Develop Your Executive Presence

“Ali, you just don’t have the same executive presence that she does.” That was the stinging message delivered to me years ago by my supervising partner when speaking about another senior manager. So, what is “executive presence?” Can it be cultivated, or is one born with it?

The label “executive presence” (EP) is often used to describe a person with gravitas who possess the “it” factor—someone who commands the respect of his or her colleagues, superiors, and clients. Some call it “boardroom presence.” EP is often a tiebreaker when rating the highest performers, awarding assignments or gauging promotion readiness.

You recognize a strong EP when you see it. Oprah Winfrey. Colin Powell. Anderson Cooper. Katie Couric. I know what you are thinking, those are some seriously talented people, and if that’s what it takes, then I’m never getting promoted! You can relax. These are just examples to help you understand what EP looks like.

There is hope! I’ve learned and developed my EP over the years, and you can too! The sooner you start, the better.

Five tangible tips you can apply to grow your own executive presence:

1. Dress the part.

EP is all about confidence and being comfortable in your own skin. Looking your best is a great start. People take notice of appearances, and looking disheveled or being underdressed does not help your cause. This is the easiest of the five tips to put into practice.

2. Force yourself to present more.

EP is about perception. At least in the American culture, I found that people judged me based on how I articulated things—especially in group settings. Place yourself into situations that require presenting. For me as a young staff, it started by agreeing to plan client luncheons where I had to welcome the guests. Find small opportunities to practice speaking. They are valuable no matter the context. Participate in Toastmasters. Agree to present on a business topic of interest during a lunch. Be creative.

3. Learn to listen.

EP requires “reflective” listening. People love when you confirm what you heard. If you are around a superior or a client, questions that show you are fully engaged will go a long way. You can even prepare good questions prior to your meeting to enhance your EP.

4. Learn to say “no” tactfully.

EP is also about learning how to navigate difficult situations. Speaking about handling tough conversations, one of EY’s most successful leaders shared this wisdom: “Good leaders don’t leave a wake.” She meant that no matter the situation, when people disagree with you, leave the situation with everyone feeling heard and respected—even if you had to say “no.” This one’s hard! Start practicing this skill with your peers.

5. Know your stuff.

There is no substitute for knowing your content. If you want to grow your EP, you must prepare diligently for your upcoming meeting, interaction, or presentation. It shows when someone is prepared, and it is equally evident when one is not. When a question comes up and you can cite a statistic with confidence or refer to an article you researched, you shine. Be prepared!

For me, #4 was what my boss was alluding to when he made his hard-to-hear but truthful remark. Earlier in my career, I didn’t always handle disagreement or critique well. Fortunately, I had people who cared enough to give me honest feedback and helped me grow my EP. Start developing yours today!

Miss any of the 5 Keys to Success that You Didn’t Learn in College?
1. Under promise. Over deliver.
2. Understand your company’s value chain. 
3. Develop your executive presence.
4. Build your personal brand.
5. Find a sponsor and know your role as a protégé.