Executive presence: what is it and how to get it

Abstract

Executive presence is demonstrated by leaders who achieve high performance while doing it the right way. Research conducted by The Institute for Level Six Leadership at the University of Kansas and the United States Air Force Academy has shown that leadership skills can be acquired and developed. Leaders who are able to connect the ends of continuums such as action and thinking, the abstract and the concrete, and the theoretical and the practical experience heightened judgement, stronger character and greater emotional maturity within themselves and their followers. Four components of executive presence are identified in the paper:1. Successful track record2. Establishing trust through high performance3. Self‐management skills4. Relationship management skills.Using the Level Six Leadership concept as a foundation, seven American executives were interviewed on the topic of executive presence. Executives served in both the private and public sectors and it appears that executive presence can be developed in both segments of management.