10 ways you are killing your executive presence

10 ways you are killing your executive presence10 ways you are killing your executive presenceIf you enter a room with 15 leaders one of them will stand out. She will have an air of confidence that people notice. Otherbeis will stop talking and listen to him. That person will have an overall decorum that exudes the message, I belong here.Executive presence is a blending of mindset, competencies, and delivery that gives the overall impression that this person has dignity and can get the job done. Can executive presence be developed? Yes if the person has a foundation of self-confidence and a willingness to build their self-awareness and self-regulation.You dont demonstrate an even temperamentLearn to manage emotions in the unpredictable moment by taking a deep breath and asking yourself, What is going on with me? Dont be quick to give a biased opinion that may not be politically correct. If you feel threatened, dont act out. Your insecurities show. Allow yourself the space to pause. The pause is a very useful tool that draws attention and gives you a moment to center yourself. When you speak, make it count.You arent self-aware enough to accept yourself with all your limitationsMost conflict and schwimmbad behavior comes from a need to be right and is rooted in the fear of being judged. Give yourself a break. Become a third-party observer of your behavior, your body language, your emotions. What do others see when you lash out or withdraw? Many corporations profile for self-awareness. Practice noticing your actions and their effect on people. When you doubt yourself remember, I may not be perfect but Im still awesome at ______.You use uptalkWeve all heard it. Youre having a conversation with someone and you arent koranvers if the person is making a statement or asking a question. You either had cereal for breakfast. or you had cereal for breakfast? The other person doesnt know the answer to which only you can be certain. Uptalk projects a lack of confidence. Thi s is another reason to tape record yourself on the phone or to video your presentation. Listen for uptalk and eradicate it.You dont speak with certaintyThink of a national leader you admire. Watch a YouTube video of him or her giving a presentation. Make a list of the traits you admire cadence, tone, pauses, sincerity. Then use your cell phone to record yourself having a telephone conversation at work. Video record yourself giving a presentation. Listen as if you were a prospective hiring manager. Would you hire yourself? Ask others for feedback. Allow yourself to be coached. Know how to stand your ground in a non-confrontational way. Know what you know. Know what you dont know. And know there are countless things you dont know you dont know. So, ask for input from your team. What have I missed?You arent known for getting it donePerfectionism is the tripwire to failure. It moves you farther away from connecting with people and being effective. It can destroy your career. Dont overw ork that document or resume, thinking that one more go-around will make it better. Send it out. Dont wait for the conditions to be perfect. Thats an excuse. Your reputation precedes you. How would you classify your leadership impact? Are you a change agent? Are you a turnaround specialist? Are you a gentle giant. A closer? A visionary? Make sure Reliable is among the characteristics that people use to describe you.You dont dress sharpDifferent work cultures dictate different attire. Know your culture. Update your wardrobe. Clothing should be appropriate. It should be clean, pressed, well-coordinated, not overly accessorized and relatively new. It can be classic yet not old. One mistake I see is that as people advance in their career they still purchase their clothes at the same place they did when they earned less income. Dress the part. Dont be labeled the school marm, the player or the 90s reject.You dont develop good relationships throughout the organization and know how to engag e key stakeholders firstGood leaders know they need to create alignment with people throughout the organization. Winning favor from key early adopters makes for better success when implementing change. Make a list of people others respect and go to. Thats who you start with. Understand what is important to them for collaboration.You dont command attentionBe deliberate. Watch Breakfast at Tiffanys or The Wolf of Wall Street for examples of individuals who knew how to be notable. When you speak people should pay attention. Start with how you want to be remembered. Practice at a meeting and build to an audience. Know your one main message before you speak. Tell a story around that.You dont know when to enter a conversation to make your pointEye contact and deep listening are precursors for impeccable timing. They require you to set your internal messaging aside and focus strictly on the individual. I call it being in the other person zone. You become curious to everything about them, l istening and asking questions without voicing an opinion. You cant learn from or support someone if you cant be totally present for them. Generally, the last person in a group to speak has the most to say because they listened the most. When you arent posturing to make a point, you are able to weigh in from the 30,000-foot level and not position yourself from the 5-foot perspective.You dont anticipate challenges or opportunities and know how to redefine the platform to get what you wantYou have to know how and when to adapt. Be flexible and resilient. Great leaders start formulating a plan for the next step before the existing one is complete. They dont wait for a crisis. They anticipate it and plan accordingly. They foresee what is needed to sustain and continue success.Mary Lee Gannon is an award-winning executive coach and 18-year corporate CEO who helps leaders have more effective careers, happier lives and better relationships because success is freedom, not more hours. Get her free Career and Life Planning Tool at www.MaryLeeGannon.com.