The Path To Authentic Executive Presence
Posted on April 04, 2022 by Leena Singarajah, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
What it means to be authentic at work and some tips for you to be authentic at work today.
Being authentic is a holistic state of being that encompasses your personal and professional life. In the professional arena, it is a myth that authenticity is only for leaders. Every professional, regardless of career stage, deserves to find their authentic presence and be in a job and workplace environment that allows them to be and perform at their authentic best.
The true worth of any organisation is not only its leaders but the total sum value of the success brought about by its entire team. So being authentic at every level is key.
It is naturally easier said than done. A mid level manager who is a working parent with bills and mortgages to pay and mouths to feed will argue that needing a rice bowl is pre-eminent over following your passion. This is another myth: that being authentic means throwing wind to caution and just following your dream.
“Authenticity is not a license to be excessively focused on the self,” says Brooke Vuckovic, an adjunct lecturer of leadership coaching at the Kellogg School. People use authenticity to excuse how / who they are and why people should accept them as is. Authenticity is about being aligned with your character and values in order to perform effectively at work.
Our true authentic self is not hiding under a burning bush waiting for us to find it. It already exists within each of us. If we stray too far from our internal compass, our authenticity quotient diminishes.
The path to authentic executive presence can be challenging for a variety of reasons:
The workplace, even industry, is constantly changing. It is difficult to develop a style that feels right and suits the organisation’s changing needs. Companies like to stick with what feels comfortable.
People evolve through their careers. There isn’t always one true self. Companies generally struggle to adapt to evolving employees.
Work styles are changing radically with each generation. Very few companies practice adaptability and agility in their structure or strategic direction. Ultimately the rigidity of a company structure suppresses the ability to promote adaptability and authenticity.
Cultural and diversity differences continue to be debated at the workplace. To be authentic means to embrace diversity, differences and individuality. The very nature of the meaning “organisation” – an organised group of people with a particular purpose – suggests conformity as opposed to celebrating individuality and authenticity.
Performance psychologist Dr. Stephen Long challenges us to consider that authenticity and executive presence are linked. Leaders set the direction with their heads and then engage their employees and colleagues with their hearts. Executive presence is a result of the head and heart working together to their maximum capabilities.
An authentic executive would strive for the following qualities:
Values— know your values and examine them frequently. Your actions should align with espoused values. Choose values over business style. Style is often a man made facade to portray what you want others to see, not often is that your true self. Some of the most successful companies in the world today operate by their core values, not mission statements. Don’t just say what you want to be, but BE what you want to be.
Relationships— build solid relationships and make heart connections. Share personal experiences and listen actively. Stories are the most accessible way to show up in a more authentic way. By sharing our own stories of how you’ve succeeded, struggled, and even failed — you create a path to form relationships.
Being Human – balance competence with vulnerability. One of the reasons that authenticity is uncomfortable is because it’s related to vulnerability. While it’s important to not come across as an insecure mess, never showing our vulnerabilities actually backfires. The perfectionists cause disconnection in others. Being able to balance your competency with your vulnerability makes you human, and creates a safe place for others. It also encourages strategic risk-taking and innovation, which are critical to excellence.
Self-Awareness – the cornerstone of authenticity is self-awareness. This means being aware of your character, values, strengths and shortcomings. It’s determining the energy you bring to the workplace. Conduct your own presence audit. Manage emotions, know personal triggers, show empathy. Knowing how you show up, the energy you carry, and how connected you are provides the context to understand your own impact, and what moves to make to become an authentic executive who is successful and fulfilled. It’s not about being someone else — but the best version of yourself.
Executive presence and authenticity are intertwined. Presence is knowing who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to be known for. Ultimately, it is not about throwing everything out of the window but embracing a professional life you can live according to your values and true self.
