Communicating with executive presence

What is executive presence?

Executive presence is not just about how you look or speak; it’s about how you inspire trust and confidence in the people around you. It’s not something you’re born with. It’s a quality that anyone can develop with practice and self-awareness.

The “3 Cs” of executive presence

Credibility: This means people can rely on you. It comes from consistently showing your value, being honest, and communicating clearly.

Confidence: This is about believing in yourself and showing it. It means having a positive outlook and being ready to take on new challenges.

Connection: This is your ability to relate well with different people, like showing genuine interest and understanding their perspective.

What are your strengths?

Self-reflection is key to improving your executive presence. Think about your strengths. Consider how others see you.

Once you have identified the strengths that you bring to the table, the next step is to assess and enhance them. Reflect on specific moments where your strengths made a positive impact, and try to quantify these results—like how your project management skills helped your team meet a tight deadline.

Top tip:
Ask 5 people you trust to identify your strengths and compare their responses to yours. Do they match?

How to develop your executive presence

Now that you’ve gained insights into executive presence, it’s time to put your learning into action! Assessing your role and identifying areas for growth is a crucial step in developing your executive presence. Here are some things to consider:

• What does success look like in your current position? Consider your team’s needs and your boss’s expectations—how can you meet and exceed these? Think about which of your strengths can help you achieve your goals and fulfill others’ expectations.
• Look at the 3 C’s of executive presence – credibility, confidence, and connection – and consider which aspects are most critical for your current role or the position you aspire to.
• Are there areas where you need to develop further to succeed in your current or future role? Perhaps you need to enhance your communication skills to boost your credibility, or work on your self-assurance to project more confidence.

By honestly evaluating your strengths and areas for improvement, you can create a targeted plan for growth that aligns with your professional aspirations and the expectations of those around you.

The next step… Start by setting small, achievable goals that challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. This might mean speaking up in meetings, seeking leadership opportunities, or practicing your communication skills in diverse settings.

Top tip:
Your Chevening experience has already equipped you with valuable global perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills. Use these as a foundation to build your unique approach to executive presence.

We’re excited to see how you use what you’ve learned! The Chevening community is here to support you as you grow.