Inspiring your subordinates is one of the most highly sought-after aspects of business leadership. As a leader, you want your team to strive, succeed, and do their best work. That means reaching goals together, meeting challenges head-on, and forging ahead to new horizons.
The blue person is connected with employees by wide network of lines. At the center of a complex large system. Communication social. Cooperation, collaboration. Project leadership personnel management
Boosting your executive presence is vital for leading and working together as a cohesive unit. Navalent offers executive leadership consulting to help you excel as a leader. However, before you rang on the career ladder, consider these strategies to increase your executive presence:
- Have Good Speaking Skills
Communication is the first step to increasing your leadership presence. It’s essential to express yourself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Enunciate words so your team member can understand your message and focus on getting your points across.
Your verbal communication must align with the message you want to convey, whether it’s an email, a presentation, or a memo. Succinctness is a virtue in business, and it’s even more crucial when you’re trying to motivate your team. Your team members will feel confident in what you’re saying, which will inspire them to listen up and follow your lead.
Additionally, your tone of voice is equally important when you want to make an impression. Keeping your attitude positive and pleasant, without being too overbearing, is the best way to influence those around you.
- Work On Your Body Language
As much as you’d like to believe it, nonverbal communication accounts for most interactions between people every day. It’s important to focus on the signals you send out with your body language and facial expressions.
Be mindful of how you’re standing. It’s best to put your weight on the balls of your feet instead of your heels. This approach will make you appear more optimistic and prepared to tackle challenges.
You can try using a handshake that’s firm but not too strong for increased contact between you and your team member. Maintain eye contact with the person you’re speaking with, but avoid staring them down. Give a sincere smile and nod to show you’re engaged in the conversation or meeting.
Going with a strong stance, an open posture, and a genuine smile will help you exude confidence in your leadership abilities. Putting these ideas into practice will show your team you’re willing to go the extra mile to accomplish goals.
- Keep Your Cool
The challenges managers face often escalate quickly. Whether it’s a change in business trends or a product launch, staying cool under pressure is a must for leadership. How you react to these situations directly reflects your executive presence.
Learning how to keep calm and collected when under fire will put you in an ideal position for handling these stressful events. Step back, take a deep breath, and don’t let emotions get the best of you. Your team will see that you can negate the situation and work with them to overcome any roadblocks.
Moreover, if you feel like you’re losing your composure, take a moment to calm yourself before responding. Handling predicaments with coolness will make your team members respect you more as their leader.
- Showcase Your Expertise
Being an expert in your field gives you the foundation for becoming a good leader. You could provide insight, wisdom, and advice to your team members, which will make you appear more knowledgeable and experienced.
Knowing where to look for answers is also essential when leading others. Keeping abreast of the latest industry trends, researching new ideas for doing business, or studying up on best practices can give you that extra edge in making effective decisions.
Not only must you know the ins and outs of the business, but you also need to know how your company operates. Showing your team you’re aware of what goes on at a fundamental level will keep them in the loop. Your responsibility as a leader is always to stay one step ahead so you may provide guidance when necessary.
- Listen To Your Team
The best leader is ready to listen to what others have to say. Gathering input from your team members is extremely important for guidance, suggestions, and overall morale. It’s always best to stay open to new ideas and be willing to try approaches that your team members propose.
There’s a time and place for doing things your way, but it never hurts to be conscious of others’ needs and opinions. Listening to staff members will help you gain valuable insight into how the business runs, which can help you make informed decisions.
Staying open-minded is key for getting on the same page with those around you. You never know when your team members may come up with the idea of a lifetime that’ll take your company to new heights.
Conclusion
Having a solid executive presence is central to leading your business to success. Always put your team members first and do whatever it takes to help them reach their potential. Follow these strategies, and you’ll be on the road to becoming an effective leader in no time.
