Beyond Fashion Forward:
What women aren’t being told about executive presence
By Susan Colantuono, CEO & Founder, Leading Women

Fashionistas would have women believe that what we wear, the accessories we use and how we look are keys to executive presence. But this emphasis on personal appearance leads women astray. Appearance isn’t the same as executive presence. And, personal presence is different from executive presence.

Many people have personal presence: TV and movie stars, politicians, social movement leaders, speakers, preachers and others. They need personal presence because they must be comfortable being in the limelight. Personal presence can be defined as the ability to comfortably draw and hold attention while delivering a message.

But, do movie stars, speakers, preachers, social movement leaders have executive presence? Most senior managers, executives and directors would say no. So, what’s the difference between personal and executive presence. Here it is…

Executive presence is the ability to comfortably draw and hold attention while delivering a business-savvy message. It’s the business-savvy message that differentiates the CEO or senior manager (or for that matter manager, supervisor or individual contributor) with executive presence from the movie star (or well-spoken colleague) with personal presence.

When filling an open position, the person with executive presence will win out over the person with personal presence. Why? Because she demonstrates an understanding of the business of the business!

Recently a client observed this dynamic in action. At a meeting where managers were reporting to executives, those managers whose reports were long on adjectives and short on metrics got a “ho hum” response from the executives – no matter how eloquent their reports. The managers whose reports focused on numbers critical to the bottom line
caught the attention of executives who picked up their pens and took notes.

If, like most women, you haven’t been told that it takes a business-savvy message to demonstrate executive presence, take advantage of our special 20% off Mass Conference for Women pricing on No Ceiling, No Walls or contact info@LeadingWomen.biz to discuss how we bring this message to
women in your organization.

Susan L. Colantuono is CEO and Founder of Leading Women (http://LeadingWomen.biz), which helps organizations
meet their goals for advancing and retaining women at all levels. She is the author of No Ceiling, No Walls: What women haven't been told about leadership from career-start to the corporate boardroom http://www.NoCeilingNoWalls.com

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