When I conduct communications training for rising leaders, one of the most frequent questions I am asked is “how do I increase my executive presence?” This question predominantly comes from women. Although, men can also benefit from paying attention to this matter.
Regardless of your gender, increasing your authority when you communicate can help you advance in your career. Some communications techniques are easy to adopt and can provide measurable results. But the recommendation to increase your executive presence when communicating can be confusing. In general, this feedback is often vague and lacks concrete suggestions.
Sylvia Ann Hewlett is a leading researcher in the area of executive presence. In her book Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success, she suggests that executive presence comes down to three things: how you speak, how you act, and how you look.
As a communication coach and strategist who trains hundreds of professionals each year, I’ll focus on the speaking part of Hewlett’s advice and share quick ways you can boost your confidence and elevate how colleagues perceive you as a leader.
Here’s how to communicate a stronger executive presence
Take inventory
The first step in communicating like you are the boss is to gather data on specific behaviors, beliefs, or prior experiences that might be holding you back. Have you ever been teased about how you speak? Has a leader in your organization told you that you should work on your executive presence? If yes, what specifics did they give you about behaviors you should address?
Too often, managers use the term “executive presence” without concrete examples of how they reached that conclusion. Probe for specifics. Perhaps you are too soft spoken, or your sentences trail off at the end.
If you haven’t received specific feedback, you can delve into your own experience. Are there circumstances where you felt dismissed? Did a colleague act in surprising ways to one of your ideas? Developing self-awareness will help you identify what traits need to be addressed.
Assess your speaking style
Next, do exercises that will help you better understand how you come across. The best way to identify where you can improve is to record yourself with your phone. Yes, it can be awkward. But remember that no one needs to see this recording except you.
Record yourself giving a two-minute talk on the topic of your choice. Then review your video three times and ask the following questions:
- Watch without the sound. Do you look confident? How is your posture? Are your gestures open?
- Listen without watching. Do you sound confident or rushed? Do you come across as hesitant? Are your transitions awkward?
- Make a transcript of your talk. Seeing a written transcript can help you identify where your words fall short. Where do you use filler language? Do you repeat yourself.
Lose the filler language
Filler words such as “um,” “ah,” and “you know” often indicate that your brain and mouth are operating on different frequencies. And while a few of these words are to be expected in any exchange, the chronic use of filler language limits how successfully we communicate.
Slow it down
A rushed delivery will make you come across as scattered. I often recommend that speakers attempt to “say it shorter.” However, this does not mean “say it faster.” Practice modulating your delivery and embrace the power of the pause to help draw attention to the most important part of your ideas. Repeat key phrases to reinforce what’s important.
Don’t pre-judge your ideas
Some people take away from their credibility by presenting ideas with a caveat. They might say things like, “This might not work, but . . . ” Or , “We might have tried this before, but. . . . ” If you sense a “but” coming up, try a new approach. Use questions like “should we consider” or “have we thought about” to interject your idea into a discussion. There’s plenty of time for your ideas to be shot down. Don’t do it to yourself.
Practice exaggerating your pronunciation
Always make sure you articulate your words clearly. One way to improve your articulation is to say “drop the jaw.” While you say this phrase, physically drop your jaw as far as you can. This “over-pronunciation” will help you learn to open your mouth wider when you speak. This technique can also help you with pacing. Read out loud while over-pronouncing and see how it helps to slow down your delivery as you focus on every word.
These techniques are designed to help you be the best version of yourself. If you are naturally understated, these exercises will not transform you into a boisterous performer. But you will likely feel more self assured and confident to speak up with your ideas at your next presentation or high-stakes meeting.
