How to Project Executive Presence, Starting Today

"You walk into a room of professionals in your field or company. You want to project an appealing presence by exuding credibility and a commitment to performance and communication--not coming on too bold, but not wimpy, either. You know that each time you show up with others--in meetings and one-on-one, the way you are viewed matters to your career, the projects you are chosen for, and other opportunities as well. 

What is “presence?” Suzanne Bates defines it as “a blending of temperament, competencies, and skills that, when combined, send all the right signals.” It is the combined impact of how you act, speak and look.  As an executive coach, this is a common focus of my work. Presence plays a potent role in how we generate our personal reputation and how our career unfolds. What are the ingredients to projecting a powerful presence? 

I am sure you notice that those who impress you with their presence exude authenticity.  All of the ingredients come from our inner qualities--those most authentic to us.

In this month’s blog series, I will draw from some of the challenges faced by women with whom I’ve worked and explore these ingredients with some rich examples and simple steps for integrating the ingredients into your behavior and appearance to empower your professional presence. I am anxious to hear about your challenges and successes!"

-Andrea Zintz, Career Coach, President, Strategic Leadership Resources