Do you have a powerful magnetic presence?

You have the title and the responsibility, but are you seen as a leader? Do your team members follow you, respect you and deliver for you? Does the senior leadership team value you and the contribution you make?

If you have ever struggled with making your mark as a leader, I am going to suggest that it has more to do with your presence than your skills and capabilities.

I was recently speaking with a delightful professional woman who was struggling to be seen, heard and noticed for what she knows she is capable of. She talked of feeling invisible, passed over and not respected or valued for her work.

As I spoke with her, it became obvious to me that she didn’t need to work harder or learn new skills. She was clearly talented and good at her job. Her challenge was she had a tendency to “shrink” in the company of powerful people and her presence could best be defined as “wishy washy.”

A magnetic presence is our ticket to being seen, heard and noticed for all the right reasons.

We all know people who have a magnetic presence. They are the people who command attention every time they walk into a room, not because they are the loudest or the best leaders but because they have that special something that draws us in.

Presence is an inside job. It’s developing a deep awareness of your body and your energy and how it impacts those around you.

A powerful magnetic presence will get you further and faster as a leader than any other skill.

You can have the most beautifully crafted speech, well thought out strategy or some fancy tactic to boost sales… but if you don’t have a powerful presence you are likely to struggle to get the attention, support and engagement you are seeking.

The good news is, your presence is something you can work on for immediate effect.

Here are 5 Keys to developing a magnetic presence for leadership results

1. Identify as a leader. It all starts here. If you don’t identify yourself as a leader, no one else will. I often speak to women who tell me that they don’t see themselves as a leader… even if they have a title. They prefer to collaborate and work with the team to get the results.

That’s ok, but there is always a point in every project when leadership is required. Your ability to influence, have impact and to be seen as a leader relies on you embracing your leadership identity.

2. Make peace with fear. We all have fears. It’s not just you. It’s your relationship with fear that makes the difference. If you allow yourself to be ruled by your fears it will hold you back and show up in subtle ways that will impact how others perceive you.

To show up in a way that draws people in, you must confront and make peace with your fears.

What are you afraid of and how is it holding you back?

3. Manage your energy. Your energy will always be attracting or repelling people. How would people describe your energy? Are you warm, attentive, caring, energetic, passionate, rushed, erratic, angry, aggressive, bitchy, frustrated, emotional… ?

The energy you carry with you will determine how others choose to interact with you. People will notice if it is contained, warm and inviting them closer or if it is scattered or a little “in your face” and pushing them away?

What is your energy doing?

4. Elevate your voice. Your words are only part of the picture. You will be giving away so much more through your tone, volume and rhythm of your voice. Some women speak so quietly they are barely heard, while others allow fear and doubt to creep in or make statements more like a question.

Notice what your habits are and pick one thing to focus on improving.

5. Empower your body. We all know that body language gives clues to what we are really thinking.

Do you have an empowering presence where you own your space or do you shrink and appear insecure in the company of people who you perceive as more powerful or dominant than you?

When you are stuck in your own head, filled with fear and overwhelm, you send out a message to stay away. But when you walk into a room with confidence and warmth, you signal that you are approachable and welcome connection and conversation.

What does your body language say?

Mastering your presence is the fastest path to maximising your influence and impact.

Remember your presence is either repelling or attracting people to you. Give yourself the gift of creating authority and being truly seen as a leader by developing a magnetic presence.