Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham University, shares 10 tips for developing your presidential voice and leadership brand.
- Listen deeply. Understand your audience’s perspectives, concerns, and key priorities. Tailor your messages accordingly.
- Share your vision. Paint a compelling picture of a preferred future to inspire and motivate. Help people see why they should care.
- Be authentic. Lead with integrity, transparency, and humility. What you stand for is more important than political correctness.
- Build trust. Be consistent in words and deeds. Follow through on commitments and admit mistakes. Trust is earned.
- Love your mission. Share your passion for the work and your commitment to the institution’s mission and purpose. Enthusiasm is contagious.
- Recognize and celebrate wins. Acknowledge progress and achievements along the way. Share stories of impact and success.
- Share your values. Explain your principles and priorities openly to guide decisions and shape culture. Values provide a moral compass.
- Look out for and defend common interests. Serve as a champion for the whole organization and community. Emphasize what unites over what divides.
- Speak candidly but tactfully. Be forthright in your communication style while still considering sensitivities. Criticism should build up, not tear down.
- Take responsibility and make tough calls. Willingly accept accountability and make decisions that are thoughtfully considered, fair, and timely. Be transparent about the factors that influence your judgment.
Being a leader of consequence means crafting a voice that is authentic, compelling, principled, and unifying. Listen, share a bold vision, build trust, recognize wins, define shared values, look out for common interests, speak with courage and care, take responsibility, and make a difference through meaningful action.
The resulting voice will be one that mobilizes people around a common cause, inspires excellence, and empowers everyone to rise to their greatest potential. A leadership voice for the greater good.