Posted on Tue, May 18, 2010 @ 08:21 AM
I've talked in previous blog posts about leadership presence and also highlighted Brian Davis as an example of authenticity and integrity - leadership presence in action. But how do people start building their own leadership presence?
Making a conscious commitment to change is the first step. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "We must become the change we want to see." Authentic leadership presence starts by getting to the essence of what you stand for, what you believe, how you behave and communicate. It is grounded in your identity and self image.
Investing the time to reflect on seven simple yet powerful questions can help you begin to develop your own authentic leadership presence.
As a leader you must first and foremost have self-trust. Two crucial questions to reflect on here are:
- Do I really trust me?
- How do I build trust among my colleagues and within my organization?
The answers may initially seem pretty simple: "Of course I trust myself", but it means really looking and discovering those areas where you do - and maybe don't - trust yourself. When you trust yourself, you begin to pave the way for others to trust you as well.
You must also connect with your core values. Ask yourself:
- What is important to me?
- What do I, as a leader, need to become and do more of and less of?
Many of us know effective leadership when we see it. A helpful exercise is to focus on a great and often everyday leader, and look at the leadership traits that person possesses. This helps you to build awareness of the conscious effort, specific traits and skills that are useful ingredients in the foundation of authentic leadership presence.
I'm a baseball fan, so I like to use Yankee team captain Derek Jeter as an example. Jeter would likely be considered a Level 5 leader by Jim Collins because he is personally modest yet has a professional will and strong passion for the team. Looking at Jeter - or any leader you prefer - ask yourself:
- Beyond first impressions, what are the specific leadership competencies and characteristics I see in this person?
- What competencies and characteristics do I see in this person that I don't see in myself?
- How can I begin to incorporate some of these into my own leadership approach?
By reflecting on these seven questions, you can develop the self-trust, reinforce your core values and awareness that are the foundation of your own leadership presence.
Share your thoughts: What do you think is important to building authentic leadership presence?
Posted on Mon, May 03, 2010 @ 11:49 AM
One of the best examples of integrity and leadership presence took place recently on the
2010 PGA Tour.
In the playoff hole at the Verizon Heritage Tournament in Hilton Head, Brian Davis brought to the attention of Tournament director, Slugger White, that he, Davis, had inadvertently moved a loose impediment during his backswing while in a hazard. Nobody had seen it, including the official. In essence, Davis imposed a penalty on himself.
What did Davis' honesty cost? His first PGA tour victory and more than $400,000. Ouch.
When Davis was asked by Jim Furyk, the winner of the tournament, if he was sure he moved the impediment he said, "I know I did. I could not have lived with myself, if I had not called it on myself."
Davis' victory - doing the right thing - demonstrated his character and core values.
In a recent Leadership Today Update, I stated that when an individual is confident and centered in his or her beliefs, when their intentions, communication, actions and behaviors are consistent, that's when they gain the credibility that is the essence of leadership presence. Like Brian Davis, they are viewed as genuine and trustworthy - they are authentic. There is no hidden agenda, no game-playing. There is integrity.
Such individuals approach things with their own style that reflects a conscious attitude about who they are. Said Davis, "I am proud to uphold the values that my parents taught me, and I teach my kids the same stuff. Be honest in your sport and in your life and simply do your best. That's all you can do."
How many times in a single day at our workplace, at home or in a social setting are we faced with moments when we can choose to act with integrity? How often do we do what is right?
It is a common practice in organizations of all sizes to include integrity and trust in their value statements and guiding principles. We see statements on walls, in brochures, on web sites, and on laminated pocket-size cards. I think that people really believe in these values - who wouldn't? But there are times in every organization that, even though it may not be intentional, people slip up. Maybe some of the values that are displayed on the walls are viewed with skepticism and are not really a reflection of the organization's actions. Sometimes it's just plain hard to do the right thing. Like Brian Davis, we may run the risk of losing the big, obvious prize if we act with integrity.
What examples of integrity have you seen? When could someone you know have acted with integrity, but didn't? Let me know in the Comments section.
photo by particlem (flickr.com)
Posted on Thu, Mar 25, 2010 @ 08:23 AM
Are people born with leadership traits? If you think so, this YouTube video may get you thinking about leadership in a different light. We like that it captures the essence of the leadership journey in an inspirational way.
Our thanks to the Center for Leadership's blog for calling our attention to this clip, which, interestingly enough, is produced by SignatureService/GMAC.
What does it say to you about the leadership journey? Let us know by posting your comments below.