Executive presence is often seen as an essential asset for today’s managers. The textbook definition of executive presence refers to a combination of personal charisma, excellence in interpersonal skills and professional competencies. People with executive presence are equipped with the personality to lead others and drive results.
Tracy Ho, personal branding strategist and founder of Frame & Fame, explained at a YEC Network & Learn event at the Chamber on January 18 that someone in a leadership role that does not have the right skills may struggle to command attention and respect.
“Executive presence is now considered a ‘must have’ for corporate managers and business owners to build strong internal and external relationships, escalate their career or business growth and stand out from the competition,” Ho said.
According to research from the New York-based Centre for Talent Innovation, executive presence counts for almost 30% of what it takes to get promoted to leadership positions.
But many executives, especially women, report that they find it hard to build a strong presence. The same research found that 81% of female executives feel they are not clear about executive presence and how to act on it.
Ho shared her STAR approach to personal branding, which includes working on your communication skills and appearance, and building knowledge in your field to give you added confidence.
Damian Rhodes, a recruitment consultant from FocusCore Recruit Hong Kong, shared insights gathered from his experience working with employers and candidates as well as his own managers.
Rhodes unveiled his “10 ways to boost executive presence.” Of the 10 points, he said “humility” is the most important. He explained that this does not only refer to an executive’s external image, “but also the values of authenticity, gratitude and genuine care for others which impact how people are viewed as leaders.”
During the Q&A session, audience members raised some of their own specific issues. One participant asked if it was possible for people with introverted personalities to develop executive presence.
Rhodes said that introverts do not necessarily lack leadership skills. He pointed out that research detailed in the management bestseller “Good to Great” by Jim Collins shows that humility is a trait of some of the most powerful leaders. A strong executive presence is possible for introverts if they focus on developing their assertiveness skills.
A female member of the audience asked for advice on managing men older than her. Rhodes suggested that she use professional curiosity – asking questions in a non-threatening way – as a means of understanding any potential concerns. On the same topic, Ho provided her “4-grid” approach: giving clear instructions, rewarding staff with a personal touch, asking specific questions based on facts, and having a genuine interest in their development within the company and beyond.
Karen Cheung from Karen Aruba Art joined the event as Frame & Fame’s partnering “visual recorder,” creating sketches to illustrate the key points.
“Visual recording is a lot of fun,” she said. “I capture the ideas and content visually as the speakers give their presentations. More and more people are discovering the power of live sketching and visual communication.”
After the speakers had finished, Cheung shared her two sketch boards with the audience.
“Drawing makes it much easier to remember, share and understand, and also helps people to gain insights in an effective way,” she said.