Growing up, I had several mentors, who I wanted to emulate when I got older. As I joined the corporate world out of college and began leading projects and volunteer groups, I came to a realization that I did not fully understand the idea of executive presence.
I would study my bosses and admired many of them—still hoping to be like them “when I grew up”. Sure, I was versed in business etiquette after sitting through that training growing up! But it just seemed as though I still had work to do to become like them. It felt obvious because I had not obtained certain positions because of the ‘lack’ of it, and I felt stuck at that level in the organization.
Then one day, I had a leader who was a Vice President of his segment, said to me, “You are one of the few people who has what is called ‘executive presence’. I was floored by the idea that someone who had obtained a corporate leadership role would say that to me. On the other hand, I was met with confusion. I still did not even believe that I had developed executive presence, yet! Imposter syndrome reared its ugly head!
Years later, I became a bit wiser. What I realized is the idea of executive presence becomes intimidating when you have not yet ‘ascended’ the corporate ladder to an executive role. I also realized that the title should not determine how you behave and at its root, executive presence is simply professional presence without the title. Anyone can adopt the behaviors that lead to success wherever they are! It begins with how you communicate.
When it comes to establishing a professional presence in your communication, there are a number of key aspects to consider.
Lesson 1
The first leadership lesson, I learned is how to demonstrate proactiveness and a willingness to seek out answers. This shows your initiative and resourcefulness. It’s also crucial to convey a sense of ownership and assurance that you will get the job done. Communicating your dedication and reliability puts others at ease.
Lesson 2
I also had to become more confident in expressing my opinions. Doing so showcases the respect you have for your own ideas. It shows that you have put in the research, and you have formed a solid path for moving forward.
Lesson 3
Next, I learned how to transform an apology into a positive acknowledgment. This approach not only demonstrates emotional intelligence, but you learn to shift conversations from a negative space to a positive one.
Lesson 4
Over time, I learned how to best contribute to discussions and problem-solving efforts. By doing so, you demonstrate the value of your ideas and your eagerness to make meaningful contributions. Do not be afraid to be the last person to speak. Too often, everyone is rushing to toss infantile ideas at the wall to see what sticks. However, there is no one who can hear out the ideas and draw a uniting thread between the competing ideas while driving the conversation forward.
Lesson 5
Be willing to be a team player but also be willing to contribute beyond your defined role. We sometimes become stuck because no one can see the value you bring because you have not had an opportunity to demonstrate it. Trust me, no one is walking around trying to pull out YOUR best self! Seek out opportunities and reinforce the value and expertise you bring to the table.
Lesson 6
Rather than shifting blame when problems arise, show interest in problem-solving and improving the situation. Put a problem before me, I will do what I can to research or engineer a solution. I do not stay stuck in ‘they made me do it’ land for too long. This proves your maturity and your focus on progress rather than petty blame games.
Lesson 7
Show commitment and determination in your actions. Avoid expressing uncertainty. This conveys your firm resolve and can significantly enhance the professionalism of your communication.
Expressing executive presence is simply professional presence. It begins with effective communication, and it ends with action. As you implement any of the lessons above, be confident in your ability to convey your ideas and get everyone on the same page. As you bring ideas to life, you must display confidence. This sends a strong message about your dependability and commitment to those you are leading. When faced with obstacles, demonstrate a commitment to finding solutions rather than focusing on the hurdles. Below are 12 ways to step up your communication. I hope these tips will take you far in achieving your own level of professional presence. Please let me know if there are others that should be included!
| Scenario | Do Not Say This | Say This |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Someone is Seeking Answers | I don’t know. | Let me find out for you. |
| 2. You need to Leave Early | Can I leave early? | I have a personal commitment at 1pm, but all my tasks will be handled. |
| 3. Sharing Your Opinion | I think we should… | Implementing this strategy will help us reach our target more efficiently. |
| 4. Apologies | I’m sorry, but I cannot do that. | Thank you for considering me however, my coworker would be more appropriate to handle this. |
| 5. Offering New Ideas | This may be a silly idea, but… | Here’s a different perspective to consider. |
| 6. Taking Ownership | That’s not my job. | Let’s find the right person to help you with that. |
| 7. Position Value | I’m just the [your job title]. | As a [your job title], I can provide this perspective. |
| 8. You are tempted to blame someone for an issue. | It’s not my fault. I did not do it. They did. | Let’s find out what went wrong so we can prevent it from happening again. |
| 9. Seeking Clarity | Did that make sense? | Let me know if you need any further clarification. |
| 10. Expressing Commitment | I hope to complete the project by Friday. | I will complete the project by Friday. |
| 11. Problem Solving on a Deadline. | I can’t meet the deadline. | In order to meet the deadline, I’ll need additional resources. |
| 12. Determination | I’ll try. | I will. |
