“A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the sheep follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” – Anonymous
In our time-crunched and information-overloaded world, it has become more important than ever for leaders to be able to communicate effectively. This was true when we had less information at our fingertips, but today’s environment requires us to communicate differently and more frequently with greater clarity. Effective communication skills help you stand out as a leader. They can make a difference between success and failure, personally and professionally.
While many people think leadership presence is about having confidence and charisma—two qualities that are vital to your effectiveness as a leader—there is much more to it.
Let’s explore these other attributes:
Executive Presence
Executive presence is about a person’s ability to create a lasting impression on others. It is vital to career success and can help you navigate workplace politics. The key to executive presence is authenticity. You must examine your personal qualities, habits of mind and patterns of emotion and how they affect other people. The best way to do this is to seek feedback from a wide range of people.
A great executive presence is characterized by high credibility and communication ability. This translates into clear thinking and effective action. You need to be confident in yourself and your ability to transmit your confidence. However, you should avoid becoming authoritarian and aggressive. Instead, a humble but serious approach to leadership will create an impression of credibility and a sense of authority.
Non-Verbal Behaviors
There are many ways to convey your message, including non-verbal behaviors. While it’s essential to speak clearly and confidently, non-verbal communication is equally as important. Communicating with the appropriate tone and style is essential to building executive presence. In addition, listening skills are necessary for conveying a compelling message.
In addition to verbal communication, non-verbal behaviors play an important role in building relationships. For example, making eye contact with others when speaking or listening shows that you’re engaged in the other person’s message. You may seem distracted and unfocused without eye contact, so make sure to make eye contact in appropriate situations.
Dressing for Success
Dressing for success is one of the most important aspects of leadership presence. It is essential to convey an impression and establish yourself as a respected leader. There are many ways to dress appropriately to create a successful leadership brand. You can dress for success even years before reaching your desired position.
Dressing for success includes a well-fitting uniform. While you want to dress professionally for your job, you should stay true to yourself and your style. You may want to avoid wearing anything too flashy or outrageous. Instead, choose clothes that feel comfortable to wear and look great. Also, avoid wrinkles and unflattering seams. A wardrobe tailored to your body type is highly recommended, so you will look and feel great.
Developing Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is one of the most critical skills to cultivate to build a leadership presence. Developing self-awareness will increase your self-efficacy and confidence, both of which are essential for being a great leader. Developing self-awareness involves understanding your own emotions and your environment.
While self-assessment is difficult for some people, developing your sense of self is critical. It will allow you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your professional performance. Developing self-awareness will also help you better understand how your behaviors affect others.
Having Integrity
Integrity is one of the most important traits of a good leader. When leaders act with integrity, people follow their lead and respect their decisions. It is a universally admired personality trait. While many people lack integrity, those who can live up to their principles will enjoy the respect and loyalty of followers.
Having integrity in every aspect of your life is the basis for a strong leadership presence. It is a combination of your character and how others perceive you. Authenticity, empathy and caring are crucial to building this leadership quality. Integrity in your life and leadership style can increase your credibility in others’ eyes.
Hernando Fernandez is a Colombian-American real estate investor, entrepreneur, and blockchain evangelist. Fernandez is the founder of Cash Flow Dominator, a real estate marketplace and education platform. He believes in the power of education and has dedicated his life to helping others gain financial freedom through his cryptocurrency initiatives. Leadership, according to him, is the art of influence, and he seeks to spread this message across the globe.
In September 2021, during National Hispanic Heritage Month and Community Empowerment month, Fernandez talked about Empowering Communities using BlockChain to create generational wealth within the community and real estate investment. Fernandez believes Blockchain technology is changing the world and wants to educate the masses about its potential. As per his belief, blockchain can solve many issues governments and society face. He plans to take this message of change across the world. Leaders like him are paving the way for a future where people are able to control their lives.
Final Words
Building a powerful and influential leadership presence is crucial to career success and being a great manager. By focusing on specific skills and behaviors, you can improve your leadership style and develop a better reputation among your employees and peers.
The best way to build a leadership presence is to practice. Seek feedback from others, and incorporate new behaviors into your daily routine. Over time, you’ll see improvements in the effectiveness of your leadership skills.