I once participated in a mediation between two large and high-profile organisations. The mediator was in his eighties, had had a heart bypass and was a former high profile US antitrust lawyer. He decided to call the senior executives of the contending parties together in a room. The two individuals sparked off each other and each loudly stated their respective positions without listening to the other. The mediator suddenly raised his right hand, waited until everybody stopped talking and looked at him in surprise, the said in a loud voice “Hold the phone: there’s too many egos in the room!” This stopped the jockeying for position in its tracks and facilitated a more collaborative discussion which ultimately resulted in a settlement.
This illustrates the skill set required to have a presence at and influence meetings, controlling proceedings when needed. What the mediator exhibited was “Executive Presence”.
See this Forbes article Executive Presence: What Is It, Why You Need It And How To Get It which commences:
“Executive presence!” It’s a term that’s often shrouded in mystique, whispered as if it’s something magical, and many people struggle to understand it. Executive presence is critical, but it doesn’t need to be mysterious. Most importantly, executive presence is a skill, not a trait — that means it’s something you can cultivate and build.”
And then sets out seven steps to build executive presence including:
See this blog Seven Ways to Demonstrate Your Leadership Presence at Meetings which recommends
It suggests 12 rules which will enhance executive presence at a meeting including.
Although it is harder you can still do this in virtual meetings. Join the call a minute or so early and welcome each participant as they join. If you want some authority over the meeting, use video as well as voice. Having your image displayed gives you more presence when you are (and even are not) talking, and it shows you are concentrating on proceedings and not answering emails or taking a coffee break.
One technique is to be the scribe. At an in-person meeting stand and take the pen to write on a flipchart or smart screen. Or be the person whose laptop is displayed on the video screen in the room. In online meetings you can do the same by sharing your screen with the meeting. Nevertheless in hybrid meetings being present in person generally gives you more authority than attending online. In particular you miss some of the asides and body language that tell you how the meeting is progressing.
Turning more to the online world I like this blog 18 Ways to Increase Executive Presence in Zoom Meetings:
“After you gain your proverbial seat at the table, don’t fall out of the chair. You can’t afford to fall on your face when it comes to presenting ideas and information to your boss, clients, or coworkers. The challenge to hold the room is more complicated than ever with meetings happening virtually via video conferencing software.”
Its recommendations include:
• Get the Lighting Right – reading your body language depends on proper lighting
• Keep Your Posture Positive - leaning backward, away from the camera may convey `` arrogance and a judgmental mindset.
• Dress for the Impression You Want to Create
Here is a good Harvard Business Review article on managing on line meetings, How to Elevate Your Presence in a Virtual Meeting which comments “Communication tactics that work well among colleagues in a conference room may not translate seamlessly to a virtual meeting. Elevating both your point and your presence in a Zoom, Skype, or similar virtual meeting requires engaging in video conference-friendly tactics.” It then suggests a number of techniques to help including:
“It is executive presence—and no man or woman attains a top job, lands an extraordinary deal, or develops a significant following without this heady combination of confidence, poise, and authenticity that convinces the rest of us we're in the presence of someone who's the real deal. It’s an amalgam of qualities that telegraphs that you are in charge or deserve to be.”
She cites research that suggests executive presence “rests on three pillars:
Executive presence demonstrates true leadership which, as Sheryl Sandberg, the American technology executive, philanthropist, and writer says, “is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
This illustrates the skill set required to have a presence at and influence meetings, controlling proceedings when needed. What the mediator exhibited was “Executive Presence”.
See this Forbes article Executive Presence: What Is It, Why You Need It And How To Get It which commences:
“Executive presence!” It’s a term that’s often shrouded in mystique, whispered as if it’s something magical, and many people struggle to understand it. Executive presence is critical, but it doesn’t need to be mysterious. Most importantly, executive presence is a skill, not a trait — that means it’s something you can cultivate and build.”
And then sets out seven steps to build executive presence including:
- Have a vision, and articulate it well.
- Understand how others experience you.
- Become an excellent listener.
See this blog Seven Ways to Demonstrate Your Leadership Presence at Meetings which recommends
- To be influential, speak up early instead of speaking often
- Check to be sure you understand instead of assuming
- Be clear about the role you are to play in each meeting
It suggests 12 rules which will enhance executive presence at a meeting including.
- Be prepared
- Start and end the meeting on time
- Use your body language
- Delegate meeting roles
- Ask thought-provoking questions
- Avoid multitasking
Although it is harder you can still do this in virtual meetings. Join the call a minute or so early and welcome each participant as they join. If you want some authority over the meeting, use video as well as voice. Having your image displayed gives you more presence when you are (and even are not) talking, and it shows you are concentrating on proceedings and not answering emails or taking a coffee break.
One technique is to be the scribe. At an in-person meeting stand and take the pen to write on a flipchart or smart screen. Or be the person whose laptop is displayed on the video screen in the room. In online meetings you can do the same by sharing your screen with the meeting. Nevertheless in hybrid meetings being present in person generally gives you more authority than attending online. In particular you miss some of the asides and body language that tell you how the meeting is progressing.
Turning more to the online world I like this blog 18 Ways to Increase Executive Presence in Zoom Meetings:
“After you gain your proverbial seat at the table, don’t fall out of the chair. You can’t afford to fall on your face when it comes to presenting ideas and information to your boss, clients, or coworkers. The challenge to hold the room is more complicated than ever with meetings happening virtually via video conferencing software.”
Its recommendations include:
• Get the Lighting Right – reading your body language depends on proper lighting
• Keep Your Posture Positive - leaning backward, away from the camera may convey `` arrogance and a judgmental mindset.
• Dress for the Impression You Want to Create
Here is a good Harvard Business Review article on managing on line meetings, How to Elevate Your Presence in a Virtual Meeting which comments “Communication tactics that work well among colleagues in a conference room may not translate seamlessly to a virtual meeting. Elevating both your point and your presence in a Zoom, Skype, or similar virtual meeting requires engaging in video conference-friendly tactics.” It then suggests a number of techniques to help including:
- Focus on your camera, not your colleagues
- Frame yourself wisely
- Use the chat window as your partner
“It is executive presence—and no man or woman attains a top job, lands an extraordinary deal, or develops a significant following without this heady combination of confidence, poise, and authenticity that convinces the rest of us we're in the presence of someone who's the real deal. It’s an amalgam of qualities that telegraphs that you are in charge or deserve to be.”
She cites research that suggests executive presence “rests on three pillars:
- How you act (gravitas)
- How you speak (communication)
- How you look (appearance)”
Executive presence demonstrates true leadership which, as Sheryl Sandberg, the American technology executive, philanthropist, and writer says, “is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
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