Breaking Through the Influence Ceiling: Embracing Healthy Executive Presence - Pt. 2

Introduction

Understanding how to cultivate a healthy executive presence requires more than just knowing textbook definitions; it's about grasping the real, tangible impact of being around someone who truly embodies it. These individuals own the room they're in. When they speak, people listen because they consistently add value. They have a larger-than-life ability to help others achieve more than they thought possible.

If you haven't explored the foundational virtues of healthy executive presence yet, I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with them. Today, we'll dive into the final four virtues that will help you elevate your leadership and influence.

Recap: The First Four Virtues of Healthy Executive Presence

Before we delve into the new content, let's briefly revisit the first four virtues that form the foundation of healthy executive presence:

1. Preparation: If we fail to prepare, we prepare to fail. Preparation is a prerequisite for confidence. Those who embody executive presence relentlessly engage in preparation.
2. Peace: Your internal state always leaks into your external circumstances. If you counter external chaos with internal peace, you'll be someone who embodies healthy executive presence.
3. Presence: The best ability is availability. Do your people experience you as present? Being fully engaged and involved without controlling is key.
4. People-Centric: Always guide the conversation back to how decisions affect others—the team, stakeholders, customers. Focus on the downstream effects of your actions.

Two Paths: Choosing the Healthy Route to Executive Presence

In cultivating executive presence, we discussed that there are two routes you can take:

1. The Toxic Route: This is the shallow, superficial path—wearing the red power tie, sitting in a bigger chair, speaking more loudly and brashly than others. These tactics might temporarily boost your presence, but they're unsustainable because they're image-centric and lack depth. They focus on superficial actions that may command attention but don't build genuine influence.
2. The Healthy Route: This is the path we're focusing on—embodying virtues that lead to a genuine and lasting executive presence. Instead of relying on superficial tactics, this route involves deep personal development and authenticity. It's about who you are at your core and how you consistently show up for others.

Choosing the healthy route isn't easy, but it's rewarding. Embrace this path to invest in sustainable, impactful driven leadership rooted in authenticity and virtue. Let's explore the four virtues that will help you embody a healthy executive presence and elevate your leadership.

Principles: Living by Core Truths

What Does This Look Like?

People who embody healthy executive presence live their lives in accordance with predefined principles. They aren't wandering generalities; people know what they stand for because they consistently communicate and live by these core truths.

A principle is a concisely worded statement of truth that transcends circumstances—your "isms" or sayings. These become your reputation, the sum of the standards you hold yourself accountable to over time.

For example, some of the principles I live by and often share are:

• "Health and growth are not the same thing."
• "If you want to put your business in order, start by putting yourself in order."
• "You will never fix what you refuse to see."

These aren't just catchy phrases; they're beliefs I've lived by and found valuable. By consistently sharing them, they become associated with who I am and what I stand for.

Other examples include:

• From our coach Kyle: "Clarity creates action." and "Somewhat clear is frustratingly unclear."
• From Olivia on our team: "Every problem is solvable, and if it's not solvable, it's not a problem; it's just reality."

These principles are communicated consistently, reinforcing their importance and becoming integral to our identities.

Action Steps

1. Define Your Principles
   Reflect on the truths you deeply believe in and live by. What are the messages you want to consistently give and embody?
2. Craft Concise Statements
   Turn these beliefs into clear, memorable phrases.
3. Share Them Consistently
   Use these principles in your conversations, meetings, and communications. Let them become synonymous with you.

Humility: Embracing Being Poor in Spirit

What Does This Look Like?

In the Beatitudes, Jesus begins with, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." This virtue is a significant distinction between toxic and healthy executive presence.

Being poor in spirit means recognizing that you don't know everything and can't do everything on your own. It's about humility—having an accurate view of oneself, acknowledging limitations, and expressing the need for help.

Leaders who embrace humility:

• Ask Genuine Questions
  They're willing to admit when they don't know something.
• Say "I Don't Know"
  They don't pretend to have all the answers, which builds trust.
• Express Their Needs
  They communicate openly about what they need from others to succeed.

This contrasts sharply with the toxic approach, where leaders feel the need to appear invincible and all-knowing. In reality, admitting limitations fosters authenticity and strengthens relationships.

