For many decades, anyone who wanted to climb the career ladder to the C-suite heard about the importance of executive presence. The phrase conjures an image of a man in a power suit and red tie sitting at the head of a conference table as he assigns tasks.
But that image of the powerful executive has changed and shifted with the times, and leaders often don’t look, act, or sound like the famous CEOs of past eras.
As the image of executive presence shifts to include a wider variety of people, the idea of executive presence has broadened to include skills such as managing emotions and being organizationally savvy. Much of the modern perception of a successful executive could be summed up in the phrase “executive influence.”
For the up-and-coming leader, these two phrases—executive presence and executive influence—could cause some confusion. Which is more important? And what is executive influence, anyway?
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Executive Presence vs. Executive Influence: What’s the difference?
Put simply, executive presence reflects how others see you. People may perceive you as a polished speaker who’s always impeccably dressed, a charismatic team leader who exudes confidence, or a dependable, caring manager who represents the company well in public. Executive presence is something that can be developed and improved, and it’s an important aspect of career growth, especially for those who want to make it to the C-suite.
On the other hand, executive influence describes the impact your own actions make on those around you. The amount of influence you have on your direct reports, your colleagues, and your boss or bosses can make all the difference in your career growth—or lack of growth! A leader who knows how to steer the actions and beliefs of others can be in an ideal position to drive company goals.
So which is more important, presence or influence?
The truth is—it’s not a question of which is more important, but rather how to use both to improve your overall presentation as a leader. Presence and influence go hand in hand, and to develop one to the exclusion of the other could limit your career paths.
Here are four ways to balance executive presence with executive influence—and boost both.
4 Ways to Balance Executive Presence with Executive Influence
1. Practice managing up.
Whether you and your boss have an ideal working relationship or one that encounters more than a few bumps, managing up can be a great way to work on your influencing skills. Managing up is all about making your boss’s job easier, which could mean everything from being a sounding board for important decisions or taking on tasks that your boss doesn’t have time for.
As you make your boss’s job easier, you will likely gain influence and make a positive impression on your boss and those around you both, which can help boost your visibility in your organization. And as people notice you more, you’ll have more chances to demonstrate your executive presence.
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2. Amplify other voices.
Executive influence isn’t just about you—it’s also about using the voice you do have to amplify voices that aren’t as loud as your own. And amplifying other voices benefits both the voicer and the amplifier. In a 2021 study, researchers found that meeting participants who amplified another participant’s idea improved the status of the original speaker as well as their own.
For introverted leaders, drawing attention to other voices might be an easier way to improve influence than by shouting their own voices louder. Introverts sometimes have fewer qualms about boosting other people and can often see the quieter employees in a crowd.
Amplifying other voices shows that you listen to others and are willing to give credit to others, which is a valuable way to demonstrate your ability to seek new perspectives and build relationships—both important aspects of executive presence.
3. Build trust with everyone.
As a leader, you are more likely to influence others when those others trust you. But trust isn’t something you can just conjure into existence; it requires time and effort. Maintain a high level of integrity, show up and deliver results, and make every effort to be open and clear in your communication.
It’s common to associate executive presence with charisma, but charisma can only take a leader so far if integrity and trust are missing. When leaders possess both a high level of trust and the ability to inspire—that’s a powerful combination of influence and presence.
4. Listen as much as you speak—or more!
As the old saying goes, we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. While you may be tempted to speak more and louder to boost your influence and presence, the opposite behavior may be more effective. Practice active listening, ask questions that invite conversation, and be open to feedback. Most importantly, act on the information you receive in a way that shows you are fully invested in your role and function.
Leaders who demonstrate their interest in other ideas are practicing a variety of skills necessary to advance their careers. When leaders take in new information and perspectives, they’re demonstrating an openness that builds relationships, fosters innovation, and encourages teamwork and shared purpose—all aspects of both influence and presence.
Leaders today need more than power suits and charm. Rather, it’s a balance of executive presence and executive influence that will best position leaders to deliver business and people results for their organizations.
If you need help developing your executive presence and influence, the experts at Stewart Leadership can help! Contact us to learn more.
Self-check:
- Is there one thing I can do to influence my boss more effectively?
- Is there one way I can better influence my direct reports?
- What is one way I can better balance executive presence and executive influence?
