Sometimes, to go from being a standard office boss to a strong, confident, leader, an extra push, and a little bit of help is needed. Many people in 2016 depend on self help books, or tapes, but the Capital District doesn’t have to look any farther than right here to find someone willing to give that extra push.
Sharon Burstein, of Loudonville, specializes in helping people, and groups, learn more about themselves with the goal of developing more effective leadership strategies, and more confident, competent leaders. Burstein, who has a background in education and has experience both with elementary and college level students, has pivoted her attention towards adults. However, in teaching people to discover their own unique leadership styles and images, Burstein told SpotlightNews.
“That’s not how I am,” she said. “One size does not fit all in any industry. So for me, it’s about learning about you and your audience.”
She is president and CEO if Sharon Burstein International, which specializes in Marketing Development, motivational speaking, and training, among other things. Her company has worked with clients both national and international. She is also a member of the National Speaking Association.
Her talks range from teaching people how develop effective teams, to teaching people new to management positions how to deal with the new responsibility. When asked about difficulties associated with her job, Burstein said that she doesn’t like to talk about difficulties and problems, preferring to focus on action and goals. Instead of thinking about the struggles of overcoming something, she said, she zeros in on, “doing, with a capital D.”
Burstein has been speaking full time for around four years, in front of groups that range from 20 people to thousands. Her educational background with so many different groups gives her the unique ability she needs to be able to analyze what a group needs, and pivot her style and speech according to what will hit home most with her audience. This includes gauging what type of presentation will work best in the situation, be it an audio presentation, visual presentation, or more hands on approach. Sometimes, Burstein has to deftly manage all three at once in order to make sure she reaches everyone. She is slated to speak at a two-day leadership summit in Albany this November. She will be speaking with three other nationally and internationally acclaimed motivational speakers to an intimate audience of just 150 people.
“Life is about connecting with people,” she said, noting that she has formed many lifelong relationships simply by taking the time to ask other people to tea. In a career spanning many years over many different industries, only one person has ever rejected one of her tea invitations, she said.
Burstein said her favorite part of her job is “changing lives and creating futures.”
As far as everyday steps anyone can take to help themselves or others, Burstein emphasized that little things make the biggest difference. Compliments, she said, do not cost anything, but can go very far.
“Think what you can do to inspire,” she suggested.
Burstein is the author of two books, one titled “What’s Your Leadership Image” and the other titled “Life Snacks: 50 Tasty, Motivational Messages.” She said she plans to continue writing and speaking for the foreseeable future. She mentioned going forward the people should be cognizant of not only their own need to develop good communication and leadership skills, but the need for children to do that as well. Communication and confidence building, she said, might help to curb the bullying issues that so many children experience at such a young age.
When not traveling and speaking, Burstein enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing tennis. She also has an extensive, diversified resume, with experience in marketing, writing, and producing.