We can all think of leaders who walk into a room and immediately draw attention to themselves. Whether you call it charisma, gravitas, or that undefinable “IT” quality, certain people have an ability to command a room from the moment they arrive. They have an air of authority that comes from competence, conviction, and purpose rather than bias or a “power trip.”
This ability to show up with authority is a key component of leaders who have a strong presence. Leaders may have strong business acumen, high emotional intelligence, and a knack for inspiring commitment, but without the ability to show up in a role with authority, they may never set themselves apart from others.
Anyone can learn how to show up with authority—even introverts! Here are five characteristics of leaders who project the air of competence and presence necessary for their roles:
Leaders who want to command a room spend time working on their own mindset, preparing relevant information, and mentally walking through scenarios they might encounter. Whether they’re preparing for routine daily tasks or meetings, special board presentations, or confrontational press conferences, they give themselves an edge by taking the time to prepare.
While practical preparation might include gathering data or notes, smart leaders also spend time preparing their overall presentation. They may watch videos about how to present a strong physical presence or work on eliminating weak language or vocal qualities. Leaders who want to command a room will also manage their own health and wellbeing with good sleep habits, diet, and exercise. These habits can help anyone project an air of grace under pressure.
In the old days, there was a certain expectation of professional dress. It likely conjured an image of a man in a suit and tie or, later, a woman in a suit, silk blouse, and heels.
Today’s expectation for “professional” dress is quite different. Leaders across all levels wear anything from t-shirts and jeans to open-necked dress shirts and blazers to traditional suits. And the definition of a leader has changed; today, “leader” can mean the CEO in a suit business casual or the foreman on the factory floor in coveralls and a hardhat.
For leaders today, it may be better to suggest dressing in a way that’s consistent with both a personal brand and the organization’s brand. Mark Zuckerberg loses no authority with his team when he shows up in a t-shirt and jeans, but no one would expect the CEO of a large bank to show up the same way.
To convey leadership presence through appearance, leaders can take note of how others in the organization dress, especially those in positions of authority. They can then use those observations to find a comfortable, professional approach that projects confidence and brand as they speak and act in their roles.
Leaders who show up with authority understand that all communication is importantl—even down to e-mail and instant messaging. They put time and effort into learning the language and communication preferences of the organization, and they adhere to the most vital spoken and unspoken guidelines.
These leaders also recognize how important it is to listen effectively in their roles and work on their active listening skills regularly. Active listening is the ability to fully engage in a conversation with both the ears and eyes. We know 80% of communication is non-verbal, which means that leaders must pay close attention to facial cues, body language, and emotions.
An active listener makes eye contact, doesn’t interrupt, and nods to confirm understanding of the conversation. Leaders can also learn to adapt body language to the cues received from the other person in conversation, and they can convey curiosity by asking open-ended questions that start with “what” and “how” and allowing people the freedom to be candid and open.
Leaders with a strong presence tend to be highly visible throughout the organization. These leaders don’t limit themselves to e-mail or instant message communication; rather, they make time to talk to people in person or by electronic means as much as possible. They also encourage others to initiate conversations and maintain an open-door policy.
Whether it’s in-person or over video, leaders with a strong presence will be readily visible and available to their teams, colleagues, bosses, and customers. They will go out of their way to check in with others, listen to concerns, and follow up when necessary.
Perhaps no quality is more important in showing up with authority than the ability to treat everyone with respect and dignity. This characteristic often ties in closely to maintaining visibility. Highly visible leaders will also take the time to make personal connections with anyone in the organization—from the mailroom to the C-suite. They learn the names and personal interests of others and engage in conversation with others to help foster a sense of community. They understand the three human needs of every employee—to feel liked, competent, and independent at their jobs.
As you think of leaders who are famous for charisma or authority, showing up in your leadership role may feel daunting or even impossible. But leadership presence doesn’t mean just copying famous people in an inauthentic way. Rather, it means observing what makes these people authoritative, authentic, and charismatic and then adapting those observations to one’s personal leadership brand. Tiny tweaks can lead to big changes, and with practice, anyone can become a leader others point to as someone who knows how to show up with aplomb.
SELF-CHECK: