What Is a Managerial Presence?
Define what it means to adopt a managerial presence, or to show up at work in a way that inspires the trust, confidence, commitment, and respect of employees. Clarify that a new manager’s success partly depends on how well they project a managerial presence.
Consider this. You might use this space to give learners an analogy. One idea is to ask learners to imagine they have an appointment with a new doctor. As a patient, how does the learner expect a competent and professional doctor to look and act?
- For example: Do they expect their new doctor to wear a white lab coat or other professional attire—as opposed to a casual T-shirt and sweatpants? Or, perhaps they anticipate their doctor to listen attentively, react respectfully to personal health details, and maintain doctor-patient confidentiality.
- By contrast: How would they feel if their doctor took a personal phone call in the middle of their appointment? Or what if a medical professional dismissed their health concerns?
This analogy demonstrates the importance of adopting a workplace demeanor that reflects your professional role and ambitions.
If you want others to follow your lead, then you need to act like a leader.
Invite employees to advance through the following cards to learn how to adopt a managerial presence that fosters trust and bolsters credibility.
Tip 2
Describe how managers should treat team members and former co-workers. For example, you might advise:
- Be fair and friendly with everyone on your team. Don’t play favorites.
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Exhibit appropriate workplace conduct. Avoid discussing topics or behaving in a way that might make others feel uncomfortable.
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Conduct honest and evidence-based performance reviews.
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Tip 3
Outline a few ways that managers can project confidence. For example:
- Communicate goals, expectations, and feedback clearly, compellingly, and assertively.
- Express positivity and confidence in your vision, decisions, and team’s abilities.
- Avoid engaging in workplace gossip or speaking poorly of the company or colleagues.
- Be transparent when you make a mistake or do not know the answer. Ask for team input to determine the best course of action.
Tip 4
Explain how teams want to follow leaders who demonstrate competence and good character. Summarize what that entails below. For example:
- Treat others with empathy, kindness, and respect.
- Celebrate differences and recognize each team member’s unique ambitions, experiences, knowledge, and strengths.
- Model transparent and effective communication.
- Behave ethically and according to company values.
- Hold yourself accountable to the same standards, work ethic, and code of conduct as your team.
Summarize the main takeaways from this process interaction. Remember that you can edit, delete, or add new content to any step.
As a leader, it’s a major responsibility on your shoulders to practice the behavior you want others to follow.
This course is designed to help you be more effective in your role as a manager. In the next section, you’ll receive training for leading your team’s day-to-day activities.