Have you seen colleagues rise above you in the ranks, even though they have no more talent than you? They most likely got promoted because they are beginning to emanate a strong leadership presence. As a result, senior leaders instinctively felt they could trust them with enhanced responsibilities and knew that others would follow their leadership.
Executive presence is critical to professional success, whether you want to reach the next level or excel in your current role. It serves as the key differentiator between those with a high level of talent and those who have what it takes to become top leaders. And this holds true both in-person and in online executive presence environments.
Let’s explore why executive presence plays such a vital role in a leaders’ professional success.
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Branding you as a next-level leader.
By radiating strength and capability, you’ll show that you’re capable of leading a team through tough challenges and prestigious projects. Thus, senior leaders will groom you for advancement. When promotional opportunities open up, or when they’re updating a succession plan, you’ll be at the forefront of their minds. In contrast, a lack of executive presence will bring your career to a screeching halt.
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Transforming your self-doubt into confidence.
If you’re suffering from imposter syndrome, executive presence will help you move beyond it. You’ll gain the skills to show up as a leader in every situation, and as you put them into practice, you’ll gradually push past the uncertainty that causes you to feel like you don’t belong. Working with an executive coach can help you start feeling like a leader with executive presence as well as behaving like one.
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Empowering you to take on higher-level projects.
As you move past self-doubt, you’ll volunteer for projects that excite you and leverage your skills at a higher level. You’ll demonstrate your ability to lead major initiatives that drive the organization’s success. As a result, you’ll establish a strong track record of success that speaks to your leadership abilities.
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Causing you to love your work more.
You’ll gain a new level of enjoyment and satisfaction from your work, because you’ll feel intellectually challenged by higher-profile projects and will achieve meaningful results. You’ll engage in strategic thinking that stretches your abilities. Plus, you’ll feel appreciative of the recognition you receive, making your work more rewarding. You’ll build strong relationships that make your work more fulfilling as well.
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Motivating your team to achieve bigger goals.
As you exude passion for what you do and radiate a commanding presence, you’ll motivate your team to give their all. And by providing strong guidance, you’ll help each person develop their distinct skill set. You’ll empower them to take ownership of their own success, just like you did for yours, while acting as a supportive executive coach.
To excel in your career and continue to advance, prioritize developing your executive presence. Professional success at a high level demands this vital leadership skill set. Instead of getting passed by for new opportunities, you’ll become the one senior leaders trust most with higher-level duties. Whatever your career trajectory looks like—lateral moves, promotions within your company, or a new role in a different organization—executive presence will allow you to achieve the professional success you deserve.
To cultivate executive presence and advance in your career, consider working with an experienced executive presence coach. A good coach will provide strategies and regular feedback that guides you along the path to success. Contact Joel to begin an executive coaching program or inquire about an executive presence training program. You can also purchase his book for your employees: Executive Presence: Step into Your Power, Convey Confidence and Lead with Conviction.
