EQ – Executive Presence – rests on three fundamental pillars: How you act, how you speak and how you look. In simple terms, it’s about gravitas, communication and appearance.
Presence isn’t a measure of performance, it’s a measure of image – whether you signal to others that you ‘have what it takes’; that you are ‘star material’. It’s the heady combination of confidence, poise and authenticity that convinces people that they’re in the presence of someone who is the ‘real deal’.
Gravitas – the biggest contributor to EP – signals that a person “knows their stuff,” that they have enough in-depth knowledge in their chosen subject but alongside it, they also have the
confidence and credibility to put their point across and create buy-in amongst people. People with gravitas project the authority of a leader through their heightened ability to communicate effectively - an ability to command a room. To speak in a way that makes
people sit up and want to pay attention.
All of which brings us to ‘appearance’ – the filter through which gravitas and communication
skills are evaluated. Appearance is about making an effort to look
‘polished’. A statement of respect – respect for colleagues, clients and self.

Comments