Whether you call it charisma, confidence or compelling leadership, executive presence is the new corporate “it” factor. I say: if you haven’t got it, get it. Work on expanding it, since your career depends on it.
We’re talking about more than making a great first impression. Presence is multifaceted, builds over time, and is reflected in everything you say, feel and do.
In today’s competitive business environment, executive presence can make or break your ability to influence others during periods of uncertainty and change. It encourages people to seek you out and opens doors.
The concept of presence is nebulous for most people, but we all have it to a degree—and we know it when we see it in others. But most of us are unsure of how to increase our presence and develop it in others.
Many people assume it’s about showmanship, charm, unabashed confidence and smooth speaking skills, but this only scratches the surface.
The thing to remember is that introverts and extroverts can cultivate executive presence, regardless of position or level of power. It has less to do with becoming someone you’re not; rather, it’s about becoming more of who you already are.
It’s applicable to non-executive positions, as well as your personal life and team/community involvement. In fact, presence benefits all aspects of your life.
Cultivate Presence
Corporations are feverishly seeking individuals with presence whose potential can be developed, partly because of the heightened responsibilities of self-managed teams and work groups. People are being evaluated for presence in numerous routine business situations, including hiring, promotions, performance reviews and compensation bonuses.
Organizations are retaining coaches to help people cultivate it. Presence has become a key differentiator and critical success factor for today’s professionals.
Fortunately, a spate of new books do a good job of covering the topic. Three of the best ones are:
- Leadership Presence: Dramatic Techniques to Reach Out, Motivate and Inspire, by Kathy Lubar and Belle Linda Halpern (Penguin Group, 2004)
- The Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others, by Kristi Hedges (Amacom, 2012)
- Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success, by Sylvia Ann Hewlett (HarperBusiness, 2014)
Each book provides valuable information on the essential components, along with practical exercises to help you build your own personal brand of presence.
What’s been your experience with trying to develop presence as a professional? Have you ever read a book or researched more on this topic? I’d love to hear from your views and thoughts.
