But what is executive presence exactly?

Executive presence is a combination of factors that allow leaders to exhibit confidence, credibility and composure during high-stakes scenarios. It’s more than just charisma or presentation; it revolves around three crucial elements: clarity, calm and connection.

• Clarity: Anyone who has had a difficult time collaborating knows that when communication is unclear, understanding and alignment within a team are also at stake, which means results are as well.
• Calm: Leaders with executive presence don’t react or panic to chaos and the unknown. This level of composed demeanor not only enables them to think clearly and make good decisions, but it also soothes their teams, breeding trust and confidence. The 360 Leadership Circle Assessment measures this as “composure”.
• Connection: Authentic relationships are the cornerstone for great leaders. Leaders who can connect emotionally with their teams promote loyalty, silencing empty cubicles by revitalizing team thinking and production.

Yet, executive presence is frequently confused with simply being charismatic or dramatic, all of which can deceive. It isn’t one of grandstanding speeches and dramatic flourishes; it’s about embedding honesty and integrity under stress.

What Executive Presence Is not

So important as it is to know what executive presence is, it’s equally valuable (perhaps) to know what it isn’t. Executive presence is not:

• Performance

Appearing to be anything other than just “yourself” is superficial and others can tell. Real leadership emanates from real leadership showing up, not showmanship. Open your heart and lead by showing the world you care!

• Charisma: While charisma can contribute to presence it is not synonymous with it. Presence is about being present, not just being charming.

When we recalibrate our definition of executive presence to be something more than just external behavior and image, we give ourselves the opportunity to develop these critical skills through deliberate practice and instruction.

The Importance of Executive Presence Coaching

It is an investment in executive presence coaching as a transformational process that enables leaders to learn the skills required to increase their impact. This type of coaching is a safe environment for leaders to assess their strengths and weaknesses, because they know what, specifically it is that they are lacking in.

• Feedback in the Moment: A coach provides constructive feedback during practice, increasing clarity of communication and impact of delivery and thus honing leadership abilities.
• Bespoke Development: With tailored exercises and scenarios designed to put their executive presence into practice, coaching enables leaders to work on specific areas in context of real situations.
• Candid Conversations: Through executive presence training, leaders can more effectively approach difficult conversations and have more meaningful connections with their peers and teams.

For example, coaches might coach leaders through role-playing scenarios where leaders practice for high-stakes presentations or tough conversations with their stakeholders. They can rehearse it, forcing leaders to stay calm and express their vision clearly even in the most turbulent scenes.

Develop Executive Presence in Five Easy Steps

Here are some practical steps you can take to boost your executive presence even more:

Step 1:External Seeking and Deliberating

Begin by asking for feedback from peers and mentors on your professional presence. Reflect on this feedback and look for ways that you can improve, both in terms of your verbal communication, your stress level etc.

Step 2: Learn to Listen Actively

During conversations or when conducting meetings, make it your goal to be a good listener and hear out others before you’re heard. This not only builds rapport with your team but also makes communication clearer.

Step 3: Learning to Use Body Language Well

Note body language, such as where they look at you and how they sit or move their hands. It’s these factors that make up the way in which you project your confidence and aura. And the way you express yourself physically can be clarified by practising in front of a mirror or video camera.

Step 4: Manage Emotions

Recognizing how you feel is of the utmost importance. If not, find strategies to keep your cool: deep breathing, some precious seconds delay before you respond so that when you do speak, it’s with calmness and clarity.

Step 5: Be a Perpetual Student

Pursue a learning plan that may include reading appropriate books, attending leadership workshops or engaging in coaching specifically for executive presence. We know that routine participation in learning experiences is the key to growth and durability.

A Success Story

Take the middle manager, who signed up for our executive coaching programme. At first unsure of himself and his leadership style, he learned to be an effective speaker in crucial meetings. Six months later, his team was reporting on their higher morale and productivity due to their boss’s renewed executive presence.

“Our girls have a better emotional bond and trust among each other when I began this program. I’ve gained the courage to have courageous conversations and lead with clarity,” he said.

Conclusion

Executive Presence doesn’t happen overnight; it takes commitment, self-awareness and being open to growing through feedback and practice. That is where the added value of executive presence coaching can make a huge difference in your ability to lead with influence and cut through all that puts you worlds ahead as a leader who knows how to thrive under today’s workplace pressures.

Next Steps

For further information on how executive coaching can support your leadership development approach, browse through our comprehensive resources:

• Visit our Executive Coaching page and find out how we can help your leaders.
• Explore our Leadership Training programs to improve team dynamics.
• Read more of our stories about motivation, conflict resolution and system change leadership.

Ready to help make a real impact in your company? Book a call today to see how we can custom fit our coaching to your specific areas of leadership!