Creating An X Factor Leader
Authentic leaders in all facets of life have that indescribable X factor. It’s something that you can’t quite put your finger on, but the right person will exude an illuminated presence. A charismatic leader will hold everyone’s attention and will keep them always engaged. However, it is paramount that a leader presents as authentic, and has the desired skills and techniques of true leadership and influence for the continued success of a business.
Often, we are asked to believe that anyone who stands up and proclaims that they are a leader, can actually deliver on these skills. Despite these proclamations it is not real unless you have been taught to be an authentic leader. Authentic leaders ooze confidence, are comfortable in their own skin, embrace their strength and weaknesses and when faced with insurmountable challenges, maintain optimism always. An Authentic leader is always recognisable because they are empathetic to all others. In this, it is relevant to state that you cannot have confidence without empathy.
So the question now is are you a great leader? Do you exude all the strengths of a leader and the empathy to connect you and your staff or clients? A good leader will instill loyalty and calmness and demonstrate confidence when presenting out of the box and unique ideas. The more your leadership skills are utilised the better the results will be for your business. As a leader you will be able to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely. Without these skills you could be the best in your particular business or field of work but could potentially fail if your staff or clientele do not trust your capabilities as an authentic leader.
The most powerful leadership tool is “your own example”.
We all know that our personal experiences add to the educated decisions that we use to lead with. Just as we continue to excel in our given business or field of work, we must also inspire our staff and clients to excel. By making the decisions to confidently change conversations that we wouldn’t have had the courage to do otherwise and give advice based on these changes, you give the client an alternate potential in the growth of their business. To gain their confidence you need to be able to relate to them on their level. In this respect they will be aware that you follow the same parameters and values in the knowledge that you impart to them.
Without being an authentic and skilled leader, you are undeniably going to lose business.
Engaging the client means that you must be familiar with the principles of their business and the direction the client is wanting to take it. The human aspect allows an authentic leader to relate to the client on any level, therefore making the client feel like they are being taken care of, by someone who has an invested and personal interest in their business. Former CEO of Qantas, James Strong made a good point when he expressed, “You have to be willing to put yourself at risk in the way you communicate and interact.” In this statement he reflects on the human and vulnerable aspects when connecting on a deeper level. When this is achieved, we build trust with one another and the clients are more likely to feel comfortable with decisions made by the authentic leader.
Ethics and moral standards are of huge importance to the running of any business. The leader leads by example. Ethics and morals increase the productivity of the business. Upholding these standards projects externally to current and future clients which means further engagement as an authentic leader is likely to be a reality.
Leadership approach must be authentic and incorporate honest behavior as the client will appreciate this most of all and are more likely to accept the advice of change, as I say “Through change comes freedom”
Lynda Steffens
B.Bus CPA JP (QUAL) and Qualified SMJ Speaker
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