Working World

Issue 457

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/573817

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 9 of 23

September 21 -October 12, 2015 10 Working World l WorkingWorld.com FEATURE ARTICLE by David Waits L eadership is not a position! A local newspaper has a daily section titled "Progressions" allowing companies to publicly recognize employees who have been promoted to leadership positions such as general manager. The announcement is a very nice recognition for the new leader, but the promotion, in and of itself, doesn't make the person a powerful, productive leader. The promotion does allow the new leader to exercise the roles and responsibilities of the position, but the promotion has very little to do with the leadership effectiveness of the person who received it. The power of the position and the potential of the leader are maximized only when the leader understands and leverages their performance, presence and profitability. 1. Performance is simply what you do. Like it or not, at the end of the day, or quarter, or year (or term if you are a politician), leaders are evaluated by what they get done and get done through others. Leaders are paid to get results. They are not paid for their intentions or mere activity. INTENTIONS MATTER, RESULTS RULE! "I meant to have a discussion with the underperforming team member but I just haven't had a chance to talk to them," says the well-meaning leader. The question is not, "Did you talk to them?," the question is, "Did the underperforming team member's behavior improve?" Intentions without actions create nothing. Action—having the talk with the under performer— that doesn't produce results is simply activity not productivity. Performance is measured by results. Aesop rightly stated, "When all is said and done, more is said than done." Performance, measured by results, is the metric of your leadership ability. 2. Presence is who you are. You can't be one type of person and another type of leader! Although you can try to fool people, and maybe even obtain pseudo-success for a short season, time will ultimately reveal the real you. Who you are, in the core of your being, will determine your presence. How big is your presence? Someone who is physically large is noticed when they simply walk into a room. Former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal is over 7 feet tall, weighing in at over 300 pounds. Everywhere he goes, his physical presence is commanding. When you enter a room, are you noticed? Are you respected? Do people want your input? Are you listened to? Are you commanding? Your presence is the key to positively and powerfully influencing people. Remember, a title or position does not a leader make. A position can be conferred on you. When something is conferred it is placed and bestowed on you by someone else. It is recognition of a position. Your position allows you to perform the roles and functions of a leader, but it is your presence that The Three P's of Powerful Leadership The power of the position and the potential of the leader are maximized only when the leader understands and leverages their performance, presence and profitability.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Working World - Issue 457