Executive Presence Coaching | Owning Your Role as a Leader

In the world of business, leadership involves more than just managing tasks and people. It includes embodying an aura of confidence, authority, and influence. This is what we call “executive presence,” and it can make or break your career. So, keep reading to discover how executive presence coaching can help you master this crucial skill. 

What Is Executive Presence Coaching?

Executive presence coaching is a specialized form of professional development that focuses on cultivating an individual’s leadership charisma or executive presence. This type of coaching aims to enhance one’s ability to project confidence, clarity, and credibility in the workplace. It encompasses a combination of communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills—all of which an executive presence coach can help you improve upon, as those skills are among the most popular coaching topics. 

The objective of executive presence coaching is to empower individuals to command respect, inspire others, and drive impactful conversations, enabling them to lead teams and organizations effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned executive looking to polish your leadership style or an aspiring leader aiming to make your mark, executive presence coaching can help you refine your leadership persona to its fullest potential.

The Role of Executive Presence in Leadership

Ideas like “owning the role” and “looking the part” have been around for decades and exist so ubiquitously for a reason. Executive presence is a key predictor of success for those in management and leadership roles because it includes:

• Becoming a role model and leader to others in the organization
• Becoming a trusted representative for the company
• Being trusted as a reliable decision-maker and source of direction
• Motivating teams and employees to show up and give it their all
• Effectively managing conflict resolution.

There’s no shortage of reasons to want to hone the executive presence quality. With a strong executive presence, individuals not only gain access to more senior roles, but they also perform better in them. This makes for thriving, fulfilling careers that bring all kinds of rewards.

Key Features of Coaching for Executive Presence

Executive presence is a multifaceted quality. While it may appear to be an inherent trait, it can be cultivated. Here are some essential elements of coaching for executive presence that clients develop over the course of their coaching engagement.

1. Confidence: This is the bedrock of executive presence. A confident leader exudes assurance and decisiveness which foster trust among team members and stakeholders.
2. Charisma: Leaders with charisma have the ability to draw people in, inspire them, and make them feel valued. Charismatic leaders often have a compelling vision and a knack for storytelling which helps engage and motivate others.
3. Effective Communication: Being able to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly and persuasively is vital. Effective communication also involves active listening, empathy, and adapting your message to suit different audiences.
4. Poise: Poise refers to the ability to remain composed and maintain self-control, especially in challenging or stressful situations. Leaders with poise demonstrate resilience, patience, and emotional intelligence.
5. Body language: Nonverbal communication often speaks louder than words. From maintaining eye contact to your posture and gestures, your body language should convey authority, openness, and respect.
6. Vocal tone: The tone of your voice may significantly impact how your message is received. A strong, clear, and calm vocal tone may command attention and express confidence.
7. Overall demeanor: This encompasses everything from your appearance and behavior to your attitudes and values. Your demeanor should reflect professionalism, authenticity, and respect for others.

Each of these elements plays a crucial role in shaping your executive presence. Coaching provides a safe space to develop these skills and receive confidential feedback from a coach whose only agenda is your success. With your executive presence coach, you can practice these skills, discuss challenges related to them, and strategize how to own them better.

What You’ll Get as an a)plan Client

At a)plan, we offer our clients a comprehensive coaching package at an accessible price that includes the following:

• Virtual weekly sessions with your coach
• Access to our brand new tech platform, a)plan 2.0, where you’ll track progress, gratitudes, challenges, coaching notes, and more
• Unlimited chat support with your coach and access to a)planAI—a first-of-its-kind AI application in the coaching industry
• Extensive launch exercises to start the engagement strongly
• Educational content from a)plan and your coach to enhance learning and development.

At a)plan, our coaches support clients through our “whole-person” coaching approach. This multi-dimensional method intertwines wellness and performance, resulting in better conversations, increased work engagement, and overall happiness.

What Executive Presence Coaching May Do for You

Whether you’re already an executive or have aspirations to become one, this type of coaching has the power to change your trajectory for the better.

Consider this scenario: You’ve been eyeing a senior leadership role in your organization. You have the necessary technical skills and experience, but there’s stiff competition. By honing your executive presence, you can distinguish yourself from other candidates. Your ability to communicate effectively, exude confidence, and demonstrate poise under pressure will not go unnoticed. Decision-makers are more likely to view you as a capable leader who can guide the team toward success.

If you’ve already ascended to an executive role, coaching can further elevate your performance. For instance, as a newly appointed CEO, you might find yourself facing skepticism or resistance from long-standing employees. Through executive presence coaching, you can learn to project authority and charisma that command respect while also cultivating a listening, empathetic approach that builds trust. This balance may significantly improve relationships within the team and enhance overall productivity.

Lastly, executive presence goes beyond personal gain—it has a ripple effect. Colleagues and direct reports often look to their leaders for cues on how to navigate the workplace. If you display a strong executive presence, you set a positive example for others to emulate. So not only does it benefit you to hone this craft, it also elevates those around you.

Match with an Executive Presence Coach at a)plan

When it comes to working with an executive presence coach, it only makes sense to hire someone who specializes in working with leaders, organizational communication, and executive presence. 

At a)plan, our roster of coaches includes those who have served leaders at the very top of Fortune 100 companies, as well as leaders and founders of smaller startups and SMBs. By working with an executive presence coach from a)plan, you can be confident you’re receiving guidance from someone who knows the ins and outs of the corporate world.

If you’re ready to get started, let us know more about your goals and aspirations via our coach-matching survey. You’ll receive three personalized coach recommendations based on your responses. Then you can get started with a free compatibility call with any coach before starting.

Are you a leader of an organization interested in executive presence coaching for employees? Offering a professional development program to your current and up-and-coming leaders can set your company up for long-term success. If you’re searching for a coaching provider to support your executive leaders, let us know more here.