A recent study reported that 81% of business leaders found the concept of executive presence so contradictory and confusing that they don’t know how to act on it; however, having an effective “executive presence” is a determining factor in the ability to impact business strategy, grow your career and influence others. Credibility, communication, countenance, courage and cultivation are the behavioral competencies honed by all leaders who speak clearly, ask mindful questions and have maximum influence in an organization. While some people are natural born communicators, the good news is that an executive presence can be developed. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you can grow as a leader and advance your career by understanding the five keys to developing an executive presence that will allow you to communicate in a powerful way. Presentation by Jennifer McClure, President of Unbridled Talent LLC - http://unbridledtalent.com

1. Why Executive Presence Matters –
and How You Can Master It
LIKE A BOSS:
@Jennifer McClure Jennifer McClure – President, Unbridled Talent LLC #CincyHR

2. What Is
Executive Presence?

3. EXECUTIVE PRESENCE is a dynamic mix of 3
things: GRAVITAS (how you act), COMMUNICATION
(how you speak) and APPEARANCE (how you look).

4. SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
67%
28%
5%
GRAVITAS
COMMUNICATION
APPEARANCE
EXECUTIVE PRESENCE

5. Why Is
Executive Presence
Important?

6. EXECUTIVE PRESENCE will not earn
you a promotion, but a lack of
executive presence will impede your
ability to get as far as you want to go.
- Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success

7. EXECUTIVE PRESENCE will not earn
you a promotion, but a lack of
executive presence will impede your
ability to get as far as you want to go.
- Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success
* Executive Presence accounts for 26%
of what it takes to get promoted

8. Culture & Gender
Biases

9. of women find feedback
about Executive Presence
so contradictory and
confusing that they don’t
know how to act on it.
81%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014

10. No Makeup Minimal Moderate Dramatic
Challenges With Bias
700
People
250
Milliseconds
SOURCE: Center for
Talent Innovation, 2014

11. No Makeup Minimal Moderate Dramatic
Challenges With Bias
COMPETENT
SOURCE: Center for
Talent Innovation, 2014

12. No Makeup Minimal Moderate Dramatic
Appearance Challenges
TRUSTWORTHY
SOURCE: Center for
Talent Innovation, 2014

13. Communication Blunders
Rambling
And
Redundant
High-Pitched
Or
Shrill
Constant device
checking
Crying
Boredom
Foot-Tapping
Doodling
Failure To
Establish
Eye-ContactOver Reliance
On
Notes Or Props
Constant device
checking
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014

14. 5 C’s Of Executive Presence
u CREDIBILITY
u COMMUNICATION
u COUNTENANCE
u COURAGE
u CULTIVATION

15. CREDIBILITY
1

16. Confidence, poise & “grace under fire”
Decisiveness & “showing teeth”
Integrity & “speaking truth to power”
Emotional Intelligence
Reputation & standing / “Pedigree”
Vision / Charisma
For Women For Men
79%
76%
70%
70%
64%
63%
61%
58%
56%
57%
50%
54%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
Top Aspects of ‘Gravitas’

17. 78%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
of professionals first search
online for information on a new
colleague or prospective hire
Online Image Counts

18. Choose Your Words Wisely
• Drop “Just”
• Drop “Actually”
• Drop “Can I take a minute to say something?”
• Don’t say “What I’m saying may be wrong…”
• Don’t substitute a question for a sentence

19. COMMUNICATION
2

20. Concise, compelling speaking style
Ability to command a room
Forcefulness & assertiveness
Ability to read a client / A Boss / A Room
Sense of humor & ability to banter
Body language / Posture
For Women For Men
60%
63%
49%
54%
48%
48%
39%
33%
33%
35%
21%
25%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
Top Communication Traits

23. Control Your Voice

24. Use Your Hands

25. Make Eye Contact

26. COUNTENANCE
3

27. Grooming & polish
Physically attractive / Toned / Fit
Sophisticated clothing & flair
(Dressing for the next job)
Height (Being tall)
Youthful, vigorous appearance
For Women For Men
35%
38%
19%
16%
12%
13%
6%
16%
6%
4%
SOURCE: Center for Talent Innovation, 2014
Top Aspects of Appearance

28. First Impressions Count

29. Dress The Part

30. Project Confidence

31. COURAGE
4

32. Inspire Trust

33. CULTIVATION
5

34. Seek Feedback

35. Authenticity vs Conformance

36. ACTION STEPS

37. Action
Plan
Define
the
Problem
Be Consistent & Act with Integrity
Focus on Your Communication
Pay Attention to Style & Appearance
Inspire Trust
Ask for Feedback Regularly
Be True to Who You Are
TO DO

39. THANK YOU!
Jennifer McClure
unbridledtalent.com
@JenniferMcClure