Mindful Leadership For Dummies

Chapter 14

Enhancing Your Personal Presence and Influence

IN THIS CHAPTER

Establishing your values

Defining and embracing your personal brand

Becoming a better negotiator

Can you command the room? Do people stop and listen when you speak? If the answer is yes, you have executive presence. A recent survey of New York recruiters found that ‘executive presence’ accounts for 26 per cent of what it takes to get promoted. At the heart of mindfulness is self-awareness. Self-awareness and the ability to manage your emotions are vital if you want to enhance your personal presence and influence. Mindful leaders have a clear idea of who they are, what they value and what they stand for. Remaining authentic to yourself helps you build your presence and influence in a way that is sustainable and powerful.

But what if who you are and what you stand for don’t resonate with your organisation? You have three choices:

• You can leave the organisation and try to find one that is a better fit for your values and outlook on life.
• You can simply be yourself, leading by example and, by doing so, try to change the organisation from the inside. This can be a long-term project, which may or may not be worth the effort.
• You can put up and shut up.

The latter may be an option for some, but research shows that trying to behave in a way that is contrary to your preferred way of being and doing for extended periods is unsustainable. In the end, something will give – either your physical health or your mental well-being. ...