases your professional credibility and profile within your chapter. Don’t be shy, if you are keen to get more involved in the inner workings of your chapter talk to your current President or your BNI Director Consultant today.
