In the business world, owning a solid executive aura is a pivotal differentiator for a successful career.
It’s a game-changer, actually.
When you strategically communicate in a manner that screams confidence, authority, and reliability, it goes beyond mere charisma; it shows that you are both firm and poised and boldly in touch with yourself and the people you work with—meaning, you’d work more effectively and efficiently than others who possess a more laid-back executive presence.
Whether you’re presenting to stakeholders, managing a team, or negotiating a contract, developing and improving your executive presence, in both written and verbal skills, can have a big influence on your career path. It is a skill that prospective managers aim to master as early in their careers as possible.
So how do we refine our executive presence through savvy communication? Let’s find out.
Get to know yourself: Self-awareness and foundation
First things first, you need to know who you are. Being a powerful executive presence means that you take the time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and how your colleagues perceive you.
It can be helpful to know the kind of leader you want to become. Examine your leadership style, work style, and career objectives, and then develop a plan of action to reach them. Make sure your deadlines, milestones, and goals are realistic and doable. Executive presence is a skill that takes time to develop, just like any other.
Get input from mentors, colleagues, and even subordinates to obtain insightful knowledge. You can intentionally alter your tone, body language, and communication style for optimum impact by being aware of these cues. Understanding how you carry out these tasks is like having your own secret weapon.
Keep it simple, smarty: Clarity in communication
Keeping communication mediums simple is where it’s at. It is more effective that way, and what I mean by that is, cut out the jargon and fancy word acrobatics, and skip to the part where the other person actually understands what you’re trying to convey.
As you speak, be sure your pronunciation is clear for others to hear and comprehend you. Learn to respect silent pauses and choose your words carefully rather than utilising ambiguous phrases.
What does “presence” actually mean?
John Ullmen stated in his LinkedIn Learning course “Developing Executive Presence” that establishing a clear objective is the first step. You cannot pretend to be committed to something; your actions will reveal your true feelings, and you cannot fake that.
That’s what comes first. It’s not enough to just have a purpose; you also need to learn how to best use your passion. If not, it will still be obvious that you are passionate about what you are saying, but you may risk coming out as naive or narrow-minded. Simplify complicated concepts into manageable, bite-sized pieces. You can establish trust more quickly than you can say “corner office” when your message is absolutely clear.
Stand tall, speak louder (but not too loud): Commanding body language
Body talk—it’s a thing. Even before your words slide off the tips of your lips, your face is already doing the talking. So, to exhale a qualitative message using your voice, tone, and body language, it’s important to remember to maintain an upright posture, make eye contact with others, and use your hands as though you were narrating a compelling narrative.
A solid grasp of the hand conveys the message “I mean business”. Keep in mind that your nonverbal cues are your silent marketing team.
Changing up your vocal style to make your voice sound like an instrument and thinking about modifying your tempo or tone to influence others—frequently, a deeper, lower tone—exudes power and respect. Don’t talk too quickly or too slowly for your audience; instead, be aware of your speech rate.
Watching your movement is just as important as your speech. Both deliberate movement and even silence may make a strong impression. Think about the contrast between entering a room with poise and confidence and a hasty gait that some may mistake for a rush.
Amy Cuddy demonstrates in her well-known Ted Talk that your posture—whether you sit or stand—can actually increase your self-assurance. Therefore, establishing a powerful body language is a positive spiral. It works from the outside in, giving you a stronger, more assured appearance, and it also boosts your self-confidence from within.
Be an A+ listener: Active listening
Big talk is second nature to leaders—to the extent that they occasionally fail to pay attention.
However, truly listening is a key component in developing your executive presence. It gives your staff a sense of being acknowledged, understood, heard, and valued.
Showing genuine interest in what your colleagues have to say and then repeating back what you heard in an attempt to show them that you value what they say, as well as throwing in some reflective questions, helps you come off as a credible leader.
Look at someone who exudes a strong sense of authority. You’ll notice that they ask many insightful questions and give the speaker their whole attention. People appreciate a good listener. It’s something that strengthens relationships and aids trust between individuals.
Customise your message: Relatability is key
When it comes to communication, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Adjust your message to fit the mood, whether you’re speaking with senior management, your team, or clients. Being adaptable demonstrates your communication chameleon skills, as you can seamlessly fit into any setting.
The vibrations are just as important as the words. Recognise your feelings, manage them masterfully, and be perceptive of others’ emotions. People desire to follow a leader who has emotional intelligence in the corporate world.
Keep growing, keep glowing: Authenticity is the name of the game
Just be your authentic self. It’s the secret sauce to an appealing and highly valued executive presence.
Your quirks, values, and the small things that make you unique—embrace them. They are all important assets that breed relatability among your employees and trust to keep the team glued together.
There you go; a relaxed how-to on enhancing your executive presence via effective communication. Keep in mind that the goal is to be the person who everyone pays attention to, not the loudest person in the room. Own it and go forth!
(Tashia Bernardus)