In a loud, distracting world, leadership is not about the loudest cry. It's about finding your authentic voice and using it to lead with clarity, confidence and purpose.
“Your voice as a leader isn't just what you say,” says Jacqueline Van Rooijen, founder of Ycagel. “It's about how you coordinate your values, actions and vision.
Voice is influence! The voice is clear! Voice is power!
And great leaders don't necessarily have the biggest platform. They are people who did the internal work to coordinate who they are and how they appear in the world.
Why is your voice important?
“Your voice is more than words. It's the energy, intention, and integrity behind it. When leaders speak for alignment and purpose, people listen not from inspiration, not from obligation,” explains Van Leujen. “Too many experts today are leading the way from the script, such as someone else's playbook. The outcome is mixed signal, unclear direction, and a disconnected team.”
“True leadership starts when you stop imitating others and starting to own your voice, when you move from managing tasks to affecting people.
Van Rooijen shares three essentials of voice-driven leadership.
1. Voice: Your leadership voice is a unique combination of values, perspective and personality. It's a way you communicate, connect and contribute. Finding your voice means knowing what you represent and being acquiesced clear about it. It's about speaking out of confidence, not convenience.
2. Alignment: Great leaders don't just talk. They walk it. There is a consensus between what they say and how they act. When your voice, values, and actions match, you build trust. People know where you are standing. They know what you expect and what you offer.
3. Vision: Audio without vision is just noise. True leadership is drawing clear and persuasive pictures of the future and registering others in that vision. Your voice becomes magnetic when you point to something bigger than you. It's a future worthy of mission, purpose and fighting.
How to find (and strengthen) your leadership voice
“There are four practical ways to develop your voice and use it to lead powerfully,” advises Van Leujen.
1. Know your values: If you don't know what's important to you, then no one else will. Make clear about your non-negotiation capabilities and shape the way you speak and guide.
2. Practice authentic communication: Throw away technical terms. Abandoning “leaders' talk.” Tell us your sincereness and humanity.
3. Fit the words to the action: If the actions do not match, the voice loses power. Audit yourself regularly – do you live the leadership you preach?
4. Speak your vision every day: Great leaders always cast your vision. Don't assume that people know where you are heading – remind them, inspire them, invite them to the story.
Conclusion
“In leadership, your voice is your most powerful tool. But only when it is clear, aligned and rooted in a vision, she concludes: “And when you find your voice, you just don't lead – you inspire, influence, leave a legacy.”
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