How You Show Up Is What People Remember - Let’s Make Sure It’s the Right Story
Your leadership presence is defined by your actions and words. Learn to craft a lasting leadership story that inspires and connects.
Your leadership presence determines how others perceive you and remember your impact. It’s not just about what you say but how you consistently act, communicate, and handle challenges. Here’s how to refine your leadership story:
- Start Strong: First impressions matter. Your executive presence - authenticity, decisiveness, and emotional intelligence - sets the tone for trust and authority.
- Align Actions and Words: Consistency in behaviour and communication builds trust. Misaligned actions, emotional unpredictability, or unclear communication can undermine your leadership.
- Define Your Principles: Identify your values, vision, and non-negotiables to guide decisions and create a clear leadership message.
- Use Stories: Share personal experiences that highlight your values, achievements, and vision to connect with your audience.
- Body Language and Voice: Project confidence through posture, gestures, and vocal tone to enhance your presence.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly gather input to refine your communication and ensure your actions align with your goals.
Storytelling For Impact: Elevate Your Leadership Presence
Your Current Leadership Message
Your leadership message is shaped by every choice you make and every interaction you have. It’s not just about your words - it’s about how you consistently show up and the impression you leave behind.
How Behaviour Shapes Others' Views
Your daily actions define how others perceive your leadership. Leadership expert Kathy Cramer explains:
"Just as we all have unique ways of signing our names, we all create a unique signature as leaders. Your signature presence is the unique suite of leadership assets that make you you."
Key behavioural areas that influence perceptions include:
| Behaviour Area | Impact on Team | Leadership Message |
|---|---|---|
| Decision-making | Sets the tone for problem-solving | Reflects decisiveness and judgement |
| Crisis response | Shows steadiness under pressure | Highlights emotional intelligence |
| Team recognition | Boosts motivation and engagement | Demonstrates values and priorities |
| Communication style | Shapes transparency within the team | Builds authenticity and trust |
How you handle challenges says a lot about your leadership. Owning up to mistakes and giving credit where it’s due shows accountability and respect for your team.
Recognising how your actions align with your leadership message helps you avoid behaviours that might undermine it.
Common Leadership Mistakes
Inconsistencies between your actions and words can weaken your leadership message. Here are common pitfalls to watch out for:
Misaligned Actions and Words
When your actions don’t reflect your stated values, trust diminishes.
"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room"
Emotional Inconsistency
Erratic emotional responses create uncertainty. Teams need leaders who can remain calm, especially in tough situations. This doesn’t mean hiding emotions but managing them effectively.
Communication Gaps
Lack of clear or regular communication leads to misunderstandings and weakens trust.
To strengthen your leadership message:
- Reflect on how your actions align with your values
- Be intentional in how you communicate
- Maintain consistency in your behaviour
As James Kerr puts it, "actions speak louder than words". Ensure your choices and responses align with your leadership principles, especially during challenging moments.
Creating Your Leadership Message
Define Your Leadership Principles
Set clear leadership principles to guide your decisions. These principles shape how others perceive and remember you.
"Operate by principles that are so clearly laid out that their logic can easily be assessed, and you and others can see if you walk the talk."
To define your leadership principles, focus on these areas:
| Area of Focus | Key Questions | Impact on Message |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Value | What unique value do you deliver? | Shapes service approach |
| Stakeholder Expectations | What should teams expect from you? | Builds trust and clarity |
| Future Vision | What are your beliefs about growth? | Guides focus on progress |
| Non-negotiables | What are your absolute boundaries? | Establishes integrity |
"Because your culture is how your company makes decisions when you're not there. It's the set of assumptions your employees use to resolve the problems they face every day. It's how they behave when no one is looking. If you don't systematically define your culture, then two-thirds of it will end up being accidental, and the rest will be a mistake."
Once you've defined your principles, ensure they are consistently reflected in your communication and actions.
Keep Your Message Clear
Communicate a consistent leadership message that resonates with different audiences.
Message Audit Framework
-
Gather Feedback
Ask for input on your leadership style:- Which three words describe your leadership?
- What stands out about your approach?
- Are there areas where your message feels unclear?
-
Align Actions
Show your principles through your decisions:- If transparency matters, share project updates openly.
- Make decisions that reflect your stated values.
