Skills Library

Executive Presence 

What this looks like:

• Embodies self-confidence through body language and tone of voice and remains calm and composed under pressure 

• Communicates messages succinctly by speaking clearly, decisively and avoiding unnecessary rambling to fill an awkward silence

• Considers the big picture and how to execute a vision and strategy versus dwelling on minor tactical issues  

• Develops a connection with others by actively listening, asking questions, and gathering feedback--thus, influencing others to gravitate towards their presence

On-the-job practice

• Pose the right questions. Ask questions that spark big-picture thinking and allow others to consider goals, value, and impact. Consider adding the following question phrases to your repertoire:

  • Try this: What is your hope for this new process? What would you like to get out of this new process? (Goals)

  • Try this: I’m wondering if we can add more value if we focus more on our current customers versus attracting and acquiring new ones. (Value)

  • Try this: Have we considered the impact and how this will affect the employees? (Impact)

• Pivot the conversation. Have you ever sat in a meeting where one hour in, you’re still talking about the same thing and haven’t moved towards action? Help the team move towards decisive and actionable steps. You will be the hero that everyone thanks!

  • Try this: The next time you’re in a meeting where you hear recurring ideas passed around, and there are at least one or two solutions, pivot the conversation to move forward. “We’re nearing the end of our meeting. I want to be mindful of everyone’s time and make sure we leave today’s call with actional steps to move forward. We heard a lot of great ideas, and I believe the next best thing to do is…”

• Examine your presence. Be aware of your body language and analyze your speaking patterns and tone of voice. 

  • Try this: Record yourself practicing a presentation or delivering your next conversation with your manager. Take notes on what you sound like and how you’d like to improve. Then, practice again and re-record yourself.  Consider the following questions:

    • Do you fidget or slouch? 

    • Do you look directly ahead, or do you look around the room while speaking? 

    • Are you using your hand gestures with purpose, or are they still or flailing?

    • Do you talk too fast? 

    • Do you repeat filler words, such as “um” or “you know”? 

    • Do you speak too softly? 

    • Could you deliver the same message with fewer words?

• Ask for feedback. If you don’t know where you need to improve, it’s always helpful to have a second opinion and input from others. They will see things you don’t see. 

  • Try this: Identify two to three people you admire for their executive presence and value their opinion, i.e., your manager, your peer, your partner. Ask each of them for suggestions that can help improve your executive presence and act on it. Consider asking:

    • Would you say that I have an executive presence? Why or why not?

    • Do I sound and appear confident at work?

    • What do you think I can do to improve my level of confidence and executive presence?

• Dress the part. You’ve probably heard of the phrase, “Dress for success” or “Dress for the job you want.” Be intentional about what you wear. Your appearance can boost your self-confidence and command respect.

  • Try this: If you’re not sure about the kind of attire you should wear, think about what your manager or other executives wear and mimic them. You can also browse on Pinterest for executive presence outfit ideas!

  • Try this: Go to your wardrobe and plan out your attire for the upcoming week to save yourself time throughout the week. If you don’t trust your fashion choice, consider investing in an online personal styling service, such as Stitch Fix.

  • Try this: Dye your hair gray. (just kidding, don’t do that)

More resources for inspiration

ARTICLES

• Stanford Graduate School of Business: Improve Your Executive Presence by Mary Duan

• Forbes: Executive Presence: What Is It, Why You Need It And How To Get It by Gerry Valentine 

• Harvard Business Review: To Sound Like a Leader, Think About What You Say, and How and When You Say It by Rebecca Shambaugh

BOOKS

• Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success by Sylvia Ann Hewlett 

• Gravitas: Communicate with Confidence, Influence And Authority by Caroline Goyder 

• The Confidence Code: The Science And Art of Self-Assurance--What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

PODCASTS

• John Maxwell Company Executive Leadership Podcast: You May Have Presence, But Is It Executive Presence? by Jean-Luc Vanhulst 

• Coaching for Leaders: Enhance Your Executive Presence With Muriel Maignan Wilkins by Dave Stachowiak

• Coaching for Leaders: The Art of Stage Presence With James Whittaker by Dave Stachowiak

VIDEOS

• TED Talk: 110 Techniques Of Communication And Public Speaking by David JP Phillips

• TED Talk: How To Build Your Confidence And Spark It In Others by Brittany Packnett