“Executive Presence” is defined as a combination of attributes, behaviors, and skills that demonstrate a person’s ability to succeed at the highest organizational levels. Often, it is seen as a crucial factor in leadership.
While the definition of executive presence may vary slightly from one situation to another, it’s commonly associated with core components including confidence, composure under pressure, decisiveness, emotional intelligence, professional appearance, and effective communication skills.
Some individuals naturally possess these traits, but how can they be developed and honed over time?
Business management and personal and professional development coach, Mohammed Tamly, says, “During my tenure as an executive director for over 10 years, the employees who I delegated work to and promoted to higher leadership positions possessed high skill levels, professionalism in work, confidence, and the ability to positively influence others. They’re employees to whom colleagues and even clients are drawn, listening to them and valuing their opinions, and this is what I call executive presence.”
He explains, “The matter can be defined as the employee’s ability to demonstrate his high skills and professionalism in work, self-confidence, and positive influence on others.”
Executive presence is defined as a blend of attributes, behaviors, and skills that exhibit a person’s capacity to succeed at the highest levels of organizational hierarchy (Pixels)
Why Do You Need Executive Presence?
In speaking with Al Jazeera Net, coach Tamly answers that “any employee aiming for professional excellence and leadership skills development, as well as the ability to influence others and hoping to enhance their professional reputation and create an image as a professional, must possess executive presence. It benefits an individual’s career by:
Increasing the chances of being promoted to higher leadership positions in the company.
Building trust with colleagues and managers.
Granting the individual the ability to influence others and affect change.
Mohammed Tamly: Always be present and proactive, especially in collaborative projects and work (Al Jazeera)
Tips to Enhance Executive Presence
If you want to enhance your executive presence at work, coach Tamly advises the following:
Continue to develop skills and knowledge necessary in your field through training courses, professional certifications, reading, learning, and documenting lessons learned during your work journey.
Improve written and verbal communication skills.
Foster positive relationships with managers, colleagues, and clients.
Be consistently present and proactive, especially in group projects and work.
Learn leadership skills and how to influence others.
Possess the skills of positive thinking and emotional intelligence.
Continuously build self-confidence.
Create a balanced lifestyle between work and personal life.
The book “Executive Presence” by author Sylvia Ann Hewlett (Al Jazeera)
The Book “Executive Presence”
Finally, Tamly says, “I recommend reading the book ‘Executive Presence’ by author Sylvia Ann Hewlett, which the publisher describes as a powerful and important book aimed at young employees climbing the career ladder. Credentials and qualifications alone will not transport you to your next big opportunity. You also need to have an executive presence, the ability to display confidence and credibility. In this study, rich with lively stories and equally robust data, Sylvia Ann Hewlett tells us how to excel in executive presence and be professional in it.”
Sawsan Kilani: Focus on female leaders as they are just as crucial in this challenging world (Al Jazeera)
The Power of Influence
Life skills coach Sawsan Kilani says, “When you see a leadership personality par excellence, you immediately feel the strength of its influence, its ability to mobilize and guide, and to attract attention from the first moment.”
She believes that part of this executive presence, which we sorely lack in our daily lives, is innate. “The other part is acquired through training, development, working on oneself, and learning from experiences. This always benefits the individual, their family, their workplace, and their nation.”
She explains, “Since a ship needs a captain and a plane requires a pilot, this is the natural way of life. A leader and subordinates are needed to achieve goals. Therefore, we should search for those naturally inclined leaders and develop their potential as much as possible from an early age, and also focus on female leaders because they are of equal importance in this challenging world.”
Kilani notes that the executive presence of a leadership figure positively impacts a person if it is positive and ethical, “because it realizes self-actualization and fosters greater confidence to move forward. In addition to achieving larger aspirations, whether on a family level, at work, or in social building.”
She adds, “This personality, if it moves individuals and motivates them correctly, greatly aids them in accomplishment based on collective teamwork. It also inspires young leaders and serves as a living model to emulate.”
Executive presence benefits an individual’s professional journey (Pixels)
Steps to Enhance Your Leadership Capabilities
The website “Personality Talent” published key steps that you can take to start developing executive presence and enhancing influence and leadership capabilities:
Master Communication Skills: Mastering communication skills includes speaking and listening effectively. When you speak, ensure clarity, conciseness, and persuasiveness.
Display Confidence: Displaying confidence doesn’t mean bragging about your abilities or achievements, but rather having an internal belief in your skills and the ability to handle various situations. Confidence is skillfully expressed through your body language and the way you speak.
Practice Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence revolves around being aware of and effectively regulating your emotions and empathizing with others. It is vital for managing relationships and leading effectively.
Be Assertive, Not Aggressive: Being assertive means expressing your thoughts and feelings honestly and directly, while respecting the rights and beliefs of others. It’s a compromise between passivity and aggressiveness.
Lead with Empathy: Leading with empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. It’s about recognizing others’ perspectives and showing empathy, and to lead with empathy, one must make an effort to understand the experiences and views of team members.