Action Steps

1. Ask Genuine Questions
   In meetings or discussions, don't hesitate to seek clarification or admit when you're unfamiliar with a topic.
2. Admit When You Don't Know
   Use the phrase "I don't know" when appropriate. It shows authenticity.
3. Express Your Needs
   Communicate openly about your needs, whether it's support on a project or time to recharge.

Pace: Maintaining a Sustainable Rhythm

What Does This Look Like?

"The pace you run is determined by the distance you are planning to go."

Understanding and controlling your pace is crucial in leadership. It's about being intentional with your time and energy, ensuring sustainability for the long haul.

Leaders with healthy executive presence aren't hurried. They move with purpose but maintain a calm and controlled demeanor. This unhurried pace allows for:

• Better Decision-Making
  Hurry dilutes wisdom.
• Greater Perspective
  Hurry diminishes perspective.
• Inner Peace
  Hurry destroys peace.

I’ve noticed that the leaders I respect most never seem to be in a hurry. They're fully present wherever they are, which enhances their influence. Their unhurried pace communicates confidence and control.

Action Steps

1. Be Present
   Commit to being fully engaged wherever you are. When you feel hurried, take a moment to breathe and refocus.
2. Create Margin
   Build buffer times into your schedule to avoid rushing from one commitment to the next.
3. Reflect on Your Pace
   Regularly assess if your current pace aligns with your long-term goals and adjust accordingly.

Priority: Focusing on What Matters Most

What Does This Look Like?

To cultivate healthy executive presence, you need to be a person of priority. This means telling your time and energy where to go, rather than letting circumstances dictate your actions.

Leaders who prioritize effectively:

• Set Clear Priorities
  They know what needs their attention and allocate their time accordingly.
• Say "No" and "Not Yet"
  They decline opportunities that don't align with their priorities or timing.
• Align Actions with Mission
  Their decisions consistently reflect their core objectives and mission.

The hallmark of an effective individual is that they will produce more than they can sustain. Therefore, it's crucial to establish a sense of priority to focus on what truly matters.

Action Steps

1. Identify Your Top Priorities
   Determine the most critical tasks or goals that align with your mission.
2. Align Your Calendar
   Schedule your time to reflect these priorities, ensuring you focus on what matters most.
3. Practice Saying "No" and "Not Yet"
   Learn to decline requests gracefully, without making others feel devalued.

Bringing It All Together: The Eight Virtues of Healthy Executive Presence

To cultivate a healthy executive presence, embody these eight virtues:

1. Preparation: The Foundation of Confidence
2. Peace: Cultivating Inner Stability
3. Presence: The Power of Being Available
4. People-Centric Focus: Remembering the Core Purpose
5. Principles: Living by Core Truths
6. Humility: Embracing Being Poor in Spirit
7. Pace: Maintaining a Sustainable Rhythm
8. Priority: Focusing on What Matters Most

Conclusion: Stepping into Your Full Leadership Potential

Embracing these eight virtues isn't just about enhancing your executive presence—it's about transforming the way you lead and live. It's a journey of personal growth that extends beyond the workplace and into every facet of your life.

Why Does This Matter?

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, leaders who exhibit healthy executive presence stand out. They are the ones who inspire trust, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. By cultivating these virtues, you become a beacon for others, guiding them not just through directives but through the example you set.

The Ripple Effect of Your Leadership

Remember that your actions have a ripple effect. When you lead with authenticity, humility, and intentionality, you empower those around you to do the same. This creates a culture of trust and excellence that can transform teams and organizations.

Taking the Next Step

• Reflect and Assess: Take time to evaluate where you stand with each of these virtues. Which ones are your strengths? Where do you see room for growth?
• Create an Action Plan: For the areas you'd like to develop further, outline specific steps you can take. Maybe it's setting aside time for deeper preparation, practicing mindfulness to cultivate peace, or refining your priorities.
• Seek Feedback: Engage with trusted colleagues, mentors, or coaches who can provide insights into how you embody these virtues and where you might improve.
• Commit to Continuous Growth: Leadership is not a destination but a journey. Commit to ongoing development, knowing that each step forward enhances not only your executive presence but also the impact you have on others.

Final Encouragement

You're not alone on this journey. Every leader faces challenges and opportunities for growth. What's important is the commitment to keep moving forward, learning, and adapting.

By embracing these virtues, you're not just enhancing your executive presence—you're stepping into your full leadership potential. You're becoming the kind of leader who doesn't just manage but inspires; who doesn't just direct but empowers; who doesn't just succeed but leaves a lasting legacy.