Are you a WOW Leader?

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

When I interview candidates, one of my favorite questions to ask is: Who inspires you and why?

I love this question because it tells me a lot about the individual. The responses show the kind of qualities people look for in Leaders and whom they will likely want to surround themselves with. Also, if you’re able to recognize certain traits in others, there’s a good chance you have the same qualities in yourself.

In my 25+ years of corporate experience, I have worked with many Leaders. Some were naturally born Leaders and some had to work hard to be seen as a Leader.

But you’ll ALWAYS remember that one Leader that stood out from the rest.

These WOW Leaders had a way about them that was lasting and memorable.

Here’s how you know you’ve experienced a WOW Leader:

1. Their physical presence is prominent. Whether the Leader is in a meeting or walking through the hallways, you can feel their energy. They do not have to use a lot of words to make their presence known in the space.
2. Their attitude is magnetic. This Leader can shift the energy in the room. Along with their presence, their attitude can elevate another individual instantly. You will be inspired by their attitude to grow and become a better human being.
3. They wear their heart on their sleeve. What you see is what you get. This Leader consistently shows up real and authentic. This Leader courageously lives and embodies their core values and purpose.
4. They have a strong HQ (human intelligence quotient). This Leader goes out of their way to ensure everyone they interact with feels heard and seen. They have a strong desire to build meaningful and lasting relationships. They authentically listen and have a genuine interest in your life and the lives of others. This Leader is with you.
5. They always come from love. This Leader lives seeing the world as possibilities and opportunities. There’s always a way. This Leader will face fear head on and empower their team to do the same. The loving nature of this Leader is contagious and enchanting.

So how can one become a WOW Leader?

I believe everyone is capable of creating WOW experiences if they want to. It starts with being self aware about the kind of Leader that you are today and deciding what kind of Leader you want to be.

If you want to create a legacy and be remembered as a WOW Leader, here are a few simple ways to show up bigger today:

1. Rediscover Your Core! To live and embody your core values and purpose, you must first rediscover what they are. Your values and purpose will be your life compass and will bring you back to your core when you get lost. They will guide you and hold you accountable to be the best Leader you can be. If you want a little support, discover your core here.
2. Share Your Story! According to Brené Brown, American scholar, author, and public speaker, the power of vulnerability creates a deeper human connection. When you open your heart and share your unique story, it provides an opportunity for others to see you and feel you. It creates the space for others to relate to you more deeply, and you too, will learn more about yourself through authentically sharing your voice. Find an opportunity to share your story and inspire and connect with others through your personal experiences.
3. Share the Gift of Giving! Asking for help is the hardest thing to do. Many of us think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. On the contrary, when you ask for help, you share the gift of giving. Even if you think you can do it on your own, it’s more WOW and fun to share the experience with another Leader or team member. Ask for support today and graciously receive.

Life is about creating WOW experiences. As a WOW Leader, you can bring more WOW into the workplace and into your community.

What can you do today to create a WOW experience?

Want to create a WOW culture? Connect with me today!

For additional reading, here are some other posts from Lorie:

• Why Asking for Help Makes You a Stronger Leader
• Eliminate the Word "Weakness" to Build a Stronger Team
• Are You an "Earn My Trust" Leader?
• What Saying NO Really Means
• Stop Recruiting and Start Connecting
• Shed Your Armor and Reap the Rewards
• If You’re a Leader, You’re Under a Microscope!
• 5 Strategies to Integrate Your Values at Work
• Are you ready to #dreambig?
• It's Time to Bring the "Human" Back Into "Human Resources"
• It’s Time to Mix Personal with Business
• Are you qualified to be in HR?
• The Most Important Skills Today’s Leaders Need to Know
• The Power of Leadership Presence in the Workplace
• 6 Elements of an Ideal Culture
• How to Trust Again After You’ve Lost It
• Can Frequent Conversations Really Replace Annual Reviews?
• The “Real” Job of HR
• Why GoPro is Living a BIG LIFE
• The Five Benefits of Being Imperfect
• I have an announcement. I’m engaged!
• The One Thing To Do Before the End of 2015
• I have a confession to make.
• Start the New Year with this!
• It’s Okay to Love in the Workplace
• Is mindfulness just nonsense?
• 3 Daily Practices for Mindful Teams
• The Disadvantage of Being Too Caring
• Why We Hate Love (in the workplace)
• The Real ROI of Informal and Social Learning
• Bringing Values-Based Learning to Life (at Work)
• The New Kind of CEO HR Leaders Want
• DIY Management: 5 ways to build an effective startup culture
• Digital Detoxing in a 24/7 World: Disconnect to Connect
• Stand Out and Be Bold
• The Culture Code: Six Keys (and Four Steps) to Hidden Treasure
• A Love Letter for our SPARK Community
• The Importance (and Profitability) of Staying Human
• The ROI of Leading by Example is Priceless
• Love may be a remedy for fear and stress in the workplace

About Lorie:

Lorie Corcuera is the Co-Founder and CEO at SPARK Creations, a heart based leadership and empowerment organization that provides highly interactive and fun experiential learning and development, strategic culture visioning, and people and culture programs for individuals, teams and organizations. Lorie is partnering with conscious business owners and leaders who are ready and driven to create and inspire loving human connections.