Recently someone asked me about executive presence. We’ve all seen examples of people with amazing executive presence…..here are some of the things I’ve observed from people I think have great executive presence….

People with great executive presence…..

1. They are authentic. They don’t try to be something they’re not. When they communicate, it comes across as sincere, heartfelt, factual, appropriate to the topic. If they don’t know the answer, they say it. If they make a mistake, they own it. They’re not trying to be something they’re not….perfect. One senior person I know at Morgan has a big personality….and because he’s also smart and kind, people care about him. I was talking to someone about him, and the individual said “That’s my boy.”
2. They are consistent: they’re not moody, they don’t swing from one end of the spectrum to another. They don’t make everyone else tippy toe around them. They are not emotional. One senior manager I worked for…never, ever saw her lose her temper or curse.
3. They are fair. They don’t play favorites and spend more time with one person than others, they don’t give one person on their team a perceived advantage (or disadvantage). Their relationships are not viewed as personal.
4. They are great communicators. Some of the most senior people I’ve seen are the most boring communicators around. I remember one senior leader who just spoke for an hour randomly. If you’re not good on your feet, create structure through a presentation. If you’re not naturally exciting, invite others to speak. Communication is about how you make people feel and walk away understanding….it’s not about making everyone come along your journey of getting better.
5. They are polite and subtle. They don’t do email during a meeting, they don’t get distracted. They don’t belittle others in a meeting. They don’t make inappropriate jokes. They don’t make other people uncomfortable. I remember working for the head of a big business at Amex, and I was the most junior and new person on his executive team. He always made sure I was seated at his table at any event. Subtly, he was telling others that my role was important….and it went a long way.