Leadership can often be a learned skill rather than an inherent trait. In a volatile economy, the process of becoming an efficient business leader must seem at times like trial by fire.

Here are five pieces I came across recently that might make the process a little easier for you and your business:

1. Making mistakes doesn’t define you as a leader. However, not learning from those mistakes certainly does. This blog post from author Art Petty outlines eight ideas leaders can use to overcome the adversity that comes with screwing up.

2. Good leaders should be humble and be aware that their achievements come from the success of others. At least that’s what Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn/Ferry International—the world’s largest executive recruiting firm and a leader in talent development—argues in a Fast Company blog.

3. Jewelry industry professionals tend to be passionate individuals. Here are seven tips from JCK blogger Tim Malone on how jewelers can harness that passion and become effective and successful business leaders.

4. Jewelry sales can be a stressful business, especially in a turbulent economy—which could easily lead some retailers to lose their cool with customers or employees. Here are some helpful tips from CBS MoneyWatch on how leaders can avoid blowups at work.

5. In the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cassidy delivers the line “I got vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals.” Sounds like the swagger of a successful business leader. Check out this blog post on Forbes.com for business leadership lessons from Butch Cassidy.

Were any of these articles helpful to you and your business? Leave your thoughts in the comment section or email dford@jckonline.com.

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