Would Your Peers Vote For Your Leadership?
You thought this day would never come, but it’s finally here. Election day. You’ve chosen the leader who makes the most sense to you. But now, let’s focus on your leadership. Are you the chosen one among your peers? If there were a vote today on what you have to offer, would others willingly cast their ballots and commit to you? In other words, does your leadership inspire or repel?
The first step to gain commitment is to connect with your target audience. To engage them. We, collectively as Americans, got engaged when Wall Street collapsed and our personal financial security was at risk. So I ask you this: how good are you at engaging the people whom you lead or wish to lead?
Need a tip on how to connect better? Here’s one: pay attention to what they pay attention to. People are engaged by what they want and value. They pay close attention to those things and act upon them.
In order to strengthen your leadership ask yourself this: do you tap into people’s specific needs and values? In my executive coaching practice, I’ve seen many leaders delude themselves into thinking they know what people want. They assume they know. Unfortunately, they’re often wrong. The solution is simple but profound: Listen and watch carefully for what your target audience wants and values. The answers are hidden in plain sight.
If you pay attention to what they pay attention to, you’ll get a clear picture of how to engage people. And engagement is the first step to earn a positive response, in the voting booth and in your workplace.
Tags: Connecting, Election, Leadership
Connie, good post. Obviously Obama’s leadership was attractive rather than repellent to the majority of voters. It would be interesting to know from your perspective as a communication’s guru the role you felt Obama’s superior ability to communicate and inspire played in winning him the Presidency.
Three points I took away from his victory speech:
1. He’s committed to being the President of all Americans not just those who cast their vote for him
2. He committed to always telling the American people the truth and
3. He will listen hardest where there is disagreement with his decisions and policies.
I think the latter point is critical and a reason that many consider the Bush presidency a failure; an inability on Bush’s part to hear and consider his critics point of view. Lincoln’s ultimate success as a President was his ability to surround himself with the best and the brightest of every political persuasion not just the best and the brightest of those who agreed with him. Let us hope that President Obama pursues this same approach.
Finally, you made a point about the importance of executives to pay attention to the wants and values of those they lead. You state, “I’ve seen many leaders delude themselves into thinking they know what people want. They assume they know…” In my experience with some leaders I’ve seen a more dangerous, perhaps narcissistic, viewpoint; The “leader” knows what he or she wants and assume that those below them will want that too.
Thanks for the comment, Tom. You’re right on point in so many ways.
To answer your question, yes, Obama’s communication skills helped him win the White House. That said, let’s make sure everyone is clear on the profound difference between oratorical skills and communication skills.
Oratorical skills are the ability to deliver messages effectively. Anyone with a teleprompter and a good coach can be taught to deliver an effective message to the masses. Oratorical skills are one-way: outbound. They’re often persuasive, but they’re a short-game strategy.
Communication skills are for long-game success. Communication is not merely the delivery of a message – it’s far more complex. It involves connecting with your target audience, conveying information to them clearly, and convincing them to make a commitment. It dives deeper into the development and structure of messages. Think of communication skills as the intersection of purpose and passion.
And that’s where I see President-elect Obama, as an authentic communicator whose words and actions speak volumes. He engages both the heart and head. Americans responded positively to his communication skills and the world now applauds us for it.