Wouldn’t you love to be that guy or gal that everyone wants to be around?
The person who commands a “presence” when they walk into a room.
The person who exhibits magnetism that makes others naturally gravitate towards them.
Everyone wants to be on his or her team.
Everyone wants to work with them – or for them.
Question: So what exactly is “it” that these people possess?
Answer: Executive Presence
What is Executive Presence?
Sylvia Ann Hewlett states that Executive Presence is seen in the way you act, look and sound.
People with executive presence exhibit confidence, competence, poise, effective communication skills and the ability to remain calm in the eye of the storm -all fundamental characteristics of executive presence.
If you don’t look, act and sound like an executive or leader, it will be extremely difficult to be perceived as one or to become one.
Here’s the really good news. Executive Presence can be learned.
3 Key Ingredients Essential to Executive Presence
1. Gravitas – how you act or behave is perhaps the single most important component of Executive Presence.
If you want to be an executive/leader, you must act like one by exhibiting authenticity, competence, confidence, trustworthiness, poise and an ability to remain calm in the eye of the storm.
People with executive presence treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their position within the company.
Their behavior towards others displays a genuine interest in who they are as a person first – and what they do as a professional second.
Want to increase your gravitas?
Increase your self-awareness.
The more you understand yourself, and what makes you tick, the more executive presence you will display. Increased self-awareness will directly impact the way you behave and act towards others.
2. Effective Communication Skills
The ability to communicate effectively is an essential component of executive presence.
Exemplary verbal & non-verbal communication skills are consistently demonstrated - along with the ability to actively listen to others.
Active Listening allows you to hear what is not being said – and ascertain the question that is not being asked.
These are invaluable skills for any leader (and parent for that matter).
Effective communication allows you to connect with others. And isn’t that the goal of all forms of communication?
Want to improve your Communication Skills?
Executive coaching, self-help books, attending workshops and seminars and asking for open honest feedback about your communication skills from colleagues and friends will all improve your ability to effectively communicate.
3. Award Winning Appearance – how you look.
Make no mistake about it, people make a snap judgment about who you are and what your level of competency is based upon your appearance.
Amy Cuddy, in her best-selling book: "Presence" discusses that people size us up and make an initial impression about us within seconds of meeting us. http://bit.ly/presence-amy-cuddy
Therefore, it’s obvious that your appearance plays a huge role in how you are perceived.
Want Your Look Like You Got “IT”?
Dress appropriately.
Wear clothes that are not too loose or restrictive and appropriate for your company’s corporate culture.
Practice good personal hygiene including healthy teeth.
Extend a firm handshake, make appropriate eye contact, exhibit positive body language and utilize good posture.
These aspects of our appearance speak volumes about who we are and how we feel about ourselves – and will influence what others think of us. (Like it or not – this is a fact)!
Executive presence is an important tool for your success.
You can readily increase your executive presence by demonstrating the above 3 key characteristics – so you, too, can have “IT!”
#executivepresence #womenandmoney #womenatwork #womenandwork
To learn more about Dr. Patty Ann, CEO & Founder of Relationship Toolbox LLC, go to:
twitter: @drpattyann