The Virtues of Grace in Leadership: How to Lead with Poise
This week has been WILD, I had the privilege and the pleasure to present two keynotes to two different audiences. The first one was the closing for the AHRI conference, and we talked all about Amplifying your voice, to Amplify your impact... and the audience well and truly embraced their voices.
The second was for Women in the West and initiative in partnership with the City of Charles Sturt and the Office of Family and Small Business. I was talking all things productivity for female business owners. We talked all about productivity, but also self care and valuing their expertise.
My inbox and DMs have been flooded with beautiful feedback from both events, and I'm truly grateful. Often when I speak on stage I'll hear form the event organisers and a few delegates, but yesterdays messages really seems to hit home, specifically around giving yourself grace. We don't have to be perfect all.of.the.time.
I thought this would be a good introduction into the virtues of grace. ..
In leadership, grace is often overlooked as a soft skill, but in reality, it’s one of the most powerful qualities a leader can possess. Grace is about navigating challenges with composure, maintaining poise under pressure, and leading with a calm and confident demeanour. It’s the ability to handle difficult situations without losing your cool and to inspire others with your steadiness in the face of adversity.
What is Grace in Leadership?
Grace in leadership is the ability to maintain composure, empathy, and kindness, even in the most challenging circumstances. It’s about being strong yet gentle, firm yet flexible. Graceful leaders are those who can make tough decisions without being harsh, who can lead with authority without being authoritarian, and who can inspire trust and respect through their calm and steady presence. In my experience, grace in leadership is what sets great leaders apart from good ones. It’s not just about what you do, but how you do it. A leader who acts with grace is one who others are eager to follow, not because they have to, but because they want to.
The Power of Poise Under Pressure
One of the key components of grace in leadership is poise—the ability to stay calm, focused, and composed, even when under pressure. Poise is what allows you to think clearly and make sound decisions, even in the heat of the moment. In my career, I’ve faced many situations where poise was essential. Whether it was leading a team through a crisis, managing a difficult conversation, or making a high-stakes decision, maintaining my composure was crucial. I’ve found that poise is what gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate challenges effectively, without being overwhelmed by stress or emotion.
How to Cultivate Grace in Leadership
Grace is not something you’re born with—it’s something you can cultivate through practice and intention. Here are a few strategies for developing grace in your leadership:
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a powerful tool for maintaining composure and staying present in the moment. By practising mindfulness, you can develop the ability to stay calm and focused, even in stressful situations.
Develop Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By developing your emotional intelligence, you can respond to challenges with empathy and understanding, rather than reacting impulsively.
Lead with Compassion: Graceful leaders lead with compassion. They care about their team members and are willing to listen, support, and guide them through challenges. By leading with compassion, you can create a positive and supportive work environment, even in difficult times.
Maintain Perspective: Graceful leaders are able to maintain perspective, even in the midst of challenges. They understand that setbacks are a natural part of the journey and that challenges are opportunities for growth. By maintaining perspective, you can stay calm and focused, even when things don’t go as planned.
Conclusion
Grace is one of the most powerful qualities a leader can possess. It’s the ability to navigate challenges with poise, to lead with compassion, and to maintain composure under pressure. By cultivating grace in your leadership, you can inspire trust, respect, and loyalty in your team, and lead with confidence and ease, no matter what challenges come your way.
Until next time, Eat the Frog, Get the Worm, Be the Bird and Give yourself some Grace!
Ally x
Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.
She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.
Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching.
In her spare time, she's mostly at the beach with her beautiful husband and 4 tiny people.
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