A Second Slice of PIE
Let's talk about Image as a leader
Last week I wrote about the importance of PIE Mentoring and that the P in PIE stands for understanding the Performance of the business - in other words effectively using mentoring to develop and demonstrate Business Savvy (business, financial and strategic acumen).
This week the slice I’m serving up has to do with the I in PIE - your Image as a leader.
Effective mentoring for career success must address the way you come across - or, as I like to say, the way you wear your mantle of leadership. Because as I always say, leadership manifests at every level.
Most of the advice to women focuses on the external manifestations of image: the way we stand, the eye contact we make, gestures we use, how we dress, etc. As a matter of fact the vast majority of advice about executive presence (another way of saying your image as a leader at the higher levels) has historically focused on getting a makeover. UGH!
So, it’s not surprising that when you read the word image, you might automatically think of the modern day equivalent of dress for success - right clothes, shoes, accessories and grooming. What successful men also think of is cultivating a leaderly presence. They observe and discuss what makes executive communication effective or ineffective. Others talk about mentors who help them stand outside themselves, observe their behaviors and reflect on whether they are behaving as leaders.
This has very little to do with attire. You can be impeccably turned out in a “dress for success” way, but act like a subordinate OR you can be dressed very casually and act like a leader (think Steve Jobs or Bill Gates). Image for this discussion does touch on non-verbal self presentation, but more importantly whether you speak the language of business (demo your understanding of the Performance of the business) and how you wield the power of your position.
For example, before becoming CEO of Xerox, Ursula Burns was mentored by then CEO Anne Mulcahy. Anne gave Ursula feedback on not telegraphing her opinions verbally (“letting my big mouth drive the discussion” ) or through facial expressions. After meetings Anne would tell her, “Ursula, they could read your face. You have to be careful. Sometimes it’s not appropriate.”
You don’t have to have a male mentor to get image mentoring, but you have to know to ask for it, or as a mentor to give it.
As a protege, think about this question: What type of advice about your leadership image have you sought or received?
If you’re mentoring other women, ask yourself this question: What opportunities have you taken to deliver advice about your protégés leadership image?
When evaluating the mentoring you get or give about your/one’s Image as a Leader, be sure that you don’t only focus on the typical definitions of image (visible behaviors) but also include the Business Savvy demonstrated in the messages you or your protege consistently deliver. When it comes to having a leaderly image, it’s much about what you say, not simply how you say it.
Paid subscribers, Read ON! for exclusive content on key discussions you can have with a mentor to gain valuable information about your Image as a leader.
Here are 5 very specific discussions you can have with a mentor to gather feedback about your Image as a leader:
As I sit across from you right now, what are the 2 ways that I most project a leadership image and what would be the one improvement I should work on? (This works very well if you can describe the leadership image attributes that you are working to cultivate.)
I’d appreciate your feedback on how effectively I project a leadership image when I’m on the job. Would you be willing to shadow me as I run a staff meeting (make a presentation, give a status update, or other) and provide me with feedback?
I have an important presentation coming up. Could I do a dry run with you and hear your feedback?
It would be valuable for me to attend a meeting of people at your level (or above) to observe the interactions. Is there one that I could attend and we could debrief?
Do you have a position on an external organization (board, association, committee) that would be beneficial for me to observe because there is an effective member with strong leadership image?
Let me know if you’ve enhanced your leaderly Image with discussions such as these.
About Me
I’m Susan Colantuono, best known for my TED Talk, “The Career Advice You Probably Didn’t Get.”
I’ve devoted most of my working life to supporting the career advancement of women. Now my work is exclusively focused on offering women tools for developing and demonstrating Business Savvy - the business, financial and strategic acumen we need to succeed and to close The Missing 33% of the career success equation for women.
You will find useful and actionable content in my books and other online resources:
No Ceiling, No Walls ebook
No Ceiling, No Walls soft cover
Make the Most of Mentoring soft cover
Coaching Executive Women (occasional) newsletter
Lead ON!
Susan