Three Ways to Show Your Strengths

People perceive us as having executive presence based on three critical components. Consistent mastery and delivery of these components creates the perception we are in the presence of executive material.

1. Executive Behavior: Self-Control

Control your body, face, and hold up under pressure. Studies have shown that there is a powerful connection between the mind and the body. As your body expresses strength and confidence, your brain begins to catch on. People around you also catch on and perceive strength. No matter what intrinsic traits you possess, the outward manifestation must be positive, in control, and convey the message “I have strengths.”

Controlling your body does not mean you become a robot. Instead, deliver a firm, straight up and down handshake; keep your posture open and upright both standing and seated; be civil; offer a genuine smile and make eye contact.

Self-control, when under pressure, is a critical litmus test for our executive presence. You do not know a person until you have seen them in stressful situations. I have found that when under fire, if we keep our posture open and upright, breathe, listen, and use a touch of humor, we will stay focused and show our executive behaviors. No matter your unique strengths focus on showing those strengths with definite self-control.

2. Executive Communication: What we say, how we say it, and what we do not say will either enhance our presence or derail us.

Communication, in all of its forms, spoken, written, and on-line, will reinforce your strengths or hide them. The 2012 Center for Talent and Innovation Study emphasized the importance of strong public speaking skills for executive presence. Public speaking is critical. Enhance your communication skills now, whether in front of a group or one-on-one.

Listen more than you speak.

Keep your communication concise and relevant. Remove fillers, i.e., Ummm, you-know, like…like, so…., I may not know what I’m talking about…

Know your topic and what you want to say.

Always keep it clean and civil. Show you are articulate without using foul language.

When speaking, moderate and vary the speed, pitch, and volume of your voice.

3. Executive Appearance: Fast Derail

While this is not the most important way to enhance your executive presence, your appearance can derail you the fastest. This does not mean that you must wear a black, grey, or navy suit at all times. (Black, navy, and grey look ghastly on many people-especially me.)

Instead, be clean, neat, wear clothing that flatters your shape, and stay well-groomed. Wear what is authentic to you and fit the needs of the job. Both men and women need to avoid extremes and tight or revealing clothing and heavy make-up.

A reliable rule is to dress for your brain.

These three components, behavior, communication, and appearance, must consistently align with our strengths. When we are inconsistent or unauthentic, we create distrust and confusion.

It is also vital to act within the context of your audience, your role, the circumstances, and the environment. For example, speaking to a large group of scientists as a subject matter expert is very different from interviewing a person as a potential employee. Each audience, role, circumstance, and environment requires adjusting to how we behave, communicate, and appear.

Start Simple

Look for areas where if you make slight behavior adjustments, you will see the biggest impact. These are your best leverage points. Chose one behavior that you will consciously adjust to better highlight and build upon a strength.

Change is Awkward

At first, a slight change in your behavior might feel a little awkward. That’s normal. Consistently practice and work on it. Keep practicing, and it will feel more natural. When you build from a position of strength, work consistently, and embrace accountability, the awkward time shortens.

One Step At A Time

Remember, Lisa, who received a big promotion to the executive director in Part Two? She knew one-on-one communications and connecting one-on-one were two of her strengths. She struggled when it came to giving presentations to groups. Determined to take her communication skills to larger groups, she knew that building on her current strengths gave her a strong start. Lisa took on the challenge of improving her communication skills in larger groups.

How? Lisa created a plan that she could work on every day in steps.

• First, she created accountability by telling her team and a trusted advisor that she was determined to build her communication strength to the point where she would be considered an excellent communicator in front of a large group. She solicited their help through the process.
• Second, she created her clear and concise message for an upcoming presentation.
• Third, she practiced out loud over and over. She practiced in from of her team, trusted advisor, coach, and recorded herself. She used their feedback to adjust her message and how she delivered the message. She worked on controlling her voice, posture, and gestures. She practiced, improved, and practiced again.
• Fourth, she thoughtfully chose a simple outfit in flattering colors and lines before her presentation. She looked powerful, she stood firm, communicated with strength, and she knocked it out of the park!
• Fifth, she continues to take the same approach to each of her presentations. Her presentations are clear and strong. Lisa has an added measure of confidence that she earns, and her presence is more authentic and confident.

Make It Happen!

You now have a roadmap to enhance your executive presence. The critical pieces include:

1. Know your strengths and how they align with the ways executives with presence behave.
   
2. Identify the strengths that if you leverage by making a slight adjustment, you will make the most recognizable impact.
   
3. Start simple, practice, and consistently work on behaviors, communication, and appearance that effectively emphasize your strengths. Work through the awkward and adjust with feedback.

Good luck! Keep me posted on your progress. Contact us at KM Leadership Solutions to help you move to your next leadership level with an executive presence.

Ellevate Network published this article Jan. 2017.