abirachkarsocial
WHY YOUR EXECUTIVE PRESENCE MATTERS
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When we think of a leader, we envision a white, tall, assertive male, someone that fits the typical CEO archetype. Indeed, many of the presumptive signals that someone is leadership material, such as being aggressive, assertive, commanding the room, having grey hair, are still embedded in our workplace stereotypes of power. The fact that 94% of Fortune 500 CEOs are male easily explains this erroneous stereotype.
Abir Achkar
Executive presence Interestingly, research has proven that an aggressive personality and other typically male traits don’t equate to good leadership. Some call it personal brand, others refer to it as executive presence, or the commonly referred to “it factor”. Simply put, it’s a combination of intelligence, credibility, and other intangible skills that make you not only relatable, but also extremely effective in a senior position. It’s that spark that inspires people around you and gets them to act towards a common goal. Your presence in the boardroom, at a dinner table, on social media, all culminate to your very own personal brand. It has nothing to do with performance; it’s more of a measure of communication and image. This exact executive presence is what determines a person’s ability to grow in their career and influence others. It’s your signal to the world that you have what it takes to get the job done.
Please don’t confuse personal brand with personality. Our fundamental personality isn’t meant to be transformed; it’s about adopting specific practices and performing minor tweaks in order to reflect even more confidence, character and poise.
The importance of executive presence in the workplace Executive presence won’t launch your career, however, its absence may hold you back. In a study by the Center for Talent Innovation, a large majority of senior executives surveyed said that executive presence counts for 26% of what it takes to get promoted. Even more so, research shows that women were less likely to get performance feedback on aspects of executive presence, making it even more difficult for them to develop and foster this skill. By fully understanding the fundamental components of executive presence, you’ll be better equipped to navigate
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JANUARY 2021