-
Refine Communication
Use clear examples and stories:- Highlight decisions in team meetings.
- Explain the reasoning behind your choices.
- Share success stories that reflect your principles.
Amazon's leadership principles are a great example of this. They’ve established clear “swim lanes” that guide behaviour and decision-making across the organisation. This clarity helps teams align with leadership expectations and reinforces the overall message.
These strategies ensure your leadership message remains strong and consistent.
Storytelling Methods That Work
Message Structure Templates
Using clear frameworks can make your storytelling more impactful. Start by addressing these three key questions:
| Question | Focus Area | Key Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Do I like you? | Values & Style | Personal principles, leadership approach |
| Do you like me? | Team Recognition | Specific achievements, genuine appreciation |
| Where are you going to take me? | Vision & Journey | Clear direction, motivating vision |
Storytelling, as Shawn Callahan of Anecdote International puts it, is about sharing "facts conveyed with context and emotion".
Using Stories and Examples
Your personal story is a powerful way to build connections. Steve Tappin, Chief Executive of Xinfu, explains:
"The key with your career and life story is to weave in: your upbringing, achievements, and what are your true values and beliefs, your ups and downs and your mission. Throughout the story you should be bringing out the true you and your personality."
To craft your narrative, focus on these elements:
- Values Formation: Highlight experiences that shaped your personal principles.
- Professional Journey: Share your achievements and how you navigated challenges.
- Mission Statement: Clearly state your purpose and what drives you.
- Future Vision: Align your personal goals with the organisation's direction.
Speaking to Different Groups
Adjust your storytelling based on your audience and the situation. It’s helpful to prepare three versions of your leadership story:
| Version | Duration | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator | 2 minutes | Networking, quick introductions |
| Standard | 5 minutes | Team meetings, presentations |
| Detailed | 10 minutes | Keynotes, in-depth discussions |
When addressing different groups, tailor your message using the STARS model to fit your organisation’s current phase:
- Start-Up: Highlight growth opportunities.
- Turnaround: Focus on transformation and overcoming challenges.
- Accelerated Growth: Showcase scaling strategies.
- Realignment: Address change and new directions.
- Sustaining Success: Reinforce what’s already working well.
Once your story is tailored, use body language and vocal delivery to further enhance your leadership presence.
Body Language and Voice
Project Confidence
Combining physical presence, emotion, and intellect can significantly enhance your leadership presence. To effectively command attention, focus on these elements:
Master Your Stance
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your spine straight and shoulders relaxed but positioned back.
- Maintain an open chest posture.
Once in position, pause, take a deep breath, and then begin speaking to draw attention effectively.
Refined Movement
Your movements influence both your emotional state and how you process information. Align these aspects by focusing on:
| Element | Purpose | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing | Stay centred | Use deep, diaphragmatic breaths |
| Gestures | Highlight key points | Make deliberate, measured movements |
| Stillness | Hold attention | Pause for five seconds before speaking |
| Movement | Show energy | Take purposeful, controlled steps |
These techniques create a strong physical foundation, allowing your voice to better connect with your audience.
Show Understanding
Once your body conveys confidence, your voice must reinforce it. Voice projection goes beyond just speaking loudly - it’s about creating emotional resonance. As Albrecht Enders and Robin de Haas explain:
"The way you communicate is influenced by your thoughts, values, and beliefs. You can easily miss those mind connections unless you take the time to explore them and then connect them deliberately to your voice."
Voice Modulation Techniques
To make your voice more impactful:
- Develop Range: Record yourself delivering the same message with different emotional tones to understand how they affect your delivery.
- Emotional Attunement: Your tone naturally mirrors your emotions. Practise aligning your vocal tone with the message you want to convey.
- Audience Connection: Before speaking, visualise your audience and adjust your tone to suit their expectations and needs.
"You can mask [emotion], but you can't hide it."
This highlights the importance of authenticity. People can sense when your words and presence don’t align. Ensuring your vocal delivery matches your message strengthens your credibility and leaves a lasting impression.
Fix Common Communication Problems
Top Communication Mistakes
Poor communication from leaders can harm team morale and erode trust. Recognising common mistakes is the first step to avoiding them.
Common Errors
Leaders often weaken their impact by making these mistakes:
- Not Sharing Enough: Withholding information can lead to uncertainty and speculation.
