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Change Your Mindset

How to Stand Out as a Leader in 2023 & Beyond

enhance your executive presence to build your personal and professional brand and achieve all-around success

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Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr. John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, and Barack Obama have one thing in common – executive presence.  They stand out from others through their physical appearance, charisma, etiquette, and mannerism. They all have the X factor and the pull factor that attracts the attention of others and makes them exceptional.

Of late, executive presence has been catching up globally as most chief executives and leaders realized its importance to improve their influence and enhance their leadership presence.  There are books authored on the concept of executive presence that shows the significance of executive presence. 

What is executive presence?

Some people bring happiness wherever they go; some people bring happiness whenever they go.  The people with executive presence belong to the first category where they bring in a lot of happiness wherever they go to a group through their appearance and charm. 

When you see some people you get attracted to them immediately, and you feel like speaking to them and spending your precious time.  You will show your interest to associate with them, and try to help as much as you can without expecting any returns from them.  

Your mind will be occupied with such people and you enjoy talking about them with others. You often think about them and appreciate aping them.  This is known as executive presence, and it is precisely known as a “wow” factor which is easy to see and yet hard to define.

Executive presence is the ability to influence others through your communication skills, appearance, and dress code.  It is a magnetic charm that adds value to your leadership ability.  It helps in getting tasks executed successfully. It is a blend of various traits and skills such as personal appearance, dress sense, smile, energy and enthusiasm, and above all, a pull factor that makes you stand out from others. 

Most executives have a hidden urge to influence others through their executive presence.  They often take extra care to draw attention and acceptance. If you look at Richard Branson of Virgin Group, he attracts the attention of people through his different dressing, style, and activities to promote his brand. He is noted for daredevilry activities and unique mannerisms. 

Precisely, executive presence is a professional magnetism and leadership ability to influence people and ensure things go successfully for enhancing organizational excellence and effectiveness.  People around you look up to you and listen to you.  It is an added advantage to your professional success and helps in building your professional brand quickly. 

For instance, Hollywood film stars are smart at executive presence. They survive mainly through their executive presence which we may call “star presence”. They are stars due to their special appearance and mannerism. It is their trump card for their survival and success.

“There can be no power without mystery. There must always be a ‘something’ that others cannot altogether fathom, which puzzles them, stirs them, and rivets their attention… Nothing more enhances authority than silence. It is the crowning virtue of the strong, the refuge of the weak, the modesty of the proud, the pride of the humble, the prudence of the wise, and the sense of fools.” —Charles de Gaulle

Executive presence versus charisma

There is a difference between leaders with executive presence and leaders with charisma.  Marianne Williamson once said, “Charisma is a sparkle in people that money can’t buy. It’s invisible energy with visible effects.” 

Charismatic leaders are individuals above institutions.  When institutions are about to crumble charismatic leaders enter the scenario, turn around the institutions and then quit. Their main role is to infuse hope through their charisma and keep things better for themselves and others and then they quit.  However, leaders with executive presence infuse hope forever to achieve the desired organizational objectives.  

In addition, charisma is a magnetic power and charm and it is the ability to influence others through magical words and vocabulary to attract people around you. However, executive presence is the ability to get noticed as the center of attraction for good reasons, and that too as an effective executive. It helps connect with people quickly so that they trust and admire you and finally follow you.  

These days executive presence is imperative not only to become a successful executive but also a successful leader.  It helps in getting things done easily as people enjoy working with you because of your extraordinary appearance. 

In a nutshell, executive presence is an added advantage to your leadership presence. It makes things easier for you to influence people around you.

Importance of executive presence

Executive presence is an asset for professionals to scale the corporate ladder quickly as they get noticed by others. Some leaders work hard and learn the ropes of having executive presence either through their dressing, mannerism, body language, or style of speaking to get noticed.  It helps win the trust and confidence of people around you.  

You will be able to work with more confidence with your superiors, peers, and subordinates. In addition, it helps within society to command respect and in your personal life to ensure a successful life.  It helps you connect with others quickly and establish rapport; builds confidence to present yourself with authority, courage, and authenticity to get the tasks executed successfully; and enhances greater interpersonal skills.  

Hence, everyone must acquire the tools and techniques of executive presence to leave a mark.  Political leaders like Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan had executive presence. Ronald Reagan is an amazing example of the executive presence of his mannerism, appearance, and communication skills. He connected with people quickly through his presence.  

