Executive Presence- What It Is and How to Build Your Own
Executive Presence is the ability to project a confident and professional demeanor that inspires trust and respect from others. It is a crucial element for success in the business world. It can be achieved through a combination of factors such as appearance, communication, demeanor and behavior.
Over the years, we’ve been drawn to following strong leaders with prominent executive presence. We may not quite be able to put our finger on what it is they do exactly, but we know they have our eyes, ears, and most of all our hearts.
Some of the top leaders who have Executive Presence in spades are:
1. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft
Nadella is known for his calm and collected demeanor, even in high-pressure situations. He has been credited with turning around Microsoft's culture and refocusing the company's vision. Nadella's presence exudes both competence and confidence, making him a well-respected leader in the tech industry.
2. Ursula Burns,
former CEO of Xerox
Burns was the first African American woman to run a Fortune 500 company. She was known for her strong communication skills and ability to connect with her employees. Burns had a commanding presence in the boardroom and was an effective leader during times of change, such as when she led Xerox through a major restructuring.
3. Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo
Nooyi was another trailblazing female CEO. She was known for her clear vision and strategic thinking, as well as her ability to connect with consumers and employees alike. Nooyi's strong presence and communication skills helped her drive PepsiCo's growth and expansion in both domestic and international markets.
4. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon
Bezos is widely regarded as one of the most visionary and innovative leaders in tech. He has a commanding presence and strong stage presence, which has been on display during his frequent keynotes and public appearances. Bezos' leadership style is centered around experimentation and bold thinking, which has helped make Amazon one of the largest and most successful tech companies in the world.
5. Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
Barra has been at the helm of GM since 2014. She is known for her strong leadership skills, which include her ability to make tough decisions and her commitment to quality and safety. Barra is a clear communicator and is often praised for her ability to connect with GM's employees and stakeholders.
To develop Executive Presence, one must focus on fine tuning its core components. Below I’ll summarize the 4 components and how to fine tune them to optimize your Executive Presence.
1. Appearance: The way you present yourself visually to others. This includes your grooming, dress sense, and personal style.
Recommendation: Dress appropriately for the situation, pay attention to grooming and personal hygiene, and project self-confidence through your appearance.
2. Communication: The manner in which you communicate with others. This includes your use of verbal and nonverbal language, as well as the ability to listen actively and speak persuasively.
Recommendation: Learn to speak clearly and concisely, listen actively and attentively, and use body language to convey confidence and openness.
3. Demeanor: Your overall attitude and energy towards work and life. This includes your level of confidence, poise, and emotional intelligence.
Recommendation: Find ways to manage your emotions and stay calm even in the most stressful situations. Practice mindfulness and work on developing a positive attitude towards work and life.
4. Behavior: The way you behave in different situations. This includes your ability to handle stress, conflict, and difficult conversations.
Recommendation: Develop strong interpersonal skills, learn to handle conflict and difficult conversations with grace and tact, and work on your problem-solving skills.
In conclusion, executive presence is a critical component of success in the business world. Focusing on improving your appearance, communication, demeanor, and behavior can help you develop a strong executive presence. By looking to successful leaders with high executive presence as role models and working to improve your own skills. Leaders’ strong executive presence allows them to inspire and motivate their teams, drive growth and innovation, and navigate complex challenges with ease.
For more on Executive Presence:
https://hbr.org/2021/06/if-you-want-to-lead-master-this-skill
https://carolkinseygoman.com/the-five-cs-of-leadership-presence/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/executive-presence-what-why-you-need-erin-owen-mba-pcc/
