You are a leader. Why not be a memorable one?

An important part of being memorable as a leader is listening well, making certain your people feel valued and having meetings that are productively interactive. However there are some little things you can do to increase your memorability in meetings also. Here are some ideas:

Gifts. I often bring hard-cover copies of my books to meetings as a gift. It helps them get to know me and our work better. It is thoughtful because the book retails for $29.95 and can be helpful. Yes, it also is a great business card. $10-$15 gift cards are an alternative that can be effective, especially if you match them to the interests of each meeting participant.

Treats. Consider bringing high quality treats such as See's Candies chocolate (high quality, not some cheap brand), brownies or other treats from a classy bakery, or anything that is classy but not too expensive. No doughnuts!

Examples. For instance, if you are talking about the importance of branding then bring some samples of great brands to give away after you explain why they are unique. (You don't have to bring a Macintosh computer, just an iTunes card...) Maybe give the examples as prizes for people who have innovative ideas or answers to your questions.

Tell great stories. If you are on a tight budget then be prepared with one or more great stories to tell. If you think others tell stories better than you, work with your storytellers before the meeting and weave their participation into your agenda.

Life is way too short! Be memorable.