Executive
Q: What’s the dirty little secret about Executive Presence that executives don’t want you to know?
This Happens
Your manager says to advance, you need more Executive Presence. However, they can’t explain what it is or how to get it.
So you search for articles, books, or training and take this advice for a spin…and are sorely disappointed with the results.
Most approaches do not address the underlying mechanism that generates Executive Presence.
Instead, they advocate mimicry of those who have it. Unfortunately…
Mimicry does not equal mastery.
Or they attempt to give you a makeover by changing how you look, sound, or move, but ignore the source of your executive presence. In other words…
The trappings are just the wrappings.
The Code of Executive Presence
What’s going on? Is it that people don’t know how Executive Presence works or is it that they don’t want to tell you? Or a little of both?
No matter. Unless you understand the underlying mechanism behind Executive Presence, you will not be able to generate it.
The key to cracking the code lies in the answer to our first question. What’s the dirty little secret about Executive Presence that executives don’t want you to know?
A: Executive Presence has very little to do with ability or competence.
The Key
When it comes to generating Executive Presence, the only thing that truly matters is how people feel about your ability to lead.
This is why no amount of mimicry or makeovers will generate Executive Presence.
So how do you get people to feel like you can lead? It’s your ability to inspire confidence that you can lead well in a given situation that matters.
Q: So how do you inspire confidence in your ability to lead?
A: It’s not what you say, do, or wear, it’s how you make people feel that generates Executive Presence. Enter the 6 Degrees of Executive Presence.
On YouTube
Learn more about the 6 Degrees of Executive Presence by watching the Executive Presence Spotlight Series, available on YouTube
Q: But doesn’t Executive Presence work differently for underrepresented professionals?
A: Yes. The underlying principles are universal, but the societal, organizational, and personal contexts are different - so they face a dilemma…
The Diversity Dilemma
Underrepresented professionals face a dilemma when it comes to Executive Presence. Who they truly are is not who people expect to be leaders.
So they may feel pressure to choose between standing out or blending in and ask themselves…
“How do do I resolve the dilemma between fully embracing my unique, most powerful self and becoming more like others to bridge the gap?”
Authenticity is a double-edged sword. However, when we acknowledge the situation, we can shift our focus to creating connections that enable you to generate maximum Executive Presence without compromising your identity.
