Refine your Self-Image for Success in 2020

Why Should I Follow You?

Today's business leaders and C-Suite directors are overwhelmed with change. They are being challenged from every direction- by shareholders, customers and employees. The question is why do some prosper when others fail? The difference between success and failure can be due to several reasons with the key being traced to internal reasons, to how well leaders engage the hearts and souls of their followers. What does it take to engage people today? What does it take to inspire people to like or get connected with you?

Firstly, it takes self-leadership. One big difference between the success or failure of leaders can be traced to character- how authentically they lead. Authentic character usually accompanies greatness in everything they do and is largely responsible for the energy and unity found in high-performing teams and organizations. Secondly, leaders need to answer this key question asked by employees, "Why should I follow you?"

Leaders must take a serious look in a 'self' mirror before answering. Leadership today is earned. Real commitment and engaged followers come from asking and answering tough questions first.

During more than a decade and a half as a Personal Brand Image Coach and C- level advisor to many leaders, I have been continually impressed with the courage that great business leaders have shown in holding up the 'self' mirror to look inside. They understand that the soft skills of leading are as important as the hard skills.

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Creating TRUST

This means Leaders and C-Suite directors of the future have to continually create trust as you lead people into new territories in the marketplace. Our C-level clients find that having a mentor or trusted network or coach can be a great support in their thinking process.

Today's employees don't blindly follow. Why should they? They are mostly educated, street smart, digital savvy, and aware of their options. Their engagement depends on the trust they have in their leaders.

So what would be the questions those employees be asking their leaders?

With today's new workplace realities-tight budgets, frequent deadlines, the worry of redundancy- many employees are questioning their leaders' PURPOSE, VALUES, VISION, and COURAGE. Most know their leaders do not have all the answers, so they want to get involved in the questions. Allow them to do this and they will face challenges with you as their leaders or bosses.

Leadership demands TRUST. TRUST relies on character. In the book Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen Covey notes that a nation is governed by the character ethic: principles like keeping promises, being honest, and exercising courage. Character is the 'Why' of "why should I follow you?"

Many leaders may have emphasized the title they hold, and not enough on the essence of leading. Through years of working with leaders, we have hand-held many to work within a discipline that focuses on BRAND and IMAGE with authenticity- their true self-image, values, and passions. This is something that leaders and C-level directors need to be aware of.

Character comes from the inside out.

Who you come first.

Personal Brand or Personal Image, though important, does not create trust. To create trust we would recommend as a leader, you need to focus on your essence- your underlying substance, VALUES, VISION, and COURAGE. The courageous act as a leader is to address the question of WHO YOU ARE before the question of WHAT YOU DO. When you focus on the "WHO' question before the 'WHAT' question, you will begin to discover the essence of HOW YOU LEAD. Effective leaders also have a sense of PURPOSE that inspires those they work with. Your personal purpose is not something you can find in a book, although you may obtain inspiration from authors and experts.

To be on top and be the best in what you do and to lead a team or company, as a leader, you must be willing and it is highly recommended to confront both your STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES. It is also a process of building leadership confidence and personal refinement.

You won't have all the answers.

An effective team is one led by someone with INTEGRITY. And integrity results from consistency between 'HOW you look, WHAT you say and HOW you say'- The 3 key elements of Image (findings by behavioral psychologist Albert Mehrabian on 'Silent messages' 1960). This principle of 'silent messages' explains why often when you've met someone for the first time, you are at risk in forming a wrong impression if there is inconsistency in your visual, verbal, and non-verbal communications. Something, you may find worthwhile to think about for 2020 in refining your self-image? The reward of self-fulfillment is beyond what you can imagine!

In brief, WHO you are should speak as loudly as WHAT you do.

You may also need to be willing to acknowledge that you won't always know the answers. Leaders need to keep questioning, learning, and developing, however high you are sitting on the business ladder. A strong self-image assists leaders in overcoming fear and building courage. To make self-image work, a leader will think long and hard using the information and experience available to decide the right course of action to make a dream come true.

Some questions to ask include:
Is it legal, moral, and ethical?
Is it financially sound?
Is the team on board?

Once you have asked the questions and you have answered the right questions, you must decide or obtain affirmation from a trusted peer or mentor, if you are capable. A positive self-image allows a leader to grow. Self-image is a building block of personal and team influence and it encourages teams to take advantage of their individual talents. Success, teamwork, and a feeling of fulfillment always follow.

Be a Refined Leader for 2020 to achieve Greatness.

Happy New Year 2020.