Everyone knows at least one person who seems to effortlessly stand out from the crowd. The person who instantly commands attention when then walk into a room and who everyone seems to gravitate toward. What is it that this person has that makes them so engaging and charismatic? Executive presence.
If you’re a business professional with leadership ambitions hoping to climb the corporate ladder, building executive presence is a must. In a recent survey, executive presence was ranked number two on the list of top 20 leadership traits that make a difference. In a separate survey, 268 senior executives said that executive presence counts for 26% of what it takes to get promoted.
Executive presence is often thought of as something innate; a quality that you either have or you don’t. However, executive presence is just like any other professional skill. With the right tools, you can build and develop executive presence. Check out our tips below for cultivating executive presence, and start impacting, influencing, and inspiring others today!
- Connection: One of the key components of executive presence is connecting with others. In order to connect with colleagues, clients, or an audience work on skills like eye contact and engaging body language (fully face your listener and avoid closed off postures like crossing your arms). Active listening skills are also essential; if a person feels as though they are a priority and being heard, they will naturally feel more connected to you.
- Confidence: Both your verbal and non-verbal communication should exude confidence whenever you’re in a professional setting. Nonverbally, take note of your posture, eye contact, and even your facial expressions, and ask yourself whether or not they reflect confidence. In terms of spoken communication skills, work on developing a strong, dynamic voice, and speaking at a relaxed pace.
- Clarity: Having clear communication not only avoids miscommunications and confusion; it is also essential to projecting confident executive presence. Keep your speech clear by pronouncing each sound in every word, paying particular attention to the consonants at the ends of words. You can also keep your message clear by focusing your content. Focus on choosing your words wisely and communicating your message concisely. This will help make your point more memorable, and project confidence in your message.
If you’re ready to take your communication skills to the next level, give us a call and see how Corporate Speech Solutions can improve your professional life! Call us at 212-308-7725 or send us an e-mail at jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com to learn more. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
If your communication skills are holding you back from professional success and you want to make your communication skills your most powerful professional tool, make sure to pick up a free copy of my e-book “Communicate with Clarity and Confidence!” by subscribing to our newsletter community on our website. In this free resource, I break down the myriad factors that contribute to confident communication and guide you through how to use each aspect to your advantage.
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