By Jennifer Miller
One of the best parts of my job is helping someone become a more confident and competent speaker. Over the years, I have developed a particular passion for coaching female executives, a demographic that often faces unique challenges when it comes to establishing authority while also remaining approachable.
It is not uncommon for people to rise the ranks based on their experience or achievements, without having to pay too much attention to their communication skills or overall presence. This is where a few sessions of executive presence coaching can make a big difference.
Coaching Approach: Building Trust and Confidence
Some executives are ready to dive right in, but for many the experience can feel vulnerable. That’s why I first focus on establishing a comfortable rapport. I recall working with a female president of a major U.S. entertainment network who, despite her impressive accomplishments, seemed uncomfortable with public speaking. We could tell she dreaded seeing herself on camera and that she was disappointed in her performance.
To break through her discomfort, we shifted the focus to the content of her presentation, refining her messages and responses. This executive knew her stuff. She had worked her way up through the industry. She knew the audience, knew the people, and knew how to produce programs people would watch. So, that’s where we put our focus.
To overcome the anxiety-inducing experience of role-play coaching, we worked on challenging communication skills in the comfort of her comfort zone. When the executive delivered messages well and addressed tough questions fluently, we suggested that we record the practice session. She hesitated but knew this exercise was necessary for her growth. She took a moment to collect herself, went for a brief walk around the office, and returned ready to give it a whirl. The result was remarkable. The executive delivered great responses. Her confidence soared. Her executive presence was unmistakable.
We were so proud. These are the transformations that we often see when coaching executive presence. It is part of what makes our job so gratifying.
The Importance of Executive Presence for Women
As a woman, I am acutely aware of the societal norms that can undermine the confidence of women in leadership roles. Many accomplished women, despite their intelligence and capabilities, struggle with self-doubt and humility when it comes to embracing their executive personas. This phenomenon is often less pronounced in their male counterparts.
That’s why when I am asked, “Can you help women develop their executive presence?” my answer is always a resounding, “Yes!” I truly enjoy seeing the transformation and helping leaders, managers and executives advocate for their teams, ensuring they are heard in boardrooms and meetings across corporate America and in government.
Overcoming Self-Doubt: Practical Tips for Enhancing Executive Presence
For women seeking to enhance their executive presence, here are some actionable tips:
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Convey Gravitas:
Think gravity. Lower your tone where you would insert a comma or a period. Many women unconsciously raise their intonation at the end of statements. This tends to make a statement sound more like a question or gentle suggestion, but it doesn’t signal confidence.
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Take a Beat to Pause:
When we get upset or anxious, we often speed up our speaking pace. It is hard to slow that down. Reclaim your power with a pause. This helps to gather your thoughts. It also allows you to take a breath and reset your energy, regulating your cadence and tone.
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Signal Strength:
Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart and maintain an open posture. Avoid crossing your arms or slouching; instead, keep your hands comfortably at your waist.
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Avoid Qualifiers:
Phrases such as “I think,” “I hope,” “Just,” “Sort of,” “trying to” undermine your authority. Avoid them.
Let us know if you or someone you know would like coaching to develop or enhance their executive presence or leadership presentation skills. We partner with all sectors including officers in the military, heads of government agencies, construction, private industry, healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment.
Rockford Gray is committed to empowering leaders with the tools and coaching to help them command the room and inspire those around them.
If you improve your executive presence, we invite you to reach out.
About the author: A seasoned media trainer and public speaking coach, Jennifer Miller has been helping Rockford Gray clients for nearly 20 years. She brings more than 15 years of journalism experience, including seven years at CBS News. Jennifer has reported on major events like the Olympics, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina. Her firsthand understanding of how reporters think makes her an exceptional crisis communication counselor. At Rockford Gray, she coaches clients on media, presentation, and crisis response. Jennifer holds a master’s in organizational leadership from the University of Denver and a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota. She is certified in crisis communication and is a sought-after conference speaker.