HBR On Leadership: How to Develop Your Executive Presence
Release Date: February 19, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "How to Develop Your Executive Presence," Harvard Business Review delves into the critical yet often elusive concept of executive presence. Hosted by Amy Bernstein, this episode features insightful conversations with Megan Bach, the Chief Operating Officer of an insurance technology company, and Laura Sicola, a cognitive linguist and executive coach. Together, they explore the nuances of executive presence, offering practical strategies for leaders and aspiring leaders to enhance their leadership skills, especially in a remote work environment.

Understanding Executive Presence

Executive presence is not an inherent trait but a set of skills that can be cultivated and refined. It encompasses how leaders project confidence, communicate effectively, and present themselves both verbally and non-verbally. According to Sylvia Ann Hewlett's research, executive presence comprises three main categories: gravitas, communication skills, and appearance.

• Gravitas: This includes confidence, decisiveness, inclusiveness, respect for others, vision, and integrity.
• Communication Skills: The ability to command a room, read an audience, and maintain authenticity.
• Appearance: While the least critical, a polished look and the willingness to show up in person play a role in executive presence.

Megan Bach (06:00) shares her journey in developing executive presence, emphasizing the importance of owning feedback and stepping out of her comfort zone to seize leadership opportunities.

Guest Experiences: Megan Bach's Journey

Megan Bach recounts a pivotal moment in her career when her boss pointed out her lack of executive presence despite holding an executive title. This feedback was a catalyst for her transformation:

"I was reticent. I rarely put myself forward, and I behaved as if I was waiting for someone to give me permission to step up."
— Megan Bach (04:10)

Determined to change, Megan focused on controlling aspects she could influence, such as her appearance and mastery of her material. She prepared meticulously for a challenging board meeting, ensuring she was well-dressed and thoroughly knowledgeable about the subject matter. Her preparation paid off, allowing her to present confidently and handle questions effectively.

Megan Bach (05:45) reflects on the impact of this experience:

"It changed the way I thought about my role, my path forward, and my responsibility for my future."
— Megan Bach (06:20)

Expert Insights: Laura Sicola on Communication and Authenticity

Laura Sicola provides a deeper dive into the components of executive presence, particularly focusing on communication skills and authenticity. She highlights the necessity of subject matter expertise as the foundation upon which executive presence is built:

"You can't actually have executive presence if you don't know what you're talking about."
— Laura Sicola (09:15)

Laura emphasizes the importance of preparation, confidence, and the willingness to engage with others at all levels. She advises against deferring to senior leaders due to intimidation, advocating instead for active participation and contribution.

Practical Advice for Developing Executive Presence

The conversation shifts to practical strategies for listeners, particularly Mary Kommer, an insurance underwriter aiming to develop her executive presence while working remotely. Key pieces of advice include:

1. Redefining Public Speaking:
   Megan Bach (15:00) suggests viewing public speaking as any communication beyond oneself, whether in one-on-one meetings or formal presentations. She introduces the "four-word secret" to confident public speaking:

   "It's not about you."
   — Megan Bach (15:30)

   This mindset helps speakers focus on delivering value to their audience rather than worrying about personal performance.

2. Enhancing Virtual Presence:
   With the rise of remote work, Megan and Laura discuss the importance of technical quality and visual engagement in virtual settings. Megan advises investing in a good microphone to ensure clear audio, which subconsciously signals competence and intelligence to listeners.

   "The quality of your sound is a huge factor in whether or not people believe, 'you sound smart.'"
   — Megan Bach (26:10)

   Laura recommends strategies like hiding self-view to reduce anxiety and maintain focus on interactions rather than one's own image.

3. Engaging with Energy Variation:
   Both guests stress the importance of varying energy levels to appear more dynamic and engaged. Megan introduces the concept of the "prismatic voice," encouraging leaders to showcase different facets of their personality to connect authentically with their audience.

   "Figuring out which aspect of you needs to shine through in this moment and how to beef up all of those colors a bit."
   — Megan Bach (41:20)

Overcoming Remote Work Challenges

Developing executive presence remotely presents unique obstacles, such as limited face-to-face interactions and the difficulty of reading virtual "rooms." Laura suggests proactive verbal prompts to encourage participation during virtual meetings:

"Instead of asking 'Do you understand?' which yields yes or no answers, ask 'What questions do you have so far?'"
— Megan Bach (29:50)

Additionally, using nonverbal cues like emojis can help gauge audience engagement and understanding without relying solely on verbal feedback.

Maintaining Authenticity

A recurring theme is the balance between developing executive presence and maintaining authenticity. Megan Bach introduces the metaphor of the "prismatic voice," illustrating how different aspects of one's personality can shine in various contexts without compromising genuine self-expression.

"Authenticity is not a light switch that's on or off. It's not binary."
— Megan Bach (40:20)

Laura adds that true authenticity involves integrating personal and professional identities, allowing leaders to connect more deeply with diverse audiences.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Mary Kommer reflecting on the invaluable feedback received and recognizing the ongoing nature of developing executive presence. The guests reinforce that executive presence is a journey of continuous growth, requiring intentional effort and adaptability, especially in evolving work environments.

Megan Bach (45:00) offers parting wisdom:

"If you're looking to rise in your role, is to demonstrate that your work has greater impact beyond just being a task."
— Megan Bach (22:45)

Amy Bernstein wraps up by encouraging listeners to apply these insights to unlock their leadership potential, highlighting that executive presence is essential for those aspiring to lead effectively in any setting.

Notable Quotes

• Megan Bach (04:10): "I was reticent. I rarely put myself forward, and I behaved as if I was waiting for someone to give me permission to step up."
• Megan Bach (15:30): "It's not about you."
• Laura Sicola (09:15): "You can't actually have executive presence if you don't know what you're talking about."
• Megan Bach (26:10): "The quality of your sound is a huge factor in whether or not people believe, 'you sound smart.'"
• Megan Bach (40:20): "Authenticity is not a light switch that's on or off. It's not binary."
• Megan Bach (22:45): "If you're looking to rise in your role, is to demonstrate that your work has greater impact beyond just being a task."

Final Thoughts

"How to Develop Your Executive Presence" serves as a comprehensive guide for leaders seeking to enhance their influence and effectiveness. By intertwining personal experiences with expert advice, the episode provides actionable strategies to cultivate executive presence, emphasizing the significance of communication, authenticity, and strategic engagement in both in-person and remote environments.

Whether you're aspiring to leadership or aiming to refine your existing skills, the insights shared by Megan Bach and Laura Sicola offer valuable lessons for navigating the complexities of executive presence in today's dynamic professional landscape.