The 5 Critical Keys to (Executive) Presence

January 30, 2015 Karen Hilton

Learn the five critical keys to developing presence.

The 5 Critical Keys to (Executive) Presence

In a recent group coaching session on Executive Presence, I met an ambitious woman who came to the group in part after, once again, being passed over for a promotion.During our discussion about the role of personal brand in Executive Presence, she very righteously described her unwillingness to examine what she wore or how she wore it (as an example), feeling as though she was being asked to be someone she didn't want to be."I understand," I said. "So, who do you want to be at work?" She shifted in her seat as she realized she wasn't quite prepared to answer. "I want to be taken seriously. I've worked hard." "Of course", I deferred. "I'm hearing you describe how you want to feel and what you've done. I'm not sure I've heard who you want to be. How does having worked hard and wanting to be taken seriously help you clarify the steps you need to take to help you get what you really want?"Her voice softened. "I guess it doesn't. I hate talking about having to change anything about myself because I'm comfortable. But people spend more time talking about my crazy outfits and how I put my colleague in his place than they do about my work." Several others nodded their heads. "It sounds like you are remembered for some very specific things. How does your current approach get you closer to what you want to be remembered for, especially when it comes to being promoted?" The group began joining in for one of the most productive group coaching sessions to date.

Presence, executive or otherwise, isn't a happy accident. It's a thoughtful approach to showing up the way you intend, to make the impact you want, to make progress in the areas that are most important to you.

The 5 critical key steps to developing presence:

(whether you are an executive or you want to become one)

Intention
Awareness
Honesty
Action
Consistency

If your work is exceptional or unique, or you're not trying to change anything about your current circumstances, it's easier to take risks. But the closer you come to gaining responsibility or seeking a change in roles/responsibility, the more important the components of Presence become. Presence, executive or otherwise, isn't a happy accident. It's a thoughtful approach to showing up the way you intend, to make the impact you want, to make progress in the areas that are most important to you.

Hoping that hard work alone will create the growth - professional or personal - that you want only helps to ensure that...

You stay exactly where you are and/or
You get results that underwhelm or disappoint

T.A.P. Executive Coaching offers options for individual and group coaching that can help you identify, tap into and leverage your Presence.