Often I see people looking for shelter behind their laptop, or, even worse, behind their own back when giving presentations to prospective customers. They are looking at their screen or at the whiteboard most of the time, grasping hold on the content of their slides. Next to clearly showing their uncertainty, they miss out important, non-verbal feedback from their audience.
Presenters who expose their full body to the audience however, give the impression of really knowing the subject and display self-confidence. They can monitor their audience and adapt their presentation accordingly: they can skip some things and attribute more attention and time to other topics as they see and feel the need for it.
Why should you try to act like a superman to the team you’re leading? It doesn’t matter whether this is one person or a full organization. While you must still assume full responsibility, nobody expects you to be able to do and know everything yourself.
A true team leader is able to assess his team members’ strengths and weaknesses, including his own. Only this way, you can create a consistent team that is stronger than the sum of all of its members apart. You can play on everyone’s strengths, while compensating for their weaknesses. At the same time, recognizing and exposing your own limitations allows other people to complement you and to shine on their own strengths.
Do not try to appear like a superman who knows and can do everything. Don’t be afraid to show some vulnerability. But, of course, at the same time, also display your strengths. While inviting the people around you to do the same, they will recognize you as being honest and self-confident. Your relationship will strengthen and your chances for success will increase!
Author: Jan Delaere. You can follow Jan on Twitter (@delaerej) or connect with him on LinkedIn