INsight/ Leaders Show Up
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Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash.
Manila, 10 August 2023 — The first key to lead change is to show up.
Story
It happened last week. As the group matches of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand wrapped up, the winners and runners-up included several surprises, featuring teams who showed up well with unexpected presence and attitude. On the other hand, some of the teams who were widely trusted to succeed based on past performances failed to advance. Something was lacking in how they showed up this time.
In the media, we saw extensive coverage by journalists analyzing the reasons for unexpected excellence as well as failures on the field, probing the unseen challenges that teams faced ‘under the surface.’ What we saw as we followed the progress of the teams from countries around the world reminded me of the challenges that leaders and teams face in the workplace. Both in the World Cup and the workplace, past achievements are no guarantee for success today. What matters is how we show up in the present.
Showing up is a requirement for becoming trusted leaders. Showing up consistently builds trust and maintains trust. There is no way around this. It’s a challenge we face every day and week. Yesterday’s achievements are of limited value. As leaders, what matters is how we show up in every call, meeting, and event. When we drop the ball, that is immediately visible and has an impact on our play and the results we get as leaders. Building trust takes time and is easily undone.
Challenge
What does it take for leaders to excel in showing up consistently? From my experience, I see three parts of this challenge that are distinct and closely connected. The first one is about cultivating the right mindset and attitude toward showing up. Our behaviors and actions are always the result of our thoughts. How much thought have you given to how you want to show up for others (and yourself)? Why is this so important? Positivity and a growth mindset are key to showing up effectively.
The second part is about your actual showing-up behavior that is visible to others and triggers emotions in others. What time do you show up for calls, meetings, and events: on time, early, or late? What do you think about that? What standard have you set for yourself, and how strong is your commitment to meet that standard consistently? This is about your time of showing up, and about more too. What do you say and do when you show up, including your nonverbal behaviors?
The third part of showing up is about how you communicate with the people you meet. This is not just important during your calls, meetings, and events, but also before and after. Proactive, respectful, and transparent communications are the core of building trusting relationships. We can all do better, and I keep working on that. Communication, therefore, goes way beyond the call or message to let people know when you will be a few minutes late, which is good form for when an unforeseen event messes up your plan to show up early or on time. How are your communications for showing up?
Question
After you consider the three parts of the challenge—mindset, behavior, and communication—my question for you this week is this: how do you show up as a leader in your calls, meetings, and events?
I hope that you will go ahead and set the highest possible standard for yourself in showing up as a leader. Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter at Harvard Business School calls it the first key to leading positive change, and I agree.
And as you reflect on this, think of all the work that the women’s football teams have put into showing up for their World Cup matches. I feel inspired by how they showed up with 100% commitment. Not only during the matches but especially during the hard work to prepare. An excellent example for leaders like you and me.
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