The other day I saw a LinkedIn post on “Executive Presence.”
Some of the tips alluded to intimidating others with strange prolonged eye contact, not being the first to look away, avoiding apologizing at all costs, claiming matter-of-fact statements without room for others to disagree—it seemed to me like a collection of mistakes that junior leaders often make as they try to carve out space around them.
This is a formula for building resentment and failure.
The most successful and respected corporate execs that I’ve run into have a very different formula than that—they are humble, open, inquisitive, and active listeners. They empathize with, and lift other people up, rather than pushing them out or down.
They don’t just drive everyone around them toward executing on a pre-determined outcome.
They include others as expert counsel in the decision-making process, and provide an opportunity for up-and-comers on their teams to take ownership.
Decisions made at that level tend to have bigger and longer-lasting impacts to the organization, and the data matters even more so. Multiple voices and perspectives matter.
There’s not a lot of great advice out there on how to develop executive presence (I know—I looked for it when I needed it).
But I can say with confidence that no executive has the tools to make effective unilateral decisions without solid team relationships and input from boots on the ground. No matter how talented.
Ditch the power games. Focus on teamwork.
Inclusion and openness is the way.