Coaching Information

What Is Executive Presence?


Often our clients refer someone to us for Executive Coaching with a glowing description such as "This is one of our most valued and brilliant employees ?. But ?. he or she needs "Executive Presence", or as one client said "He's so low-key he's invisible. Give him "Executive Swagger".

Yet when asked to explain what they mean, their responses remind me of the Supreme Court's comments on pornography - - that it's difficult to define, but you'll know it when you see it.

From our successful interviews and coaching of hundreds of executives, here are some common traits of those who do project Executive Presence: They radiate confidence, poise and authority; they know how to connect with others; and, most important, they build on their own strengths and are genuine.

Following is a 5-point plan to help you build on YOUR strengths so that you project an impression of Executive Presence that matches your abilities:

1. Use your body language and visual image to convey confidence

· Stand and walk tall
· Use steady eye contact, not eye-darting
· Give a crisp handshake, not a dead fish
· Lean forward and be engaged in meetings. Don't fidget or play with your palm pilot
· Keep gestures subdued
· Be perfectly groomed and crisp

2.Develop an authoritative voice

· Use a low-pitched voice
· Place your voice down at the end of a sentence
· Speak with energy
· Eliminate a monotone and verbal distractions such as "um" and "basically"
· Slow down your speaking rate. Have the confidence to pause.

3.Avoid tentative language such as

· "I think ... "; "I guess ... "; "kind of ... "; "maybe ... "
· "I'm not sure if you'll like this, but ... "

4. Keep your message simple and clear

· Cut to the chase
· Think first, then talk. Don't share your internal debate with others
· Talk big picture, not details

5. Connect with others

· Become aware of your effect on others by observing and responding to their body language
· Listen more than you talk. Let others know that you value their opinion
· Take advantage of "hallway conversations" to connect informally

© Roberta Prescott

Roberta Prescott heads The Prescott Group, a communication firm specializing in Executive Development. Visit our web site (http://www.theprescottgroup.com) for more information about our Communication Programs and Executive Coaching Service.

  


MORE RESOURCES:

The Gazette (Montreal)

Roy passes on Avs' head-coaching job, for now
The Gazette (Montreal), Canada - 1 hour ago
Thanks, but no thanks seems to be the phrase from Patrick Roy on the prospects of coaching the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are looking for a new bench ...
Roy out of Avs' coaching search SportingNews.com
Roy says no to Avs, will stay in Quebec Denver Post
Roy says no to Avalanche, will stay with Remparts TSN.ca
Telegraph-Journal
all 9 news articles


The Southern Ledger

Torre OK with not being selected for All-Star coaching staff
The Associated Press - 3 hours ago
(AP) — Joe Torre doesn't mind that he was left off the coaching staff for the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. He might not have accepted an invitation ...
Girardi, Leyland are All-Star coaches MLB.com
Randolph honored to be All-Star coach New York Mets
Girardi, Leyland named All-Star coaches National Post
DetNews.com
all 359 news articles


Yahoo! Eurosport

Daly views: Coaching legend says Carlisle right for Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Morning News, TX - 9 hours ago
"He told me he would not take a coaching job unless he was confident it was the kind of team he would like to coach and could win games," Daly said. ...
Forget the grind: Carlisle prepared to pick up the pace with ... ESPN
Carlisle: Mavs will run, but won't forget D International Herald Tribune
Mavericks hire Rick Carlisle as new head coach Inside Hoops
Dallas Morning News - Dallas Morning News
all 120 news articles


Newstrack India

DSA coaching camp
Hindu, India - 12 hours ago
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) will hold summer coaching camp for boys and girls in the 8 to 16 years age group from May 20 to June 20. ...
DSA to hold summer coaching camps Newstrack India
Delhi Soccer Association hold summer camp from May 20 All India Radio
all 3 news articles


The Southern Ledger

Coaching staffs selected for July 15 All-Star Game
ESPN - 15 hours ago
Francona's Boston coaching staff -- first base coach Luis Alicea, pitching coach John Farrell, third base coach DeMarlo Hale, hitting coach Dave Magadan, ...
• Francona returns to Red Sox Redsox.com
all 237 news articles


Briefs 3-Santini turns down Tunisia coaching offer
Reuters.uk, UK - 18 hours ago
Soccer - Former France coach Jacques Santini has turned down an offer from Tunisia, leaving the country without a coach just weeks before they begin their ...


BBC Sport

Thomas set for coaching career
BBC Sport, UK - May 16, 2008
Former Wales fly-half Arwel Thomas is hoping to take up a coaching role with Premiership champions Neath next term. "When the offer came to go into coaching ...


Crawford takes coaching job in Gallatin County
Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL - 5 hours ago
One year after the end of a 26-year coaching reign at Teutopolis, Crawford has taken a job as athletics coordinator and junior varsity boys' basketball ...


Bonaduce coaching child stars
London Free Press, Canada - May 16, 2008
By BILL BRIOUX, THE CANADIAN PRESS How would young Danny Bonaduce, the freckle-faced kid from The Partridge Family, have done on the new reality/talent ...


Leyland to enjoy All-Star coaching
DetroitTigers.com - 6 hours ago
That manager then has the right to name his coaching staff. Usually, that will include his own coaching staff as well as two other managers from the same ...

coaching - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.