How to Increase Executive Presence — NYS SHRM Notes

Thank you for attending Maren Perry’s NYS SHRM Conference talk on Executive Presence.  Below is Maren’s full list of all TEN elements composing Executive Presence, including the five that were covered in depth in the talk:

Maren Perry’s 10 Elements of Executive Presence

A Leader with Executive Presence:

1. Has confidence:
   1. Clarity about who one is; comfortable being liked/accepted, or not, by others
   2. Having no apology for one’s presence, ideas or opinions (not to be confused with pompousness or bullying)
   3. Taking up space with one’s being/personality and  physical gestures (not shrinking or being meek in expression)
   4. Willing to express one’s ideas, including willing to say when wrong
2. Speaks clearly and concisely.  Bottom lines without unnecessary story.  At top levels, there is more and more bottom-lining and more facts, simply stated; less meandering story-telling and detail.
3. Is responsive, not reactive.  Listens thoughtfully and considers before responding.   Considers the impact of choices prior to making them.
4. Holds the big picture – looking to the past for lessons, the future for possibilities and trusting the details will get worked out.  Strategic.  Visionary.
5. Does not react from emotion.  This is NOT the same as being devoid of emotion; just doesn’t react from that place automatically.  Doesn’t sweat the small stuff – no “freaking out”.
6. Is respectful and respected across all levels of the organization.  Being respected comes from being respectful to all whether they own the building or clean it.
7. Is highly enrolling– able to get others on board with their ideas and taking action on them
   1. Speaks how others can hear them, in other words, alters their communication style to the listener.  You wouldn’t expect a French speaker to understand Hungarian: you can’t expect to speak your “Hungarian” to everyone in the organization when some of them speak French.
   2. Gets people excited about a vision and owning it to the extent they take action on it themselves
8. Is authentic – no one looks up to someone they see as not representing their true selves, or worse, being lying or manipulative.
9. Presents themselves well.  Presentation makes a difference in how one is perceived.  Components include:
   1. Moving well, not awkwardly.
   2. Dressing appropriately or better for the situation.
   3. Using appropriate language, gestures, etc.
   4. Having firm hand shake, good eye contact, clear speaking (no mumbling)
10. Possesses a high level of Emotional Intelligence:  fosters awareness of self and others and their humanity and acts in accordance with this knowledge.