Podcast Episode #38:
Executive Presence

Overview of Episode #38:

• Suzie interviews Scott Weighart, an expert in Executive Presence.
• What is it and why it matters for leaders.
  
• Discover a three dimensional model for specifically helping you develop your presence in and out of the board room.
• Learn the two facets that most leaders score lower on... (They might surprise you!)
• What is an "Intellectual Treasure Hunt" and how it helps you.
• The quality that all leaders in high growth companies have mastered.

Contact Scott Weighart

• Email: sweighart@bates-communications.com
• Phone: 781-235-8239

Timing on Recording: @ 8:20  ---

Topic 1: Welcome; Getting to Know Scott Weighart.

• Favorite place to travel - Iceland. Nature and the outdoors, especially outdoor swimming pools. Spectacular and different. 
  
• A funny story your family tells about you – Kitten “Peek-A-Boo.” 

Timing on Recording: @ 18:57  ---

Topic 2: What is Executive Presence?

• “Definition of Executive Presence: The quality of a leader as see through the eyes of others that engage inspire align and move people to act.”
• Measuring for 3 years. Geared for senior or high potential leaders.

Timing on Recording: @ 21:30  ---

Topic 3:  How did this become your and Bates Communication’s focus? Why should leaders care about Executive Presence? Why does it matter?

• Get down to business and get some science around it. 
• A tool of influence. What leaders bring to the table to influence each other.
• Communication is the only tool Senior Leaders have to work with, if you cannot communicate and get work done through others you really cant do much of anything.

Timing on Recording: @ 24:40 ---

Topic 4:  How does one get better at this? What are the skills related to Executive Presence and how can a leader build those skills?

• 3 dimensional model: Character, substance and style. Style what you see, how they come into the room; Substance is leadership, how they lead, content you bring; character fundamentals you cant see, how people experience you and trust you.
• Character - qualities we develop early in life that are key in engaging others, gaining trust , what our temperament and disposition is. Qualities important in building trust.
• Substance – adult development, qualities to building trust and credibility.
• Style – execution, clarity about what needs to be done. Appearance, are you dressed appropriately for the job. 
• Execution, credibility, trust.     

Timing on Recording: @ 38:10 ---

Topic 5: What gets in the way of getting better at this?

• Paula story.
• Struggle with restraint story. During a conflict situation, when you retain or restrain yourself, you retain the upper hand.

Timing on Recording: @ 45:00 ---

Topic 6:  What would you say to the leader who says, that’s too soft for me (or for my organization). We’re in a tough business and I can’t see how this would make a difference...

• Integrity – do you do the things you say you are going to do?
• Lack of trust is the only real objection.
• Focus on strengths. Talking the leader off the ledge. Leveraging what you are naturally good at.
• Don’t focus on 50 things at one time; focus on 1 or 2 things. Mount Everest Goals vs. A Set of Stairs Goals. Start small and continue to build.

Timing on Recording: @ 59:00 ---

Topic 7:  What changes have you seen in people – as they’ve built this skill? What’s the impact on their personal and professional life? On the business?

• “You’re only good as your last night of sleep.”

Timing on Recording: @ 1:07:15 ---

Topic 8:  If you could put one billboard anywhere, with anything on it, where would it be and what would it say?

• “Never forget that Executive Presence is in the eyes of the beholder.” 
• “Every time you interact with someone you are making a deposit or withdrawal in your Executive Presence bank.” 
• We are always perceiving/appraising each other. What can we do to come across better to others? It doesn’t matter how smart or authentic you are if people are not experiencing you that way. How we see ourselves is that odds.

Timing on Recording: @ 1:11:15 ---

Topic 9:  What advice would you give your 25/30-year old self about being executive presence and leadership?  

• Story about 17 year-old son, Tim.
• There is power in what you know, and there is power in who you are.

Timing on Recording: @ 1:13:45 ---

Topic 10:  Let’s close with one last bit of advice or wisdom you want every leader to take away from our discussion about Executive Presence, what is it?  

• “There are a lot of good reasons why are you successful today, remember them and bask in them.” Even improving a little bit makes the difference between a VP and an Executive VP. We all have strengths and things we could improve. Having anonymous conversations to look for trends. 
  
• If we could jump in a time machine, what would we want to look different?  
• What their culture is, how people feel about it and how they can do better. 
• Finding the meaningful needs of the organization. Develop people. Willing to coach and have dialogue. 

Links

• Executive Presence Index
  
• The lowest rated Executive Presence area among most leaders is Vision.  Scott shares why that’s the case and five tips for improving in this area, here.
  

Podcasts and Books Mentioned in This Podcast
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Related Services:
Coaching Senior Leaders - Executive Presence 

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