You know executive presence (EP) is a recommended skill to elevate your career and leadership, yet you can’t quite put a finger on what it is or why it’s needed. You’re not alone! When I did research for my career advancement report at the end of last year, many people in the focus groups asked, “What even is executive presence?” That’s what I’ll help you get clear on: what it is, its benefits, and how to know where your current EP skill is at. Let’s get started!
Hold Yourself Accountable with the Executive Presence Assessment Template
Instead of just reading the blog and taking the executive presence exercise in your mind, download a template I designed just for you. Fill it out as you continue reading and come back to it to hold yourself accountable in your EP and leadership development journey.
What is Executive Presence?
Before you see if you have EP and where your skill is at, you need to know what it is.
In Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s groundbreaking novel, Executive Presence: The Missing Link between Merit and Success, she breaks down EP as an “it” factor, the secret sauce, and what others refer to as the “X factor” of leadership.
She says it’s the ability to “engage, align, inspire, and move people to act.”
She emphasizes that EP bridges the gap between merit and success, making it essential for career advancement beyond qualifications and performance.
When I think of people in my career and the world who have EP, they have these characteristics:
- Magnetic: They have a particular presence, energy, and power to influence others.
- Confident: They feel good in their skin and don’t make excuses for their perspectives or opinions.
- Humble: While they are sure of themselves, they’re not arrogant. Rather, they’re inner knowing, pulling people towards them.
- Authentic: They show up in their unique style and don’t pretend to be something they’re not. They may not call it their Brilliant Difference, but they’ve fully stepped into it.
Why Do You Need Executive Presence?
You know it can help you advance in your leadership in career, but how exactly? When you have EP, it’s easier to:
- Be an effective leader, building trust and credibility with people.
- Influence critical decisions and drive strategic change.
- Increase your visibility for career advancement opportunities.
- Communicate and generate idea and vision buy-ins.
- Navigate challenging situations, as you’ll seamlessly build strong relationships.
How’s Your EP? Take the Executive Presence Self-Assessment
Now it’s time to get to the good stuff—understanding where your EP is and where your development opportunities are.
I’ve broken it down into two parts:
- Self-assessment.
- Observation exercise.
The self-assessment helps you reflect inward while the observation exercise helps you reflect outward.
Have your template handy? Let’s get started.
Part 1: Self-Assessment
With a yes or no, address the following:
- In meetings, people turn to hear my opinion.
- When I speak, others listen attentively. I don’t have to repeat myself.
- I feel comfortable speaking up in high-pressure situations.
- I articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
- I get feedback that I appear nervous and uncomfortable.
The more yeses you have, the stronger your EP. The more no’s you have means there’s more room to grow!
Part 2: Observation Exercise
Think of someone in your company who has strong EP. Answer:
- How do they enter a room (posture, pace, greeting style)?
- How do they handle disagreement or criticism?
- What speaking patterns do they use (pace, tone, pauses)?
- How do they use non-verbal communication (eye contact, gestures, facial expressions)?
- When and how do they assert their authority versus when do they listen?
By viewing how others embody EP, it allows you to harness those same habits and actions too.
Get EP Support for Your Whole Company
Seems simple, right? Yet answering those few questions has a powerful impact, helping you get crystal clear on where to grow and how to start actualizing your EP at work. Companies who have leaders (like you) with strong EP mean people are winning in their roles and your organization in their market. But this only scratches the surface. If you’re interested in EP support for your whole company, book a call.
