Written by David Bingley, Leadership, Mindset & Empowerment Coaching
David Bingley is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a Professional Certified Coach with over 2,000 hours of 1:1 Coaching experience. He is an expert in Leadership, Mindset and Empowerment Coaching, working on the mindful practice of mental and emotional fitness and self-awareness.
Using the rule of three to distill all the qualities of executive presence and organic resilience, I have landed on what I believe to be the essential principles to create that success.
Less is More
It's not what you say. It's how you say it.
There are 8 billion people on the Planet. There are 8 billion different truths.
One of my favorite and most used sayings that I roll out to my coaching clients is:
"Less is more!"
I have learned the hard way that in effective communication, the less I say, the more impact I have, for several reasons.
Firstly, I come across with a crisp, clear message, the optics of which afford me the status of a professional who has purpose, direction, and focus—someone who is assertive, self-assured, and a leader.
Secondly, it invites the audience I am conversing with to interact with me. Ask questions and build rapport, trust, and respect as we start to co-create and collaborate. I invite and integrate everyone into the conversation should they wish to join.
Inspired by 'The Six Rules of Writing' by George Orwell in his 1946 essay entitled "Politics and the English Language," of which I subscribe to the following four:
Never use a long word where a short word will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive when you can use the active.
Never use a foreign word, scientific word, or jargon if you can think of an everyday equivalent.
Sage advice from a literary giant, and embrace and embody the perspective of another below:
"I want to give the audience a hint of a scene. No more than that. Give them too much, and they won't contribute anything to the project themselves. Give them just a suggestion, and you will get them working with you." – Orson Welles
Orson is talking about connection, collaboration, open communication, and co-creation—things we want to do as Leaders. These are integral qualities in Executive Presence.
"It's not What you say. It is how you say it!"
As a recovering people-pleaser, I am now balanced, know what I want, embrace my authentic expression, and always consider myself as well as others in my process. I stand in my power with humility, equity, and equality.
I ensure that my sentence construction aligns with my narrative, intention, and the principles/values I want to live by.
Example:
If I am using: Can I, May I, Should I, etc… in the sentence, then I feel like I am gambling and giving away my power. I have a 50% chance that they may disagree. In this instance, I unintentionally come across as indecisive; I don't know what I want and need their help. I come across as someone who needs help with their problems.
I reframe it to a more fluid, empowering sentence, like stating a fact or a predetermined direction. I am standing in my self-worth, self-value, and self-esteem when doing this. Here, I come across as assertive, decisive, and knowing my mind and what I want. I come across as a leader with solutions and focus—someone who is ready for the next step.
A handy tip is: "It's not What you do. It's how you do it!"
"There are 8 billion people on the Planet. There are 8 billion different truths!"
This point is, by far and away, the hardest part of the equation. We have our crisp, clear message and know how to say it. Here, we must let go of our attachment to what we have created and allow for an open, nebulous discussion where diversity of opinion and perspective can, in many cases, elevate and enhance it.
The Less is More and How We Say It part of our messaging cultivates the capacity to impact and influence others. We must remember that not everyone thinks like us or digests information and data like us in the same way.
Example:
What does Influence mean to you?
To me, It means engaging with and inspiring others to a call to action, cooperating, collaborating, and having an aligned purpose, direction, and focus.
To a recent client, it meant manipulating, creating a transactional outcome in which the influencer gets what they want regardless. It lacked humanity, compassion, and respect.
Therefore, we must be open and ready to listen deeply to the other parties' thoughts and ask what they are really saying.
Getting stuck on our process may limit our opportunities when collaborating with others, which may create bigger and better opportunities and outcomes.
As Maslow says
"Seek first to understand, then be understood!"
In short:
Less is More
It's not what you say. It's how you say it.
There are 8 billion people on the Planet. There are 8 billion different truths.
In-Vision It!
Take small steps to live large!
David Bingley, Leadership, Mindset & Empowerment Coaching
David Bingley is Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a Professional Certified Coach with over 2,000 hours of 1:1 Coaching experience. He is an expert in Leadership, Mindset and Empowerment Coaching, working on the mindful practice of mental and emotional fitness and self-awareness. By exploring perspectives to define purpose and direction (our vision, mission and ambition for ourself and the world) to how we frame ourself and embrace our values so our intentions and actions are aligned. David founded In-Vision Coaching as a platform to assist people to empower themselves, take control of their life using the strategies, frameworks and structures he developed to fine tune for peak performance. You may work with David in 1:1 coaching, team coaching or specialist workshops, taking small steps to… Live Large!
