Happy Holidays from WJM Associates

2010 has been a wonderful year for WJM Associates. We've engaged with a significant number of new clients, grown our Faculty all over the globe with world-class consultants, and added several new members to our staff. In other words, we have many new relationships to be thankful for in this year of exciting growth.

We look forward to continuing to grow these partnerships into 2011 and beyond and wish you and your families a healthy and joyous holiday season and a new year of peace and happiness!

Tim Morin
President & CEO
WJM Associates, Inc.
 

"When leaders with executive presence speak, people listen - because the talk is filled with conviction instead of equivocation. They inspire that I'll-follow-you-anywhere loyalty, conveying an aura of warmth and authenticity to everybody from the receptionist to the CEO." (BusinessWeek, July 2002)

What is Executive Presence?
Executive presence, also referred to as leadership presence, is an essential component of effective leadership, but it is difficult to define in precise terms and varies depending on the culture of the organization, country or region, or other environment in which the executive operates.
 
Executive presence is not simply charm and charisma; while an enthusiastic and naturally magnetic personality can be a valuable element in a leader's individual executive presence, it is neither sufficient nor necessary in creating an enduring and compelling presence.  It is also not necessary to be an extravert; introverts and those who lead somewhat more quietly can demonstrate impressive executive presence and often can be more influential than charismatic leaders who do not have the substance to back up their style.

While executive presence is intangible, it is also unmistakable - people "know it when they see it."  Specifically, leaders regarded as demonstrating strong executive presence:

• Project a professional image through appropriate dress, grooming, behavior, and language consistent with norms established and observed by successful executives within the company.
• Convey an appropriate level of confidence and self-assurance grounded in an accurate sense of confidence in their capabilities.
• Communicate with others in a clear, compelling, warm, and inclusive way that puts others at ease, wins others' confidence, and gains their buy-in.
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence - strong self awareness that includes awareness of their impact as a leader and social awareness in understanding others' perceptions, motivations, and emotions.
• Understand organizational dynamics and are adept at building and managing relationships throughout the organization.
• Maintain composure and poise during trying or challenging circumstances; remain adaptable and flexible in response to uncertainty; and handle the unexpected with grace. 

WJM Associates' Viewpoint on Executive Presence
WJM's research has shown that leaders that are viewed as role models for exceptional executive presence are consistently viewed as exceptional role models for several of WJM's Characteristics of Effective Leadership (read the full article), including:
 
Authenticity
Effective leaders are viewed as genuine and sincere.  Their behavior is congruent - they walk the walk of their personal values and the values of the organization.  As a result, they have high credibility and are able to inspire trust and motivate others.
 
Decisiveness
Effective leaders are able to remain grounded in facts and make sound, defensible decisions in a timely fashion, while also involving others to gain their buy-in.
 
Strategic Acumen & Business Acumen
Effective leaders also gain credibility through their strategic business acumen - deep knowledge coupled with a broad viewpoint.
 
Vision
Effective leaders craft and communicate a vision with passion and clarity of purpose that inspires and motivates others to follow.  They balance a sense of possibility with a sense of reality to ensure that their vision can be understood and implemented by others.
 
Humility
Effective leaders demonstrate genuine humility through a willingness to acknowledge and take responsibility for mistakes, and to admit what they don't know.  They readily give credit for success to others, are unconcerned with protecting their own personal power, and do not seek the spotlight or need to be the center of attention. In describing this trait, Jim Collins (organizational effectiveness expert and author of Good to Great and Built to Last)refers to "the window and the mirror": Effective leaders look out the window to assign credit - to colleagues, external factors and good luck, while looking in the mirror to assign responsibility for poor results, never blaming others.
 
Coaching and Feedback
Effective leaders are continual learners who are focused on their own development and intentional about understanding their strengths and weaknesses.  They are also generous and constructive in supporting others' development.
 
Why is Executive Presence Important?

Dedicating time and focus to developing and enhancing your executive presence can yield many benefits, including

• Increased influence and persuasiveness
• Increased recognition as leader in the organization
• Increased commitment and buy-in from others to your goals and objectives
• Increased ability to achieve results through others
• Improved relationships

Developing Executive Presence
"Leadership at the front, mid and top lines alike is not innate. It is true some people have a huge head start. They're exceptionally clear minded.  They communicate well. They're exceptionally persuasive. They look physically like a leader should, at least in the idealized Hollywood version. But the real skills of leadership at every level must be acquired in our lifetimes. There are no biological advantages. You have to learn those skills." (Michael Useem, director of the Center for Leadership and Change Management, Knowledge@Wharton, December, 2003)
 
Although many assume that leaders with executive presence are "born leaders" or "natural leaders," research has shown that leadership can be learned.  Executive presence is, like many other essential leadership skills, easily observed but challenging to obtain.  Executive presence can be developed and enhanced over time.  Below are some suggestions for focusing on the development of skills and competencies that support strong executive presence.

