5 Steps To Creating A Leadership Brand

I recently conducted some market research to learn from leaders how I can best support their leadership growth and development. I asked a series of questions and received great responses, food for thought, and feedback.

When I spoke with a man in the military, he said one of the most important aspects that he looks for in leadership is “keepin’ it real”. OK, he is quite a bit younger than I am! However, this message is ageless and timeless.

Most of us have a pretty good B.S. meter and can smell fake a mile away. This is especially important to us, as leaders, to tap into truth and stand in our authenticity. When we stand in authenticity, we stand in power. THAT is what makes us powerful leaders – authenticity.

And let’s face it; there is nothing more authentic or real than love.

When we lead with love and authenticity, we practice:

  • Truth

  • Mindfulness

  • Awareness

  • Non-judgment

  • Honesty

  • Integrity

  • Compassion

  • Service

  • Presence

  • Humanitarianism

Branding and image consulting are terms that we’ve no doubt heard before, typically in the context of marketing. Have you thought about your brand? No, I am not talking about the company for which you work—I am talking about YOU!

What is your brand, your leadership image? Are you keepin’ it real? Are you respected because you’ve earned it or are you feared because of your title? What is the first thing your team thinks about when your name comes up?

Some of us may say that we don’t care about what others think about us. Really, is that really true?

As leaders, our primary task is to motivate and influence others toward a vision and/or goal. If others are not buying our brand, then we don’t really have followers.How can we consciously create our leadership brand? Follow these 5 simple steps:

  1. Intentionally determine what you want your brand to represent.

  2. Reverse engineer the steps necessary to develop and create that brand image.

  3. Be accountable to doing the work – find an accountability partner or coach who will be honest about your progress and a resource when you are stuck.

  4. Be vulnerable and do spot checks with others to see if you are on the right track (in other words—ask!).

  5. Keep it real – Authenticity is a real attractor

I would love to hear from you. How would you describe an authentic leader, one who is keepin’ it real?

With love,

Maria

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False Power In Leadership - The Vagueness Surrounding Forgiveness

Join me at http://www.DrMariaChurch.com/drmariatv/ where the discussion continues. I have to share this quote with you by Robert Muller, "To forgive is the h...

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” ~ Robert Muller

Forgiveness is a challenging concept for many leaders. While we understand the idea and we know forgiveness when it happens, the vagueness surrounding forgiveness is illusive. The ambiguity enfolding forgiveness stems from our questions of how to bring about forgiveness and understanding, and from where it actually originated.

To begin, let’s take a dive into the word itself.

For implies intention to someone, for the benefit of or on behalf of someone or something. Give is to pass on, to gift, or convey something to someone. Ness, is a suffix that implies a state of being. For-give-ness therefore, is a state of benefiting someone by giving something to him or her.

How did we even get here—the need or desire to forgive?

We look to practice forgiveness when we are angry, wronged, or hurt. Tormentors come in the form of resentment, guilt, or even shame. Oftentimes we hold on to anger as a form of power. We feel in control and ultimately powerful when we hold onto our anger, justified in our feelings and hoping that the person we believe hurt us may feel guilty or remorseful for what we perceive they have done to us. Avoiding forgiveness allows us to fuel our anger, feeling justified and entitled in our anger or pain as victims.

This practice of avoidance may manifest through not communicating with the person who harmed us, furthering the growth of our anger. Avoiding forgiveness is avoiding responsibility. We are victims because we believe we have no power. Playing the victim role deepens the feelings of pain and anger justification.

Each time we replay the event that caused us pain is another attempt to regain respect, acknowledgment, hope, and love.

With a loving heart,

Maria

P.S. This is an excerpt from my book, “Love-Based Leadership: Transform Your Life With Meaning And Abundance” to purchase or read another excerpt, click HERE.