Leadership By Expression

‘Express yourself…’ ~ Madonna, pop-music icon

Your leadership style is based on your personality. An introvert will express himself/herself in a more inquisitive way, through questions, and actively listening. An extravert will be more inclined to share their private thoughts openly, preferring to answer questions. Our preferences do guide us, naturally, to express ourselves, and our leadership differently.

People will judge us no matter how you project yourself in public. How do you assert yourself in conversation, as well as in your writing? Are you more asking or telling? Do you offer others a chance to convey their ideas? How much do you present of your leadership when you apply the ‘golden silence’? Are you only a follower if you choose to read instead of respond?

If you initiate or participate in a discussion on social media, how are you leading? If you choose to refrain from commenting, how much of a leader are you promoting? If you correct a piece of factual inaccuracy, how do you do it without a friend (or friend of a friend) losing face? There is authority and responsibility in our role as a leader, so how do we maintain each aspect?

Leadership Lessons: How will you express your influence this week? What will you do differently when you lead? How will you lead in your written correspondence? When did you last start a discussion thread on Facebook or Twitter and lead in the process? How long did it last before you terminated it, and how did you discontinue the process?