Suggested Developmental Actions:

• Seek feedback from trusted others or through assessment tools designed to measure key elements of executive presence, such as emotional intelligence.
• Pursue targeted coaching or training to develop competencies identified as areas for development by any assessment tools.
• Develop your presentation skills to enhance your ability to clearly demonstrate knowledge and command of information, by seeking out opportunities for speaking in front of small and large groups.
• Supplement your knowledge on content areas through formal or informal learning or education to increase your confidence in discussing those topics in group settings.

Books on the topic of Executive Presence:

• Executive Presence: The Art of Commanding Respect Like a CEO, Monarth, McGraw-Hill, 2009.
• The Intangibles of Leadership: The 10 Qualities of Superior Executive Performance, Davis, Jossey-Bass, 2010.
• 12 Steps to Power Presence: How to Exert Your Authority to Lead, John Baldoni, Jossey-Bass, 2010.

"John is a terrific leader. Management is very high on him, but there's one thing missing."

"Sally is a star. She knows her stuff, but not sure she has what it takes to move up - yet!"

These are comments that I hear regularly from human resource professionals who hire me to coach one of their employees.

Dollars to doughnuts that missing ingredient is presence, specifically leadership presence. Which I define as earned authority. Leadership presence is rooted in authority but earned through example. That is, you have the power to things and you have earned the right through your actions to lead others.

Presence is the radiance of authenticity. That is, you radiate sincerity and you have what it takes to make good things happen. It is different from charisma; charisma is a gift, but it's the sheen on metal. Presence is the real deal - a person's mettle.

Consider these examples:

The plant manager who holds meetings on the shop floor to be close to the work;

The school principal who walks down the hallway greeting by name the children who grin and send him a cheerful greeting;

The CEO who works in an open plan office and eats in the cafeteria so he can stay in touch with people and listen to their concerns as well as their ideas.

You can think of many more examples from your own life. Whichever example you consider, it is important to understand that just as leadership is reflection of earned authority, leadership presence, which enhances the leadership moment, is derived from the support of others. It cannot be assumed through birth or heritage, though many kings and queens have acted as if they have it and don't. Leadership presence is a form of communications and as such can be taught and put into practice.

Too often we attribute presence to male leaders. And it's easy to see why. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan exerted command through their good looks as well as their bearing but neither were empty suits. We remember them for their accomplishments.

Women leaders have a tougher time projecting authority, but not delivering on it. Did anyone doubt former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's authority? At the same time, consider Mother Theresa, small, demur and very old. Yet the strength of her advocacy for the poorest of the poor enabled her to create a religious order, fund her mission, and be of service to so many.

Character lies at the root of strong leadership presence. It is not a nice to have; it is a must have. But character is not an attribute that leaders possess; it is fundamental to the way they act. Character emanates from thought, word and deed. Leaders prove their character when they insist on accountability for themselves and for those they lead.

Radiating presence
One story indicates what it means to lead through presence. During the birthing of our nation, post-American Revolution and pre-nationhood, one figure exerted considerable influence over all parties, from north, south and west. George Washington. As we know from presidential biographers Richard Norton Smith and Joseph Ellis, never was such respect more apparent than during the rancorous days of the Constitutional Convention during which delegates from all the Colonies met in Philadelphia in Assembly Hall to hammer out a framework for the soon to be United States.

Differences were more apparent than agreement yet, as we know from historians, many of these delegates wrote of Washington's presence in the room. Day after day he sat behind his desk minding his correspondence and saying very little. But he was fully present; his persona presided over the gathering. Witnesses said that it was Washington's presence that radiated strength and reassurance. No wonder he was subsequently elected President.

Leadership presence therefore is more than a nice to have. More than an exterior sheen, presence is a reflection of deeply held values and a belief in one's ability to do the job well enough so that people will want to follow.

Presence is projection not simply of power, but of sincerity, values and conviction. And as such it is something that leaders can use to leverage their influence in order to make themselves heard, understood and followed.


Article used with permission.  Originally published at www.fastcompany.com, April 26, 2010.