Radiate Your Presence and Confidence

As athletes, we are measured by our energy that we radiate. Fit people are expected to be bristling with energy. They live for activity, and the activities they indulge in builds their reserves of potential energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, for it is transformed from one form into another.

What does the confidence of a leader do for you? How likely are you drawn towards their positive energy? How much of their confidence do you allow to envelop you? Most of these confident people also have presence. They present themselves in uniquely attractive way, so that we notice them when they step into our realms of awareness and sensibilities. When they are with you, how much of them are in the present? World-class leaders and celebrities express their aura when they walk with us, and among us. Consider these leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, Dr Martin Luther King, President Bill Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, and George Clooney.

Confidence and presence are attractive features of a person. As a leader, these become critical characteristics that command attention and make you attractive to others. When you exude these forms of influence, you can begin to create attainment (buy-in) and, subsequently, attachment (loyalty). Leaders introduce others into their personal space, and get invited into the personal space of their people. Those who are disliked never get welcomes into the private space of others, and rarely engage in intimate conversations.

When you step into the company of others, how well are you received? Are you respected as a leader, or feared because of your position of power? How do you know that others have accepted you into their domains and comfort zones?

Leadership Lessons: How do you develop your presence? How do you express your charisma? How often do you light up a room, and delight others with your positive energies?

The Challenges of A Professional Athlete

It may sound cool and glamorous – being a professional athlete or sportsperson – but is it? Only the top-tier and second-tier athletes make a decent living; many others struggle. You enjoy the purse only when you win, or meet the stringent criteria of a series of races. There are little guarantees, and you cannot insure your sustained fitness or wellness. Yet, this profession attracts a few select ones, as it can be a calling, or something they have to do.

Having had a few days off to prepare for next week’s busy schedule, I attempted to train like a professional endurance athlete (since I am three weeks out to my next 226K race). As fun and flexible as the job title sounds, I learnt that it is tremendously hard work.

1)    You need to be disciplined in your ‘working’ day. Mild distractions need to be kept that way.

2)    A ‘rest day’ may include ‘active recovery’ where you have a lighter day of physical exertion. Naps and recovery are a necessary part of your working equation.

3)    You have meetings and other business commitments around your training sessions.

4)    Your value is determined by your performance: how many podium placing, and your overall ranking.

5)    If you are established, you may live on a retainer rate or sponsorship fees (sponsored products is not enough as you have bills to pay). New pros find it challenging in the start-up stage.

6)    You may supplement or enhance your income with personal or group coaching, as well as leading in training camps.

7)    Build your personal branding: presence and pleasance. You need to be liked by your fans or sponsors will be hesitant to collaborate with you.

8)    This is a profession and a business. You have to mind (mine) your own business (busyness).

9)    Stay injury-free and fatigue-free; you cannot perform well when you are hurting, or over-committed with races.

10)You work on most weekends, as that’s where most races occur.

11)You need to be financially savvy, and plan your budget and expenses around your races. Every race is an investment, and these need to be planned far in advance.

12) Travelling to race is stressful, and you can live out of a suitcase and bike-case for wide stretches of time.

Thus, I have very high respect for professional athletes who live their dream profession. It is, undeniably, a very tough way to earn a living, yet it is driven by one’s passion, belief in their talent, and a desire to reach their potential. It is a shorter-term profession, which needs to be planned long term, and beyond.

Leadership Lessons: When was the last time you trained like a professional athlete? How do you schedule and prioritise your daily and weekly events?

Give yourself a tougher challenge by considering training twice a day – it is no different than students who do twice-daily, swim squad training. If you are coached, you may be experiencing such a commitment. You will sleep very well though. Sleep comes readily for those who train hard. 

Creating Your Presence & Pleasance

Consider these sayings: Everyone noticed her as she walked into the room. A few of them shook their heads when he walked passed them. Heads turned as the couple walked the room. They were a handsome couple.

The British Royal Wedding may be one of the interesting, upcoming, distractions for the world. Singer Susan Boyle just had has a wax figure created for her; it cost US$265,000 and took three months to create. I am sure that her fans will be smitten by her smiling body-double. It is so authentic looking it could have done with a minor nip and tuck.

Do you people notice you in a crowd? Do you connect with others in public? Do people remember you enough to actively stay in touch with you? What do you stand for? What do you stand out for?

On the digital frontier, how often do your relationships connect with you? How often do you get customers write or call to you? How effective has positive word-of-mouth marketing worked for you? How often do others refer and recommend you? Actor Ashton Kutcher was first to hit the 1,000,000 Twitter-fan mark, surpassing CNN by quite a few thousand Tweeple. Demi Moore and Ashton’s current cause – ending human trafficking and slavery – was the feature on an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN. When people are moved, they tweet, post, talk and do. It is the power of the Tribe to ‘sneeze’. Do you have sneezers around you to support your cause?

Leadership Lessons: How do you entrance others when you walk into a room? How do you establish your professional presence? What is your signature? How do you stand out from others?