Conversations and strategies about how to stand out IN a crowd and create sustainable success while making a difference through high impact contributions.

Greetings,

Could you describe or define executive presence when asked?

Because many of you have asked about executive presence, I’ve decided to dedicate the next few editions of Success Matters to the topic. You also strongly emphasized it as a development area in the Unique Genius Survey (self-leadership and personal development).

In my research, I discovered that the core element of executive presence is one’s ability to impact or influence others. It’s a very abstract concept that includes many diverse factors – your values, your beliefs, your non-verbal communication AND verbal communication. It’s also about your appearance and style of dress, and most importantly, how you manage your energy and emotions.

Sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it?!

It is a tall order with tremendous return and benefit! Executive presence (at ALL levels of leadership) is one of the most significant reasons that leaders are more successful and enjoy sustainability in their career.

I refer to it as ‘advanced personal branding’. Although it ‘sounds like’ personal branding, it goes deeper.

Someone with executive presence is VERY intentional about their brand, and they also have exceptional communication and interpersonal capabilities.

The good news is that executive presence is not a born trait. It is something that you learn and cultivate over time. With executive presence, you gain the credibility to have a significant and positive impact on many lives, personally and professionally. But, you need your voice to be HEARD!

My intention is to pique your curiosity and interest in learning more about the concept, the foundation for Strategy 3 of the Unique Genius Coaching Model – Stand Out. Be Heard!

Just imagine the surprises [or LUCK] that will show up in your life when your voice is HEARD and you gain respect and recognition for your credibility and expertise!

Set your vision to make 2011 your Best Year Ever!

Gerrie Dresser
Executive l Career Coach & Personal Brand Strategist
Who helps high achieving leaders
stand out IN a crowd . . . DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF!

Features:  What's Included ...

• Unique Genius Virtual Café
• Unique Genius 6-Question Survey
• 10 Year Anniversary Celebration! (NEW!)
• Speaking Events
• Feature Article
• Gerrie Recommends
• Unique Genius Coaching

Our Unique Genius Virtual Café Event is back after our December / January break!

Save the date – Tuesday, February 22! [4th Tuesday in February]

• February 22, 2011: Ann Mohamadi, EVP, Business Development- Advertising and Medical Education at Publicis Healthcare Communications Group
  
  Ann has an inspiring and energizing story about breaking through many of the “career myths”, i.e., that changing career direction isn’t possible in our current economy.

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You’ve gained greater insight into the 7 high priority strategies that have been influential in leader’s career and leadership success. [See October and November editions of Success Matters in our Archive.]

But . . .

• What are some of their current career challenges?
• What do these leaders aspire to in the future?

The leaders who responded to the Unique Genius Survey naturally aligned into 5 categories:

1. Leaders who desire to advance their careers and feel uncertain about how to articulate their value, promote their contributions, keep current about the industry trends, thus, be competitive and stand out IN a crowd.
   
   A few need additional credentials (license, certification) while many indicated the need for an ‘inner circle’ of mentors, advocates, peer coaches, and master mind community.
    
2. Leaders who are undecided or unclear about their ideal career and feel confused and stuck. They are at a crossroads in their career, and are asking themselves, “What do I want to be/do that has more meaning and brings greater fulfillment?”
    
3. Leaders who want to change careers, and are hesitant to explore the options because of financial concerns, decreased career / job opportunities, and uncertainty in corporate direction. As a result, they also feel stuck.
    
4. Leaders who want to stand out, be recognized and rewarded for their high impact leadership, resulting in exceptional business outcomes through initiative, influence, innovation, and highly effective social awareness and self-management. [i.e., cultivate more executive presence]
    
5. Entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs who have development needs in business start-up, marketing, and business expansion.

One strong theme throughout the survey was the influence of internal factors, such as self-leadership and personal development on the respondent’s ability to strategically focus on and achieve their desired outcome.

Although external factors, such as the economy and the corporate environment were indicated, these did not reflect a strong impact factor.

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May 5, 2011 marks Success Associates’ 10 year anniversary, so I’ve planned a few special events to celebrate!

