In my Team Coaching certification program, we explored the multifaceted aspects of leadership presence. While confidence and decisiveness are crucial, so is fostering inclusiveness and having an opportunity mindset.
Some tips to enhance your opportunity mindset:
- Deliver empathy. Acknowledge and appreciate your employees and colleagues. A simple thank-you or a supportive email can create immense value for both your team and the organization.
- Proactively manage virtual meetings. When on video, pay attention to your speaking style. Are you clear, concise, and welcoming or are you multi-tasking? Remember the lesson from the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs: eye contact and focus matters, whether face-to-face or through a camera lens.
- Listen to learn. As a leader, confidence is essential, but active listening is equally vital. Employees now seek leaders who learn from others before making decisions. Aim for what I call “Level 5 listening”—using all your senses to truly focus and be present in the moment.
- Explore opportunities. Be open to trying new things and encourage your colleagues and employees to grow and develop. Studies by the psychologist Richard Wiseman support the fact that people who are flexible, try new things, and are not set on a fixed way of achieving their goals have more success. People with this kind of flexibility are more likely to meet and network with new people, which often leads to new and exciting opportunities.
Having an opportunity mindset includes respecting others, listening to learn, and being aware of opportunities for you, your colleagues, and your employees.
Beth Benatti Kennedy is a PathWise advisor and executive coach. She also runs her own practice and is the creator of the Benatti Resilience Model and author of two books (one due out in July 2024)
