Be Here Now
I get asked often about Executive Presence...how to get it and what it looks like.
Back in the last century, Executive Presence seemed to mostly be about the projection of power. Now, with a multi-generational workforce, it is more about empathy and balance. Staying focused on the interaction at hand increases our capacity to get our own ego out of the way so we can focus on our audience. Identifying both personal and practical needs informs our content.
Observing many executives over years, I have noticed that while most have their own style, they typically demonstrate some striking similarities. They all seem somehow the same underneath and in the reactions they get. They all foster personal attention, loyalty and organization performance that is off the charts. Take a look at who in your organization has this "Presence" and I bet you will notice many of the same attributes. These include:
Authentic listening. They hear what you said and what was not said
Responding to both the personal needs for empathy and the practical needs of achievement of their audience.
Being focused on what was happening at that moment...demonstrating presence by being present.
I have recently read and re-read two great books that inform this discussion. The first selection is the excellent book by Daniel Goleman entitled Working with Emotional Intelligence (1998) . The other is a new book by Cal Newport entitled Deep Work (2016). Golemen, over the years, has made a strong research and experiential case for the power of harnessing the emotional component of work to create outstanding experiences. After all; loyalty, pride, excitement and engagement are all...emotions. Cal has recently made an equally strong case for reducing distractions and increasing focus, in service to accomplishing creative work and meeting goals. So, how do exceptional leaders get the appropriate levels of listening, balanced response and focus? Three words (with credit to Richard Alpert/Ram Das):
Be Here Now.
That's their secret. They typically are able (with practice) to stay very much in the moment and are able to quickly identify or anticipate the emotional resonance and tasks necessary for a complete and authentic moment. There is a reason that experiences where people feel a genuine connection with a leader are often described as "Presence". It is because what we are experiencing is "the present". That person is here with us. Typical comments about leaders with Presence include phases such as:
"I felt like I was the only person in the room..."
"She seemed to be talking just to me..."
"They could read my mind..."
"There was this connection..."
So, as always, here are a few practice tips to enhance your Presence:
In any interaction (written or verbal) ask; What are the emotions operating and what are the implications for the message...on both sides?
Make sure to acknowledge the emotional components while being clear about performance expectations or challenges.
Match your physical posture to the message you want to convey
Repeat the internal mantra Be Here Now.
This is part of Innovation.
Originally published HERE.
