20 Year Veteran Executive Career Coach Tells Us What Top Things You Should Be Thinking About
Talking about stemware in an article about executive presence might seem odd, but bear with me. Let’s look at two wine glasses: one is from the dollar store and the other is exquisite Waterford crystal. Both are capable of doing the job; they hold wine. One, however, receives more noticeable attention than the other receives, is more suited to important social situations and has greater perceived value than the other one.
If you’re an executive or entrepreneur, which wine glass are you?
Your mad IT skills might be enough for you to start your own company or to be the go-to person in your department, but those skills might not be enough for the rapid ladder climb you desire. Your executive presence, that shine that makes you a cut above, directly affects the caliber of people who choose to work with you, work for you or invest in your business.
Carol Denton, a 20-year veteran executive coach, specializes in “how to make leaders better at what they do in organizations.” She educates senior level executives and those people with high potential for leadership seeking to polish their leadership skills first.
Denton’s own experience included some “banging on the door of the glass ceiling” before she accepted that there is a marked difference in the way women and men develop in leadership roles. Her clients often are the stars in their field, but they are preparing for roles with a much bigger reach.
Sometimes rising stars don’t know what they don’t know. Denton cautions that lack of “executive presence can be a derailer for people on the rise” and often-overlooked skills like simple table manners demonstrate a lack of finesse. Polish your executive presence by evaluating then emulating the people who have made it to the top, paying particular attention to…
Communication Style: What you might consider active debate, your employees might consider antagonism. Develop a kinder and gentler style without losing toughness by refining your patience and listening skills. Be cognizant of how your message will be received.
Organizational Structure: Learn what other departments do and how your department can support them more effectively. Build relationships across the company, not only in your own area. Cultivate relationships by finding commonalities. Do not assume that it is the CEO’s responsibility to initiate conversation in the elevator; build bridges without appearing to be sucking up.
Executive Thinking: “If you make a presentation to the executives in your organization, you might be thinking about your data, and you know your data up one side and down the other,” Denton advises. They will be thinking, “So what, now?” That’s the graduation from tactical thinking about the data to strategically thinking and determining how to glean solid decision-making from that data. Think about the broader organization, not just one department.
Attire: Attire might seem superficial, but it can be a deal-breaker. Be mindful of regional attire, when changing roles or moving across country the rules might be different. Notice the subtle differences in dress from one position to another. Evaluate the people who have made it to the top in your company. If you are the top of the ladder, you set the tone for everyone else; dress accordingly.
Does your executive presence reflect quality, sophistication and comfort at staff meetings or awards banquets; or is your executive presence lackluster and better suited to less important functions? Polish yourself to shine in every light and don’t allow a lackluster presence to derail advancement opportunities.
TAGS: career leadership