Executive Presence is a business term that is thrown around a lot. It sounds like a big deal, it sounds like something that is very ethereal…like you are either born with it or you aren’t. The reality is, it’s a very tactical, practical understanding of how you carry yourself, the words you choose, the speed at which you talk and efficiency of your communication.
Anyone that has spent anytime around a c-suite leader in a large company knows that, unless it’s over dinner or cocktails, they aren’t there to waste time and listen to someone talk for the hell of it. They are there to get the job done, which means, get the information, make a decision and move on to the next one. That is why it isn’t just how you sound or the words you choose. It’s the whole package. Speak with a consistent even tone, make sure your topic is concise (verbally or via email/slack/etc) with a clear problem statement, ask and potential solution if you have it…and lastly make sure that still sound like yourself.
One other fun will side note, that a lot of people ignore…don’t talk to your people (or peers) the same way you talk to your executives. It will make you seem unapproachable, which will make people feel more hesitant to be open and talk freely with you.
Executive presence is important to nail if you want to climb into higher levels of leadership, but at the end of the day, it’s more important be yourself and know your weaknesses, than it is to pretend to be someone you aren’t.
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