What kind of leader are you?

This was the question I had to ask myself after hearing Kim K share that advice last month. By now, I’m sure you’ve either seen or heard the blowback, and since I respect you all enough, I’ll spare you the recap. There have been enough personal thoughts and breakdowns from people I admire for me to try to put it any better. Besides, at this point, there’s a much deeper conversation at hand. 

What started out as a genuine discussion on toxic positivity in our agency group chat, slowly shifted into a larger thread on leadership and influential responsibility. 

I believe that a fair reward for ascending from niche popularity to overwhelming and expansive success is gaining the undivided attention of virtually everyone – the indifferent, the voiceless, and the ones who sit at varying levels of disagreement. If you’re a leader with far-reaching influence, trust that not everyone who ends up hearing your message has been searching for your input. The truth is, individuals with massive influence often overshare their understandings due to sheer proximity, but the greatest of them learn to leave their polarizing perspectives at the door.

After witnessing Turning Red’s “unrelatable” review , New Jersey Senator Cory Booker’s tear jerking message for US Supreme Court Justice Nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, and  of course, ‘the slap heard ’round the world,’ our best advice for the leaders of today is simply, READ THE ROOM! From where we’re positioned (at the cross-roads of pop culture), deciding against elevated awareness is never a good look. Failing forward is fine, but the minute you fall out of alignment with the values of your core audience, the positive perceptions of your brand begin shifting just as quickly. When your marketing starts feeling ‘disconnected,’ any follow-up actions have the potential to cause catastrophic branding issues, and textbook PR nightmares. But, when you get it right, and speak directly to the people for whom your message was always intended, the results can be oppositely astounding.

I’ve told you once before that I would only bring forth the information I think is most important. Well, as a ghostwriting agency, we thought you should know that in 2022, the majority of the world is calling for meaningful conversations that will lead to actionable solutions.

“No more talking at us; build alongside our values. We need collaborative efforts based on equitable demands. The time in which we’re living calls for leaders who are eager to listen to the smallest of our voices, and who work to heal our greatest problems with decentralized systems that position profits as the least important aspect of all.”

It’s becoming clear that 21st Century leaders, who hope to achieve and maintain massive influence, must be willing to prioritize the inner work necessary to effectively read (and lead) multiple and diverse rooms. If we want a status that reaches the masses, we must be willing to ask ourselves the tough questions that reveal telling answers. What types of conversations are you having with yourself, your team, and your loved ones? Do people become better as a result of interacting with you, or do they feel worse? What kind of leader have you been known to be? Leadership begins with each and every daily interaction, and in the decisions we commit to when the world isn’t watching. Stepping into a leadership role requires an overtaking of responsibilities that aren’t always 100% clear, and an ongoing recognition that there is more power in bringing people together than ostracizing them  for a more opportune position. After a series of heavy social media blunders, how do we move forward? Below are some quick takeaways.

Keep Mixed Company

The experiences of global culture have always been massively varied. But in today’s culture, it has allowed our voices to be amplified in a way that has never been seen before. Within this shift, it has also brought forth a responsibility that not many of us have ever had to grapple with, and, in turn, provided an equally powerful opportunity we should each be grateful for. No amount of global travel can make us knowers of all; we need to be consistently enlightened by people on the ground, in various areas. To do this, be sure to lean on trusted advisors within your diverse networks–people who would never tell you something simply because they think you might want to hear it. Surround yourself with those who can easily take on an objective perspective, aside from their subjective stance, and let them be your guide when you’re feeling unsure of how to share your truth. Evolution in mindset leads to elevation in impact. So if you want to be an effective leader, you have to be willing to shift with the room. If the intention is to hold greater influence, there is absolutely no space for one-sided thought processes. Gather trusted advisors from diverse walks of life, and bear their words in mind when it’s time for you to act.

Teach Your Truth

Words are powerful, but actions weigh significantly more. If your goal is to  try to be inspiring instead of being real, it shows. When your audience notices the difference between what you’ve said and how you’ve decided to act, the image of that misalignment can be jarring. Give everyone an equal opportunity to judge your actual character–not just the one crafted for your target audience–by showing them a genuine reflection of everything that is you. Be confident in the person you are, and in the experiences that have  shaped you. As you evolve  your mindset,  watch your impact elevate, and continue to be of service to your supporters by remaining objective. You can’t ever truly inspire people by speaking about a path you’ve never walked. But consistently walking in your truth, and teaching from an honest place of support as you climb, is what will turn your heightened visibility (or lack thereof) into a far more opportunistic position.

Evolve With Your Audience

Showing vulnerability, an intention to learn, and an openness for new information is vital for leaders. Leadership also includes keeping an ear to the ground, which allows you to stay in touch with your audience, and take note of their contributions to the broader dialogue. To avoid coming across tone-deaf, approach each topic with a level of grace, respect, and conclusive evidence. Be mindful that this doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to lead with controversy, or change your mind when new information is presented. As new information is revealed, it’s encouraged that you continue to enlighten yourself, or risk becoming stagnant. It’s normal for opinions to change, but there’s no need to sugar coat messages, or manipulate their urgency, after the fact. While we aim to have foresight before speaking publicly, it’s not realistic to assume we’ll always say and do the things that are expected of us. Remember that as you continue to evolve, delivering information with compassion and care will become second nature to you, and become synonymous with your brand. And for the true followers, that distinction will be more than enough to edify your brand, and continue its elevation.