Business leaders like Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Lee Iacocca, Jack Welch, Indra Nooyi, and Steve Jobs are noted for their exceptional executive presence.  There are several religious leaders including Dalai Lama who have an extraordinary executive presence. 

How to enhance your executive presence?

When you have an executive presence, you will be at the center of attraction.  People will be eager to have a glance at you and will be eager to meet and interact with you. They take pride in meeting you and tell others that they met you. But how to have it is a million-dollar question!  Another question to ponder is whether executive presence is an inborn trait or an acquired skill. 

We hear a cliché, “First impression is the best impression” which is somewhat similar to the executive presence that creates your personal and professional brand. It encourages people to come and talk to you, give you assignments and offers, and several opportunities.  

Hence, it is imperative to cultivate and enhance your executive presence. Certain things are God-gifted such as physical appearance, but many things can be cultivated.  Suzanne Bates unveils seven elements of executive presence in her article. 

They are substance, personal style, physical presence, vocal skill, manners/listening, receptivity/listening, and workspace. All these skills can be cultivated as they are in no way related to your inborn talents. Hence, you can cultivate and enhance your executive presence with your efforts.  

Some people go for image makeover especially those who are into public life, to grab the attention of others. When you look at film stars, television anchors, air hostesses, and celebrities put in extra effort to draw the attention of others and influence others through their presence.  To conclude, enhance your executive presence to build your personal and professional brand and achieve all-around success.  

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D. is the Father of “Soft Leadership” and the Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India. He is an International Leadership Guru with forty years of experience and the author of fifty books including the award-winning ‘See the Light in You’ URL: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132. He is a C-Suite advisor and global keynote speaker. He brings a strategic eye and long-range vision given his multifaceted professional experience including military, teaching, training, research, consultancy, and philosophy. He is passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others. He is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine. He trains a new generation of leaders through leadership education and publications.

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Change Your Mindset

The Art of Convincing: 10 Persuasion Techniques That Really Work

The knack for persuading others can act as a catalyst for change, open doors, forge alliances, and effect positive change

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how to be more persuasive

Persuasion is not as complicated as it may sound. In fact, it is something that we have been practicing since childhood. Do you remember convincing your parents to let you skip school, asking your teacher not to assign homework, or persuading your boss to give you a day off? Well, these are just small examples of what persuasion looks like. (more…)

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Personal Development

5 Key Reasons Why Perfectionist’s Procrastinate

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Procrastination Perfectionist Patterns

Hey there! I’m Joel Brown, a procrastination mindset specialist. In my world, it’s all about guiding my students through repatterning exercises to break free from the shackles that prevent them from scaling new heights in life.

Now, you might hear ‘perfectionist’ and think, “Ah, they’re destined for success!” But here’s the real deal: perfectionism is far from a superpower. It’s a sneaky villain in disguise, sapping emotional and physical strength, disrupting sleep, and fueling an endless cycle of rumination—all in the pursuit of getting everything ‘just right.’ This relentless chase is what we call the ‘Obsessive Idealist‘ procrastination type.

If you don’t know which out of. the 6 procrastination types you are then you can take this quick 3 minute procrastination type quiz on my Mindstrong Academy website.

Through my fourteen years of coaching, I’ve identified six procrastination types, but my journey started with a personal revelation—I am an Obsessive Idealist. I’ve been there, constantly toggling between creation and procrastination.

And today, I invite you to explore this path with me. If you’re nodding along, thinking, “That sounds like me; I’m a perfectionist too,” then stick around.

I’m about to shed some light on why you might be stuck in this cycle.

 

Here’s a perfectionist procrastination type video here of what I’m breaking down in this article for you:

The Obsessive Idealist: Unpacking the Perfectionist’s Paradox

First things first, make sure to take the procrastination quiz: mindstrongacademy.com/quiz to see where you stand. Now, let’s dive into the world of the Obsessive Idealist. Often labeled as high achievers or perfectionists, the core of their procrastination lies in the mind’s protective pause. It’s a shield against perceived threats, pitfalls of perfectionism, and the constant battle between the now and the future in our minds.

