Canadian Business Leaders: Developing Executive Presence to Achieve Business & People Results
Do you wish to oversee noteworthy projects with lots of visibility? Do you desire to be present when significant decisions are made? Want to be the leader that your juniors aspire to be? There you have it; to accomplish these aims, you need executive presence. And how exactly will you achieve them? Read on to find out.
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, developing executive presence has become more important than ever. Executive presence is the capacity to convey a strong, sincere, and self-assured image that encourages others to respect and trust you. According to Conqual, the majority of senior leaders (67%) think that gravitas is the most crucial aspect of executive presence. This entails exuding confidence, being calm under pressure, upholding a solid reputation, and projecting a sense of conviction about a goal.
Canada's McCain Foods Ltd. has developed into a top player worldwide in the frozen food sector. McCain, who exuded faith in a vision, quickly became a household name and a global leader in food products during the 1950s food industry boom. Although some people are born with executive presence, it is a learned behavior that can be developed through training and coaching. Organizations in Canada are investing in learning and development initiatives to aid their leaders in developing their executive presence as more and more businesses realize the value of doing so.
Here are a few reasons why developing executive presence is crucial for Canadian business leaders:
Tap into your personal power– your expertise
Understanding your own personal power will help you negotiate office politics with ease and give you confidence in your capacity to lead and motivate others. Create your elevator pitch to explain your objective, why it's essential, and how someone can assist you in achieving it. Additionally, you should get as much feedback as you can from those with whom you interact frequently, including partners, peers, and even your direct reports. Some people have discovered that getting 360-degree feedback is useful so they may hear from numerous people who have seen them in a variety of circumstances.
Cultivate your network and build political savvy
People with exceptional executive presence recognize that organizational politics are neither a good thing nor bad. They understand that companies are composed of complex relationships and that there may occasionally be disagreements and opposing interests. People with strong executive presence are adept at building a network of connections and acquiring the political acumen needed to sway difficult circumstances in their favor.
It's all about building credibility
As a leader you can build credibility by sharing more about you. It doesn't have to be personal or intimate information; it might also be things you enjoy doing in your own time or even life stories. Stories are a terrific approach to help people connect with one another since people desire to feel connected. Additionally, credibility is increased when people perceive that you are not imposing your viewpoint on them, rather that you are comfortable sharing your opinion. Lastly, pay attention to what others are sharing with you and provide them with a listening ear.
Executive presence can be learned with the right training and coaching. Organizations that invest in executive presence development for their leaders are likely to see improved performance, greater innovation, and stronger relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Star leaders with an executive presence bring power, conviction, and a clear point of view to their presentations. When participating in high-level meetings with clients and senior leaders, they project confidence and a sense of competence. They exude a composed and polished demeanor that instantly establishes credibility and wins the trust and respect of their superiors and clients.
Do people feel inspired and energized by your presence? Which qualities can help you embody the gravitas needed to improve your executive presence?
Leadership Action Steps
Take time for personal reflection and be honest about your strengths and areas of opportunity. Consider having introspective conversations.
Connect directly with those you admire, whether a public figure or industry mentor. Ask about their journey in developing executive presence.
Videotape yourself giving a presentation or leading a meeting and then watch it back to take notes on things like your body language, voice control, breathing and presence.
Summary
For Canadian company executives who wish to succeed in the difficult and constantly shifting business environment of today, developing executive presence is crucial. Organizations can assist their leaders in developing the abilities and behaviors necessary to present a self-assured, real, and powerful image that engenders respect and trust in others by investing in executive coaching & executive presence training.