Leadership Presence—when being trumps doing
Kevin Berchelmann
You walk into a room full of business people. Your eyes scan quickly. In short order, you spy the person in charge. No name tags, no place cards, no thought balloons over their heads saying “Grand Poobah.”
You just know. Like Justice Potter Stewart opined on pornography, “I know it when I see it.”
That’s Leadership Presence.
You know these people, and can recognize them instantly. They inspire confidence in others through their own, which exudes without a trace of arrogance. They always seem to have time for you—never seeming overly rushed, harried, preoccupied or burdened by the normal managerial demands of scheduling, meetings and phone calls. They are in the present, and it shows. They listen.
It’s the emotional connection we get, in short order, when connecting with a leader who really understands how people work. Why we follow who we do. What matters to us as people… as individuals… as followers. So, we know it when we see it.
Well that’s just great–if you’re a leader trying to develop that presence, it must feel like nailing Jell-O to a wall.
It doesn’t have to be that vague or ambiguous. In fact, when we unpack the behaviors behind the emotion, it’s actually fairly simple. It’s about being a leader. Not acting like one; not behaving like one; not demonstrating textbook leadership skills and attributes.
It’s about being a leader. Think about that for a moment, and I’ll offer a few traits that may bring this Jell-O-hanging murky enigma into specific relief. Leadership Presence is a combination of behaviors that create a positive emotion in followers. Though any specific list may not be all-inclusive, I think there are a few that make a really good start. Those who clearly have that presence…:
- Demonstrate selfless adaptability. It isn’t “always about me.” In fact, it’s seldom about “me,” and nearly always about someone else. Leaders with Presence meet people where they are. They adapt their communications and relationship styles, while maintaining their authentic voice.
- Influence and Inspire. Leaders with Presence tend to influence through commonality, agreement, and welcome insights; not forcefulness, brute fact and intimidation. Strangely enough, we seldom disagree with these leaders, though feel very empowered to do so—much more empowered than with their anal-esque controlling brethren.
- Practice random acts of leadership. This is a little tougher to pin down. Leaders with Presence only speak when they need to—their silence is an act of leadership, allowing voices and inputs to be heard. They ask a lot of questions—not just to be heard, but meaningful, thoughtful, relevant questions. They give away power nonstop, always wanting/expecting others to step up, speak up, and make a stand. They would rather support a position than create
Looking at my numbered list, it still sounds a bit academic. I think I nailed it, but it’s just not as practical as I’d like it, so allow me to bring it home. Here’s what you can do tomorrow to create, increase and/or improve your own Leadership Presence:
- Take time to smile, chat with others, acknowledge people on their terms. Stand when someone approaches you. Shake hands, lean on a corner wall, ask about their weekend.
- Make others feel special. Learn to say yes—it’s really not that hard. Give away all—yes, all—credit, even if someone’s input or efforts were minor. Make people believe that they are the only one in the room at that moment. Focus on them. Eye contact, actively listen. Never interrupt, talk-over, or hog a conversation. If it beeps, chimes, rings, buzzes, or plays Darth Vader’s march for a call, turn it off.
- Be the example. Openly accept full responsibility for everything you do. Quickly accept blame for things that go wrong. Apologize, and do so sincerely (ask me if you don’t know the words. It’s really easy). Allow and encourage mistakes. Accept apologies quickly and graciously. Never show anger.
Gravitas was one of the ancient Roman virtues (along with pietas, dignitas and virtus). It can be loosely translated as seriousness and dignity, also importance, and implies a certain substance and depth of personality. Not a bad general definition for Leadership Presence.
I know it when I see it. Here’s the good news—we look for it, we want it, we crave it. As followers, we’re always willing to give leaders the benefit of the doubt; you just need to step up and do your part.
