Effective leaders exude executive presence, according to Suzanne Bates, an executive consultant and coach. People can sense if you are a leader when you enter a room. Bates explains in a Forbes article, the following are ingredients to executive presence:
Character: authenticity, integrity, concern, restraint, humility
Substance: practical wisdom, confidence, composure, resonance, vision
Style: appearance, intentionality, interactivity, inclusiveness, assertiveness
Did you notice the quality of character is first?
God told Samuel, a prophet, when selecting David as the next king of Israel, to not consider his appearance or his height. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b NIV
Character is closely aligned with your heart.
Long-standing, effective, and great leaders have character. Also aligned with heart and character, culture fit has been elevated above skills. Great workplaces take the time to peer into a candidate’s heart. No matter how skillful or good-looking you are, will your contributions be in-line with an organization’s mission and vision? Will you treat people with respect?
To be an effective leader, to possess executive presence, your character is first. You may have been promoted up the career ladder and hold an executive-level position, but at the end of your life, without character, without a good heart, you will not be considered as someone who made a positive difference in people and the community.
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