3 Simple Behaviors that will Enhance Your Leadership Presence
Because you don't need to have a title to be a leader
You don’t have to have a leadership title to exude leadership presence. There are those who are naturally influential, with a magnetic quality that makes you want to listen and learn more. There is a certain gravitas that leaders have, and with some awareness, we can all lean more into showing up with greater leadership presence.
Here are 3 simple behaviors that will enhance your leadership presence.
They are Authentic
Authenticity is the genuine, honest, and thoughtful expression of one's thoughts, feelings, and actions that are in alignment with one's true self. It involves being open, self-aware, and true to one's values, which builds trust and connection with others.
The strongest leaders have a sense of confidence in who they are, which means they don’t try to be anyone else. They are not wearing a mask or trying to put on a front that isn’t real for them. While they are confident, this isn’t the loud type of bravado, arrogant version of confidence. Authenticity is rooted in a deeper sense of internal confidence that shows up in much quieter ways. The authentic leader isn’t trying to demand your attention. Through their grounded presence, they simply command it.
Authentic leaders are clear on what they stand for. They have a keen understanding of their personal values, and will act in accordance with these.
They are open and transparent. They are not afraid to have opinions that differ from others. They are willing to share their thoughts and opinions, but always do so thoughtfully ensuring that respecting others is forefront. Authentic leadership isn’t an excuse for the rash, hurtful, or mean expression of big emotions. It requires emotional agility and consideration.
The authentic leader isn’t afraid of looking dumb. They are okay with leading with vulnerability and asking questions that may not be obvious. And they let their guard down. They are confident enough within themselves to show up with a sense of honesty, openness, and consistent curiosity.
People are inspired by a sense of deep-rooted authenticity. We all aspire to be comfortable in our skins and unique in our individuality. We can all feel when we’re in the presence of someone who is leading themselves in a sincerely authentic manner.
They are Trustworthy
Trust is built through consistently demonstrating integrity and honesty in one’s actions and communications. Trustworthy individuals are capable, transparent, reliable, and genuinely interested in fostering strong relationships.
Trust is the bedrock on which phenomenal leaders are able to build influence. People are only willing to listen to you or buy into your ideas if they also feel they can trust you. Without trust, you might be a manager, or even a dictator, but you will never be a true leader.
In line with remaining authentic, no two people will build trust in exactly the same way. While some might inspire others through expertise and ability (able), some will find it much easier to build trust through close and warm relationships (connected). While we may have a natural tendency to lean into one component, deep trust will be built by focusing on multiple aspects of generating trust in a relationship.
An excellent model to help you stay focused on both task and relationship-based trust is Blanchard’s ABCDs of Trust. This model is overviewed in the book Trust Works. A high-level summary:
A: Able - Are you capable of what you’re promising to do?
B: Believable - Are you authentic, transparent, and consistent?
C: Connected - Do you genuinely care for others?
D: Dependable - Are you reliable? Do you do what you say you will do?
They are Clear
Clarity is the ability to be concise, consistent, and decisive in your approach. Clear leaders are excellent communicators that instill confidence and foster focus.
Leaders excel in the art of conciseness. They communicate with simplicity and clarity, ensuring that their messages are straightforward and easy to understand. They strip out unecessary complexity and can boil things down into key points. This eliminates confusion and helps to easily create a shared understanding.
An excellent leader is also consistent. They are driven by a vision and can maintain focus. They’re not apt to bounce around following the latest fad or become distracted by shiny object syndrome. They are keenly focused and keep their eyes on the prize. Consistency helps build trust and confidence in any group, because people can put the distraction and noise to one side, and focus on what matters most.
Decisiveness is a key attribute that sets leaders apart. While thoughtful and considerate, strong leaders are not indecisive or wishy-washy. They make decisions promptly, guided by a clear understanding of their priorities, goals and values. This decisiveness instills confidence in those around them, as people are clear on what needs to be done. Even when faced with the need to revisit a decision, an excellent leader will maintain a focus on what matters most, ensuring a purposeful and determined approach to challenges.
Simply holding a leadership title doesn't automatically make someone a true leader. Leadership goes beyond a mere title; it involves the capacity to inspire, motivate, and encourage others to embrace and support your ideas.
Genuine leadership entails skillfully connecting with your authentic self while projecting an outward composure that fosters trust, calmness, and a shared sense of purpose among others. Prioritizing authenticity, trustworthiness, and clarity serves as a pathway for anyone to enhance their ability to inspire and maintain consistent leadership influence.
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Kate Snowise trained as an Industrial & Organizational Psychologist in New Zealand, before moving to the US over a decade ago, where she has since established herself as an Executive Coach, Speaker, and Facilitator. She is dedicated to guiding leaders to deepen their self-awareness, grow into their potential, and have a positive impact on those around them. Recognized as a top Executive Coach by the Coach Federation and Culture Amp, she has also been listed among the Top 15 Coaches in St Paul, MN by Influence Digest. Kate’s thoughts and insights have been featured in well-known platforms including FastCompany, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, and HuffPost.
To learn more about Kate, connect with her on LinkedIn or reach out www.thrive.how.