Divya Parekh, of The DP Group, covers business growth, storytelling, high-impact performance and authority building.
One evening, my client Rebecca called me, sounding frazzled. Trying to keep her voice composed and light, she said, “I have a problem I need some help with.” I asked her to tell me what happened.
Sighing, she said, “The meeting for my first leadership assignment to overhaul the company’s brand story didn’t go as I had expected. I’m not sure why, as I have worked with these people for the past two years. Some are my friends, and we socialize together. I’m afraid I’ll lose the project if the boss hears how things went. My career stepping-stone will be an off-ramp to oblivion.”
I empathized with Rebecca. “Sometimes, one meeting that does not align with your expectations can feel burdensome. Leading people you have been peers with in the past can be challenging. The key is to meet them where they are at, understand their perspectives and make a few simple adjustments. Let me ask you a couple of questions. How did you run the meeting, and how were you dressed?”
“Dressed?” Rebecca exclaimed. “You know we’re casual here. I wore sweats and a T-shirt. As for running the meeting, we always joke about how some of our managers are so formal, so I made it very low-key. I wanted it to be a more informal brainstorming session.”
I mulled over what Rebecca had shared. Finally, I said, “It is vital to transition into a leader’s mindset and create an executive presence.”
Presence Requires Intentionality
Very few natural leaders exist; most have to learn good practices first. Establishing an executive presence when leading a team, division or company is how you create influence and impact. Sylvia Ann Hewlett first coined the term “executive presence” in her book The Sponsor Effect. As opposed to being style over substance, it presents a specific style that complements a leader’s knowledge and ability. It’s a key facet of leadership, and often it’s as much of an art form as it is learning the specifics.
Creating and maintaining an executive presence requires a blend of quiet confidence, poise and authenticity, as well as a heart focused on serving others. Building yours will provide an opportunity to advance your career, such as breaking into a company’s leadership team. Here are three elements inherent in executive presence that you can work on developing.
1. Seriousness
The truth is that you can’t be the life of the party and be an effective leader. While you can (and should) have a sense of humor and avoid being so solemn that your people are afraid to approach you, you must take your leadership role seriously. This is especially important if, like Rebecca, you’ve entered a new role that elevated you above your peers.
The key is to have an open conversation with your team. Showing confidence while being vulnerable creates a deeper connection. Recognize and validate their feelings, and let them know that this is a transitionary period for all of you. When you acknowledge the responsibilities that come with your new position and how you plan to approach them, that will help your team respond to you as a leader.
2. Excellent Communication
The ability to communicate successfully is critical to any leadership role. As a leader, you need to speak confidently and concisely. You want to boost the morale of those reporting to you and help them toward company and personal goals. Supporting your data with storytelling is one of the ways to accomplish this.
Also, remember that a principal component of communication is listening! Being an active listener will be invaluable to you throughout your career and life. When your team members realize you’re genuinely listening to them and committed to their success, they’ll be more willing to work with you.
Finally, if someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t be afraid to admit that. Fudging an answer will undermine your executive presence and lower the trust level of those working for you. So be honest about your knowledge gap, and then try to find the answer together.
3. Appearance
As trite as it sounds, looking the part of a leader plays a critical role in the workplace. Exuding energy and enthusiasm isn’t enough. Your attire can make a considerable difference in establishing your executive presence. It helps influence whether others perceive you as professional and organized. Because appearance is primarily a function of culture, there’s no set rule, and you don’t need to completely change your style overnight. Focus first on learning how to read the room and dress in a way that meets the moment.
When you step into a leadership role, you’re making a commitment to helping others succeed. But for others to recognize and respect you, it’s important that you develop a strong executive presence. So what’s one step you can take today to help you become the leader you want to be? That first step can make a world of difference.
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