Welcome to Volume 3, Issue 4 of The Root.
In order to support our growth, we require a strong network of roots. They anchor us and serve as a conduit for nutrients to help us develop and deliver on our goals.
Recently, I’ve been hearing from my clients about their authentic voice and presence – in person, virtually or in writing. How best can they amp up their game for their clients and senior leadership?
Thank you for following along our journey to Aspire to Grow.
Off the Shelf – My Book Pick
Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence by Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins
In their book, Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence, Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins talk about the importance of one’s ability to clearly and consistently articulate the value they bring while maintaining authenticity to who they are. They discuss the concept of a “Signature Voice”, one in which the presence is more than just the physical presence, but includes the context to the business. It also is where we show our values and the value it provides to the stakeholders.
Source: From the Book: Own the Room
Different Voices
As a leader, we will need to ensure we have the two types of voices:
- Voice for Self Our ability to demonstrate our value and distinction
- Voice for Others Our ability to connect and align with our stakeholders
The Presence Quadrants above, illustrate when we are in the Signature Voice (Ideal) vs. when we may be slipping into the other voices that may be less than ideal when we are aiming for optimal presence.
What I appreciate with Signature Voice is our opportunity to remain authentically ourselves. All voices may be appropriate situationally, but the key is to assess which voice you need in the most important situations for you.
Note: Su and Wilkins both remind us that women can be penalized by moving into either of the two strong axes voices – Driving or Supportive more so than their male counterparts (2007 study by Catalyst).
We should be cognizant of which voice we are leaning into during difficult situations or under pressure:
- Are you sliding into Passive voice (weak for self and others)?
- If so, why?
- Are you sliding into Driving voice (stronger voice for self than others)?
- If so, why?
Su and Wilkens suggest making a list of key stakeholders you work with. Determine a time when we did not feel our best during an interaction with each.
- Which quadrant did you move too in this situation?
- Which voice would you have preferred to use?
- What are your consistent patterns?
- What sense can we make of this?
ACE
Su and Wilkens suggest that our “presence” requires us to bring our full selves to the situation including our beliefs, assumptions, communication skills and our physical energy. The ACE framework is defined by the following:
- A – Assumptions
- The assumptions you are making or the mindset you are bringing to the interaction (are these accurate?)
- C – Communication Strategies
- The technique or tools you bring to the interaction to engage, influence or inspire someone (are we clear, are we setting context?)
- E- Energy
- What are you visual cues or physical presence saying about you?
While focusing on our own needs + beliefs (voice of self), as well as understanding the needs of others (voice of others), maintaining and being aware of our assumptions, communication techniques and our physical energy can help us achieve more authentic presence.
Body Language Cues as Part of Physical Energy
With over 70% of what we say coming from our non-verbal cues, the authors provide a framework for remembering body language cues, called CENTER.
- C – Core Posture
- E – Eye Contact
- N – Natural gestures
- T – Tone, tempo and timing
- Voice, filler words, pace
- E – Expressions of the face
- Smile or scrunched eyebrows
- R – Regions and Territories
- The amount of space being taken up by this person
When considering these elements of body language – does your body signal supportive, driving or signature voice?
Our presence is much more than our physical appearance and gestures, but how we align with our ACE integrated with our core belief systems to be our most authentic selves. Check out my summary of Amy Jen Su’s book on The Leader you Want to Be: Five Essential Principles for Bringing Out Your Best Self, Every Day .
Stream On: My Podcast Pick
Think Fast, Talk Smart by Matt Abrahams
Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel with Muriel Wilkins
This month, while searching podcasts for a coaching client, I found this great series, Think Fast, Talk Smart from Stanford Graduate School of Business. This episode, Create A Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel , Muriel Wilkins joins host Matt Abrahams. Muriel Wilkins was the co-author of our book above, Own the Room. It was by sheer chance that I found this episode from an author who created a book and concept I enjoyed. In this episode, Wilkins talks about how we can feel more authentic showing up with more presence in work and life.
Communication Pitfalls
Wilkins provides us with the most common communication mishaps from her years of coaching executives.
- Lack of clarity on desired outcome
- Not fully listening
- Not fully checking assumptions
As much as possible for planned discussions or presentations – plan ahead. Some key questions to consider:
- What am I trying to accomplish
- What are my assumptions about the situation or people involved
- Am I listening to what their needs are
The overall goal in your communication is to be present and connect with your audience in a way that is memorable, credible and authentic.
She also suggests asking ourselves – how am I adding value to this conversation? (considering “voice of others” from above)
- By providing a point of view?
- By listening?
- By asking questions to gain more insight?
- What am I bringing to the table?
By going through these questions, you can prepare to be present during the conversation (recall ACE?), as well as now you belong at the table.
Start with Context
Lastly, ensure when communicating with your audience or stakeholders begin with setting the context.
- Who is your audience and how will they receive your message?
- What do they need to know to understand the message?
- How can you orient or frame the message for their perspective?
- How can I ask questions rather than provide content that allows me to learn more (Ask don’t tell)?
Muriel leaves us with the following statement, and I couldn’t agree more:
“Leadership is about asking the Right Questions, not having the right answer”.
I also suggest for my clients to plan for the three main bullet points for their conversations to remain clear and concise -to help strengthen and support their messages.
Continue to do great things 🌿Thank youMy hope for you is that you find these techniques and tips help you find your authentic presence. Also know, that as we grow from contributors to leaders, our role is to ask, listen and learn more than do. Notice times when you are feeling authentically in your Signature Voice!
Keep Going,~Kathleen