The Sharpeners

Presence

Grace under pressure

Discover your unique brand positioning and learn to express it with us

Leadership presence is the ability of a leader to exude confidence, authenticity, and credibility when interacting with others. It's about commanding attention, projecting a sense of authority, and inspiring trust and confidence in those around them. Leadership presence involves a combination of charisma, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect with others, making the leader compelling, influential, and impactful in their interactions and decisions.

Equanimity and poise are the cornerstones of Executive Presence, signaling that you are in charge and ready to lead. People look up to those who can show the way when others are losing their cool.

As you move up in your career, your role increasingly involves being the face of your organization, whether in board meetings, public appearances, or high-stakes negotiations. Developing a commanding and authentic presence is essential to making a lasting impact in these situations. Equanimity and poise are the cornerstones of Executive Presence, signaling that you are in charge and ready to lead. People look up to those who can show the way when others are losing their cool.

What We Offer

Defining “Executive” in this Context

In the phrase “executive presence,” the term “executive” refers to a leader with decision-making power, not just a senior manager. An executive is someone who:

  • Has the authority to lead a company and its teams
  • Is responsible for creating and implementing strategies
  • Is in a position to convince the decision makers to follow a certain direction
  • Leads the organization towards achieving their vision

The Concept of “Presence”

Presence is about who you are, not what you do. It’s an active concept that persists even when you’re not physically present. Executive presence focuses on:

  • How you’re perceived by others
  • The impact you have on a room or situation
  • Your ability to influence and mobilize people

The Impact of Executive Presence

An effective executive presence can:

  1. Set the tone of a room
  2. Influence others’ behavior and focus
  3. Create a specific emotional atmosphere
  4. Mobilize teams towards a common goal
  5. Command respect without relying solely on authority

Examples of Executive Presence in Action

  1. In a crisis: Your presence conveys seriousness and urgency without needing to explicitly state it
  2. Problem-solving: Your presence fosters a focus on solutions rather than blame
  3. In educational settings: Some teachers command respect and attention simply by entering a room, regardless of their teaching abilities
  4. In families: Certain family members can change the dynamics of a situation just by being present, often leading to conflict resolution

Key Aspects of Executive Presence

  1. It’s separate from skills or abilities
  2. It doesn’t come automatically with authority or title
  3. It can inspire respect, not just compliance or fear
  4. It can lead to positive outcomes without direct action

Developing Executive Presence

Executive presence can be developed and refined over time. Key areas to focus on include:

  • Self-awareness
  • Communication skills
  • Body language and appearance
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Consistency in behaviour and values

Pain Points Addressed in our Coaching Program

  1. Aligning Authenticity with Professional Image: Understanding how to present yourself in a way that is both true to who you are and aligned with your professional goals.
  2. Mastering Non-Verbal Aspects of Presence: Learning to use body language, facial expressions, and posture to reinforce your leadership presence.
  3. Balancing Authority with Approachability: Developing a presence that commands respect while remaining accessible and empathetic.
  4. Adapting Presence to Various Contexts: Learning to adjust your executive presence to suit different environments, audiences, and leadership challenges.
  5. Continuous Development of Presence: Recognizing that executive presence is an evolving skill that requires ongoing reflection and adaptation.

Key Takeaways from the Coaching Program

  1. A deeper understanding of how your presence is perceived and how to align it with your leadership identity and goals.
  2. The ability to consciously manage your body language, tone, and energy to strengthen your executive presence.
  3. Projecting authority while maintaining empathy and approachability, creating a well-rounded and effective presence.
  4. The ability to adjust your presence to fit different situations, ensuring that you are always perceived as a confident and competent leader.
  5. Equipped with the tools and mindset needed to continuously refine and enhance your executive presence throughout your leadership journey.

By focusing on these principles, this coaching program will empower you to cultivate a powerful executive presence that not only enhances your leadership effectiveness but also inspires those around you to follow your lead. With a strong and authentic presence, you will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of senior leadership and make a lasting impact in your organization.

Program Description

The central element in an engagement is coaching. In a coaching session you work on your goals, objectives, problem statement, and then come up with insights, solutions and way forward.
A session is usually an hour long, but can be anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. They are usually spaced 10 to 20 days apart.

The time between sessions is for you to act on your insights, try out the ideas you came up with, and observe yourself. You will be given reference material, assessments, and/or reflection exercises based on your individual needs.

Engagements start with a small application followed by a 30-minute discovery call for which there is no charge. Once your program is agreed upon, you may make the payment. The first session is held within one week of the payment.

We can accommodate one planned leave of absence into the program at the start. For any unplanned absence, depending on your circumstance, we can offer an extension of 7 to 30 days, depending on the duration of your program.

You may pay the entire fee in one installment to enjoy a discount. Otherwise, the fee may be paid monthly, in advance.

If for any reason you decide not to pursue the program, you will be refunded for the modules you have not taken. There is no refund for the completed and in-progress modules.

We guarantee that you will get the highest standard of professional coaching and resources that are based on scientific principles. Our coaching sessions are a safe space to explore your beliefs, challenge your assumptions, observe your thoughts.

 

For answers to all your questions about coaching.
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