TAKE YOUR EXECUTIVE PRESENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL (AUDIO)
We all need the “basics” of Executive Presence: we must look the part, speak well, and hold your own in a conversation. However, once we get to more senior VP and C-Levels, executive presence has to go a lot deeper than your appearance and great oral presentation skills.
I was interviewed on this deeper level of executive presence by Diana Thomas, former Vice President of Training, Learning and Development of McDonalds Corporation, who now leads the Talent Champions Podcast for Franklin-Covey. Here are
two short audio clips, about 10 minutes each, taken from that interview.
1: THE INFLUENCE PUZZLE: THE 3 P’S AND 3 C’S OF EXECUTIVE PRESENCE
People often think executive presence is vague, but “they know it when they see it.” Listen to how successful Vice Presidents and C-level Executives clearly define executive presence. It is not vague, and here is a roadmap for how we
can strengthen it. Listen as we walk through the model in the Influence Puzzle Book: The 3 P’s and the 3 C’s. These are the 6 aspects of your executive presence that are being evaluated every day by both the people you lead and your
stakeholders.
2: THE INFLUENCE PUZZLE: BUILDING AN EXECUTIVE PRESENCE THAT HANDLES THE STRESS OF SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Once a leader gets to VP and C-level, things change dramatically. There’s less time to think and the politics are much more intense, so the stress level increases. Listen to how a leader’s executive presence needs to include the ability to deal with stress by staying out of React Mode. The key is looking at the stories we tell ourselves when in stressful situations… especially the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. This is part of that deeper and more powerful executive presence.
THE BLIND SPOTS OF HIGH ACHIEVERS (AUDIO)
High achievers are usually successful and achieve goals quickly. Many senior executives are high achievers. However, there are some unique challenges that come with being a high achiever; some unique blind spots. I’ve seen the benefits that happen when a senior executive takes the time to deal with their blind spots.
They end up having a much more powerful impact with a lot less effort. Listen to the audio segments below to learn about the blind spots I’ve discovered while coaching senior executives. Each four-minute message (free download) covers typical behaviors executives demonstrate and some of the challenges they experience before becoming aware of what they cannot see.
1. STEPPING UP: THE END OF YOUR WINNING FORMULA
You are already known for winning. But when you step up to a more senior executive level, you may find that winning doesn’t happen as frequently or as easily. Now is the time to look at your “winning formula” to see if the way you have always succeeded no longer works.
2. LEADING POWERFULLY: THE HIDDEN NEED FOR APPROVAL
A key competency of successful leaders is skillful collaboration. Yet at the senior executive levels, this way of operating can have an unintended (and potentially hazardous) impact on your leadership and career.
3: BEING OVERWHELMED: THE SUPER-BUSY TRAP
You work more. You work harder. You work longer. Leadership is about the results you produce. So you’re proud of being so busy. But you’re being overwhelmed. Choosing to do it yourself may look good—up to a point. Listen to what can happen when you continue to fundamentally be a master “doer”.
4: SHIFTING FROM DOER TO LEADER
You’ve been promoted into a Director or VP position based on your track record and potential as a high achiever. Yet the transition from technical expert to true leader requires new competencies and a different focus to deliver bottom line results.
5: THE ALPHA LEADER
You are passionate, committed, and authentic. But you’ve hit a wall. Your ability to influence people and consistently deliver great results is at risk. Now is the time to look at what’s standing between you and extraordinary P&Ls.
