Almost everyone I know or ever met has something, maybe several things that they would like to learn or areas in which they would like to improve. Many of these people have the savvy, drive, and resources needed to make the change. A lot of them also have the support of their friends, family, and coworkers. Unfortunately, most of them, and I include myself in this cohort, despite having all this going for them, never get beyond an initial push, and then the dream fizzles out.

What is going on?

We all know humans can and do learn and improve, so what is the missing ingredient between success and failure?

• I’m pretty sure motivation is not the key. For most people, motivation is like lighter fluid. It makes a lot of heat and seems to have a great effect initially, but is no guarantee of sustained success.

• I’m also convinced that ability is not the main factor, either. We all fail to improve in so many areas that are well within our reach.

Anytime I’ve been successful in improving in an area, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, I’ve noticed at least two principles at play.

Principle #1: Make it a habit for long-term success

It’s far better to be consistent over time than to make a big splash and then not start again for weeks or ever.

Principle #2: Having a buddy helps you keep going

You are more likely to keep up your efforts, despite loss of motivation and obstacles if you are accountable to another person. As a bonus, it helps if you get to hold them accountable as well. This means you are both more likely over time to do more than you would separately.

To be clear, getting more Executive Presence is difficult. It doesn’t happen overnight, or after one course, one book, or one TED talk (I’m working on that one). The reason I started Executive Presence Morsels is to provide an easy way for people to work on improving their Executive Presence on a daily basis. As a side benefit, by committing to you to produce a daily podcast, it holds me accountable to always be thinking about better ways to explain and teach it.

If you’re willing to spend 5-10 minutes a day each morning listening to insights on Executive Presence, and then apply them during the rest of your work day, you will improve your Executive Presence. I guarantee it. Join us starting July 5th for the next year for your daily dose of Executive Presence! You can hear trailers and previews today.

"Remember, it's not what you say, do, or wear, it's how you make people FEEL that generates Executive Presence. Nothing else matters."

We can spend a large part of the next year debating the pros and cons of virtual work. Even if you don't work from home, you are still virtual when you have a phone call or any other interaction that is not physically in-person. Life is not all about your job, either. You may also have many other virtual meetings with friends, family, and various associations.

The Challenge

One question I've been hearing a lot more is:

How do you project Executive Presence when you are not physically present?

It's a great question and will become even more relevant as more and more work (and other interactions) become virtual.

The good news is there is one, EZPZ step you can take to have amazing virtual Executive Presence. I'm not going to tell you to talk more, project your voice, or adjust your video camera. There's lots of advice on how to have better virtual calls, but this is not our focus today. Our sole concern is how do you have Executive Presence virtually?

The solution requires us to properly frame the question. People with Executive Presence inspire confidence in others that they can lead in a given context. So the key is not how you sound or appear, but in how you lead.

The Shift

The next time you attend a virtual meeting, whether you are assigned to lead it or not, ask yourself,

"What is the goal of this meeting and how can I help advance the goal?"

The one and only step you need to take to have amazing virtual Executive Presence is to provide whatever is needed in that meeting to help meet the goal. That’s it.

Sometimes, it means you ask a question.

Sometimes it means you talk more.

Sometimes it means you talk less.

Perhaps you engage people who can help, but for whatever reason are not involved, yet.

At the end of the call, if you play an outsized role in helping meet the goal of the meeting, you will be the one everyone remembers as having amazing virtual Executive Presence.

Remember, your Executive Presence sets the ceiling of your success.

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Learn more

This article was adapted from the new leadership book, Unlock Your Executive Presence: Feel like a Boss. Find it here, along with other books from the Unlock Your Leadership series.

Joe Kwon, the Connection Counselor is a leadership coach and keynote speaker who helps elevate careers by unlocking the ability to better connect with yourself and others.

Contact him if you'd like his help.

To find out more and to access free leadership videos, podcasts, and guides, go to www.connectioncounselor.com.

You've put in your time, you've honed your skills, and now you are about to get your big shot. You've got an interview for a position that will take your career to the next level. The payoff for all your hard work and sacrifice is so close you can almost taste it.

The Challenge

There's one problem. This "next level" position is at the "next level." In other words, you haven't been there before - at least not in an official capacity. Add to that you are likely to be competing against other candidates who have performed at that level or if the competition is really steep, above that level.

How do you give yourself a fighting chance? What can you do? Lie? Exaggerate? Pinkie promise to deliver? Of course, all of those are non-starters.

"Okay, Joe. Thanks for taking my anxiety to the next level. What can I do to improve my chances of winning the position and elevating my career?"

Let me say that I love that you are applying to the postiion at all. Most people, including myself at points, just don't. Also, it's great that you recognize the challenge for what it is, rather than what you hope it would be. This realistic optimism will serve you well.

What your future employer is looking for, and what will give you an edge, is Executive Presence. Allow me to put a finer point on that. There is a job to be done and they will hire the person who they have the most confidence in to get the job done. Once you understand this is where the contest will take place, you can prepare accordingly.

The Shift

If you haven't already, ask yourself the following questions. During the interview, embody the type of person who would thrive in the job. Doing this will give you the best chance at being selected.

What sort of person will thrive in this position?

What sort of person has done well in this position?

What type of person has failed?

How does a person who has this position interact with others, including an interviewer?

What is the typical demeanor of a person in this position?

How does a person in this position typically present themselves, in terms of appearance, attitude, and aptitude?

When you arrive at the interview, your single goal should be for the interviewer to believe they are meeting the sort of person who would thrive in the position. You do this not by having the best answers, but by projecting the Executive Presence of a person who is already doing a great job.

Remember, your Executive Presence sets the ceiling of your success.

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Learn more

This article was adapted from the new leadership book, Unlock Your Executive Presence: Feel like a Boss. Find it here, along with other books from the Unlock Your Leadership series.

Joe Kwon, the Connection Counselor is a leadership coach and keynote speaker who helps elevate careers by unlocking the ability to better connect with yourself and others. Contact him if you'd like his help.

To find out more and to access free leadership videos, podcasts, and guides, go to www.connectioncounselor.com.