You can develop and cultivate executive presence
We all know someone who exudes an air of professionalism and confidence, but it’s not always easy to put a finger on what makes them stand out. Beyond a professional appearance and demeanor, what goes into true executive presence? While some people come to it naturally, most of us must cultivate it over the course of our careers.
Knowing how to command a room while also inspiring others to follow your lead takes a unique combination of confidence and humility – plus several other key facets. If you approach your own leadership style with intention, you too can develop an air of tempered self-confidence that can boost your career and encourage others to buy into your vision.
The Secret Sauce
Much like an experienced chef knows how to combine flavors to elevate a dish from ordinary to inspirational, leaders who exhibit strong executive presence draw on several ingredients as they lead companies, teams or projects.
In fact, the Bates Executive Presence Index (ExPI™) specifies 15 facets in the three categories of Character, Substance and Style. They are:
Character
Authenticity
Integrity
Concern
Restraint
Humility
Substance
Practical Wisdom
Confidence
Composure
Resonance
Vision
Style
Appearance
Intentionality
Inclusiveness
Interactivity
Assertiveness
Truly great leaders draw on all of these at some level, although they may excel at some more than others.
Consider the leaders you trust most in your own organization. Which of these skills and traits do they have in spades? Which ones tend to take a supportive role? Now, do the same for your own approach to your work. Can you identify any areas you might need to develop with intention?
Finding the Right Balance
Style doesn’t mean much without Substance or Character, right? Although it’s wise to note that Style encompasses so much more than a leader’s clothing or appearance: It also refers to someone’s delivery and level of interaction with other people.
Still, even the most inclusive, intentional, interactive and best-dressed person will fall flat if she doesn’t have the substance and practical knowledge to back it up.
A Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Professor, Brooke Vuckovic, sums up this balance of traits in a simple formula she created:
She notes that this formula can flex to fit the individual and each situation as needed, but it’s a helpful tool in considering how to present yourself and your ideas effectively.
Your education, training and experience provide the foundation for your credibility. In short, if you know the technical or strategic ins and outs, you will speak about it with more confidence and ease. People will buy in because you have the knowledge and experience to back it up.
Your ego should give you a strong belief in your knowledge and skill and enough of a voice to communicate it clearly. It should also leave enough room to invite others into the conversation and offer a contribution. The right amount of ego (not too big and not too small) allows you to express conviction in an idea without arrogance or condescension to others.
How to Develop Executive Presence
So, if you know you need to work on a particular area, give yourself time and space to develop the skill. Use practical strategies for rehearsing and testing out the skill you want to develop. For example:
Shift your focus
If you have too little confidence, you likely enter meetings or presentations worrying about what others think. Practice shifting your focus away from thoughts like “What if they think I am a fraud?” to “What do I want others to learn from this presentation and what do I want them to feel?” That move away from a self-focused critic to an other-focused goal will help you move out of ego and into ease.
Start small and practice this skill in your one-on-one interactions. Note when the inner critic takes over and actively works on moving into a goal-oriented voice instead. You can also practice this skill by recording your presentation or by rehearsing in a mirror.
Work on delivery
If nerves cause you to speak too quickly, too quietly or in a monotone voice, your message will never hit the mark. To practice delivery, read aloud as often as possible and pay attention to speed, inflection and emotion as you speak.
Read a children’s book or the back of a cereal box. Imagine yourself narrating an over-the-top TV ad. Then move on to practicing with your work-related content.
Start with your body
Too many professionals, especially women, suffer from so-called “imposter syndrome” – the arch enemy of executive presence. Our grandmothers might have called us shrinking violets: hunched over, closed in and conveying a strong “don’t look at me” vibe.
To counteract this tendency, simple physical changes in posture and demeanor can make a world of difference. Standing tall and pulling your shoulders back, for example, allows you to breathe more deeply and to calm your body’s emotional responses. Harvard professor Amy Cuddy became famous for her TED Talk on power poses several years ago, and recent research has backed up her belief in the power of posture and body language. So, strike a pose.
Much more goes into developing a strong executive presence, and working with an executive coach can give you a safe space to gain feedback through an assessment tool, practice and cultivate these skills.
To learn more about executive coaching and how it can help you advance your career and personal goals, or how it can help your business teams, contact me for a complimentary strategy call.