One of the definitions for leadership I like the most is this one: 'Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence'. Sheryl Sandberg
Who doesn't want to have a positive impact on others' lives?
How can we develop that leadership style? If you were feeling your most powerful and confident, how would you walk? How would you hold yourself? What would you think about?
The Ultimate book of influence shares 5 elements, which to me summarises it best. These are the key areas to 'act as if' you were feeling already very confident, powerful, clear.
Fine-tuning these areas will increase not only your ability to connect and communicate with others but your fulfillment in your career and life.
Your posture: I have spoken a lot about this but your posture is important. It has the ability to change not only how you feel but how people perceive you. When the body is alert and awake, the mind is too.
Eye contact: Great leaders are very good at looking at people. It allows others to make a greater connection with you. You can not influence people with glazed eyes.
Smile: The easiest way to make others feel good. Not only does it increase your levels of 'happiness' by even faking a smile, it makes others smile back at you. We actually have a part of our brain that makes us smile back automatically.
Gratitude: The powerful most simple tool is to start not only appreciating all the good in your life but to bring more of what you want. "The more good you look for, the more good you will find".
Energy: Energy is a decision, you can access it if you want to. You can either decide to go through your days flat and just moving through the motions, or shake that feeling and show up with passion and aliveness.
Now, I suggest you score yourself in the 5 areas. Pick the lowest-scored area. What is one thing you can start doing now to improve this area?
Make sure you take 1 action this week!
Alba Gomez is a presence and personal brand coach, keynote speaker, first impressions specialist and professional image consultant. Born in Colombia and based in Australia, she travels nationally and internationally for speaking, executive coaching, consulting and training.
Alba works with individuals and small groups right through to large corporations. She brings her client’s brand into line with their personal and professional roles, giving them the clarity and confidence to communicate and be their best. Alba uses a unique, results-orientated approach, drawing on her 14 years of experience with systems and processes as an engineer.
