How to be a leader without showing off

2018 promises a year of US political turmoil as colourful and confusing as a Wild West bar fight. And yet there’s one thing upon which commentators from all persuasions can agree.

Small_Executive_2When it comes to bragging, Donald Trump really is the leader of the free world.

His boasts are the best there have ever been – more bigly than the bigliest boasts since records began. Fact, people. Not fake news.

Recognition of one’s own achievements is nothing new of course and throughout history it has helped many leaders motivate others . . . but sometimes blowing one’s own trumpet can have a detrimental effect.

As a senior executive you didn’t get where you are today by being shy. But our top tips will help walk that thin line between being inspirational and being a show off.

 

It’s Not Me, It’s My Work

Explaining the mechanics of how you moved from new intern to CEO is far more impressive than focusing on where you actually are now.

A motivational leader will make it easier for his team to emulate success by mentoring not mystifying.

Share your experience of climbing the career ladder and people will realise how hard you worked and what is now expected of them.

 

Let’s Not Go There

Even when we know not to boast outrageously, it can be oh so tempting to insert a seemingly accidental brag.

“Gosh, are these numbers for real? Why, they’re the exact same figures from when I hit the entire monthly target in my first week. But, of course, I was only 20 . . .”

Cue tumbleweed rolling across the boardroom.

If you’re ever temped to slip in a coincidental mention of past glories, remind yourself: silence is golden.

 

It’s Not Me, It’s You

Very few people got where they are today without the support of family, friends and colleagues. It takes an honest-to-goodness leader to acknowledge and share this. By showing how others helped in your success you actively promote the notion of teamwork among your own staff. And we all love success stories we can be part of.

 

Let’s Go Here Instead

In business the hardest words to say are: “Thank you!” Showing gratitude to your colleagues is often perceived as revealing weakness when in fact the opposite is true. Not only does it show you can be as humble as Granny Ina’s rhubarb pie but you’re human, approachable and happy to engage with others.

 

Do you have what it takes to make it to the top without shouting about it? Get a head start with top executive roles from s1jobs.