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| Executive Presence: Elusive but Essential
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| Without executive presence, aspiring mid-level leaders will find their route to bigger roles severely limited. Several key qualities define this elusive attribute - but the good news is that they can be developed.
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| | Ever had the feeling that you didn’t quite ‘have enough’ when hosting a critical discussion or making a key presentation to your board, executive team or significant key client?
Somehow, that sense of confidence and ease was missing or faltered during your interaction? Or you found yourself flustered, visibly frustrated or even noticeably angry when facing resistance to your perspective, the work you’ve prepared or proposed course of action?
You are definitely not alone. Most people have been in a similar space at various points in their career. Where this lack of suitable presence gets challenging is when it becomes a consistent pattern. Without executive presence, those aspiring to C-suite roles are passed over for opportunities while those who find themselves in an executive role, but lack presence, face a daily uphill battle to establish credibility, influence and effectiveness. And one very common piece of 360 feedback that aspiring mid-level leaders receive relates to their need to develop ‘executive presence.’
Of course, the term ‘executive presence’ lacks a commonly agreed-upon definition. At its broadest level, it’s about your ability to.... (cont'd) |
| | | | Around The Web: Noteworthy News & Research
Don't Let Power Corrupt You
The perils of hubris—the excessive pride and self-confidence that can come with power—are well-documented. Being wary of power, however, is no guarantee that you are immune to abusing it. We are all susceptible to its intoxicating effects. While power is essential to taking charge and leading change, it makes you vulnerable to two insidious traps—hubris and self-focus—that can not only erode your own effectiveness but also undermine your team’s.
The ability to accept reality is one of the most useful, and most misunderstood, skills for a leader. But acceptance may not sound like a hugely valuable skill, especially because we hear so much about leaders whose force of will seems to defy reality.
Unnecessarily harsh behavior, tantrums, aggressiveness, avoidance and shutting people out can often be traced to leaders who are doing a lousy job of handling reality in the moment. It takes courage to accept reality as it is, and only then can you and your team begin to make the necessary changes.
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