the pearls ‘skill focus: executive presence’ leona deakin cpsychol, msc chartered psychologist

The Pearls

‘Skill Focus: Executive Presence’

Leona Deakin CPsychol, MSc

Chartered Psychologist

The Pearls

What Executive Presence

means to successful women&

How to get it for yourself

mail@leonadeakin.co.uk 07788 754960

What is Executive Presence?

It’s about impact

Positive Impact

N Impact

Negative Impact

It’s about the WOW factor

• Standing out from the crowd• An ability to influence

– Substance– Personal style– Positive attitude– Presentation skills– Manners / etiquette– Receptivity / listening skills

GRAVITAS 67 %*

Demonstrating EQ Exuding confidence

Poise under pressure Speaking truth to power

Radiating vision, charisma

COMMUNICATION

28%*

Assertiveness Excellent speaking

skills Ability to read an

audience or situation

APPEARANCE

5%*

Judging what is appropriate &

distinctive

Center for Talent Innovation in New York*percentage of senior executives surveyed who said this aspect was the core characteristic of executive presence

What characterises Executive Presence?

The Pearls

So, what is Executive Presence?

Being well prepared

Making others feel special

Displaying confidence and enthusiasm

What elements do successful women possess?

17 women

• 11 sit on the Board or Executive Team of their organization• 3 own and run their own successful business• 3 are Partners or Senior Partners within their firms.

Sectors represented : Manufacturing, Finance, Law, Public Transport, Healthcare, Utilities and Management Consultancy.

My research

What am Igood at?

What am Igood at?

What do Ienjoy?

What do Ienjoy?

Why not me?Why not me?

Stress management

Time for a changeTime for a challengeTime for a change

Time for a challenge

People Skills

Talk aboutwhat they want

Work Ethic

What characterises successful women at work

Nearly all of the women (90%)

1. Had a keen awareness of their own strengths

2. Reported the significant impact of one or more parent on developing self belief and ‘can do’ attitude

3. Spoke of being interested in people, building long term relationships and wide networks

Majority of the women (70%)

4. Talked of managing their careers through hard work, persistence and remaining open to opportunities

5. Regarded the support of their husbands and company sponsors as critical

6. Adopted stress management techniques such as putting things into perspective, reflecting on strengths and taking control

Discrimination

Women who don’t make it?Choice versus confidence

It is hard to make it to the top You have to,

a) Want it

b) Work at it

Does it not happen

or

Do they not see it?

EncouragingParents

Supportive husband

Bosses they could learn from

Leaders who championed them

Success is not a solo activity

The Pearls

So, what elements do successful women possess?

A mindset of openness & confidence

A willingness to work hard

An ability to keep calm

An interest in others

The use of networks

How can you develop your own Executive Presence?

What am I good at?

What can I do to progress,

grow and challenge myself?

Why not me?

Mindset

Motivation

Strive to do something different, progress, grow and be challenged

Adopt a ‘why not me?’ attitude, a willingness to try and an optimistic outlook

Consider how successful women think

Say yes to opportunities

Play tostrengths

Work hard

Managestress

Build strongrelationships

Talk about what

you want

Consider how successful women behave

The most important qualities of leadership are Showing a genuine interest in people and Acting with integrity

Luck is more to do with attitude than chance

Successful people are motivated by challenge and achievement rather than reward

Existing research shows

Success is less to do with talent than hard work

Seven steps to developing your Executive Presence

1. Adopt a growth mindset and an openness to opportunities – seek out challenges and be willing to try

2. Develop emotional intelligence, people skills and the ability to build long term relationships

3. Increase awareness of your strengths to build confidence and resilience

4. Develop mental toughness via stress management techniques

5. Appreciate the importance of hard work and persistence

6. Ensure a support network exists at home and in work – learn from role models and seek out champions

7. Talk about what you want and take control of your progress

The Pearls

To truly redress the balance of women at the top of corporate UK, women themselves need fight the

temptation to estimate their intellect, potential and capability as lower than their male counterparts.

They need to see that those who have made it to the top adopted ways of thinking and behaving which facilitated their progress, their growth and ultimately their success.

Then, they need to learn how to do it for themselves.

mail@leonadeakin.co.uk 07788 754960