Q&A with the Experts: Talking Executive Presence with Carol Vernon

Executive presence:  We know it’s important to have, but what exactly is it? Executive coach Carol Vernon of Communication Matters agreed to answer a few questions about executive presence, one of her specialties, and give us some pointers as well.

Q. Can you give us a brief definition of executive presence?

Executive presence has many descriptors--confidence, self-assurance, charisma–but we all experience it the same. When we meet or know someone with a strong presence we can feel it. It’s an "IT" factor. Executive presence is multi-dimensional, dynamic, and means much more than being a great public speaker or making a fantastic first impression. To have a true executive presence, our inner and outer presence are in alignment. This means we're clear about how we want to be perceived, and we ensure we show up that way on a consistent basis.

Q. Why has executive presence become such a popular concept?

Presence has always been important, but we now have a framework for talking about it. We also have very strong motivators. There are lots of smart, competent people working in organizations and looking for new opportunities. A strong presence is a big differentiator, and that matters in today's competitive work world.

Q. How important is it for career advancement?

The higher you go in your career the more you will be expected to hone your presence. This goes beyond simply looking like a leader; it means you need to be competent, project self- assurance, develop and nurture strong relationships at all levels; it means honing your communication skills, including word choice and strong voice and body language, having a confident attitude, taking tough stands when needed, but remaining humble and connected.

Q. What are some common misconceptions surrounding executive presence?

The biggest misperceptions are that (1) executive presence is only for executives (2) it's something you're either born with or not or (3) it's simply window-dressing and doesn't really matter.

Q. What are some first steps readers can take to develop their executive presence?

Executive presence requires self-awareness, feedback, and commitment to skill-building and consistency. It sounds difficult, but it's manageable, and the payoff is worth it.

To begin, you need to clarify your inner presence by being intentional about how you want to be perceived by others. What do you want the hiring manager, your boss, your colleagues, the potential partners, to know and feel about you? This should reflect your core values and beliefs as well as your personality and aspirations. Once clear, you’re ready to move to the action steps to sync up with your outer presence. Action steps include the big and small things you do, day in and day out.

Q. Anything else you’d like to share?

Some key questions to get you thinking:

• What does your body language say about you?
• What do you do on a consistent, day-to-day basis that lets people know you walk your talk?
• What actions do you need to stop/start doing to underline, and not undermine, your presence?

Answering these questions will give you a solid start in determining your specific next steps in developing your executive presence.

Thanks, Carol!

Carol Vernon is a certified executive coach and trainer focused on helping association and business leaders and their teams fine-tune communication and interpersonal skills, and project a confident and powerful executive presence. She offers one-on-one coaching, team coaching and training, and a leadership development program for mid-career women in associations. For more information, you can reach Carol at www.commmatters.com.

If you're interested in getting some personalized feedback on your executive presence, please feel free to contact Phaedra at info@resumesandcareerstrategies.com to learn about her complimentary, no-obligation consultation.