4 Ways to Find and Step into Your Moxie

Does moxie help you show up and motivate others?

By definition, moxie is force of character, determination, or nerve.

Leadership expert and coach Alexia Vernon sees firsthand how moxie changes people’s lives, businesses, careers, and health. Why? With moxie you can take action and inspire others to do the same.

Alexia helps leaders in coaching, consulting, and business cultivate the mindset and skills they need to step into their moxie. When they do, they can speak up, speak out, and lead others.

She shares 4 key ingredients for finding your own moxie:

1. Speak Truth

If you’re like most of us, you may struggle with two competing inner voices: the ones that doubts and wavers, and the one with clarity that takes action. To complicate things, culture often dictates the how, what, and when of speaking to others.

For example, many women in leadership are groomed to speak more like a man – with deeper, monotone voices delivered in a concise manner.

It’s time to speak truth when leading others.

Don’t worry about what the critics say. When you speak from your own voice, from who you are, a level of authenticity encourages others to follow. What’s more, you’ll find support you may not even know you needed. This benefits everyone on your team.

2. Skip the Fluff

When you address others. it’s tempting to ease into the point you’re trying to make. This is one of the downsides to that wavering inner voice – the tendency to use filler words to convey your thoughts.

To make intentions clear, you need to skip the fluff.

Avoid words like ‘I think’, ‘I feel’, or ‘I believe’ to preface your message. Instead, just say it. Your audience will appreciate your candor and be more apt to hear what you’re trying to get across.

3. Tell a Story

Everyone loves a good story, even when it’s coming from a person of authority. In fact, the power of your own experiences can be a strong motivator for your audience. When you invite others in to your own story, they believe you – and believe in your message.

Tell a story in the way you’d want to hear it.

Too many speakers read from a memorized document. And while this may indeed be the story you want to tell, it comes off as rehearsed and less authentic. Instead, dig in and deliver the story with heart, even if you need your notes. It will hit home with your team.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Leading others can take a toll on your health and well-being. In order to be as effective as possible, you need to do some prep work.

Make it a priority to take care of yourself, particularly before a big speech or meeting.

To start, get moving. Increase your heart rate and sweat. This can help regulate your mood and increase blood flow to vital organs. Next, eat sensibly and get a good night’s sleep. Lastly, calm down through breathing, meditation, or visualization. When you practice healthy habits, you’ll show up as a calmer, cooler you.