In the opening scene of the film Casablanca, an employee walks intently through the casino with a piece of paper.  The employee arrives at a table and reaches across to hand the paper to an unseen recipient.  All the viewer can see is the recipient writing his signature authorizing a payment of 1,000 francs with the words “Rick-OK.”   The camera slowly pans up to Humphrey Bogart’s face, and the viewer becomes aware of who Rick Blaine is.

From the opening scene, Rick establishes that he’s the boss, and in the end, he has the Executive Presence to do the right thing.

Executive Presence is demonstrating the judgment and character to do the right thing — to be the leader who will get the job done with integrity while inspiring others to fully commit to the task, mission and vision.  When executives with presence walk into the room, people think, “Now something good is going to happen.”  These leaders are respected for the job they are doing, not just for the job they are in.

If you were not born with the innate grace and presence of Colin Powell and Princess Diana, you can take steps to cultivate your executive presence.

Some writers who explain executive presence describe characteristics such as body language, voice pitch, posture, and appropriate dress.  While first impressions count, executive presence is substance and style.

First, make a commitment recognizing that developing executive presence is a long-term process.  Treat everyone with respect:  look them in the eye, shake their hand, and speak to them as if they were the most important person in the room.  Act with passion and conviction.  Executives with presence exude passion, commitment, conviction, and character.  Be genuine, open, straightforward and comfortable.  Communicate with clarity and simplicity.  Combine your confidence with objectivity and humility.  Have courage.  Show good humor.

Leaders with Executive Presence display these multi-dimensional skill sets in their professional and private life.  They set strategy and also implement the plan and lead others to assist them.  They have judgment and competency that enable high performance to occur.  They think and do.  In essence, they have character. 

These leaders have the judgment to determine the right course of action and have the fortitude to drive the implementation process to completion.

Leaders develop the ability to manage and lead themselves before they’re able to manage and lead others.  Self-management has two primary skills sets—one for the head (intellectual skills) and one for the heart (emotional skills).  Many persons assume that only intellectual skills can be developed.  Research has shown, however, that emotional skills such as confidence, discipline and frustration tolerance are not only learnable, but also have a significant positive impact on executive performance.

Relationship management is another essential function of Executive Presence.  Like self-management, relationship management is a matter of the heart and the head.  Leaders set the direction with their heads and then engage their employees with their hearts.  These leaders establish clarity to the direction of the organization:  the vision becomes reality and the strategy becomes achievable.

Leaders with Executive Presence align their personal ambitions with the values and needs of their organization.  Bottom line, they act consistently in their professional life and in their personal life.  Their actions must be consistent and authentic.  The fact is, personal behavior affects reputation and directly impacts a leader’s ability to persuade others.

In the end, Executive Presence is about character.  It is about doing the right thing in the right way and getting consistent results.  It is a result of the head and the heart working together.

Executive Presence is about dignity, respect and success—for the leaders who possess it and for the people who follow them.

Arnelle Adcock is a partner and president of Brentwood-based Clover Management Group — a team of seasoned professionals who help business owners.  You can reach her at 615-900-0777, aadcock@clovermg.com, or www.clovermg.com.