How to Establish and Maintain a Solid Executive Presence

With much of the workforce now being home-based, maintaining a solid Executive Presence (EP) is more important than ever. The presence of an executive, especially in the virtual world, can be solidified in several ways, and you should focus on refining how you are showing up as a leader on a day-to-day basis through the following:

Professional Appearance

One way to bolster your Executive Presence is to maintain a professional appearance regarding how you present yourself and the space you are showing up in. While it's easier to work in sweatpants at home, as a leader, it is important to dress to impress. This means that you show up in front of your employees in clothing you would wear into the office if you were commuting. This also means you are working from a space that mimics the workspace you would maintain in the office. For example, you may have the luxury of a home office that you are keeping neat and organized. Or, maybe you are working from another space in your home that presents professionally. While remaining relatable to your employees is essential, it's also important not to show up to meetings in sweatpants in your bedroom.

Solicit Feedback

Another way to maintain your EP is to constantly seek feedback from your colleagues. In a virtual work environment, it's challenging to have quick conversations that offer feedback or suggestions about improving your team's functions. In order to maintain two-way communication, you need to seek out this feedback regularly by providing a place for your team to place their thoughts on what is going well and what could be improved. In a virtual setting, it may be easier not to solicit feedback, but for your team to view you as a strong leader and maintain your Executive Presence, you need to prioritize understanding how your team views you as a leader.

Strengthen Communication

A final way to maintain a strong EP is to focus on how you present yourself in terms of your public speaking and presentation skills. While public speaking and presenting is not everyone's most robust skill-set, and may even evoke feelings of anxiety, it is important to master for others to see you as a strong leader. It's hard to take someone in a leadership role seriously if they are stumbling through poorly crafted presentations, and regardless of whether or not you are an expert in your field, others will be unable to view you that way. Therefore, it is important to show up daily and communicate with confidence, composure, and clarity.

If you feel you could improve your speaking and presentation skills, there is an abundance of professional development opportunities available. Seeking professional development shows you’re committed to being the best leader you can be and will encourage others to work to improve their own skills.

There are many benefits to finding and exuding your authentic Executive Presence both personally and professionally. Contact us today to establish your Executive Presence.