Three ways to build your ‘executive presence’

illustration photo

Appearance

Like it or not, the first thing people judge you (and your company) by is how you look. As the head of the company, your clothing, hair, and makeup say something about your company. Make sure your personal style conveys the image that you want your company to portray.

Be intentional about the impression you want to make and be consistent with the company’s brand. If your company’s image is professional, you may want to dress up a bit even if you’re at a conference where most people dress casually.

Mind what and how you speak

Communicate in a clear and concise manner. Do not give a dissertation as an answer to a question or in a presentation. Engage people in the conversation. Don’t talk at them, talk with them. If you have expertise in a specific area, make two or three points. Don’t overload people with all the details.

Speak from your experience and in a voice of authority. Avoid phrases like “I think,” “it might be.” These phrases diminish the power of what you have to say.

Get feedback

It’s also important to know how others see you and how you fit into the competitive landscape, that is, how do you compare to the leaders in your field? When you’re an employee, you can turn to your boss and colleagues for feedback. Entrepreneurs have to look harder for useful feedback.

You want people who will tell you about your blind spots. Also, make sure it’s a diverse group including age, gender, ethnicity and business expertise. You don’t want a group mentality. You want people who will reflect what’s going on in the market and who look at the market from different vantage points. Don’t assume you know all the answers. Be open to what your advisors have to say.

Source: forbes.com
Source: http://www.navigossearch.com