Embracing 7C's of Executive Presence to Stand Out & Lead Strong

Which names come to your mind when it comes to executive presence?

Some pretty impressive people have it. Think about Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India Indra Nooyi: Former CEO of PepsiCo, Virat Kohli: Indian cricket team captain.  

But it's not just for big names. Executive presence is all about having that special something that makes people pay attention to you.

It's like when Nelson Mandela wore a rugby jersey and shook hands with the winning team's captain. It showed the world that he was a leader focused on bringing people together.

Executive presence isn't about how well you do your job—like meeting targets or having great ideas. Instead, it's about how others see you. It's like showing everyone that you've got what it takes to shine, to be a star. It's about how you show up, how you carry yourself, and how you make others feel.

Executive presence is a mix of confidence, calmness, and being true to yourself. It's what makes others see you as someone who's got what it takes to lead or succeed.

Some people think that EP is all about how they talk and how they look and miss the very important pillar about having a strong character to act in certain ways.

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John C. Maxwell

So, it is basically based on 3 pillars-

·         How you act (Character)

·         How you talk (communication)

·         How you appear (appearance)

So, if you can understand and master executive presence, you'll be first in line for exciting opportunities and have a chance to do something amazing with your career.

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." - Ronald Reagan

Let's dive into the secrets of executive presence—the 7 C's—and unlock your potential for greatness.

1.      Composure: Weathering the Storms with Poise In the face of adversity, composure is your greatest ally. It's the ability to maintain calm, clarity, and control, even amidst chaos. Whether navigating challenging negotiations or confronting unexpected setbacks, leaders with unwavering composure inspire confidence and trust in their ability to steer the ship through turbulent waters.

Imagine you're an engineer working on a big project, like building a skyscraper. Suddenly, you hit a snag - maybe the materials you ordered aren't up to standard, or bad weather delays construction. Now, a leader with composure won't panic or get stressed out. Instead, they'll stay cool, keep a clear head, and calmly figure out a solution. They might rearrange schedules, find better materials, or come up with alternative plans. Their calmness helps everyone else stay focused and confident that the project will succeed, even when things seem chaotic.

2.      Connection: Building Bridges of Trust At its core, leadership is about forging meaningful connections—with your team, your peers, and your stakeholders. Authentic connection breeds trust, fosters collaboration, and fuels organizational cohesion. Invest in building genuine relationships, listen with empathy, and demonstrate a sincere interest in the well-being and aspirations of those around you.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." - Simon Sinek

Let's imagine you're leading a team of engineers working on a new technology project. Connection is like building strong bridges between you, your team, and others involved.

For instance, you could regularly check in with each team member, asking how they're doing and if they need any support. By showing genuine interest in their well-being, you're building trust and making them feel valued.

Additionally, let's say you need input from another department for your project. Instead of just sending emails, you take the time to meet them in person. You listen carefully to their ideas, showing empathy for their concerns and perspectives. This builds a strong connection between your team and theirs, leading to better collaboration and smoother project progress.

By investing in these genuine relationships and connections, you're not just leading a team—you're fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and unity that benefits the entire organization.

3.      Charisma: Captivating Hearts and Minds Charisma is the magnetic force that draws others to you, compelling them to follow your lead. It's not about theatrical flair or flamboyant gestures but rather about exuding warmth, confidence, and authenticity. Cultivate your personal charm, harness the power of storytelling, and infuse your interactions with energy and enthusiasm that leave a lasting impression.

Let's say you're the leader of a team working on a challenging project, like designing a new product. Charisma is like having a natural magnetism that makes people want to follow your lead.

"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence." - Sheryl Sandberg

For example, during team meetings, instead of just listing tasks, you start by sharing a personal story related to the project. Maybe you talk about a similar challenge you faced in the past and how your team overcame it together. By sharing this story, you're not only showing vulnerability but also inspiring your team with your past successes and your belief in their abilities.

Furthermore, during interactions with team members, you make an effort to really listen to their ideas and opinions. You show genuine interest and enthusiasm for their contributions, which makes them feel valued and motivated to give their best.

4.      Confidence: Radiating Self-Assurance Confidence is the cornerstone of executive presence—a quiet assurance that emanates from within. It's about owning your expertise, embracing your strengths, and projecting conviction in your decisions and actions. Cultivate self-confidence through preparation, practice, and a mindset of continuous growth and learning.

