Professional Presence - 4 Pillars of the Perfect Foundation

Justin Thomas strives for a perfect round of golf in each round of every tournament he plays. Breaking it down further, each swing that shapes the shot, each read of the green before a putt, and each wind effect estimation must be perfect. All of that, of course, is impossible.

He knows going in that his “perfect round” will not happen. Yet, to the soft-clapping fans, he appears supremely confident before every swing. His confidence rarely wavers because he has trained his mind and body to elite status.

High-performing franchise owners, likewise, seek the unreachable. Leading their business to “perfect.” But just like the golf ball bouncing into the woods and behind the 100-year-old oak tree after grazing the cart path, neither you nor your business will be “perfect.” And also, like Justin, you work on being better every day.

The leaders of successful franchises possess their version of professional/executive presence. I’ll stay with “professional” because anyone in an organization can successfully demonstrate the elements. Franchises reflect the persona of their leaders.

The 4 Pillars of Leadership:

·????????Demonstrating a positive attitude with minimal exceptions,

·????????Serving with empathetic detachment,

·????????Communicating authentically in all you do,

·????????Clear and understandable vision, mission, and values.

Each attribute is observable, measurable, and open for immediate feedback.

Your Authentically Positive Attitude Affects Your Team

Franchise owners with a solid professional presence see daily challenges as positives. Overcoming challenges make your franchise stronger for the next one that comes. Franchisees do not live in Utopia, and setbacks, used to learn, will occur. However, the setbacks become less frequent as you and your franchise overcome them and have systems and processes in place.

The 5 attributes of positivity to assess, measure, and set goals are:

Franchisees with positive attitudes are self- and situationally aware in most situations. To measure this trait, talk with a trusted colleague and develop your method for feedback on how you perceive a concern compared to the perceptions of others. Include your perception of your role in the situation. You are generally positive because you have confidence you and your team can handle any challenge. Optimistic franchisees approach challenges by assessing their current state, developing a strategic plan for all to follow, and executing/following up on the strategy.

You seek positive outcomes and minimize any negative impacts on your clients, employees, business, and you.

Franchise owners possessing a positive attitude are authentic. You are your brand. You spend your energy on building value for others. Conversely, those that lead with a persona expend energy keeping their inauthentic selves alive.

Your positive attitude in various situations creates calmness in those around you. Your employees follow your emotional lead, especially in small business settings like your franchise. Franchisees, just like CEOs everywhere, don’t have all the answers. What successful franchisees do have, though, is the calming confidence in their ability to learn, adapt and overcome.

A positive attitude builds on resilience. You realize forces out of your control try to slow you down or even bring your franchise to a halt. Your positive attitude lifts your strength, knowing your franchise can deflect and defeat all challenges. ?

Serve with Empathetic Detachment

On August 3, 2013, Integrated Medicine of Philadelphia published “Dispassionate Empathy,” relating how the most respected caretakers of the sick and dying master this skill to make the most appropriate medical decisions, even when that decision is to do nothing. My great friend, EMS Chief John Maggard, uses this skill often because, in his small town, he is friends with most of his patients. Empathetic detachment allows him and his crew to step outside the emotional bubble and make rational and wise medical decisions until that patient arrives at the hospital.

“Empathetic detachment” is acknowledging the feelings of those around you without being swept up in the emotional current. Decisions based on empathetic detachment allow successful franchise owners to be clear and focused on the situation, NOT the emotional tidal wave. As a result, you can make difficult decisions based on what is best for your franchise, employees, clients, and you long-term.

Empathetic detachment allows franchisees to focus on goals and results more clearly. Keeping engaged with your crews is not mutually exclusive; see 7 Essentials to Engage Your Franchise Team.

Franchisees observing the world around their franchise are less biased when using empathetic detachment. As a result, you process unbiased observations, which leads to practical and efficient decisions. However, be careful with this skill as you may be perceived as “uncaring” and “cold” if used in the extreme.

Everything is Communication

Franchise owners communicate with someone, in some way, just by showing up. Communication isn’t limited to verbal and non-verbal cues. The following are 4 essential communication skills for franchise owners to increase their professional presence:

Your professional presence hinges on your level of authenticity. The Theranos crimes show that “fake it ’til you make it” has a definite line. If it’s grounded in who you are, a business persona works. You cross the boundary when the persona deceives others for their gain. Self-confidence helps you stay true. It’s ok to question yourself to learn. The key is to move on once you’ve learned. “If only I had…” has no place.

High-performers use their appearance to build on their brand. First impressions of strangers are formed in some cases 100 milli-seconds or less (Willis & Todorov, 2006). Dressing appropriately for every situation is a minimum. There are few “do’s” and “do not’s” other than being aware of your audience, authentic, and communicating your brand.?

Those with a high-level professional presence are present in each situation. Let me explain. When someone is “present,” they are focused on the moment and what is occurring now. The antithesis is daydreaming during Advanced Mechanical Design in Professor Thorpe’s senior lecture. Remaining present allows you to absorb what is said and develop questions after the speaker finishes their thought. Think of it as listening-PLUS. It is a difficult skill for most, has a short shelf-life, and requires daily practice. Here’s a simple test and re-direct: If you are in a conversation and find you have already formed the following comment or question, you are NOT present. Take a breath, empty your mind, and re-engage in the conversation.

A successful franchise owner’s verbal communication with others is rarely excessive. Your words have meaning and are usually brief, with actions included to help those following you. You trust your employees to ask questions if needed, and your employees trust you to respect their questions. Those with a professional presence are also comfortable in the quiet. A moment in silence during a conversation can often be illuminating. Your clear and concise messages give those around you confidence in their daily activities.

3 Benefits of your clear vision, mission, values, and actions

Successful franchisees have personal and business sets of their vision, mission, values, and activities needed. When the two align, you can live your mission daily. Your vision is a significant piece of your brand. There are 3 benefits to establishing a real-life vision, mission, and values for you and your franchise.

Boundaries for you and your franchise are well-defined. The bold and bright boundaries keep you and your team focused on moving toward your vision. Like firefighting, free-lancing leads to inconsistent delivery, quality, and, ultimately, failure.

Your clear mission focuses your employees’ actions. When communicated well, each person in your franchise will know what to do today to take a step closer to the vision. Additionally, your crews can witness how their role contributes to your franchise’s success.

Organizational and personal evaluations are measurable daily when the vision and mission are clear. Ask yourself, “What do I get to do today to move my franchise closer to our vision?”

Perfecting these skills, like perfecting golf, is impossible. So instead, successful franchisees have a system of consistent feedback and establish where they are now, a vision of where they want to be, and their plan to get there.

To learn more contact Luke Frey at [email protected].