Here’s the paradox: what seems like a strength for high achievers can become a crippling hindrance. Obsessive Idealists are in a constant struggle to avoid failure, aiming for 100% perfection. But let’s face the truth—no one is perfect. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, or any individual striving for excellence, embracing imperfections and learning from failures are crucial steps.

 

The Traps of Being an Obsessive Idealist Procrastination Type

Analysis Paralysis: Overthinking every detail to the point of inaction is a common pitfall. It’s like trying to get everything perfect, but in reality, it backfires, stalling your progress.

The Unrealistic Standards Syndrome: Setting impossibly high goals is like chasing a mirage. It’s not just about being competitive; it can lead to unfair self-criticism and unrealistic expectations of others.

The Time Trap: Believing there’s never enough time to complete a task perfectly leads to constant postponement. This selective focus on strengths, while avoiding areas of improvement, limits your true potential.

Avoidance of Criticism: Dodging feedback hinders growth. It’s essential to learn to accept constructive criticism without internalizing it as a reinforcement of the “I’m not good enough” narrative.

The All-or-Nothing Lie: Believing that you must operate at full throttle or not at all is a dangerous misconception. Embracing the middle ground, like delegating tasks and seeking mentorship, is key to balanced success.

Embracing Imperfection: The Path to True Progress

 

In the MindStrong Academy, where I teach conquering procrastination, we focus on managing these patterns effectively. Currently, we’re offering a 7-day free trial, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your mindset: MindStrongAcademy.com The Academy is more than just a course; it’s a community where you’ll find support, accountability, and tailored resources like a 31-day planner and visualization audios to realign your focus.

 

In conclusion, recognizing and managing your tendencies as an Obsessive Idealist is crucial. By addressing the deep-rooted “I’m not good enough” narrative and embracing imperfection, you can shift from a state of constant stress to one of harmonized power.

Remember, movement doesn’t always equate to progress. It’s about finding balance, embracing downtime, and allowing yourself the space to grow and learn.

I encourage you to take the quiz, join the MindStrong Academy, and start your journey towards a more balanced, successful life.

Let’s break free from the chains of perfectionism together!

 

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Change Your Mindset

Unlocking Success: Subconscious Reprogramming, Mindset, and Transformative Strategies for Improved Wellbeing and Business Performance

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brittany victoria

What if I told you that the negative thoughts or self-limiting beliefs that you may have, are not actually yours?

In this article, I will discuss subconscious programming and how it can be reprogrammed in a way that allows you to reach your greatest potential. I will also provide tips on how you can integrate this information as a leader within the workplace.

The subconscious mind is shaped before we begin forming our own conscious thoughts, and these conscious thoughts are influenced by the subconscious mind. This means that even the thoughts that you’re consciously having, are merely an extension of that pre-existing conditioning. 

When something becomes deeply ingrained within your mind through repetition, and there are other supporting thoughts that reinforce it, you will identify this information as your truth. These repeated thoughts become beliefs, and your actions will align to support and validate these beliefs.

The Importance of Observing Your Thoughts

If you continuously tell yourself that you aren’t capable or good enough, how likely are you to put in the effort to challenge this narrative? If you’ve always been a procrastinator and tell yourself that you always will be, you’re going to continue procrastinating. If you run into an obstacle and don’t believe you can overcome it, you’re not going to look for solutions or try your best to resolve it.

It’s extremely important for you to become an observer of your thoughts and understand the impacts of how those thoughts can impact your life, relationships, and overall outlook on life.

Here are some questions to help guide you:

– What are your recurring negative thoughts, and how are they impacting your performance and relationships? 


– How have these thoughts held you back from achieving your goals and living the life that you’ve always dreamed of? 


– What have these thoughts already cost you and what else will they cost you if they don’t change?

Societal conditioning, influenced by a lower level of collective consciousness, has made the experience of debilitating thoughts highly prevalent. It’s not your fault that you have them, but it is your responsibility to change them and choose better ones.

The Subconscious Must Be Reprogrammed 

Reprogramming the subconscious involves positive affirmations, visualization, and consistent repetition to replace negative beliefs with positive ones. You have to become aware of the thoughts that make you feel bad and do not serve your best interest.

What are the growth-oriented thoughts that would you rather have instead? Any time that a debilitating thought crosses your mind, always correct it with new thought that uplifts, encourages and empowers you. Be consistent, be patient and understand that your logical mind will not make this process easy for you at first.

