Insights from SpeakHaus and the Mainstage at the Executive Leadership Council 2023 Mid-Level Managers Symposium
In today's hyper-competitive business world, more is needed to excel at your job.
This transition isn’t just about showcasing your expertise but about owning and narrating your story, brand, and legacy in a way that echoes within your team, throughout your company, and beyond.
This article distills key leadership and storytelling insights from SpeakHaus’ workshop, Performance to Persona: Building Trust and Unlocking Leadership Excellence Through Storytelling. It also captures highlights from conversations with influential leaders at the Executive Leadership Council 2023 Mid-Level Managers Symposium.
As you continue reading, you'll encounter reflections and actionable insights designed to enrich and elevate your leadership narrative.
Every leader’s journey begins with self-recognition— the answer to the question, “Who are you?”
Your answer is not just an introduction but an affirmation and story of your leadership journey.
When done successfully, the powerful dynamic between your persona and connections will enhance your authenticity, fostering trust, loyalty, and collaboration among your colleagues and network.
At the 2023 MLMS, Karen Jordan, SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Pepsico, demonstrated the power of this connection. She initiated her sponsor remarks with a powerful declaration, “I’m proud to say that I am a benefactor of the Executive Leadership Council."
In making this statement, she went beyond just sharing information. She crafted a captivating narrative, inviting the leaders present into the transformative journey made possible by the ELC.
Through her declaration of “I’m proud to say that I am…”, Karen not only expressed her alignment with the Executive Leadership Council’s mission but also tapped into the collective spirit and shared ambitions that united thousands of Black leaders at the MLMS.
This simple yet profound phrase became a conduit for linking her individual identity to the broader aspirations and unity of the community.
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Consider your values, interests, hobbies, and experiences. How would you itemize your identity?
Examples: chef, immigrant, HBCU grad, marathon runner, painter, former college dropout, singer, middle child of 9, astrologer, golfer, former student-athlete.
Now, finish the sentence:
Detavio Samuels
CEO of Revolt
The theme of the 2023 MLMS, The Collective Climb, underscores a moral responsibility for Black leaders: lifting others as you ascend in leadership.
True leadership, especially within the Black community, is rooted in the synergistic relationship of individual growth and collective advancement.
LJ Louis, Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer at WPP, illuminated the often-overlooked byproduct of remote work culture, introducing new challenges in this respect.
The absence of physical presence not only dilutes the richness of interpersonal interactions but also raises the barrier to forging genuine, trust-based relationships. While performance metrics are easy to track and remain transparent, the soul of leadership — human connection — risks being lost in the digital age.
Given these challenges, as leaders, more than ever, you must be intentional and innovative in your outreach. This outreach could mean making deliberate efforts to be physically present in the office periodically or embracing new avenues to establish rapport, share stories, and promote a sense of shared purpose. In an era where remote work is the norm, closing the gap of physical distance is among a leader's biggest challenges.
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Navigating the complexities of the shifting workplace culture demands a recalibration of our leadership strategies, especially in how we present ourselves and connect with our teams. More than organic, in-person interactions are required to build rapport and establish your leadership presence.
To thrive as a leader in this digital era, you must intentionally craft your persona and invest in your relationships. Doing so ensures that your persona and connections flourish, even in virtual channels.
At the very core of crafting a strong persona, you should be able to articulate your leadership ethos, or the guiding beliefs, values, and principles that inform and drive your leadership style and decisions. However, it's the genuine connections you form that breathe life into your brand. It's one thing to communicate your expertise and leadership philosophy; it's another to have individuals and teams experience it firsthand through meaningful interactions, including storytelling.
When done successfully, the powerful dynamic between your persona and connections will enhance your authenticity, fostering trust, loyalty, and collaboration among your colleagues and network.
Daymond John
CEO of The Shark Group & FUBU
The following are three goals we work with our clients to create their leadership persona:
Describe your identity
in 2-5 words.
Concisely describing who you are is a reflection of your self-awareness that also creates clarity and a pathway for others to connect with you.
Create your Persona Story
and share it with others.
Practice telling this story, over and over. Integrate it into your introductions. Weave it into conversations where you aim to foster deeper connections with your peers, leaders, and team.
Own your narrative.
Identify strategic instances to share your Persona Story with added purpose. You’ll soon cultivate a brand others will remember, even when you’re not in the room.
Identifying as a 'disruptor of culture and leader,' he has charted a path through media, entertainment, and marketing. His visionary approach led him to helm the largest Black-owned multi-platform media company in the world by the age of 41.
Feedback is our reality check— it helps us see if our self-perception matches how others perceive us. Karen Jordan, SVP at Pepsico, shared a candid insight into this.
She underscored the importance of seeking honest feedback, revealing her personal strategy: reaching out to "someone who loves me enough to tell me the truth."
Next Action: Dedicate time this month to actively seek feedback about your leadership style and persona from trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends. Ensure that these individuals can offer candid insights to help refine the authenticity and resonance of your brand.
Sherhara Downing
Co-founder & Chief Visionary
Officer of SpeakHaus
Hint: What you have to lose is also what you have to gain!
When Rob Kirkland, Consumables Finance Director at Amazon, confidently stepped onto the stage to 'Here I Go’ by Mystikal. It wasn't just an entrance; it was a statement.
His inspiration, Coach Prime, showcases leadership with no pretense, and as Kirkland stated, it's not about just doing a great job but doing so "unapologetically." In embodying this attitude, we not only free ourselves to explore and express our unique leadership styles fully but also inspire others to embrace their authentic selves in leadership.
New York Times bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi summed it up powerfully: “It is a waste of human capital, asking me to be someone I am not.” The mental toll of code-switching and constantly adapting to others' expectations can be draining. Imagine channeling that energy towards innovation, creativity, and disruption instead.
Authenticity is more than just a buzzword; it's a leadership imperative in today's business world. The insights shared here are more than mere reflections—they are your calls to action. To recognize your essence, share your stories, connect deeply, and lead with authenticity.
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Moreover, our coaches will provide the tools and strategies to communicate your stories more effectively, fostering deeper connections even in today's digital-first world.
Curious? Schedule an intro call so we can discuss your leadership goals.