Appearance & Executive Presence
"A leader must look and act the part." - David McCullough
This week on Learning to Lead Live we continued to unpack the complexity of Executive presence, beginning with appearance.
This is a challenging topic because we know that our brain is trained to make snap judgments (often in under 250 milliseconds) based purely on physical attributes. Additionally, many of the aspects of appearance are completely out of our control. So what can you do?
First, understand that appearance matters, but not as much as other powerful aspects of executive presence such as gravitas and communication.
As you focus on appearance, here are a few areas to consider:
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Are you looking for a promotion? Pay attention to how the leaders at your desired level present themselves.
Present yourself in a way that makes you feel confident. Your “suit” can feel like armor preparing you to face any challenge.
Appearance goes beyond you and extends to your office. Make sure your office is sending the intended message and reflects you in a way you would be proud of.
Understand what your industry or office culture values. Additionally, pay attention to whether it is inclusive to you and others. If it’s not ask yourself if you need to make a change.
When in doubt ask for input from your mentors, sponsors, and personal board of directors. Ask how they perceive you and what changes you might need to make to reach your goals.
CLOSING: Executive presence is all about inspiring trust and confidence. Not paying attention to how others perceive you, or how you want to be perceived, can hold you back from promotions and growth in your career.
This week pay attention to the leaders around you. What are they wearing? How does their office reflect this leadership?
Remember, it’s not about copying someone else, instead, become more aware of the actions you are taking and how you are presenting yourself.
“Taking control of our appearance is a means to emodying the confidence of a leader.”
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Resources
Tech Up For Women Conference San Diego - October 6, 2022:
Tech Up for Women believes tech knowledge is critical for every career journey. Join them for a one-day event to advance yourself through fast-moving topics to embrace new ideas and innovation.
Ted Women Online Event - October 24-28, 2022: An online festival offering interviews with leading women on change, on work, on rights, on joy and on the future.
Newsletters I read daily to stay informed and get inspired: The Hustle, Morning Brew, Seth Godin’s Blog, Atlas Obscura, Oprah Daily, Newsette
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