Unlocking Executive Presence ~ Application - 5

This is my concluding blog on Executive Presence series.

You can find my previous sequence of blogs on the same subject below:

Framework

Input

Process

Output

Many clients of mine come into the coaching conversation with the feedback that they received from various stakeholders including their manager.

You lack Executive Presence.

Well, feedback is good. It removes your blind spot.

But what if the actual blindness is to miss what the stakeholder version of "executive presence" meant? Thats when you throw darts into the dark and receive the same feedback after 6 months to an year.

So, here is how we remove the blindspots:

1. Qualify the definition: Tell what you mean by executive presence and ask what would they add or subtract to that definition. For eg, "Bob, To me, Executive Presence is an authentic way to command the room. How do you see it?"

   
   

2. Define the behaviour: Ask what would be the behaviour to demonstrate that you have it.

   Eg: "Bob, I take care to prepare well for important stakeholder conversations and pay attention to the presence in the room. I also network with my peers before the meeting. What else do you find missing? What behaviour will demonstrate to everyone that I have worked on it?"

   
   

3. Map to the Framework: Find the link between the behaviour stated and the input, process, output, as highlighted in the framework. Now you know what needs to be built.

   
   

4. Define Measure of Success (MoS): Define your MoS and share it with your manager/stakeholder who gave you the feedback in your next catchup and share progress against it. Ask their feedback.

   
   

   If you are the one working directly on Executive Presence (without feedback) and are getting overwhelmed, know that:

   • It's a journey not a one-day miracle.

   • Each element in the Executive Presence framework is like a muscle and needs practice.

   • While going to the visible elements directly looks like a shortcut, you will not be able to sustain it. So work holistically.

   
   

   If you are still asking where to start:

   • Identify the areas you already are good in the framework and keep whatever you are doing well already.

   • For the areas that need improvement, consciously build, practice & refine by taking one area of focus every quarter.

   • Ask for feedback from those who care enough.

   • Get support from a coach or mentor.

   
   

   What action will you take today to improve your Executive Presence?

   
   

   #coaching #executivepresence #action