Leadership studies indicate that as much as 26% of what it takes to be promoted and be an effective executive depends on Executive Presence (Center for Talent Innovation, www.talentinnovation.org). What is Executive Presence? It is “looking and acting the part,” and can depend on specific leadership organizational cultures. Executive presence is not just a construct of a position but is predicated upon how a person presents him/her self. The communication of issues, responses and reactions to situations, and the impact a person has on an organization are part of the executive presence concept.

1. Six Step Process to Creating Executive
Presence
Rex Gatto Ph.D., BCC
Introduction
Leadership studies indicate that as much as 26% of what it takes to be promoted and be an
effective executive depends on Executive Presence (Center for Talent Innovation,
www.talentinnovation.org). What is Executive Presence? It is “looking and acting the part,” and
can depend on specific leadership organizational cultures. Executive presence is not just a
construct of a position but is predicated upon how a person presents him/her self. The
communication of issues, responses and reactions to situations, and the impact a person has on
an organization are part of the executive presence concept.
Definitions
An executive is defined as a person in a senior manager position within an organization that has
the authority to make and implement major decisions. This person has the level of authority to
oversee the business direction (vision and mission), is a strategic planner, and is empowered to
hold employees accountable for accomplishing that vision and mission.
Presence is characterized as an impressive appearance that instills in others a level of respect (an
observable mentor). It is an invisible essence (non-physical) others perceive in another as being
remarkable, dignified, or possessing an aura of knowledge, beauty, and righteous character.

2. Executive presence is a positive attribute acquired through life and business experience and
includes the demonstration of knowledge and quiet confidence. A person can exhibit executive
presence and be working on any level; however, it is more pronounced when one is
accomplished and is respected as having a level of authority. There is neither course nor program
to attend to quickly acquire executive presence. Rather, in conjunction with experience, self-
reflection and coaching, it springs from self-confidence coupled with humility that one
demonstrates through presentation that is engaging, a communication style that captivates and
appeals to others, and a comfort level with self as well as with others. Many people in authority
never are able to demonstrate executive presence because they may appear a little stooped over
and disheveled, do not believe in themselves, are narcissistic, megalomaniacs, or portray a mild
sense of disrespectful arrogance that inhibits others from recognizing executive presence in
them.
The How-Tos
We all have biases as to how others are to act within our societal and organizational roles.
Appearance is the first impression: do you look the part? Make sure that the image you present is
the image that you want. Be aware of showing quiet confidence in what you say. Is your
perception of yourself positive or negative? What is the intent of your actions and how will
others interpret those actions? Know that what you say is perceived by how you say
it. Frequently people think that if they are smart and show their knowledge, others will be
impressed.
There is a balance between the how and what as your present information. As you present
information, think of yourself as having a calm discussion with a friend, but be willing to stand
your ground with a calm and confident demeanor.
Create a style that fits your workplace culture and is representative of professionalism. We now
live in a workplace society that is filled with criticism about past and present acts and statements.
You must continually be aware of the present situation, and on guard in order to maintain your
executive presence. Social media now ensures that your “presence” will remain with you for
your entire life; decisions, good or bad, made in your early years are permanently affixed and
posted to media platforms.
To create executive presence, one needs to focus on and understand the present situation. Being
mindful of the situation shapes executive presence. What actions, statements, gestures, and
interactions are appropriate for this situation? To create executive presence, mindfulness of the
current situation by being in the moment must be conveyed. Being mindful is an understanding
and awareness of what is being emotionally felt and an interpretation of the moment. Executive
presence needs to support a moment-by-moment awareness and acceptance of thoughts,
emotions, and bodily sensations within that environment. Executives create their presence
through an awareness of the moment as to intentions in that moment and a concurrent
interpretation by others of that presence. Even though a business setting is being examined here,
it is essential that a comfortable, calm, and peaceful environment be created. Therefore,
executive presence is an interpretation by others based on the actions, appearance within an
established environment of the person being judged.

