How to Develop Leadership Presence in a Remote Work Environment?
“ The growth and development of people is the highest calling of a leader ’’ — John Maxwell
New pressures are emerging in our rapidly changing world. Leaders must find new ways to operate in order to navigate more demanding customer expectations, an acute distrust of business, and so much remote working. Cultivating leadership presence is essential for this to occur.
A leader with a greater presence is able to stay focused in the face of unexpected disruptions, be open to new directions, and build trusting relationships. People tend to follow people. Leaders who are rooted in who they are, what they stand for, and what truly matters inspire others to follow them.
What exactly is a leadership presence?
When was the last time you became so engrossed in what you were doing that you lost track of time? You could have been reading a novel, conversing with a co-worker, or writing a report; any activity that requires focused concentration can lead us there. You’ve already had a taste of this power.
We are in a state of absorbed relaxation when we operate from a sense of our presence. We have a sense of spaciousness or ‘flow’ within us. When we look back, we realize that we were complete ‘there’ and in touch with our best selves.
“ Leadership development is a lifetime journey, not a quick trip ’’ — John C Maxwell
We are right here, right now, when we are present. This is where all of our attention is right now. When we’re in a meeting, we’re focused; we’re not distracted by emails, to-do lists, or other distractions. We keep in touch with what’s going on in the room as well as what’s going on inside of us. We don’t try to control or manipulate others; instead, we give them the space to be themselves, just as we do.
Why is developing presence important?
There are several advantages to cultivating presence, the most important of which is the development of trusting relationships.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff highlights the company’s long-term success to its operating principle of “values create value.” ‘If trust isn’t your highest value, the employees will walk out,’ Benioff says in an interview with Fortune. Customers, investors, and leaders are all walking out, and you’re seeing more of it every day.
Dealing with reactivity is essential. While lashing out at others provides a temporary release of pent-up energy, it pollutes the environment. When we push a button within ourselves, it is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and search within ourselves so that the button loses its charge.
“ Leadership development is self-development’’ — John C Agno
How to Improve Your Presence?
Because of the intensity of online work, it is especially important to find ways to consciously manage your attention. Here are some ideas to try (whether on Zoom or in-person) to stay energized and engage your co-workers.
- Prior to a meeting:
Allow yourself a few moments to be fully present. Find a quiet place where you can close your eyes, scan your body, and pay attention to how you feel. Pay close attention to any signs of stress that you detect.
Breathe into this area of your body to help you relax.
Put your phone away (unless you need to log into a meeting or make a phone call). Keep it out of sight so you don’t twist your attention in its direction. If you’re not competing for your attention, the people you’re with will feel more valued.
2. During a meeting:
Maintain contact with your own body while interacting with others. Feel your feet on the ground, your backside in the chair, and your spine upright.
Take note of how you breathe in and out. If you’re able, place your hand lightly on your stomach to help you stay connected with this “belly breath.” When you notice that you’ve “jumped” out of yourself or that you’ve lost touch with your sense of self, return your attention to your breathing.
“ Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other ’’ — J F Kennedy
If you are unable to give others your full attention, express this. It is preferable to be semi-distracted by saying, “I know you need to talk with me, and I’m interested, but I want to give you my full attention.” Take care of what needs to be taken care of, then return to the conversation.
3. Following a meeting:
Instead of rushing from one meeting to the next, carve out as much space as you can between them. Even a brief break of a few minutes can help clear your mind and reduce “attention residue” (continuing to think about one issue when you need to pivot to the next).
If you can stand outside or open a window for a few seconds, the fresh air will help you stay focused on the present moment.
At the end of a meeting, jot down any actions or decisions that were made so that they do not remain in your mind as ‘open loops,’ which have been shown to consume a disproportionate amount of energy.
Close the ‘loops’ from one meeting before proceeding to or logging into the next.
When we are fully present, we see opportunities and identify risks that we would otherwise overlook if we were only midway there.
We are more open to new insights and ‘action impulses’ when we are in a state of presence.
“ Great leaders encourage leadership development, by openly developing themselves. ’’ — Marshell Goldsmith
When someone walks into the room, whether in person or via Zoom, our presence is so simple, so basic, and yet so rarely has the most impact. Great leaders possess it, and you can as well. Every moment, we have access to presence. Cultivating presence will improve the quality of your leadership and life significantly.
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