4 Qualities that Enhance Your Perceived Leadership Ability
Do you want to make more money, or get promoted this year? Try applying the “secret sauce” that accounts for 26% of what it takes to get promoted, according to 4,000 leaders surveyed by the Center for Talent Innovation. What is it?
If you’ve ever witnessed co-workers make a meteoric rise up the ladder, or be tapped for leadership positions because they have “what it takes,” the secret may be that they have developed their “Executive Presence.” It may be hard to describe exactly what executive presence is, but people know it when they see it, and when they don’t. It is what sets you apart from the rest.
Getting promoted isn’t just showing up and doing a good job. Sometimes, no matter how dedicated and hard-working you are, you still don’t get selected. But elevating your executive presence can start you on the right path. Here are four qualities that people with executive presence possess:
Presence
Inherent in the term executive presence is the word “presence.” It is a quality that is not easy to come by these days, in our fast-paced, plugged in, distracted world. Being present means being engaged. One way to be engaged is by really listening to someone. Have you ever talked to someone who was so focused on you that you felt like nothing else was going on in the world? They weren’t checking their cell phone, responding to a text, looking to see what was going on around them, thinking about what was on their mind, or what they were going to say next. Being able to connect with someone in that way is an art. Being present in a world where everyone else is so distracted can set you apart from the rest.
Authenticity
Are you able to express your true self, your values and beliefs, and be comfortable with who you are at work? If you feel like you have to put a mask on every day to fit in, to deal with organizational politics, to say what others want to hear instead of what you know is true, to look good, or to gain the approval of higher ups, then you may not be able to be authentic. Authenticity is being true to yourself. People pick up on it, and it makes them want to follow you. Authenticity comes from being comfortable and in alignment with who you are. If you’re struggling with being authentic at work, or being in alignment with what your company stands for, it may be time to start exploring other options that will allow you to get in alignment. Perhaps it is finding a career that doesn’t require you to mask who you are and is a better match for you.
Gravitas
A core characteristic of executive presence, according to the Center for Talent Innovation, is gravitas, or the ability to convey confidence. Confidence comes from believing in yourself and your abilities. One way to build confidence is to set a stretch goal that takes you outside of your comfort zone. Succeeding at something you’ve never done before helps to increase confidence.
Empathy
Executive presence includes the ability to feel empathy for others. Leaders who understand and can relate to what their employees are going through usually win the loyalty and support of their staff. Be mindful of ways that you can show that you understand and/or appreciate someone else’s point of view, especially if it is different from yours. This will help you increase your understanding and sympathy for others.
Enhancing your executive presence can be a game changer. Look for ways to enrich the qualities that will boost your executive presence and put the necessary time and energy into developing them. Come up with a strategy to position yourself as one “who has what it takes.” It just may demonstrate that you are the clear choice for a promotion.
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