executive presence presentation

Enhancing your executive presence

Presented by Daniel Chang, Clayton Yeo

Internal use only

Agenda

► Executive presence matters

► Why is executive presence important

► Decoding executive presence as a tool for success

► Gravitas

► Communication

► Appearance

► Executive presence challenges to consider

► Small interactions can make a big impact

► Seeking feedback, coaching, and mentoring

► Tips to develop your executive presence and to help others develop theirs

What is executive presence

Executive presence is the perception of an individual

as having substance and authority, being capable,

trustworthy, “in charge,” and inspiring followers.

► Presenting yourself to highlight your talent

► Demonstrating strong self-awareness of the personal values that

define you, as well as your preferences, default style and behaviors

► Showing others that you have the knowledge, skills, and style-

switching abilities to exceed expectations in a variety of contexts

Decoding executive presence as a tool for success

Per Center for Talent

Innovation research, senior

executives view these three

components as most

important:

► Gravitas: 67%

► Communication: 28%

► Appearance: 5%, but ALL

recognize its potential for

derailing talent

Gravitas

(gra-vi-tahs) is the combined effect of variables that “signal to the world

that you’re the real deal, a heavyweight in your field and in your

organization, someone worthy of being heard and followed”. (CTI, 2013)

Confidence Showing that you believe in and

have confidence in yourself, so

others will too, particularly when

under pressure

Decisiveness

Successfully advancing a

perspective, recommendation

or path of action when

consulting within the firm and

with clients

Emotional Intelligence Demonstrating empathy for

others, considering diverse

perspectives and being

accountable for actions and

their impact, particularly in

tough and stressful situations

and times of change and

transition

Integrity Standing by values, standards,

and ethical principles

particularly when challenged by

superiors, clients, and/or

established organizational

traditions

Reputation

Being considered a positive role

model and standard-bearer in

your organization

Foresight Inspiring others with certainty

about the future; convincingly

interpreting complex data and

information, reliably

extrapolating from trends and

painting a realistic and relevant

image of the desired state

Communication

Commanding speaking

skills Engaging the audience

intellectually and emotionally in

content and motivating actions

and/or change as a result

Stakeholder/audience

focus Collects insights into the

background, experiences and

perspectives of stakeholders.

Ability to deliver a message that

is packaged for the specific

audience (i.e., using style

versatility/style-switching)

Active listening Attentively checking

assumptions, probing and

feeding back what was heard to

a speaker; confirming

understanding and

demonstrating comprehension

of the whole message

(including the implied and

unstated)

verbal, non-verbal and virtual ways of conveying explicit

and implicit information and signal your capability and

“gravitas” to others. (CTI, 2013)

Appearance

► Appearance variables are an important first filter or threshold that

does not determine executive presence, but can potentially derail or

undermine it.

Grooming Caring for one’s physical

appearance to create a

professional and polished look

Attire Choice of clothing that supports

one’s substance and “gravitas”

does not distract from it, while

still maintaining one’s sense of

personal style and identity.

Again, this will vary significantly

for some individuals who work

with clients with

very different dress codes

Mannerisms Ensuring that personal habits

(or “ticks”) – verbal and non-

verbal – do not distract,

undermine or contradict one’s

substance and “gravitas” from

the perspective of the audience

How you look; the (first) impression you make (in only

250 milliseconds!) that can either distract from, or

confirm, your capability and “gravitas”. (CTI, 2013)

Executive presence challenges to consider

► There isn’t a “fixed” set of rules for executive presence since its perception

based and specific to the particular context and situation you are in

► Self awareness is key

► Specific challenges exist for groups that aren’t widely represented in

leadership

► Women, Minorities, Generation Y, Non-Natives, etc

► Demonstrating executive presence requires style-switching across different

situations and environments

► Get out of your comfort zone

► Experiment on new ways of thinking

► See personal change as an opportunity for enrichment

► Feedback on executive presence is essential, but it can be difficult to provide

and seek and receive

Small interactions can make a big impact

Asking for, giving and receiving

detailed and constructive

feedback on executive presence

is the foundation for everyone’s

development as a professional.

Use the power of stories! Share yours and ask others about their experiences too

Equitable

Magnetic

Experiences

Mentoring

Coaching

Feedback

Tips to develop your executive presence

► Engage in self-assessment across a variety of contexts

and situations

► Repeatedly ask for, and openly listen to feedback from a

variety of people

► Take action on the feedback and check in often to see if

you are making progress

► Seek out coaching and mentoring on the specific areas

you want to develop

► Talk to someone you trust if you are having a difficult time

figuring out how to be authentically you, while also

effectively demonstrating executive presence

Tips for helping others develop their executive presence

► Raise awareness about the importance of executive

presence and have conversations about it often

► Talk to team member(s) in advance of new and different situations

to let them know what questions you may ask them, before going

into a meeting with clients

► Create a feedback rich environment and practice!

► Have more junior team members practice their presenting skills

with you and provide real-time feedback

► Start with a positive, then move on to developmental points with

specific examples

Questions

executive presence presentation

Documents