Civiello Communications Group Blog

The Key to Executive Presence: Being You

Newly promoted, he came across as smart and funny, perfect for the big leadership job. He presented like a stiff. When I asked why, he sighed that he was aiming for "executive presence": lower voice, serious, using the words and syntax you find in print but never in conversation. Being what you are not always misses the mark. Nobody wants to follow a fake. That doesn't mean you say and do what you did with friends this weekend. You have a range and you have ideas that are better than the average bear. Think Warren Buffet, Indra Nooyi at Pepsi or Ken Chennault at AMEX..In conversation or behind the podium you see what you get..a leader.

Dealing with a Dud Deck

On the 5th slide, I had to stop my client and ask, "Where the heck ARE you?" She'd been rehearsing her presentation for several minutes, flipping through pages of her PowerPoint deck without really looking at, or referencing the dense material on each slide. It wasn't the first time I'd seen executives ignore a deck they didn't like..PowerPoint that had been forced on them by the organization. But you know, 'ignoring it won't make it go away,' and by doing so you cause confusion. The solution is interpreting each slide. Tell the audience what specific point you'd like to focus on, pause and elaborate. You can even step aside, or click "B" on your keyboard to take the PowerPoint down for a minute and remove the distraction. That's the way to deal with the deck that's been given you!

Humility and Honey

Post election, President Obama just publically acknowledged failures. There are lessons for all of us. Sure, there's "don't take on too much," and "make sure you communicate well." But beyond that, there is a lesson in his personal style. Leaders all experience defeat and disappointment, and most are reluctant to admit it, let alone say how it feels. Obama did all that with a bonus: He used a little humor. In the end, it was a winning speech.