Executive presence is the ability to project confidence, competence, and credibility as a leader. It is essential for influencing senior stakeholders, inspiring teams, and advancing your career. But how can you develop executive presence as a new leader, especially if you are new to a role, a team, or an organization? Here are some tips to help you.
As a new leader, you need to articulate your value proposition clearly and consistently. What are your strengths, skills, and unique contributions? How do you add value to your team, your organization, and your stakeholders? How do you align your goals with the strategic vision and priorities of your senior leaders? By knowing your value proposition, you can communicate it effectively and confidently in various situations, such as meetings, presentations, and networking events.
Stepping into leadership requires a robust executive presence. Cultivate self-awareness, enhance emotional intelligence, and communicate with clarity. Exude confidence, lead with empathy, build strong relationships, and make decisive decisions. Commit to continuous learning and stay authentic. Balance work and life, and maintain resilience in adversity. Your journey is about influencing and inspiring others.
It starts by: - defining your leadership style - Set realistic and attainable goals - Enroll in a mentorship program - Practice your communication skills - Join a professional development group
Executive presence is not only about how you present yourself, but also about how others perceive you. To develop executive presence, you need to build your network of supporters, allies, and mentors. Seek feedback from people who can help you grow and improve, such as your peers, your manager, and your senior stakeholders. Listen to their perspectives, insights, and suggestions, and act on them. Also, look for opportunities to connect with other leaders who can inspire you, challenge you, and advocate for you.
Communication is a key component of executive presence. You need to master your communication skills to convey your messages clearly, concisely, and persuasively. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication, such as your tone, body language, and eye contact. You also need to adapt your communication style to different audiences, contexts, and channels. For example, you may need to use more data and facts when communicating with senior stakeholders, more stories and emotions when communicating with your team, and more visuals and interactive elements when communicating online.
They say a master communicator is one who sees more than others see, hear more than other hear. What if I was to say that you can hear better using your eyes, and see better using your ears. And when it comes to speaking, many times less is more.
Executive presence is not only about what you say, but also about what you do. You need to demonstrate your leadership qualities through your actions, decisions, and results. This means showing initiative, taking ownership, and delivering on your commitments. It also means being accountable, transparent, and ethical in your conduct. Moreover, it means being collaborative, supportive, and empowering to your team and your stakeholders. By demonstrating your leadership qualities, you can earn trust, respect, and recognition as a new leader.
Executive presence is not a fixed trait that you either have or don't have. It is a skill that you can learn, practice, and improve over time. One of the best ways to develop executive presence is to learn from others who have it. Observe and emulate the behaviors, habits, and mindsets of leaders who have executive presence. Ask them for advice, guidance, and feedback. Learn from their successes and failures, and apply their lessons to your own situation.
Executive presence is not about pretending to be someone you are not. It is about being yourself, but with more confidence, competence, and credibility. To develop executive presence, you need to be authentic. This means being true to your values, beliefs, and passions. It also means being honest, humble, and respectful to yourself and others. By being authentic, you can show your personality, your uniqueness, and your potential as a new leader.