3. The process for acquiring executive presence begins by applying for, acquiring, learning, and
eventually becoming an expert in a given position or workplace environment. Follow the six
steps below to create your own unique executive presence.
Six Steps Process to Create an Executive Presence:
1. Acquiring Right Positions for You and Your Career: applying, interviewing and
accepting a position, and then learning and developing into that position and beyond
2. Learning that Position: gaining the skills and confidence of being able to fulfill all
aspects of the responsibilities of that position, taking on an expanded role beyond the
present job responsibilities, managing for results
3. Becoming a Leader: being able to address questions, collaboratively working with other
leaders and followers, innovatively being able to solve problems and asking others for
input, following up and meeting timeline requirements, being promotable, working
through the obstacles in the workplace, developing others
4. Mentoring by Being a Role Model: living your personal life values in and outside of the
workplace, coaching others on how to perform their job responsibilities, coaching others
to believe in themselves. Helping others grow into becoming leaders, supporting and
successfully navigating the political environment, inspiring others to believe in themselves to do
what they did not believe they could do, having integrity, humility, and compassion
1. Leading, as a Servant: one who is focused on organizational development and people,
technically competent, and someone whom others rely on to support their success
2. Creating an Executive Presence: having the confidence and compassion to lead others,
having the ability to strategically develop business plans and support organizational and
people related growth, understanding that you are not the most important person in the
room
What are the skills needed to fulfill the six-step process of executive presence:
1. Development of Character
· Creates a vision people can understand and follow
· Becomes a Role Model, for all levels of employees
· Demonstrates qualities others want to emulate
· Performs accurate and timely work
· Demonstrates the effective interactive characteristics of
· Leadership,
· Communication,

4. · Conflict resolution, and
· Influencing
· Inspires people to want to work together (has charisma)
· Builds relationships internally with employees and externally with customers/vendors
· Recognizes boss, peers and followers for their contributions
· Is able to effectively work and build rapport with employees/executives
· Is quiet, calm, and self-confident during stressful and relaxed times
· Makes decisions after collecting input and/or facts (action oriented)
· Has integrity (honest and authentic)
· Presents information in a logical, interesting, and influential manner
· Gives feedback to others in an effective manner
· Is able to oversee financial and operational sides of business
· Is able to create comprehensive plans that others want and can follow
· Actively participates in meetings
· Effectively navigates the political landscape of the organizational culture
· Treats people with dignity
“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one,
be without the strategy.” Norman Schwarzkopf
1. Communicator with Compassion
· Communicates the vision, making it a reality
· Clearly communicates with others (trusts-in-self)
· Addresses questions with care in a professional manner
· Clearly responds in a coaching manner
· Communicates openly, respectfully and with the right attitude

5. · Asks questions and listens
· Presents information in a clear and cogent manner (knows when not to speak)
· Shows strength and assertiveness when needed
· Challenges others not demonstrating organizational values
· Understands others’ traits and shows empathy
· When speaking, uses proper sentence structure (correct use of grammar)
· Supports others
· Looks for opportunities to compassionately guide
· Able to disagree in a kind way
· Straightforward, direct, and clear when needed
· Clearly communicating vision, direction, and process or solution to achieve it
· Builds a team with others to work in unity
“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” Martin Luther
King Jr.
1. Appearance, Presentation-of-Self
· Professional appearance (appropriately dressed for the work environment)
· Groomed
· Stylish and modern dress
· Appearance fits with the workplace culture
· Be aware of habits (movement hands or repeated words such as ums & ers)
“Determine to live life with flair and laughter.” Maya Angelou
1. Fulfilling Qualities of Personhood
· Composure: self-aware of self and others’ emotions
· Committed: owns the work

6. · Competent and an expert in at least one defined area
· Confident: is not hesitant to act
· Inspires: motivates others, is caring
· Creditable: believable
· Engaging personality
· Uses authority wisely
· Is in the moment with others (not looking on a cell phone)
· Takes into consideration the impact decisions have on others
“Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.” Bill Bradley
Anyone on any level within an organization can exhibit executive presence. It is a mental process
of leading, communicating, having the right appearance, and developing the right characteristics
and qualities. There are people who presently are functioning on a lower organizational level that
exhibit executive presence and there are high ranking executives who exhibit little to no
executive presence.
“What you think, you become; what you feel, you attract; what you image, you create.” Buddha
Executive presence is not bullying or being difficult; it is pursuing a humanistic process that
others can follow and embrace. When people say they picture you as their role model, they are
giving you the greatest of compliments. Executive presence is the essence of people wanting to
be with you, to emulate you and to want to learn from you.
“If the people you work with value your presence, you have produced a personal victory.” Rex
Gatto
References:
Executive Presence, Center for Talent Innovation
Executive Presence, Harvard Business Review, Beeson
All the Leader You Can Be, Bates

7. Jon Kabat-Zinn What is Mindfulness-Stress Reduction
Rex Gatto Ph.D., BCC
President
Gatto Associates LLC.
412 344-2277 (Office)
www.rexgatto.com
rex@rexgatto.com