While you may have already been working to hone your executive presence, virtual meetings present entirely new challenges.
How can you radiate gravitas, charisma, and confidence on a screen.
The virtual meeting screen is where people’s attention is more likely to waver, body language is largely absent, and an interpersonal connection can be hard to establish?
I’ve been coaching my clients on this exact topic as the world goes remote. I’ll share with you the tips that have helped them transition into successfully leading remote teams by demonstrating executive presence in all their virtual meetings. Learn how to not only speak up at the right times, but to convey the confidence and charisma that make you a person people want to follow. Whether you’re leading the meeting or not, these tactics will greatly boost your visibility and make sure others see you as a leader.
9 Key Strategies to Radiate Executive Presence in Virtual Meetings
1. Work extra hard to listen consciously.
Restate the important points that participants make. This accomplishes three things:
- Ensures the group recognizes these points as being key.
- Enhances clarity of the ideas.
- Establishes your centrality to the conversation.
By weighing in on participants’ points and emphasizing the ones you want the group to focus on, you’re subtly reinforcing your authority as a leader.
2. Plan your questions and talking points.
Even if you’re good at speaking off the cuff in person, carrying the same relaxed demeanor while staying on topic can be far more difficult on a virtual call. Speaking on a Zoom call can feel much more nerve-wracking, which tends to make people less eloquent. You’ll be more succinct and articulate when you prepare your key talking points beforehand, as well as questions you want to ask the group or particular individuals. Post them in a spot where you can easily see them for quick reference.
3. Never multitask.
When you’re looking at another screen, others can see your eyes moving back and forth. Multitasking during a video conference is just as noticeable as it is during an in-person meeting. You shouldn’t be checking your phone there, so you shouldn’t be checking it here either!
4. Practice masterful facilitation.
The ability to lead a productive virtual meeting reveals executive presence. Learn the ins and outs of facilitating a virtual conference call so everything goes smoothly. If necessary, introduce participants to one another. Plan your agenda in advance, send it to everyone, and stick to it closely. Create space for people to ask questions, and respond thoughtfully to them. At the end, sum up the key actions everyone will be taking.
5. Use positive affirmations.
To connect with participants and maintain positive relationships, use plenty of positive affirmations to show you appreciate their good work and ideas. Mention specific people’s contributions and thank them for their work. This will enhance the human element of a conference call, showing people that you see them as individuals and creating a sense of warmth that too often is lacking in a video conference.
6. Consider your tone.
Think about the purpose of the meeting and what you want to discuss during it, which will tell you the tone you need to convey. For example, if you need to deliver some tough news, your tone might be solemn while expressing a heartfelt belief in your people that conveys a sense of optimism. This shows you understand the gravity of the situation, yet believe your team can resolve it together.
7. Use open body language.
Although it’s harder to see much of people’s body language on a video call, you don’t want to sit with arms crossed, which makes you look aloof or angry. Sit up straight and put your shoulders back, as if you’re at the head of a conference table surrounded by other leaders. If you have a standing desk, being on your feet can help you feel and come across as more dynamic while maintaining an open, commanding posture.
8. Dress and groom yourself as you would for the office.
Similarly, don’t wear sweatpants to your video conference. You’ll convey a greater sense of capability when you dress the way your people are used to seeing you dress in the office (or a slightly pared down version of that, if you typically wore a suit jacket). Dressing for work and then changing into casual clothes after the work day ends also provides a ritual that separates work time from home time, helping you feel more focused and present.
9. Give nonverbal affirmation.
Nod your head when you agree with the message of the speaker. Nonverbal affirmation works better on video than small verbal cues like “sure” and “uh huh.” With small nonverbal cues, you’ll avoid bringing yourself onscreen for a moment while someone else is talking. (Better yet, mute your audio too.)
By working extra hard to project the traits of executive presence and navigate the medium of video conferencing with skill, you’ll hold meetings that get results. You’ll also truly demonstrate your leadership skillset when your colleagues and superiors see the results you’re getting even amid the transition to virtual work.
Contact Joel for executive coaching so he can help you boost your executive presence in every meeting.