Being Delusional vs. Consciously Creating a Better Reality for Yourself 

By definition, the term delusional means “holding false beliefs or judgments about external reality that are held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary”. When you have held onto debilitating beliefs for so long and your previous actions have served as evidence to confirm their truth, it is inevitable that your logical mind will deem your new thoughts as delusional. This is where embracing change tends to become most challenging, as it involves confronting this resistance with unwavering commitment. 

 

What you have to understand is that your former beliefs and former actions do not dictate your future, unless they remain the same. As the old beliefs become obsolete and new beliefs take their place, there will also be new aligned actions that produce different results, and this will serve as evidence to support your new truth. That being said, the most delusional thing that anyone can do is elect to keep an unfavorable mindset that was programmed for them by external factors and willingly relinquish their own personal power as a result of it.

Success is Fundamentally Rooted in the Mindset

How we show up for ourselves and others, communicate with employees, and perform in business are deeply connected to our mindset and everything that has shaped it. Let’s delve into these interconnected aspects and explore five transformative tips that will catalyze positive change in the workplace. 

 

A growth-oriented mindset encourages resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace challenges. On the other hand, a fixed mindset hinders progress and limits potential.

Tip 1: Embrace a Growth Mindset

  • Establish the belief that abilities can be developed.
  • View challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.
  • Cultivate a positive attitude toward continuous growth and development.

Unpacking Trauma and Navigating the Impact

Unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our personal and professional lives. It shapes our reactions, influences decision-making, and impacts our interactions with others. Acknowledging and addressing trauma is essential for creating a healthier, more productive work environment.

 

Tip 2: Prioritize Trauma-Informed Leadership

  • Cultivate empathy and understanding for individual experiences.
  • Provide a safe space for open communication about trauma.
  • Implement support systems and resources for employees dealing with trauma.

 

Elevate Relationships and Sales Performance

To enhance relationships, communication, and sales performance, a holistic approach that intertwines mindset and trauma-informed practices is key.

 

Tip 3: Implement Empathy-Driven Communication

  • Train teams in active listening and empathetic communication.
  • Create an environment where open dialogue is encouraged.
  • Recognize and validate diverse perspectives, creating a culture of inclusivity.

Tip 4: Invest in Professional Development

  • Offer continuous learning opportunities for employees.
  • Develop leadership skills to enhance communication and relationship-building.
  • Prioritize sales training programs that align with evolving market dynamics.

Tip 5: Maintain a Positive Work Culture

  • Create a workplace where employees feel valued and appreciated.
  • Implement recognition programs to celebrate achievements.
  • Encourage a balance between professional and personal well-being.

By embracing a growth mindset, acknowledging and addressing trauma, and implementing empathetic, integrated strategies, individuals and organizations can create a transformative ripple effect. In this interconnected web of personal and professional growth, how we show up truly matters, influencing the outcomes we achieve and the impact we leave on those around us.

 

Enjoy the Journey 

As you embark on the empowering journey of subconscious reprogramming, remember that change takes time, and self-compassion is your greatest ally. Surround yourself with positive influences, whether it be supportive friends, inspirational books, or mindfulness practices. Seek guidance from mentors who have walked a similar path and found success in reshaping their mindset. Embrace the discomfort that may arise during this process, for it signifies the shedding of old layers to make way for the new. Reflect on your progress regularly, celebrating even the smallest victories, and be patient with yourself as you navigate the intricacies of transformation. 

In the spirit of rewriting your narrative, I encourage you to take the first step today. Commit to a daily practice of positive affirmations, visualize your desired reality, and consistently challenge self-limiting beliefs. If you would like support along the way, consider joining like-minded communities, Facebook groups, and curate your social media to reflect these new changes you want to embody.

Remember, thoughts become actions, and actions reinforce beliefs. It’s never too late to embark on an empowering journey to reprogram your mind, and achieve the life you have always dreamed of!

For more tips and strategies on how to improve your mindset, follow me at @bigdivineenergy.

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Change Your Mindset

How to Let Go of Unconscious Patterns That No Longer Serve You

Spending more and more time going inward will free you to move forward.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

I was chatting with a friend of mine who was recently laid off. The experience has been overwhelming for him in a myriad of ways, including feeling inadequate and not good enough to get another job. (more…)

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