Climbing the Executive Ladder!

I have several clients, who are quite ambitious and who are working on their career growth with singular focus. Some have gone up from being a senior manager to being a director, others have rapidly progressed from a first-level manager to a vice president, and are continuing to look for their ongoing growth.

In many cases, where the growth has been rapid, I notice a certain “drag effect.” This effect comes from my clients’ inability to let go of the behaviors that worked for them well in their past roles, but are now getting in their way for further growth. As one progresses through the management ranks, how they are measured to assess their readiness for promotion to their next level changes at each level. There is also a phrase that has been coined to describe an executive’s effectiveness in their role and to define their readiness to move to the next level. Some call it executive intelligence, others, executive presence. The reason for this blog is to articulate some characteristics of this attribute and to provide guidance for those, who are ambitious enough to embrace this advice.

Executive intelligence or executive presence is an attribute that allows a person to think beyond their raw intelligence (IQ) and indulge in a realm of critical thinking to grasp and understand concepts that are difficult to logically synthesize. For example, a person with good executive intelligence is able to see things that are not obvious to others and articulate a point of view that makes others think differently; to see around the bends in a way differently than others.

Raw IQ is helpful in making arguments, developing ideas, and in debating a point with others, but translating those ideas into results is something that requires a very different skill. Executive intelligence or executive presence is understanding the difference between the two, and using it to mold your ongoing behavior to be seen as someone ready for their next promotion. So, what are some of the key attributes for being seen as ready for your next executive role? Here is my partial list:

1. Self-awareness: As you grow inside an organization how you are coming across to others and what is expected of you to be seen as a worthy member of the club of your peers is a good start. While you are at it positioning yourself as someone, who is exhibiting the behaviors and traits at a level above you will help you accelerate your advancement to that next level.
2. Building relationships: As your stature rises in your organization, you are increasingly exposed to political shenanigans. One way to deal with organizational politics is to always do great work (a’ la deliver what is expected of you, and then some) AND to manage key relationships. So, if you foresee any resistance to your ideas, do not have a showdown in a big meeting to win the battle, but anticipate this and meet in-person to win them over beforehand. Socialize your agenda well before it gets in the psyche of others at some major event.
3. Learning to conceptualize: As one gets promoted to greater responsibilities it becomes nearly impossible to keep track of details. Learn how to conceptualize complexity and how to articulate that in simple, elegant way. Verbalizing such concepts is one of the most difficult—and rare—executive skills. It is also a learned skill. Yet another skill that goes well with this ability to conceptualize is to learn how to be laconic, especially in meetings with your seniors.
4. Anticipate: One of the key requirements of senior executives is to be able to see around the bends and to create a compelling, cogent point of view. In many instances this ability is what saves a company from economic ruin and keeps it ahead of its competitors. Having a track record of progressively showing yourself as a winner, who can anticipate what is coming, and then delivering on that vision is a prerequisite for executive success.
5. Inspiring Teams: Bringing on board great talent, inspiring them to act, and empowering them to take risks and succeed is one of the most coveted executive skills. So, show that you have built a great team that can deliver and that can come through regardless of what challenges you face. Also, knowing how to manage such teams to keep them engaged and loyal to you is also a critical executive skill.

By no means this list is complete. It is a good start to inventory your executive skills and to assess if you are ready for your next executive promotion.

Good luck!