• We celebrated the launch of 2011 through the very successful 2 part virtual class, “Make It Your Best Year Ever in 2011 . . . How to Set and Achieve the Goals You Really Want in the New Year"!

Our focus was on the “What, Why, How Success Strategy”, a 5 step approach to effectively SET and ACHIEVE your goals!

Watch for more special events to celebrate our 10 years in service!

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To celebrate the message about ‘Unique Genius’, organizations and corporations are sponsoring speaking events to inspire and motivate their leaders! Watch for upcoming events in Success Matters.

To learn more about Gerrie’s speaking and make a referral to your organization, click on link: http://www.successassociates.biz/speaking_workshops/

Phone: 610-429-0359
Email: gerrie@successassociates.biz

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• When you think of someone with ‘executive presence’, what behaviors and qualities do you associate with them?
• Who do you know that reflects this ‘executive presence’?

I’m sure someone came to mind, immediately! You’ve observed that they have a great deal of consistency in how they act and what they do (one of the 3Cs of personal branding!), as well as great clarity in WHO they are and WHO they are NOT (another one of the 3Cs!).

In other words, they don’t try to be Donald Trump if they’re Barbara Corcoran. They are both experts in Real Estate, but with very different styles.

What shows up in people with executive presence is their tremendous ability to manage their energy and emotions even under extreme stress. As you read in November’s Success Matters, the authors of the book, The Power of Full Engagement, promote the value of personal fitness to be emotionally connected and mentally focused.

• So, as you define your first step to enhance your executive presence in 2011, personal fitness needs to be one of your highest priorities.

All of the experts and research on executive presence point to two common themes that people with executive presence emulate . . . self-leadership and personal development.

• Other factors that the experts align with executive presence include your values, beliefs, and filters that affect your perception.

You’ve heard me talk about the ‘ah-ha’ moment that my clients experience when they connect with their unique genius. Right?

Well, the very next phase of their transformation after their ‘ah-ha’ moment is how they begin to change their ‘filters’ about how they ‘see’ other people. They are less judgmental, more patient and accepting of each person’s differences because they gain greater appreciation for their OWN differences, i.e., increased self-awareness.

As one author is quoted, most people prefer to work with or for someone with social acuity and a generally pleasant disposition toward others. It starts with knowing WHO you are – your own strengths, values, character traits, personal attributes, and beliefs. Only then, are you able to empathize and engage with people who are different from you.

• Your Coaching Challenge: What can you do in the next month to cultivate your executive presence?

Will you research the concept to gain a better understanding, begin a fitness program, or assess your values and beliefs – to start the inside-out approach to initiate your ‘advanced personal branding’ in 2011?

• Set a Vision for 2011 as Your Best Year Ever!

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SNAP Selling: Speed Up Sales and Win More Business with Today’s Frazzled Customers. Author, Jill Konrath. Publisher: Portfolio, member of Penguin Group, 2010.

• Amazon: #1 Marketing & Sales book, #2 Business book, and #25 overall bestselling book
• Top Sales World: 2010 Top Sales Personality; Top Sales Book; Top Sales Blog

"Drawing on her years of selling experience, as well as the stories of other successful sellers, Jill offers four SNAP Rules that provide fresh sales strategies, provocative insights & practical advice that help sellers win business with crazy-busy prospects.”

Jill’s wisdom applies whether your ‘prospect’ is your boss, the company’s executive team or external prospects. Plus, Jill offers a valuable bonus package!

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• Positions you as a more influential leader
• Earn the respect and trust of other leaders across all functional areas
• Other leaders easily recognize what's different, relevant and unique about you
• Create loyal ‘brand advocates’ who endorse you
• Helps you forge collaborative partnerships across the organization
• You are sought out to lead high visibility, highly leveraged and credible projects

Gerrie Dresser is an ICF credentialed Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and practical, innovative executive / career coach, thought leader, and personal brand strategist. She delivers high impact individual and team coaching through the Unique Genius™ Coaching Model.

If you’re ready to step into a bigger game for your work / life, contact Gerrie for a complimentary 20-minute Unique Genius strategic consultation at http://www.successassociates.biz/contact.html  ($87 Value)

For more information about Gerrie:
click on http://www.successassociates.biz/about

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