Commanding the Room from Afar: Conveying Executive Presence Remotely

For many executives, remote or hybrid work has become the norm. With the increase in virtual meetings and online collaborations, it's more important than ever to convey executive presence remotely. But what exactly is executive presence? And how can you master it from the comfort of your own home?

What is Executive Presence?

When a U.S. Navy Admiral enters a room, you know it. You feel it.

Her uniform is clean and pressed. Her boots are spit-shined. The ribbons and medals on her chest show she's been around . . . for a while. One quick glance tells you she has the right skills and qualifications to be in charge.?We can envision her testifying before Congress. "Yes, Sir, Senator So-and-So."

But there's something else.

She is unflappable. Calm. Poised. Firm. Unrushed. Non-confrontational. Graceful. Perhaps even dryly humorous.

The Admiral has bearing. An intuitive sense that she's in control. She projects "command presence."

It's no different in a corporate environment, but it's just as ineffable. Even "experienced executives struggle[] to define what [executive presence] is and why one person has it and another doesn’t."

Executive presence is the ability to project confidence, credibility and authority in professional settings. Your skills and qualifications are necessary, but they are not sufficient. Executive presence is about how you appear to others visually, how you carry yourself, how you communicate and how you engage with others. Executive presence sets successful leaders apart from managers.

The good news is that CEOs (like Admirals) aren't born. They are made. With the confidential support and guidance of an executive leadership and performance coach, you too can develop and hone your executive presence.

Master Your Inner Game

Too many of my executive coaching clients think they can bypass the hard, messy internal work of getting right with themselves. They wrongly presume they can bluster confidence, manifest credibility and conjure authority out of thin air.

This is a mistake.

Before you can project executive presence externally, you need to master your inner game. As I have said before, the inner game runs the outer game. Coaching starts with a focus on "awareness" before moving to "choice" and finally to "transformation." But awareness comes first for a reason.

This means cultivating self-awareness, emotional intelligence and self-confidence. Take the time to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and work on developing a growth mindset.

Self-awareness is the foundation of personal growth and success. It involves understanding your own thoughts, emotions and behaviors, as well as how they impact others. By being self-aware, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to leverage your strengths and work on improving your weaknesses. Know thyself, as the saying goes.

Emotional intelligence is another essential aspect of mastering your inner game. It involves recognizing and understanding your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By developing emotional intelligence, you can effectively manage your own emotions and navigate interpersonal relationships with empathy and understanding. Developing executive presence involves not just listening actively to others (and their stated and unstated communication through silence and body language) but also honing your sense of when to step in and when to step back, at just the right moment.

Self-confidence plays a crucial role in projecting executive presence. It is the belief in your own abilities and worth, which allows you to take risks, make decisions and lead with conviction. By cultivating self-confidence, you can inspire confidence in others and establish yourself as a credible leader, which in turn increases your ability to influence others.

In addition to these core components, it is important to work on managing your stress levels. In any organization, rising to the top is stressful. The higher you go, the more the stress compounds. Remote work can bring its own set of challenges and distractions, making it essential to find healthy ways to cope with stress. Whether it's practicing mindfulness techniques, engaging in regular physical exercise or finding creative outlets, managing stress will help you maintain focus and composure in virtual meetings.

Remember, mastering your inner game is an ongoing process. It requires continuous self-reflection, learning and growth. By investing in your personal development, you will not only enhance your executive presence but also become a more effective and fulfilled leader.

The Secret Weapon of Quiet Leaders: Vulnerability

In a virtual setting, it can be easy to come across as aloof or detached. This is especially true if you have a fear of technology or wrongly assume the stakes are somehow lower online than in-person. However, one key component of executive presence is the ability to connect with others on a deeper level. This is where vulnerability comes in.

Sharing your challenges, fears and even failures -- strategically -- can help build trust and rapport with your virtual team. It humanizes you and allows others to see your authentic self. The 1950s-style corporate titan archetype is bold, charismatic and relentlessly assertive. By contrast, today's Quiet Leaders embrace vulnerability to demonstrate strength and resilience, making you more relatable and approachable.

When you open up about your challenges, it creates an atmosphere of psychological safety within your team. Your team members feel more comfortable sharing their own struggles and concerns, leading to a more supportive and collaborative work environment. By fostering this environment, you encourage innovation and creativity as team members are more willing to take risks and think for themselves.

