There is much mystery—and interest–around the topic of executive presence. To different people it means different things. In simple terms it means your ability to influence, create an impact, and to show your value not just in a challenging situation, but always. The following are the main vectors for improving your executive presence:
- How you look
- How you dress
- What you say
- How you say it
How You Look: This factor has to do with your overall energy, confidence, and poise in any situation. Walking with erect posture, relaxed, confident, and smiling is a good way to conquer this vector. In situations that can be intimidating with senior executives in the room and you are conscious of the impression you make among them, your demeanor can make a big difference in how you will be viewed. If you behave in a diffident, deferential, and defeated manner, projecting your “inferior” station you will soon be gauged as someone who does not belong in that circle. Once formed, such impressions are difficult to overcome. So, if you feel this way, quickly do some mental exercises that assure you of your value and the reason why you are there (this is NOT an accident). If that is difficult, do some physical bodily movements discreetly and trick your brain (and mind) to think that you are part of that elite circle! Your brain cannot differentiate between imagined thoughts and a reality.
How You Dress: Your dress can help you create that first impression that is critical in others looking at you favorably. If you are suddenly thrust into a situation where you feel underdressed, the best strategy is not to bring everyone’s attention to your dress by not mentioning it (“if I had known this I would have put on my best suit.”). Instead, project confidence and poise to make up for your wardrobe and make them wonder what your station really is. In such situations projecting this behavior often makes others wonder, rather than giving them a predisposed view of your station.
What You Say: In situations where you feel nervous and tense there is a normal tendency to talk too much and say things that do not belong in a conversation, including disparaging yourself. You can diffuse this feeling by learning how to ask questions of important people to get a conversation going. No matter how senior a person is they still like to hear good things about what they have done. So, if you walk up to your CEO at an executive gathering and say, “your recent interview in the Forbes issue was exceptionally well done. Was that impromptu?” You will get an enthusiastic response regardless of the answer you get. Also, learn how to listen in a crowded group by focusing on the person in front of your face, rather than spreading your gaze across to others (to see where the real stars are) as you are talking to the person in front of you. Asking questions based on what is being said in the moment can greatly increase your esteem in their minds, which is what you want. Letting them talk is often a good approach.
How You Say It: This is where you can make an impression of your mindset more than in any other opportunity. Learning the right words, language, and phrasing are all very central to this element. This is a practiced skill. So, investing some time regularly improving your language, diction, and delivery can help you improve your verbal impact in communicating your ideas or thoughts.
Once you conquer these four factors by consciously working on them, little at a time, but constantly, you must continue to focus on your own topic of mastery; whatever technical skill that differentiates you from the others and stay on top of your game.
Mastering executive presence is a learned skill and working on it can improve your own presence.
Good luck!