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A major part of being a leader comes down to how you see yourself and how others see you. Often, these are two sides of the same coin.

In this podcast, on the subject of executive presence, you will find a wealth of insight into this matter. Chris Goede, Vice-president for The John Maxwell Company, and Perry Holley, a John Maxwell facilitator and coach, talk about the highly acclaimed Executive Presence book by Sylvia Ann Hewlett.

Sylvia breaks executive presence into three categories.

• Gravitas – As the name implies, this alludes to gravity, the quiet confidence of a leader that, without a word, tells the audience they are someone to be taken seriously. It speaks to integrity, honesty, and leadership strength. It also speaks a silent language of respect, where the leader is respected but also respectful of those with whom he or she comes into contact. Like gravity, you cannot see it, but you sense its grounding presence.
• Communication – Great executive presence requires great communication. Effective leaders communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively. They are assertive without being disrespectful. They will address issues without attacking the person. And they are willing to have difficult conversations where necessary. Excellent communicators know that listening is just as important as speaking.
• Appearance – It is human nature to judge a book by its cover. People initially will judge your level of leadership by what they see. Job interviewers know this. This is why, if they are serious about a position, they pay particular attention to dressing the part. As a leader, you are, essentially, always being interviewed for the job. When you enter a room, start a meeting, stand in front of an audience, or talk with your team, you are being “interviewed” as to your leadership credibility. Dress accordingly. Stand straight. Be well groomed. These simple actions speak to your executive leadership.

There is more in this rich podcast, along with some good humor as well. You’ll enjoy this one. Click here to listen now.

As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer, and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, and using the Maxwell Method, Deb helps leaders and teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.