Confidence is like having a quiet but strong assurance in yourself and your abilities.

For instance, during a high-pressure meeting with stakeholders, you confidently present your plan for the product launch. You speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and answer questions with poise, showing that you truly believe in the success of your strategy.

Moreover, let's say unexpected challenges arise during the project. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you remain calm and composed. You trust in your expertise and problem-solving skills to navigate through the obstacles, reassuring your team that everything will be handled effectively.

5.      Credibility: Building Trust through Integrity Credibility is the currency of leadership—the foundation upon which trust is built. It's about aligning your words with your actions, upholding ethical standards, and demonstrating integrity in all your dealings. Invest in building a reputation for reliability, honesty, and transparency, and watch as your credibility becomes a cornerstone of your leadership presence.

"The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves." - Ray Kroc

Imagine you're a team leader in a company known for its commitment to ethical practices. Credibility is like having a bank account of trust built on integrity and honesty.

For instance, let's say there's a situation where you have to make a tough decision that affects the team. Instead of hiding information or making promises you can't keep, you communicate openly and honestly with your team members. You explain the reasoning behind your decision, even if it's unpopular, and ensure that everyone understands the situation clearly.

Moreover, in your interactions with clients or stakeholders, you always deliver on your promises and uphold the highest ethical standards. For example, if you promise to deliver a project by a certain deadline, you make sure it's done on time and with quality. Your consistent reliability and honesty earn you respect and trust from both your team and external partners.

6.      Clarity: Communicating with Precision Clarity is the hallmark of effective communication—an ability to convey your message with precision and impact. Whether articulating your vision, outlining strategic objectives, or providing feedback, strive for clarity in both your verbal and non-verbal communication. Be concise, articulate, and ensure that your message resonates with clarity and purpose.

Imagine you're leading a team in a fast-paced project where clear communication is crucial. Clarity is like having a spotlight that shines brightly on your message, ensuring everyone understands exactly what you're saying.

For example, during a project kickoff meeting, you have to explain the goals and expectations to your team. Instead of using technical jargon or vague language, you break down the information into simple, easy-to-understand points. You provide clear examples and visuals to illustrate your points, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Moreover, let's say there's a need to address a problem that arose during the project. You communicate with precision, clearly outlining the issue, its impact, and the steps needed to resolve it. You also provide guidance on how each team member can contribute to the solution, ensuring that everyone knows their role and responsibilities.

7.      Conciseness: Distilling Complexity into Simplicity In a world inundated with information, brevity is a virtue. Conciseness is about distilling complex ideas into simple, digestible nuggets of wisdom. Whether delivering a presentation, crafting an email, or leading a meeting, embracing the art of brevity to captivate attention, drive engagement, and leave a lasting impact.

Imagine you're leading a team meeting to discuss a complex project with tight deadlines. Conciseness is like using a sharp knife to trim away the unnecessary details, leaving only the most essential information.

For instance, instead of overwhelming your team with a long-winded presentation filled with technical jargon and irrelevant data, you focus on the key points. You distill the project goals, challenges, and action steps into simple, easy-to-understand bullet points. This allows everyone to grasp the main ideas quickly and stay engaged throughout the meeting.

Moreover, let's say you need to send an email update to stakeholders about the project progress. Instead of writing a lengthy report, you craft a concise message highlighting the most important milestones achieved and any critical issues that need attention. This ensures that busy stakeholders can quickly grasp the key updates without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

The conscious leader understands that true power comes not from force, but from love, understanding, and service."

By embracing the art of brevity, you captivate attention, drive engagement, and leave a lasting impact in every communication. Whether delivering a presentation, crafting an email, or leading a meeting, your ability to distill complexity into simplicity ensures that your message resonates with clarity and purpose, making a meaningful impact on your team and stakeholders.

In conclusion, mastering executive presence is not merely about projecting a polished image or adopting a set of prescribed behaviors. It's about embodying the seven essential C's—composure, connection, charisma, confidence, credibility, clarity, and conciseness—in every interaction, decision, and endeavor.

By cultivating these foundational pillars, you can elevate your leadership presence, inspire others to action, and make a lasting impact in the ever-evolving landscape of leadership.

I know it’s easier said than done. And that’s the reason I want to help professionals practically enhance their executive presence to attain leadership positions. I am designing a 30 Days Executive Presence Challenge.

DM me “EP” if you are interested in joining.

That’s all for today.

I”ll see you in my next post.