Executive presence is often misconstrued as merely having a commanding appearance or charisma. However, it encompasses much more—it's about conveying confidence, credibility, and calmness under pressure. It involves the way a leader communicates, both verbally and nonverbally, and how they inspire and engage others. Executive presence isn't about changing who you are; it's about refining how you present your best self to influence and lead others effectively.
Who’s in the Hot Seat?
Coaching Client: Kristian, SVP of Content Productions and Development for a major entertainment studio.
The Challenge:
Kristian has excelled in her creative and strategic roles but finds that her lack of executive presence is hindering her ability to lead more effectively. Colleagues and team members often overlook her contributions during meetings, and her ideas do not carry the weight they should, given her experience and position. This lack of presence has led to missed opportunities for leadership, with her team sometimes bypassing her for more charismatic, assertive leaders. Kristian recognizes that to step up, she needs to enhance her executive presence to match her expertise and vision.
Strategies to Enhance Executive Presence
Developing a Powerful Communication Style:
Effective communication is the cornerstone of executive presence. Kristian worked on crafting her messaging to be clear, concise, and compelling. She practiced this by preparing key points before meetings and focusing on delivering them with confidence and authority. For instance, Kristian began using storytelling techniques to make her presentations more engaging and memorable. She shared success stories from past projects to highlight her team’s capabilities and her leadership role, making her contributions more visible and impactful.
Cultivating Gravitas:
Gravitas is about showing depth of character and the ability to handle tough situations with composure. Kristian focused on improving her body language to project confidence. She practiced maintaining eye contact, using open gestures, and adopting a stance that conveys authority during interactions. Additionally, she made a conscious effort to respond rather than react to unexpected questions or challenges, taking a moment to pause and collect her thoughts before responding thoughtfully. This behavior change helped her to command respect and attention in any room.
Building Relational Skills:
Executive presence is also about how well a leader connects with others. Kristian enhanced her relational skills by actively seeking feedback from peers and mentors, and engaging more with her team on a personal level. She adhered to regular one-on-one meetings with her direct reports to better understand their challenges and aspirations, which not only helped her provide better support but also showcased her investment in their success. This approach fostered stronger relationships and increased her influence within the team.
Conclusion:
Implementing these strategies helped Kristian significantly improve her executive presence. By enhancing her communication, embodying gravitas, and strengthening relational skills, she transformed how others perceive and respond to her leadership. These changes not only increased her influence during meetings and decision-making processes but also boosted her team’s morale. As Kristian continues to apply these strategies, her executive presence will keep evolving, solidifying her role as a pivotal leader within her organization. This journey highlights that with the right approaches, any leader can develop a strong executive presence that aligns with their authentic self and professional goals.