Let the games begin! Hillary Clinton announced her presidential run on Sunday and Marco Rubio announced his on Monday, joining a handful of others already in the race. More candidates are sure to follow, so with the 2016 race for the White House heating up, each will be looking for new and different ways to stand out from the crowd.
As a leader, how can you leverage your leadership skills and leadership presence to stand out in a jam-packed market?
1. TALK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS. Remember, talking doesn’t equal communicating. Just because your lips are moving, you shouldn’t assume anyone is getting ANYTHING from what you’re saying. What you say can be a huge turn-off or it can be the match that ignites a spark in others to do more, faster, and better.
- When you advocate for any kind of change, make sure you answer the questions of why, what, how, and when.
- Why are we changing . . . and why now
- What will happen if we do nothing?
- How will the shift affect how we function as an organization and as people inside the organization
- When will the change be implemented and more information be available?
You must understand in advance why something is shifting and the impact this shift will bring to you, your team, the company, and your customers. This is the backbone of your message. Anything else is just excess. Keep your message SIMPLE. Don’t make it complicated.You must understand in advance why something is shifting and the impact this shift will bring to you, your team, the company, and your customers. This is the backbone of your message. Anything else is just excess. Keep your message SIMPLE. Don’t make it complicated.
You must understand in advance why something is shifting and the impact this shift will bring to you, your team, the company, and your customers. This is the backbone of your message. Anything else is just excess. Keep your message SIMPLE. Don’t make it complicated.
2. BUILD THE SKILLS YOU WILL EVENTUALLY NEED. While none of the Presidential hopefuls have been President, they have been building the skills they will need in the Oval Office for years. Likewise, if you want to be a CEO one day, find out the skills you need to steer your career in that direction.
3. CONSIDER YOUR IMPACT. What you say and do is interpreted differently by different people. Be sure to reflect on the impact your actions and messages are likely to have with every audience you engage, whether you’re speaking to an individual or a group. If you’re the type of person who tends to move quickly, being more deliberate may engender greater trust.
4. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PROMISE AND TO WHOM. Your word means everything. People trust those who do what they say they are going to do. Going back on your promises is simply bad business and bad leadership.
5. TAKE CARE OF THOSE AROUND YOU. Tending to the needs of your team ensures they are challenged, happy, and motivated. Always remember how you treat others shows everyone around you—from colleagues and peers to your direct reports—how they can expect to be treated by you.
6. LEVERAGE DON’T JUST MOTIVATE. Being a team cheerleader only gets you so far. Create a culture where people have the opportunity to use their strengths every day. This shows others you are the kind of leader who truly knows how to leverage his or her team to put them in a position to be their best.
Now more than ever, leadership matters as seasoned leaders and high potentials alike seek to gain and keep their edge in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace. Master your leadership and you, too, can be seen as incredibly Presidential!
