A recent study reported that 81% of business leaders found the concept of executive presence so contradictory and confusing that they don’t know how to act on it; however, having an effective “executive presence” is a determining factor in the ability to impact business strategy, grow your career and influence others.
Credibility, communication, countenance, courage and cultivation are the behavioral competencies honed by all leaders who speak clearly, ask mindful questions and have maximum influence in an organization.
While some people are natural born communicators, the good news is that an executive presence can be developed. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you can grow as a leader and advance your career by understanding the five keys to developing an executive presence that will allow you to communicate in a powerful way.
Presentation by Jennifer McClure, President of Unbridled Talent LLC - http://unbridledtalent.com
Like A Boss: Why Executive Presence Matters and How You Can Master It
1. Why Executive Presence Matters –
and How You Can Master It
LIKE A BOSS:
@Jennifer McClure Jennifer McClure – President, Unbridled Talent LLC #CincyHR
6. EXECUTIVE PRESENCE will not earn
you a promotion, but a lack of
executive presence will impede your
ability to get as far as you want to go.
- Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success
7. EXECUTIVE PRESENCE will not earn
you a promotion, but a lack of
executive presence will impede your
ability to get as far as you want to go.
- Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success
* Executive Presence accounts for 26%
of what it takes to get promoted
9. of women find feedback
about Executive Presence
so contradictory and
confusing that they don’t
know how to act on it.
81%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
10. No Makeup Minimal Moderate Dramatic
Challenges With Bias
700
People
250
Milliseconds
SOURCE: Center for
Talent Innovation, 2014
11. No Makeup Minimal Moderate Dramatic
Challenges With Bias
COMPETENT
SOURCE: Center for
Talent Innovation, 2014
12. No Makeup Minimal Moderate Dramatic
Appearance Challenges
TRUSTWORTHY
SOURCE: Center for
Talent Innovation, 2014
16. Confidence, poise & “grace under fire”
Decisiveness & “showing teeth”
Integrity & “speaking truth to power”
Emotional Intelligence
Reputation & standing / “Pedigree”
Vision / Charisma
For Women For Men
79%
76%
70%
70%
64%
63%
61%
58%
56%
57%
50%
54%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
Top Aspects of ‘Gravitas’
17. 78%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
of professionals first search
online for information on a new
colleague or prospective hire
Online Image Counts
18. Choose Your Words Wisely
• Drop “Just”
• Drop “Actually”
• Drop “Can I take a minute to say something?”
• Don’t say “What I’m saying may be wrong…”
• Don’t substitute a question for a sentence
20. Concise, compelling speaking style
Ability to command a room
Forcefulness & assertiveness
Ability to read a client / A Boss / A Room
Sense of humor & ability to banter
Body language / Posture
For Women For Men
60%
63%
49%
54%
48%
48%
39%
33%
33%
35%
21%
25%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
Top Communication Traits
27. Grooming & polish
Physically attractive / Toned / Fit
Sophisticated clothing & flair
(Dressing for the next job)
Height (Being tall)
Youthful, vigorous appearance
For Women For Men
35%
38%
19%
16%
12%
13%
6%
16%
6%
4%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
Top Aspects of Appearance
37. Action
Plan
Define
the
Problem
Be Consistent & Act with Integrity
Focus on Your Communication
Pay Attention to Style & Appearance
Inspire Trust
Ask for Feedback Regularly
Be True to Who You Are
TO DO