There are plenty of things executives and leaders of all types can do that make them appear stupid – or actually be stupid. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn’t at one point in time had what they would call an incompetent manager or leader. But it shouldn’t have to be this way.
According to Seth Godin, there are 3 things that make CEOs stupid:
• Power
• Exposure
• Truth
However, there is a fourth one that Godin forgot to mention, and I believe it is the most important of all – Visibility. Power, exposure, and truth can all make a CEO or leader stupid over time, sure … but it is their visibility or presence that is the most immediate and influential.
As a leader, if you’re not being seen on a regular enough basis people will begin to ask questions and wonder about you. You need to make your presence known, not in a domineering kind of way, but in building and maintain relationships.
A few weeks ago I wrote about how you dress can drastically affect your approachability, which I still believe is incredibly important, but in order for it to be important you actually need to be there for people to approach you. Your visibility is the difference maker between being a leader in name only and being a GREAT leader.
Historically the best leaders use their position to lead from the front and command from the trenches. Alexander the Great and General George Patton are renown for exactly this. They commanded from the front, where they were totally visible to all of those around them. It’s part of what made them the exceptional leaders they were. But, your average field commander sits behind the protection of the men in front of them – completely out of the vision of the people they are supposed to be leading. It’s not the best way to win over support and gain recognition from your subordinates.
Another outstanding leader to exemplify a style of visibility was Abraham Lincoln. Granted it was hard for him to not be visible at 6 foot 4 inches. Lincoln walked the streets of the capitol during a very difficult time for the country. He also made himself available by visiting wounded soldiers. While he did spend a lot of his time behind closed doors trying to govern a divided nation, he did not neglect his obligation to the people. This can best be seen during his Gettysburg Address in which a short two-minute speech captured the hearts and the attention of a battered nation.
Your lack of awareness on your own visibility and presence to your people should not go unnoticed; it could very well be dangerous if it does. Make your presence felt in a positive way. Lead from the front, not from behind the scenes where you become invisible to your people. Connect, build, and maintain the relationship with your employees – unless you’re okay with being stupid.