- Unclear or Unfinished Ideas: Sharing incomplete thoughts can confuse others.
- Over-Sharing Sensitive Information: Being overly transparent about delicate matters may harm trust.
- Inconsistent Messages: When actions don’t match words, credibility takes a hit.
These problems tend to surface during stressful times, such as missed deadlines or setbacks. Actively seek feedback to spot and correct these issues before they escalate.
Getting and Using Feedback
"Feedback is a gift."
Steps for Using Feedback Effectively
- Schedule regular check-ins with your team, and visibly act on the feedback you receive to build stronger trust.
- Commit to Growth
Improving communication is an ongoing process - be open to learning and adapting.
Communication Dos and Don'ts
Use feedback to guide your communication practices. Here's a quick reference:
| Dos | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Share updates regularly through various channels | Use overly complex language or jargon |
| Set clear, specific goals and expectations | Avoid addressing tough topics |
| Use stories to explain ideas | Dismiss team input |
| Align your body language with your message | Deliver conflicting messages |
| Ask meaningful questions | Dominate conversations without listening |
| Listen carefully and encourage contributions | Rush to conclusions |
Genuine and consistent communication builds trust. When leaders communicate clearly and align their actions with their words, they create an environment where teams can thrive.
Next Steps
Now that you've fine-tuned your message and presentation, it's time to take intentional steps to ensure your leadership presence leaves a lasting impression. Focus on consistent, purposeful actions to strengthen your leadership presence.
Define Your Leadership Style
Start by evaluating your current leadership traits and how they influence others.
| Area of Focus | Questions to Consider |
|---|---|
| Current Impact | What three words summarise your leadership style? What makes you stand out? |
| Desired Impact | How do you want others to feel after interacting with you? |
| Areas for Growth | What behaviours need to change to align with your goals? |
Own Your Narrative
Craft your personal leadership story by identifying key moments that highlight your strengths. Regularly check in with trusted colleagues to ensure your actions align with the message you want to convey.
Stay Consistent
Your daily actions and interactions shape how others perceive you. Build on the communication and body language strategies previously mentioned, and focus on:
- Managing your emotions in tough situations
- Keeping your communication and actions consistent across different contexts
- Showing presence by fully engaging in conversations and interactions
Tracking your actions and their impact will help you stay on course and make adjustments as needed.
Track Your Growth
Use tools like 360° feedback surveys to gather insights on how others perceive your leadership presence. These surveys can highlight areas where your actions may not align with your goals, allowing you to refine your approach.
"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room"
Be intentional about shaping the leadership story you want others to remember, and work consistently to embody that vision in every interaction.
FAQs
How can I make sure my leadership actions reflect my values and principles?
To ensure your leadership actions reflect your values, start by clearly identifying your core principles. Regularly assess whether your decisions and behaviour align with these values. Reflect on how you allocate your time, energy, and resources - are they supporting what matters most to you?
Creating a personal credo or a brief statement of your guiding principles can help keep you focused. Use it as a reference to guide your actions and decisions. Periodically revisit your values and adjust your approach if you notice any inconsistencies. This ongoing self-awareness will help you build a leadership presence that’s both authentic and impactful.
How can I use feedback to enhance my leadership presence?
Improving your leadership presence starts with actively seeking and using feedback in a constructive way. Feedback helps you understand how others perceive your communication, behaviour, and overall impact.
To make the most of feedback, manage your initial reactions by viewing it as an opportunity to grow. Assume positive intent, ask clarifying questions, and take time to reflect on what you’ve heard. This shows openness and builds trust with your colleagues.
Additionally, encourage your team to share their insights by asking focused questions or seeking advice instead of generic feedback. Demonstrating that you act on their suggestions will also foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, reinforcing your leadership presence.
How can storytelling help me create a stronger leadership presence and connect with diverse audiences?
Storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders to build connections and leave a lasting impression. By sharing relatable and authentic stories, you can tap into your audience’s emotions, making your message more engaging and memorable.
A well-crafted story aligns your leadership message with your audience’s values and experiences, helping you inspire trust and motivate action. Whether it’s a personal anecdote or an example that highlights key values, storytelling enables you to communicate with clarity and impact. Focus on being genuine and consistent to ensure your narrative resonates across different audiences.