the pearls ‘skill focus: executive presence’ leona deakin cpsychol, msc chartered psychologist
TRANSCRIPT
The Pearls
‘Skill Focus: Executive Presence’
Leona Deakin CPsychol, MSc
Chartered Psychologist
The Pearls
What Executive Presence
means to successful women&
How to get it for yourself
[email protected] 07788 754960
What is Executive Presence?
It’s about impact
Positive Impact
N Impact
Negative Impact
It’s about the WOW factor
• Standing out from the crowd• An ability to influence
– Substance– Personal style– Positive attitude– Presentation skills– Manners / etiquette– Receptivity / listening skills
GRAVITAS 67 %*
Demonstrating EQ Exuding confidence
Poise under pressure Speaking truth to power
Radiating vision, charisma
COMMUNICATION
28%*
Assertiveness Excellent speaking
skills Ability to read an
audience or situation
APPEARANCE
5%*
Judging what is appropriate &
distinctive
Center for Talent Innovation in New York*percentage of senior executives surveyed who said this aspect was the core characteristic of executive presence
What characterises Executive Presence?
The Pearls
So, what is Executive Presence?
Being well prepared
Making others feel special
Displaying confidence and enthusiasm
What elements do successful women possess?
17 women
• 11 sit on the Board or Executive Team of their organization• 3 own and run their own successful business• 3 are Partners or Senior Partners within their firms.
Sectors represented : Manufacturing, Finance, Law, Public Transport, Healthcare, Utilities and Management Consultancy.
My research
What am Igood at?
What am Igood at?
What do Ienjoy?
What do Ienjoy?
Why not me?Why not me?
Stress management
Time for a changeTime for a challengeTime for a change
Time for a challenge
People Skills
Talk aboutwhat they want
Work Ethic
What characterises successful women at work
Nearly all of the women (90%)
1. Had a keen awareness of their own strengths
2. Reported the significant impact of one or more parent on developing self belief and ‘can do’ attitude
3. Spoke of being interested in people, building long term relationships and wide networks
Majority of the women (70%)
4. Talked of managing their careers through hard work, persistence and remaining open to opportunities
5. Regarded the support of their husbands and company sponsors as critical
6. Adopted stress management techniques such as putting things into perspective, reflecting on strengths and taking control
Discrimination
Women who don’t make it?Choice versus confidence
It is hard to make it to the top You have to,
a) Want it
b) Work at it
Does it not happen
or
Do they not see it?
EncouragingParents
Supportive husband
Bosses they could learn from
Leaders who championed them
Success is not a solo activity
The Pearls
So, what elements do successful women possess?
A mindset of openness & confidence
A willingness to work hard
An ability to keep calm
An interest in others
The use of networks
How can you develop your own Executive Presence?
What am I good at?
What can I do to progress,
grow and challenge myself?
Why not me?
Mindset
Motivation
Strive to do something different, progress, grow and be challenged
Adopt a ‘why not me?’ attitude, a willingness to try and an optimistic outlook
Consider how successful women think
Say yes to opportunities
Play tostrengths
Work hard
Managestress
Build strongrelationships
Talk about what
you want
Consider how successful women behave
The most important qualities of leadership are Showing a genuine interest in people and Acting with integrity
Luck is more to do with attitude than chance
Successful people are motivated by challenge and achievement rather than reward
Existing research shows
Success is less to do with talent than hard work
Seven steps to developing your Executive Presence
1. Adopt a growth mindset and an openness to opportunities – seek out challenges and be willing to try
2. Develop emotional intelligence, people skills and the ability to build long term relationships
3. Increase awareness of your strengths to build confidence and resilience
4. Develop mental toughness via stress management techniques
5. Appreciate the importance of hard work and persistence
6. Ensure a support network exists at home and in work – learn from role models and seek out champions
7. Talk about what you want and take control of your progress
The Pearls
To truly redress the balance of women at the top of corporate UK, women themselves need fight the
temptation to estimate their intellect, potential and capability as lower than their male counterparts.
They need to see that those who have made it to the top adopted ways of thinking and behaving which facilitated their progress, their growth and ultimately their success.
Then, they need to learn how to do it for themselves.
[email protected] 07788 754960
