Executive Presence: What It Is, Why You Need It and How to Get It (Forbes) Flashcards
Is executive presence a skill or a trait?
It is a SKILL that you can cultivate and build.
What is executive presence?
Ability to inspire confidence:
(a) In your subordinates, that you’re the leader they want to follow
(b) Among peers, that you’re capable and reliable
(c) Among senior leaders, that you have the potential for great achievements
Why do you need executive presence?
It determines whether you gain access to opportunity!
The opportunities you gain access to depend on the confidence you’ve inspired in the deciison-makers.
When does executive presence become more important?
The more significant the opportunity, the more important executive presence becomes.
What are the seven key steps to building your executive presence?
- Have a vision and articulate it well
- Understand how others experience you
- Build your communication skills, across every medium and in every situation
- Become an excellent listener
- Cultivate your network and build political savvy
- Learn to operate effectively under stress
- Make sure your appearance isn’t a distraction
What is a compelling vision?
A well-conceived notion of what you are working to accomplish, that is appropriate in scale for your level of seniority.
What is the importance of a compelling vision?
When it is robust and well-articulated, it sets you apart and becomes a powerful tool for inspiring confidence.
Why is understanding how others experience you important?
As you ascent to more senior levels and your span of control expands, you increasingly become reliant on others for your effectiveness.
What is the most important communication skills?
Your ability to listen!
What characterizes exceptional listeners?
Those who engage with full attention, ask great questions, and use listening as a way to engage others and explore important ideas.
What does the ability to listen effectively demonstrate?
Self-confidence.
What do people with exceptional executive presence recognize about organizational politics?
That organizational politics are neither good or bad, given that companies are composed of complex relationships, with sometimes diverse opinions, and competing agendas.
How do people with strong executive presence influence challenging situations in a productive direction?
They are good at cultivating a network of relationships, and developing the political savvy.
How do people with good executive presence operate under stress?
They remain calm, even-kneeled, composed, well-prepared, and in control at all time, to inspire the confidence that they are ready to take on even more.
What should your first impression inspire, and how?
Inspire confidence, by making sure your appearance is appropriate for the setting and the company culture, and that it is consistent with others at the level you aspire to.
