How to increase Executive Presence?

The other day one of my coaches came and shared with me one very critical challenge he was facing. He had been a high-performing employee, leading a team, well known in his peer group and also among his superiors. So, naturally, when there was a vacancy for a senior role he assumed he would be the chosen one, but alas that role did not come to him. They hired someone else from the industry. He was very upset and wondered - “What was it that he did not have to take the next role?”

There are many factors for career growth and one of them that I insist with my coachees is to consciously work on increasing their Executive Presence.?

The important factor to ask yourself is what is the compelling reason about you that sets you apart from the rest of the competition. So how does one define Executive Presence? Often people define it as how you speak, how you act, and how you look. This is good, rather just basic essential. These are just external factors, but who you really are is based on what you think, how you feel, and how you behave.

Executive Presence is also how others perceive you - whether as a Manager or a Leader. People term these as soft skills. And invest a lot of time and energy in building their communication skills, presentation skills, and overall grooming. Yet after all these, the coveted role often slips away. Why?

Because the focus is constantly on acquiring knowledge and skills to build a certain external perception. These are good but not the only factors.

I often pose this key question to my coachees, How do you perceive yourself??

Every ounce of self-doubt reflects on your thoughts and behavior. Every time you face an imposter syndrome, others can perceive it. Every time you try to be someone you are not, others can observe it. That’s where I believe that Executive Presence is an Inside Out process rather than an Outside-In approach. Every action of yours is a reflection of your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

Executive Presence is an Inside Out process rather than Outside In

Based on my experience and my readings, I would like to share three key points, that I resonate with.

1. Increasing your Self Awareness. Just as much as it is important to understand your strengths and potential, it is equally important to accept your vulnerabilities and be comfortable with them. When a leader is Self Aware, he/she can put his strengths forward and lean into them. Increasing Self Awareness includes knowing your strengths, adapting your leadership mindset, avoiding comparison and designing your own path.
2. Lean in to participate in areas other than just your job. One of my coachees was passionate about singing. So every year he would take the initiative to organize a fun evening at his organization and formed a band of singers and musicians from his organization. While he took this more as an extension of his passion for singing, one of the senior management noticed his dynamism that brought him an opportunity to discuss a new project. It is not always only one way to reach a destination and in the process also explore your passion.
3. Rehearse it, Repeat it and Master it. Executives who seem to effortlessly demonstrate their presence rehearse it so that they are authentic and natural. Leadership presence requires a continuous improvement mindset. Setbacks do not deter them.

Finally,?

Whether you want to chart a path to the C-suite or just want to be perceived as a competent leader, executive presence is a skill that you can develop.

Remember, it has nothing to do with becoming someone you are not. Rather, it’s about bringing out the best version of yourself. Influencers and Leaders are not people who look good or talk the best, but they are the ones who communicate with clarity, exhibit empathy with the listeners, make decisions in uncertainty. This clarity comes when their Why is clear. So, invest in finding your why.

I often get feedback that I write very simply, give very simple suggestions, but in my experience, I realize that it is the simple things that are the toughest things to act on. If you act on any one of the points I have mentioned, I can guarantee you will move at least one step closer to your goal. I write to help, not to prove my language prowess.

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