Workshops to develop executive presence, influence & communication
1. Executive Presence: The Professional Approach to Appearance and Impact
In a competitive world, understanding appearance is key—your appearance speaks before you do. This session, based on studies in psychology, communication, and social dynamics, will teach you non-verbal communication to advance with confidence.
Executive presence goes beyond verbal communication. This session explores the research and insights demonstrating how professional appearance influences perception, performance, and professional success.
The exploration is rooted in research revealing the psychological and professional implications of professional appearance.
Research studies have shown that
• Personal presentation influences cognitive processes, impacting both self-perception and performance
• Appearance systematically influences psychological processes and professional interactions — challenging traditional views of professional presentation
• Thoughtful presentation enhances cognitive processing, abstract thinking, professional confidence and perceived competence
• Professional appearance serves as a non-verbal communication tool, eliciting specific behavioural responses, highlighting its role in professional interactions
Another research on Service Quality and Appearance provides insights into how appearance impacts professional expectations. Their study reveals the role of appropriate professional presentation in customer perception, service quality expectations and professional credibility.
Session objectives and learning outcomes
Participants will:
• Understand appearance psychology, and how professional presentation influences performance
• Develop approach to their appearance, learning to make intentional choices that enhance presence
• Learn to master appearance as a non-verbal communication tool in professional environments
• Get ideas for their personal brand, aligning professional appearance that aligns with career goals
Beyond clothing, the session explores a comprehensive view of professional presentation, including: personal
grooming, body language, posture, and cultural considerations.
Recommended Preparation
Participants are encouraged to:
• Reflect on their current professional presentation
• Consider how their appearance aligns with professional objectives
• Bring an open mind to evidence-based insights
2. Building Executive Presence Through Strategic Questioning
This session equips participants with strategic questioning skills as a cornerstone of executive presence. The session demonstrates how powerful questions showcase three critical leadership aspects: forward vision, systemic understanding, and value creation.
Participants will learn to ask strategic questions, moving beyond immediate concerns to show big-picture thinking and business understanding.
The workshop emphasizes how strategic questions signal senior leadership thinking by:
- Bridging departmental silos and showing interconnected business understanding
- Considering multiple stakeholders and long-term implications
- Focusing on organizational impact rather than just cost or efficiency
- Demonstrating industry knowledge and system-wide awareness
- Balancing curiosity with confidence in leadership interactions
Focus is placed on the distinction between upward and peer-level questioning, with the latter emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and shared understanding through structured inquiry techniques.
Time is distributed roughly equally between direct Instruction and interactive components (individual Exercises, small group activities and full group discussions).
Key Participant Takeaways
Frameworks
- STAR questioning technique for executive interactions
- Collaborative inquiry model for peer engagement
- evaluating question effectiveness
Tools
- Template for structuring strategic questions
- Scenario-based practice experience
- Personal question bank for common situations
Capability building
- Ability to frame questions that demonstrate strategic thinking
- Confidence in senior leadership interactions
- Techniques for peer-level strategic discussions