You know that old saying by Woody Allen that “Showing Up is 80% of Life”. Well I’d argue that the other 20% (maybe more!) is HOW you show up that really determines whether you’re going to be a ‘hit’ or a ‘miss’ in terms of the impact you have on others. Leadership is more than about showing up, and it’s more than just a mindset — it’s your presence, your intention, and the energy you bring to your interactions.
This notion of harnessing your energy and presence mindfully is not something that’s discussed too often in business, and I think that’s a big mistake. Your presence makes a difference, it has impact — and the energy you bring to a situation is tantamount to exercising a secret superpower. When you set an intention behind why you do what you do, what you want to make happen, and the impact you want to have on others it sets off a chain reaction. Your energy is how you look after yourself, how much stamina you have to bring to the table to get the work done and to lead others the way you’d most like to lead — and the ‘vibe’ you bring into all of your encounters. Your presence is how you carry yourself, how people feel about you, and your ability to be present to others and to connect with them ideally in a way that makes them feel great about themselves.
A few tips to practice:
- Think about what impact you intend to have on others when you walk into a room or participate in a conference call; how do you want to hold yourself? How do you want others to experience you?
- Center yourself and be present. Give your full attention to the person you’re interacting with; even if it’s for a very brief period, it will likely be one of the most impactful experiences they’ll have for the whole day.
- Take care of yourself. Ensure you have good nutrition, good hydration, good sleep and that you exercise your body — on a regular basis. Also be mindful of the thoughts you think, the way you speak to yourself, who you surround yourself with, and who you lean on for counsel and advice. When you focus and put your oxygen mask on your own well-being, you’ll be in a much better position to support and inspire others around you (and you’ll have more mental and physical energy which in itself creates a ripple effect).
- Check in and re-connect with what drives and motivates you; let that fuel your impact and leadership. After all it’s why you do what you do —and again, it’s likely to have a favorable cascading effect on those around you.
If you are mindful of these factors, and integrate them into how you show up in your world, you’ll not only experience better outcomes and results for yourself but you’ll be a far more effective and impactful leader.
Do you have a question, challenge or success story you’d like to share? Please be sure to leave a comment. I’d enjoy hearing from you.
~Kelli
