Get Executive Presence Training to Improve Your Impact

What is executive presence? How can you build your executive presence? How can executive presence coaching help? What does our executive presentation training cover? What to do to develop your executive presence?

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

What is Executive Presence?

What exactly is executive presence and how can you improve it to enhance your leadership capabilities?

Put simply, executive presence is a blend of skills that send all the right signals. It’s about how you carry yourself, communicate and build relationships. If you have strong executive presence you’ll exude confidence, competence and authenticity. You inspire trust and get seen as a leader, regardless of your title.

Learn How Executive Presence Coaching Will Help

To succeed in business, you need to stand out from the crowd. For leaders, executive presence is a key differentiator. Great executive presence inspires confidence, respect and trust. But how do you build this essential leadership skill?

At Benjamin Ball, our UK coaching team has been helping business executives develop their executive presence for over 15 years. 

This guide is packed with practical tips to help you improve your executive presence. We’ll explore practical strategies so you develop a commanding executive presence that inspires confidence and respect from colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

Why Develop Your Executive Presence?

Building executive presence is about much more than looking the part; it’s about being a confident leader who makes a lasting impression on colleagues and stakeholders. Just having strong technical skills isn’t enough to secure a leadership position. Great communication skills, leadership skills and executive presence are often the missing links.

Presence is what sets the most effective leaders apart. With presence you can navigate stressful situations with ease and influence important decisions. Harvard Business Review describes executive presence as a combination of gravitas, communication and appearance. These are the qualities that shape how you are perceived by others.

Understand the 4 Key Components of Executive Presence Training

1. Confidence and Poise: Believing in your abilities and presenting yourself with assurance.
2. Strong Communication Skills: Articulating ideas clearly and listening attentively.
3. Appearance: How you look and how you behave
4. Ability to make decisions: Demonstrating decisiveness and accountability.

How to Develop Your Executive Presence

1. Build core communication skills

If you really want to improve your presence, then start by working on your communication skills: presentations, public speaking and listening skills. Most senior leaders emphasise the importance of clarity in communication.

You want to express great ideas and ask great questions, even in front of a large group. For this you want to enhance your presentation skills and improve public speaking skills.

A leadership role often requires you to simplify complex concepts, which is why effective communication is a core skill for any aspiring leader.

Knowing when it’s the right time to speak and when to listen is another essential element of executive presence. Executive presence training can help you here.

Ask today about executive presence coaching

2. Look the part

Your visual appearance plays a part in how you are perceived, but it’s more about how you carry yourself rather than what you wear. A strong handshake, good posture and steady eye contact, calm body language all contribute to making a strong first impression.

• Improve Body Language Basics: Leaders look like leaders.  That means standing tall, maintaining good posture and making confident eye contact. You should aim to project an aura of calmness and control, even when you are under pressure.
• Work on Non-Verbal Communications: Your behaviour must match what you are saying. This includes posture, eye contact, paying attention and facial expressions. It must all work together.
• Dress Like a Leader: Dress for the role you want, not the one you have. A polished appearance shows respect for yourself and the occasion.   

Your appearance can significantly influence how others perceive you. Dressing appropriately for your industry and maintaining a well-groomed appearance can enhance your executive presence. Read more about mastering presentation delivery.

Action Steps:

• Adopt a posture that conveys confidence and openness.
• Invest in a wardrobe that aligns with your professional role and industry standards.
• Pay attention to grooming and personal image. 
• Work on how others see you by polishing the impact you make
• Get coaching – to master these skills

3. Be yourself

However, what truly builds executive presence over time is when you show your authentic self. People want to follow influential leaders they can trust, so trying to emulate someone else’s style usually backfires.

Instead, work on enhancing your own strengths while staying genuine. That may mean sharing a bit more about your personal self, being clear when you don’t know things and being open and sincere.

4. Understand the environment

Another crucial part of executive presence is understanding organisational politics. The best way to do this is by observing how senior executives and thought leaders in your industry handle complex dynamics.

They often become role models for emerging leaders, showcasing how to build alliances and manage conflicts.

Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Executive Presence Training

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years.  Our coaching is fast and effective.  We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups.  Call us today to learn more.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

Our most popular training courses include:

• Presentation Coaching
• Public Speaking Coaching
• Investor Pitch Support and Coaching

Trusted by some of the most successful companies globally

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

Speak to an expert today about executive presence coaching

5. Work well under pressure

Years of experience matter, but being able to show composure and clarity in high-stakes situations can be even more impactful.

