1 Assess your strengths and gaps

The first step to improving your leadership presence and influence is to identify your current strengths and areas for improvement. You can use self-assessment tools, such as the Leadership Presence Index (LPI), to measure your performance on six dimensions of leadership presence: clarity, confidence, courage, connection, charisma, and credibility. You can also seek feedback from your peers, managers, subordinates, and clients on how they perceive your leadership style, communication, and impact. By knowing your strengths and gaps, you can focus on developing the skills and behaviors that will enhance your leadership presence and influence.

3 Adapt to different situations and audiences

The third step to improving your leadership presence and influence is to adapt to different situations and audiences. You need to be flexible, versatile, and agile as a leader, able to adjust your style, tone, and approach according to the context, culture, and needs of the people you are leading or influencing. You need to be aware of your own emotions, biases, and assumptions, and how they affect your behavior and judgment. You also need to be empathetic, curious, and respectful of others' perspectives, feelings, and values. By adapting to different situations and audiences, you can enhance your emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and social intelligence.

4 Amplify your impact and value

The fourth step to improving your leadership presence and influence is to amplify your impact and value as a leader. You need to showcase your expertise, experience, and achievements, without being arrogant or boastful. You need to highlight your contributions, insights, and solutions, without being defensive or dismissive. You need to leverage your network, resources, and influence, without being manipulative or coercive. You also need to celebrate your successes, learn from your failures, and acknowledge your limitations, without being complacent or self-critical. By amplifying your impact and value, you can enhance your reputation, credibility, and authority.

5 Acknowledge and empower others

The fifth step to improving your leadership presence and influence is to acknowledge and empower others. You need to be generous, appreciative, and supportive of your team and stakeholders, recognizing their efforts, achievements, and potential. You need to be collaborative, inclusive, and participatory, inviting their input, feedback, and ideas, and involving them in decision-making and problem-solving. You need to be developmental, motivational, and inspirational, coaching, mentoring, and challenging them to grow and excel. You also need to be humble, respectful, and open-minded, listening to, learning from, and trusting them. By acknowledging and empowering others, you can enhance your relationship, engagement, and influence.

6 Act with confidence and courage

The sixth step to improving your leadership presence and influence is to act with confidence and courage as a leader. You need to be confident, but not overconfident, in your abilities, knowledge, and judgment. You need to be courageous, but not reckless, in your actions, risks, and changes. You need to be resilient, optimistic, and positive, in the face of challenges, uncertainties, and setbacks. You also need to be assertive, proactive, and decisive, in pursuing your goals, overcoming obstacles, and making an impact. By acting with confidence and courage, you can enhance your self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-leadership.