What is Leadership and How to Lead Impactfully

For real teamwork, each member makes contributions to work towards a common goal. For this to function, it is necessary that we have a leader. 

This figure helps improve collaboration, communication, conflict management, and other aspects of the group. A good leader should set themselves apart and understand the difference between leadership and power. 

Though we will start off with the basics:

What is leadership?

Generally, we use the word leadership without thinking about what it really means. Being a leader is not exclusive to politicians or those with high-level titles. I leader is much more than a position. 

Leadership is a state of being, it means having a uniquely different mentality and perspective. A leader is always a step ahead. They are counted on for who they are, what they have created, and for what they want to do. 

Leadership goes hand-in-hand with motivation, inspiring others. It all has to do with the intention, energy, and presence that you bring to your work. 

In a world that is as hectic and busy as ours is today, it is easy to focus on abilities, vision, strategy, and the team. But therein lies the problem. 

There are things that we may not think of as being as important, but they mean more, or are a core part in the organization. Good leadership means being PRESENT.

If you are a leader, some of the following situations may have happened to you:

• You are very intelligent but people close up and begin to act cautiously once you arrive. 
• You are good at what you do but your team doesn't love to work with you. 
• You are in charge of a meeting of a great group of people, but there is a newcomer that wants to take the lead with their presence and energy. 
• You are in a leadership position, but people follow you because they have to (you pay them) and not because: they want to, you inspire them, or because you make them feel good and your presence creates a welcoming space open to new opinions, etc. 
• You are a team leader but there is a lot of tension. A lot of time is spent debating, and the decision-making process is long and complex. Your team also struggles to finish projects on time. 
• Or maybe, you are doing very well in your position, you are earning a good amount of money, and you are getting all sorts of rewards, though you are very busy and don't have time to dedicate to relationships or your personal life in general. 

These are all situations in which the leader is a bit weak in their role. Leadership should generate a positive impact for each team member. 

As a leader, you should be a role model and inspiration so that employees are able to work together to reach objectives. 

The impact of an organization is in what we say and do. The majority of our impact is in how the everyone else sees us: our appearance, our intentions, and the energy that we give off. People can see and feel when a leader has these qualities. 

Presence has an important impact...

Leading with intention, energy, and presence, not only increases your leadership potential and effectiveness, but also enables others to work better; you inspire those around you, and you make things happen without over-working yourself, because your positive energy keeps things moving. 

Learn how to be a leader

Have you heard of the intentional energetic presence methodology?

It consists of three main points:

Intention: 

This has to do with the intentionality you have in your impact, in the way that you think about those that you lead, and how clear you are with what you want to create or achieve.

What intentions do you have behind what you want to achieve?

Energy:

The energy that you show in what you do. This has to do with motivation, inspiration, the effort that you put into the work that you do, and the way that you achieve what you want. 

Presence:

This refers to your physical presence (your posture, tone of voice, and how you present yourself), your presence as a leader, how people feel when you enter the office, and what they say when you're not there. This, in addition to your ability to be present at all times. 

Do you want to become a more impactful leader?

Implement these 5 management focus areas in order to improve in your position:

• Stop saying that you are busy: The more that you say it, the more busy you will feel. Your body will take on a different energy, and this alone will impact you negatively. Consider how this attitude can affect your relationships and your interactions as a leader. How have you felt when someone with this energy has tried to inspire others while they themselves are tired and unmotivated? It is better to keep calm, organize yourself, and make time for other things. 

• Do your best work: Before you go into the office, agency, or workplace, remind yourself that your presence has an impact, and you have a reputation to uphold. How do you intend to present yourself to the office when you arrive? How do you want team members to feel next to you?

• Take care of yourself: What are you doing physically and mentally to achieve success? In order to make the type of impact you are aiming for without burning out, you need to focus on how to nourish your energy. Small things go a long way: hydration, diet, sleep, excercise, your environment, your mindset, the way that you talk to yourself and others — all have a large impact, both physically and mentally on your energy. Focus on yourself and make sure that you are doing what is necessary for you to feel good. 

• Be Present: Breathe. Be present 100% of the time that you are talking with someone. Giving them all of your focus and concentration for a few minutes is better than giving them an hour of your partial and distracted attention. Feedback won't be the same and your role as a leader could suffer. 

• Declare your ideas and take responsibility for your decisions: Why do you want to do what you do? What is the impact that you really want to make as a leader? All of thi is internal energy. Let yourself be moved by this energy and think reasonably about the way you want to inspire your team to reach their objectives. 

If you are a manager in a company you should know the difference between authority and control In order to lead a team it is important that you creat a good work environment, otherwise your employees will not work with a positive attitude, or become motivated by their tasks and duties. 

By integrating all of these ideas into your leadership style, you will improve your presence and become a stronger leader by having an intention that drives and even improved your team, making you someone that people follow because they want to and not because they have to. 

Do you think that your role as a leader is impactful? What do you believe to be your best strength?