As the business environment grows more fiercely competitive, so also is the need to acquire the skills that will help an individual to succeed within this business terrain.
Executive charisma is one of such skills needed to attain success in one’s career. It helps to create a strong personal brand. It is the conscious non-verbal and verbal signal we send out through our body language and speech to encourage trust, build confidence and command attention.
Business owners and stakeholders understand the importance of a positive brand positioning in building both brand affinity and a strong customer base.
This understanding has led to organisations’ spending millions of naira in creating advertisements and PR campaigns around their brand that help to distinguish them from their competitors in the market.
This process, though not very expensive, is similar to building a personal brand.
As a manager climbs the career ladder, the competition for the few elite positions at the top becomes quite fierce.
The manager must work hard to position himself as a leadership material, with the high charismatic and confidence level needed to represent his organisation.
According to a new study from the Center for Talent Innovation, 268 senior executives cited executive charisma or being perceived as leadership material as an essential requirement for getting ahead.
In fact, executive charisma, the study said, accounted for, on the average, 25 per cent of what it would take to get promoted.
Co-sponsored by Marie Claire, the research initiative was led by Sylvia Hewlett, who often studies the barriers faced by women in achieving workplace equality. (Alexandra Levit – The Fast Track).
Executive charisma can be easily spotted through the energy and attention the individual creates or generates by simply walking into a business or social event.
Although it is easy to spot a charismatic executive, it is difficult to explain why we think of them as ‘charismatic’.
We have met executives who we described as compelling and magical. It was easy to gravitate towards them because of the aura they radiated.
In the same vein, if we were to be asked what made us react so positively to this individual, it might be difficult to point out exactly what made us think and perceive them in that way. All we knew was that there was something electrifying about their personality and carriage that demanded our full attention when we were in their presence. It might have been their gait, posture, facial expression and voice control, or even gesticulations and the way they gave attention that might have created that positive impression about them.
Whatever it was that made sure they were noticed and got the desired result they wanted, it’s that thing that they had that’s known as executive charisma.
There are no textbooks that teach executive charisma. Unlike the recent addition of Entrepreneurial Studies into the syllabus of some universities in Nigeria, executive charisma has yet to be taught in any business school. Yet, it is one of the most vital skills needed to successfully navigate the business world, especially from the mid- to senior management level.
It is a necessary skill that is acquired by discerning and ambitious executives to help them to quickly climb the corporate ladder and win the coveted C-suite.
According to Susan Bates, acquiring the seven elements that make up executive charisma will speedily usher any determined manager into the executive management position.
The seven elements are substance, personal style, physical appearance, vocal skill, manners and etiquette, receptivity or listening skills and workspace.
Substance emphasises expertise and the command of product knowledge. Communication plays an important role in this element. This is because, to be perceived as compelling and an authority on the subject under discourse, your message has to be delivered in a clear, structured and articulate manner.
Personal style, to a large extent, determines how people perceive us. We are judged based on our appearance even before we open our mouths to speak. Hence, personal style, although seen as frivolous and vain by the undiscerning, is actually a major indicator of self-confidence, organisational ability, personality and the character of the individual.
Physical appearance reminds me of a popular saying in the image world, ‘Dress the way you want to be addressed’. Our body language must speak the same language as the words we speak. A manager that desires growth must learn to be comported at all times to avoid being misjudged.
Vocal skill helps an individual to stand out in the crowd. To master voice control is to learn how to manage your emotion as well as to gain and [also] keep the attention of your audience.
Etiquette and manners represent the golden rule. ‘Treat others how you want to be treated’. Respect and courtesy never go out of fashion. To win friendships and business affiliations, understand and respect the culture of your business associates.
Receptivity and listening are characteristics of a good leader. The more you listen to other people, the more they will perceive you as warm, open, caring and empathetic to their cause and needs.
Workspace is an extension of your personal space. How you treat this space gives a glimpse of your true character. Cleanliness and healthy living are very important traits in cultivating a powerful executive charisma.
Therefore, to build a successfully rewarding career, it is important to master the seven elements of executive charisma that are needed to build your unique personal brand.
