Add Some Zen to Your Leadership Style
These days, it might feel like the only certain thing in our lives is uncertainty. In this atmosphere, how you show up as a leader can make all the difference for your team.
I’m coaching a couple of leaders who excel in showing up in a calm, positive way. Very Zen indeed. Their presence works wonders to help ground and center others. I’ve seen it in action, and it’s powerful. It not only benefits their organizations, but also differentiates them as leaders.
So, I want to do my part to help you notice how you are showing up. Your presence as a leader matters even more right now in the midst of work environments full of stress and change.
Take a quick look at the list below and rate yourself from 1 (for things you never or almost never do) to 10 (for the things you always or almost always do).
_____ My tone of voice reflects positive energy.
_____ The pace of my speech is evenly paced and calm.
_____ I take a moment to personally connect with others before discussing the topic at hand.
_____ I let others finish speaking without interrupting.
_____ When I respond, my response reflects that I heard what the other person said.
_____ I am fully engaged and present during in-person or virtual meetings; I don’t multi-task.
_____ I notice the stress level of others around me and adjust my style accordingly.
_____ I thank others and recognize them for their contributions.
Now that you’ve assessed how you’re doing, identify one area to prioritize for the next week. For example, to minimize distractions during meetings you might turn off email and instant message notifications. If you need to look at something urgent on your device during a meeting, consider letting other attendees know. (“It looks like Greg just emailed me the report we were waiting for, so I have to take a quick look.”)
To help you address any root causes that keep you from feeling grounded and centered, take a look at some of my past blog articles below. After all, it’s a lot easier to exude calm and Zen when you feel calm yourself!
And if you’re ready to take the next steps in building your leadership presence, I invite you to consider executive coaching with me or explore my self-paced tools, including the award-winning New Lens app.