You may find that vulnerability also helps to break down barriers and hierarchies within the team. When leaders show vulnerability, it creates a sense of equality and encourages open communication. Team members feel empowered to voice their opinions, share their ideas and contribute to decision-making processes. This not only enhances team dynamics but also promotes a sense of ownership and engagement among team members.

Furthermore, vulnerability allows leaders to build stronger relationships with their team members. By sharing personal stories and experiences, leaders create a sense of empathy and understanding. This deepens the connection between leaders and their team, fostering a culture of trust and loyalty. Team members are more likely to go the extra mile and support their leaders when they feel a personal connection and know that their leaders genuinely care about their well-being. "Radical Candor," by Kim Scott, encapsulates this perfectly: "challenge directly / care personally."

Please note: vulnerability does not mean oversharing or being performatively emotional. With practice and the guidance of a coach, you can find the right balance between being authentic in sharing appropriate aspects of your life while also demonstrating strong and effective leadership. Authenticity comes from striking this balance.

Strategies for Communicating Effectively in a Virtual Space

Communicating effectively in a virtual space requires a different set of skills compared to face-to-face interactions. Here are some strategies to help you convey executive presence remotely:

1. Master the Technology (especially if you're scared): Nothing undermines executive presence more than a leader who appears aloof or frustrated or angry at others when technical difficulties inevitably occur. At this point in your career, you may feel that learning new technology is somehow beneath you. Looking deeper, you may notice that, in fact, your underlying emotion is fear of change, fear of appearing out of touch, fear of being inept or something else. With this awareness, you can now make a choice. You can address that underlying emotion head-on or you can reframe your fear by adopting a growth mindset. But don't stop there -- it's important to then actually grow. Instead of fumbling around with new tools, lashing out at the tech assistant and appearing frazzled or incompetent, decide that you will take ownership. You will master the tech, not have it master you. Commit to upskilling in partnership with your IT department. Ask for discreet help from more technologically savvy teammates. Create backup plans for potential snafus. If something goes wrong, resist the urge to offer play-by-play verbal commentary about your discomfort or frustration with the tech ("Not sure where the screen share function is . . . sorry folks . . . one moment . . . can anyone tell if I've put you in a breakout room?"). Use the silence to convey that you are calm in stressful situations, a key aspect of executive presence.
2. Think Like a Movie Director: Remember the Admiral. Look presentable. Executives should aim for professional appearance in a virtual environment, through their dress and other aspects of their appearance. But take the extra step and buy a ring light. Just do it. It's not self-indulgent, despite the connotation with selfie-taking teenagers. It contributes to your professional appearance and can make a big difference -- precisely because younger workers (the people you lead!) are now conditioned to expect poor lighting from senior folks, who do not generally prioritize it. Play against type here and see how much authority you gain. Moreover, ensure a clean and clutter-free background. Messes are distracting and they detract from your executive presence. Finally, position your camera at eye level (or slightly above) for a flattering angle. Put as much intentionality into this as Spielberg would.
3. Engage with Intention: Engaging with intention goes beyond simply participating in a virtual meeting. It involves actively listening to others, demonstrating empathy and fostering meaningful connections. When someone is speaking, give them your full attention. Avoid multitasking or getting distracted. Take an active role in the conversation by asking thoughtful questions, offering insights and providing constructive feedback. Show genuine interest in what others have to say. One way to show genuine interest is by asking thoughtful questions that encourage further discussion. These questions can help clarify any uncertainties, explore different perspectives or delve deeper into the topic at hand. By actively engaging in the conversation, you demonstrate your commitment to effective communication and collaboration.
4. Manage Your Energy Levels: During breaks, step away from your screen and engage in activities that help you recharge. Stretching, walking or even doing a short workout can help invigorate your body and mind. Deep breathing exercises can also be beneficial in reducing stress and increasing focus. This may seem minor, but it affects how you "show up" and that is the essence of executive presence.

In conclusion, commanding the room from afar by conveying executive presence remotely is a skill that can be developed and honed. By mastering your inner game, embracing vulnerability, engaging and influencing effectively by communicating with intention, you'll be well on your way to projecting executive presence in virtual settings. Remember, your virtual presence is just as important as your in-person presence, so approach remote work with the same level of intention and professionalism.