Everyone wants executive presence, so how do you get it?
In a recent article, Michael Mink offers a few strategies for building your executive presence. While they are good suggestions, augmenting your executive presence is easier said than done. When coaching leaders who receive feedback that they need to have “more executive presence,” we find that focusing on small behaviors can make a huge difference. The following behavior shifts have been impactful for our clients:
Pay attention to your posture—and not only when you are speaking. Are you slouched over in your chair during meetings? Arms crossed over your chest? Your resting posture gives an impression as well and can impact your gravitas. Make sure you adopt an open posture; try sitting symmetrically, grounding both feet, hands above or on the table, leaning slightly forward.
Use a more conversational, engaging voice. When you have inflection, pausing, and varied pacing in your voice, you command audience attention. Oftentimes you’ll project more when you are focusing on your inflection and pausing, which demonstrates confidence as well.
Practice concise, structured answers to questions. A rambling answer does nothing for your executive presence, but a succinct, well-constructed one can make you appear more credible, confident, and poised. Rehearse answers to questions you know you’ll get in a meeting. Adopt the habit of pausing before you answer to think about how your organize your comments. Use transition or organizing words to help your audience follow along, such as, “Two things…on one hand…etc.”
These recommendations are actionable. If you are looking to build your executive presence, pick one, two, or all three, give them a try, and let us know what you think!