In a recent New York Times business section, John W. Rogers Jr., Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments, talks about the qualities of a good team player. One point he makes is how important being a good listener is.

In today’s busy world it is challenging to be a good listener. Practice when engaged in a conversation, especially a difficult one. Be aware of body language and word choices. Do not think ahead of the conversation. If you find your mind moving faster and jumping ahead, replay the conversation by saying: This is what I heard you say, is that right?

Also, if you are unsure about the intent of what is being said, ask clarifying questions like that. This will help ensure you are being a good listener.

In a recent workshop for folks who are transitioning from one position to another, it was apparent that they needed to become the CEO of their brand in their professional life.

A few questions you want to answer to ensure you are the managing your brand effectively include:

• Does your audience know what you represent?

• Does your audience want to get know you?

• Is your presence one that represents your brand?

• Can you explain the value of your product or service?

Answering these few questions will help ensure you are the CEO of your brand.

In Adam Bryant’s new book “Quick and Nimble”, he uses anecdotes and strategies gathered from American CEO’s about how they help managers get better by teaching them how to be good coaches. Good coaches give honest feedback and help those who they coach create a vision so they can grow.

One challenge for managers is giving honest feedback in an inclusive manner. Using the three to one rule is critical. In this type of feedback, talk about three skills they do well along with one area they might want to strengthen and why. In the book, what most coaching CEO’s then did was to occasionally check back to offer support because change is difficult but it can be achieved with consistent support.

At a recent presentation I noticed some folks in the audience who appeared to lack any emotions as they usually are revealed from facial expressions and body language. A colleague even asked, “Don’t they look like card board cutouts?” Being engaged, whether in a meeting or in an audience, is a critical element of leadership presence.

Don’t be the folks who:

– Maintain a poker face

– Stiffly cross their arms

– Constantly look around the room and never at the presenter

Instead, be the folks who:

– Show they are listening by the engaging their eyes

– Move their body toward the presenter

– Ask questions when appropriate

– Validate the speaker by providing positive comments

I recently purchased a four-CD set on “Be a No Limit Person”. What I found so inspiring and at the same time very challenging was how to be in control of oneself instead being defined by the environment. Oh, we can still complain about everything from the cold weather to the challenging economy. Beyond that, however, Wayne Dyer is saying to be optimistic and control your own well-being by having a positive attitude.

It is much easier to walk around with the gloom and doom attitude. It takes effort to self-talk into control of the outcome. Having a positive attitude will be better for your health and at the same time you will draw folks to you who want to be around you. If you continue to worry and predict the worst, it will happen.

You can purchase the CD at Amazon or go to You Tube to listen to Wayne Dyer on “Be a No Limit Person”.

I am always pleasantly surprised by great customer service. Great customer service is when you as the consumer are respected and the issue is solved immediately and with ease. Recently, I ordered a product from Amazon and it was missing some parts.

I went to the issues and returns section of Amazon’s website and chose to have a chat about it. I confess I was thinking they would give me a problem.The customer service person gave his name and handled the problem immediately with no indication that he felt I was not being truthful. Amazon also sent a script of the discussion for my records!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a key element of everyone’s professionalism was that we treat everyone as a number our one customer and client?We listen to the issue and refrain from being critical or defensive while solving the problem to the customer’s satisfaction, just like the folks at Amazon, Costco or Nordstrom. If we all did this, each of us would truly be considered a five star professional.

A key element for folks who have a polished, smart, elegant image is their clothing choices. Their clothing is appropriate for the occasion and their role in the organization. The color resonates and makes folks feel confident about them. Their accessories add just enough nuance to enhance their appearance. Their overall look showcases their leadership presence. Make sure that these key clothing factors capture your elegant style no matter what situation you find yourself in.

A recent article in the New York Times featured Brandee Parker who was once head of marketing for Facebook. In the piece, Ms. Parker talks about the time she and a colleague brought a black suit for her boss, Mark Zuckerberg, to wear on his first trip to Davos, Switzerland, for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. They thought that the occasion called for more than Zuckerberg wearing his usual hooded sweatshirt.

Mark never wore the suit. Instead, he put on his Patagonia sweatshirt. (And we are all not Mark Zuckerberg or a CEO of a Fortune 100 company.)

However, I agree wholeheartedly with Brandee.

This does not mean that if I like to wear leggings and an oversized sweater that those clothing choices are appropriate in a business setting. There are many choices today. In fact, a nice pair of slacks and jacket can provide the same comfortable feeling as a sweatshirt.

When I have garnered the respect capital then maybe the leggings will be appropriate. (I saw that Sheryl Sandberg wore them stage for a presentation showcased on the TV show, 60 Minutes. She certainly has the respect capital.) Also, I have learned if my clothing does not feel comfortable and keep me true to myself, then I think twice before moving ahead. I give the same advice to my clients.

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Spoke are the current major social media vehicles in today’s business world. To establish your presence, you must have a current, attractive picture, an up to date bio and a short list of current things you are involved in.

Your network must include industry associations. Marketing may include blogs that will impact your audience. The blogs on your Facebook or Twitter updates should reflect current issues related to your work. They must also be positive and once in a while give a good inside view of you as a person.

Why does it matter? Because the world moves so fast that we are not always allowed a face-to-face with our audience. Social media allows you to cast a wider net to capture your audience.

Often, talented folks make the mistake of speaking in a voice and using words that are not natural to them. This becomes noticeable when they are asked to explain what they said and they get tangled up in explaining what they mean.

The late Tim Russet of Meet the Press once said that he always knew that if his father understood what he was saying then he was speaking in his own voice and words. His comments would also resonate with the rest of his audience.

To ensure you are speaking in your own voice, begin to practice with folks who don’t know your subject. If they understand your explanation, then you are speaking in your own voice.