Influence Through Courage

Most coaches I meet are obsessed with finding the perfect marketing strategy or hack that will take their business to the next level.?

But want to know what will trump ALL marketing strategies, tactics and hacks?

Becoming someone others want to follow.

In today’s email, I want to share seven things you can do today to become a more influential leader (so that whatever marketing strategy you choose will be a success).

1. Cultivate Self Awareness

There are two versions of you…

The person you are pretending to be (I call this your Shell Self), and the person you REALLY are (your Core Self). Influential leaders live from their Core. They know who they are and when they’re out of alignment.?

This is why I will forever work with a coach: to uncover my blind spots, spot my patterns, and help me consistently live from my Core Self.?

2. Cultivate Courage

People want connection, growth and something new - they want change.?

That is why heretics are the new leaders—the ones who challenge the status quo, stand for something, and create movements. Leaders create change they believe in. Change is hard; change requires courage.?

Courage isn’t cultivated in grandiose actions but in micro moments. Every day, you’re faced with mini moments where you get to choose courage over comfort. When you make the habit of choosing courage, that muscle builds and soon becomes your default setting.?

Public speaking once sent me into a mini panic attack, but I now love it because, for years, I chose courage over comfort and said yes to any opportunity to speak, even if it was just a small call on Zoom.

If you’re not uncomfortable in your work, you are not reaching your potential as a leader.?

3. Cultivate Creative Force

The market has spoken, and it wants novelty, style, and great stuff—if you want to be followed, don’t be boring!?

I believe we all have a wicked creative force that, when tapped, creates remarkable stuff.?

Now it’s your job to do interesting things, tap into that force daily and get out of your own way.

For me, this means always trying new things, embracing boredom, waking up at 5 a.m., sitting in stillness, dancing, moving, and shaking, and then writing about whatever inspires me at that moment, letting go and going again.?

4. Cultivate Embodiment

It's said that 73-90% of communication is non-verbal.?

It’s why influential leaders have mastered their embodiment. Our body is how we empathise with and read others, as well as how we communicate and coordinate with others. The body is also how we think - and influential leaders are great thinkers.?

I cultivate embodiment through regular body check-ins, mindfulness practice, spending time in nature, education (I’m currently training as an Embodiment Coach), and expanding my range with embodied practices like dance, yoga and improv.?

5. Cultivate Energy

If you can tap into the full potential of energy inside of you, the world is yours.?

In one finding, CEOs showed they have energy equivalent to that of a professional athlete. And if you want to become a successful coach, you need to start treating yourself the same way. The more energy you have, the happier, more courageous, and more successful you will be.?

Energy is absolutely everything to me.?

I remove anything that even slightly drains me. I prioritise my sleep, exercise daily, move often, eat nutritious foods, avoid alcohol, spend lots of time in nature, and do things I enjoy every day. This is my secret weapon.?

6. Cultivate Clarity

Clarity is power, as Tony Robbins would say.?

Great leaders know who they are and what they want. They stand for something, have a strong sense of self and a clear future vision. They have strong boundaries, are direct when needed, and are firm but fair.?

Take Elon Musk, for example. Yes, he is quirky and perhaps not your orthodox leader… but f-me, he knows what he wants and won't let anyone tell him otherwise.

Another reason why I’ll always work with a coach; coupled with regular reflection, boredom, journaling and time in stillness.?

7. Cultivate Generosity

In Seth Godin’s book Tribes, he says,?

Leaders who set out to give are more productive than leaders who seek to get. Even more surprising is the fact that the leader's intent matters. The tribes can sniff out why someone is asking for attention. Looking out for number one is an attitude, and it’s one that doesn’t pay.?

I’m currently in a mastermind with coaches who make $100,000s per month, and I’m blown away by how kind and generous they all are.?

You may say, well yeah - of course they are when making that kinda money.?

But no. That’s how they got there.?

Great leaders give first, with no expectations.?

But I’m curious, what would you add?

Big love,?

Joel

P.S. On a separate note… next week I’ve got something special planned.

If you’ve ever wanted to work with me… this would be the time to do it

Because I’m about to make it easier than ever to do so.

Keep an eye on your inbox for all the details.