The manager determines people’s engagement, motivation, and productivity. Does it sometimes feel like you are held responsible for something that you have limited control over? You are right in that everyone is responsible for their own actions. But you are wrong in that you underestimate the impact you have as the boss through the way you think and do things. Your way of being has huge impact on your team. You need to be aware of your executive presence. And you can influence that.

It’s who you are that becomes so important as a boss. Think back to your past bosses and you will see what I mean.

As a manager you are only as good as your awareness of yourself and your impact on others. You always do your best. But still, you can have an effect you are not even aware of. Stress makes you slip into your blind spots. You might come across as more intimidating or righteous or confusing than you think. When you are the boss, other people react by falling into their stressed selves as well. You are the boss. They might not ask questions, stand up for themselves or question you as they would a peer. The quality of your conversation suffers. Trust, engagement, and high-quality results are hard to achieve.

The higher your rank, the higher your impact. It multiplies down the ranks. Blind spots work against you. Growing awareness works for you.

The solution is simple, but it takes courage: As you become aware of your stressors, how you respond, and negative beliefs, they lose their power. Your access to your best self is unblocked. You become a conscious leader and step into your best, natural leadership style.

As a conscious leader you see things clearly. Your objective understanding, intuition and empathy grow. You can be true to all aspects of each situation you face. Your insights are powerful. Your actions have the desired impact. Your teams experience trust, vision, and direction. They perform at a high level. You and your teams are at the top of your game. And that too, is because of you, the manager!