We’ve all been in meetings, or at events where certain people Stand out. Sometimes we say they have charisma. Other times we call it executive presence. We know it when we see it.
Can you define executive presence? O have trouble with it. Oh, I can tell you what it looks like. It’s in their carriage, confidence, willingness to take the lead on difficult conversations.
Read an article by Evan Evans, a frequent contributor to Substack.
He defines executive presence on how others perceive you, versus how we each perceive ourselves.
Executive presence is definitely a leadership trait, but it’s more.
Leaders always put people first. Evan points out three key characteristics of executive presence. (All told he has identified 18 “traits”.
His key three:
Do you naturally draw people to you? Or does you presence push them away? Leave them with feeling of ambivalence about you?
How do you inspire people? Build trust and confidence so they want to follow you?
When it’s time to make big decisions, are you the one people turn to?
Your answers to 3 questions identify if you are drawing people to you. Or pushing them away or leaving them ambivalent toward you.
Key: All of us are doing one or the other.
Steps to build your executive presence.
Do people naturally turn to you? Seek you out? Want to be on your teams?
Evan points out that executive presence has changed over the years. There are certain characteristics that have not changed. Key among them are:
-Willingness to make decisions,
-they are naturally sincere, and
- they present their confidence.
(Being confident is one trait. Presenting with humility and giving more credit to the team than yourself. People with executive presence always put the team front and center, not themselves.)Do you observe people you admire at events and functions? Study them. How are they interacting? How do they treat people in natural conversations? How are people around them listening? Start emulating them in your interactions with others.
People that exude executive presence have conviction when speaking. Their mannerisms convey their belief and confidence in what they are saying. Notice, they always have strong opinions. But they present those opinions matter-of-factly. They are not pounding the table or raising their voices or overtalking/interrupting. They let their words, mannerisms and body language convince their audience.
People who come across as “real people” draw followers and have highly motivated teams.
Executive presence authentically command the room. They are sought out. Because they have the presence, people want to hear their opinions and views.
Those that try to command a room build resentment. Why? They come across as though they are talking down to people. Often come across as arrogant. Quietly presenting attitude they are above those they are talking to. Often it’s not intentional. But still leaves people they were talking to resentful. They are not drawing people, they are pushing them away.
Last point before summary. Talk with your spouse/significant other. Ask they how you come across. They will have good insight.
What’s key takeaway in the above 5?
They are all easy to learn. Observe people that have executive presence. Then build traits into your natural leadership style.
If being a people person is not natural to you. Cultivate it. The era of the hardnosed, do it my way, boss is over. There are still times we need those traits, but we must present them softer and let our conviction make the point it’s no longer “my way or the highway.”
CTA: Start demonstrating your executive presence in small ways with your staff. Listen more, talk less. Incorporate their ideas when you can. Sincerely compliment them in front of others. Your executive presence is key component of your leadership style. You have it. Show it!
Tom Ferree is the founder of Ferree & Associates and SecureEmploy, organizations focused on helping companies find exceptional talent and helping professionals advance their careers. Since founding Ferree & Associates in 1977, Tom has worked extensively with hospitality companies, executives, and rising leaders across the industry. Through SecureEmploy, he shares practical career strategies, leadership insights, and real-world advice to help professionals grow their careers and help organizations build stronger teams.