Many studies suggest that good leaders are not just skilled decision-makers but are also adept at bringing others along with them, creating alignment and buy-in.

6. Be consistent

Extensive research shows that executive presence isn’t about perfection. To be good at this you should work on your consistently as a leader, even in uncertain times. When you can contribute new ideas confidently and see the greater impact of your actions, you will establish your credibility.

7. Become a clear communicator

Developing a strong point of view while remaining open to feedback is a hallmark of those with great executive presence.

If you are looking to move into a more senior role, working on these leadership traits can turn a good leader into a truly effective one, leaving a lasting impression on team members and the wider organisation.

To improve your communication skills, you need to speak clearly, concisely and with conviction. Actively listen to others and tailor your message to your audience.  Public speaking and presenting are learned skills. 

In just a few hours of intensive presentation coaching or executive presence training you can transform your communication skills.  It’s what most great leaders have done at some stage in their careers.

Action Steps:

• Learn public speaking skills to become more comfortable in front of an audience.
• Build your presentation skills, so your presentations make the impact you want.
• Get executive presence training.
• Develop active listening skills by paying full attention to the speaker and asking clarifying questions.
• Work on your non-verbal communication, such as maintaining eye contact and using appropriate body language.
• Practice empathy by putting yourself in others’ shoes and considering their perspectives

8. Increase your confidence

Improve Inner Belief: Executive presence starts from within. If you feel confident you’ll look more confident.  One way to build your confidence is to improve your skills.  For example, if you are scared of public speaking, then learn how to do it. 

If you don’t like presenting to groups, learn the skills you need to succeed.  These are all relatively easy skills to learn in executive presence training.  Like this you can improve your self-belief.

9. Develop gravitas

• Show decisiveness:  Leaders with strong executive presence are decisive and take accountability for their decisions. They weigh options carefully but do not shy away from making tough calls.  That means you should develop a systematic approach to decision-making, such as defining the problem, evaluating options and considering the consequences.  Like this, you’ll build credibility.
• Be an Expert: Combining expertise with polishing communication skills helps promote your executive presence.
• Lead with Decisiveness: Present clear and well-informed decisions. Remain open to feedback and avoid wishy-washy indecisiveness.

Gravitas is a clear component of enhanced professional presence. You can read more about developing gravitas here.

Action Points:

• Behave like a leader
• Sound like a leader

10. Hone your skills with executive presence training

Practice Makes Perfect: Seek opportunities to develop your public speaking and presentation skills. For example, get expert presentation coaching for leaders or join a business Toastmasters club.

Remember: To build executive presence and influence is a journey, not a destination. By consistently working on these areas, you’ll project the leadership qualities that inspire and empower those around you.

Bonus Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of a genuine smile and a positive attitude. Approachability is just as important as authority.

CASE STUDY: Helping the CEO of a Supermarket Chain
Improve His Executive Presence

Mr A., the CEO of one of Europe’s largest supermarket chains had a problem. Shareholders and analysts had doubts about him. Although the business was performing well and had a strong track record of growth, shareholders were not happy. For example: when he presented, he read from a script. He didn’t smile and his answers to investor questions were curt and unhelpful. Shareholders look for leaders with executive presence.

We worked with the CEO to help him refine his leadership presence. We showed him how to use a script without it looking like a script. He learned how to deliver his presentations and how to answer questions effectively. And he learned how to stand and hold himself so that he looked as impressive as his company’s performance.

After the next Capital Markets Day there were no more questions about his leadership. He remains in post and continues to polish his skills every year so that he looks stronger and stronger. The company has gone from strength to strength.

By following these steps and refining your approach, you too can develop a powerful professional presence that will make you a force to be reckoned with in the boardroom and beyond.

Enhancing your professional presence is not just about improving how others see you but also about becoming a more effective and inspiring leader. By developing self-awareness, mastering communication, maintaining a professional appearance, enhancing emotional intelligence and strengthening decision-making skills, you can cultivate a presence that drives success in your career and for your organisation. Coaching from Benjamin Ball can help you achieve all of this.

How to Start Improving Your Executive Presence Today

To really improve, get help from one of our executive presence coaches. In just a few hours, you can be transformed.

Ask us how we can help you become a much more effective business communicator with our bespoke coaching and training. Call Louise Angus on +44 7018 0922 or click on the button below.

Speak to an expert today about executive presence coaching

Why Choose Us:
Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Some recent clients

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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FAQ: How Executive Presence Training Works

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