Show Executive Presence Over the Phone and On Video Calls

Show Executive Presence Over the Phone and On Video Calls

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When someone has an executive presence, you know immediately. 

They command attention, and after they have it, they lead with grace and dynamism. They inspire their teams to do their best and live up to their potential. 

This unique blend of personality and skill can feel innate-like some people have it and others don’t. But this isn’t true. Some people may be more naturally charismatic than others, but just like any other skill, executive presence can be developed with practice. 

Indeed offers this definition of executive presence using the eight C’s: 

  • Composure – controlling your emotions so you can respond to complex situations professionally 
  • Connection – building interpersonal relationships that bring out the best in your team members 
  • Confidence – demonstrating conviction in leadership situations from the boardroom to one-on-one performance evaluations 
  • Credibility – following through on your promises and acting reliably regardless of shifting circumstances
  • Character – your ethics, morals, beliefs, and emotional intelligence 
  • Command – your effectiveness as a leader, including delegating responsibilities and making smart decisions 
  • Charisma – engaging others, so they trust and respect you 
  • Conciseness – managing your time well so you’re able to complete tasks and meet expectations 

Together, these blend personality with leadership in a dynamic combination that inspires a team. 

Certainly, it seems simpler to leverage an executive presence in person. But as many offices have moved online all or some of the time over the last few years, leaders need to demonstrate executive-level communication on the phone and in video calls, as well. 

Executive Level Communication on the Phone

The biggest hurdle in conveying executive presence over the phone is that you can’t use body language or see how others are responding. So, you should try these strategies to overcome those difficulties.

Consider what message your tone is sending.

Record yourself leaving a message for someone the way you usually would. Then, listen back to the recording, and consider what message you’re sending with your tone of voice. Do you sound strict or strident? Or are you caring or competent? So many factors contribute to the impression our voices make – and if we’re working on executive presence, we can change that tone if we need to. 

So, if your tone isn’t conveying the quality you want it to, you can try out different strategies.

“Now think about how you can achieve those qualities vocally. Try things, and play with different approaches. Absent an acting course, you’ve probably never had the opportunity to explore the flexibility in your own voice,” said Gary Genard, a public speaking coach. 

Pay attention to the strength of your voice.

One of the ways professionals can hurt their executive level communication on the phone is thinking the way they’re sitting, or standing doesn’t matter. But if you’re hunched at your desk or lounging on your couch, the clarity and power of your voice will falter. Sit or stand up straight so that your voice conveys one of the key parts of our definition of executive presence: authority. 

Give yourself the freedom of movement – your gestures will still come across in your voice.

A headset is a great way to allow for the freedom to gesture and move that you would have in a physical space. If you’re holding the phone, you may limit your gestures, which, in turn, means that what you’re saying may come across as flat or emotionless. 

Speak smoothly without repetitions or filler words.

You may also want to practice how you speak, especially if you stutter, repeat yourself, or use pause words like “uh” or “like” too often. The key here is speaking concisely – how efficiently can you convey your message? 

Talking on the phone is different than in person – you aren’t receiving as many energy and body language cues from your audience. So, if you feel less confident when talking on the phone, then this kind of practice will be particularly beneficial to you. 

Executive Presence on a Video Call

On video calls, you’ll want to use many of the same methods as on phone calls. However, while you will be able to be seen on video calls, your body language cues and facial expressions are not nearly as obvious as they would be in person. So, on video calls, you want to avoid the temptation to act exactly like you would in a physical workspace. 

Try these tactics instead: 

Set yourself up well in the video.

The setting of your video is the best way to make a strong first impression. You want to set up your camera so that you have a neutral background behind you – no clutter – and you should be in the center of the frame. What’s more, you want to make your face well lit and that you’re not inadvertently hiding in the shadows. 

Joel Garfinkle also advises professionals to keep looking at the camera the whole time. 

“Post bullet points on what you want to say behind your computer, at eye level with the camera, so you can refer to them easily without looking away. Posting the meeting agenda here will help you keep everything on track as well,” he says. 

At the same time, keep making eye contact with the camera, not at your participants’ video screens. While looking at the camera may feel unnatural, it’s the best way to simulate eye contact virtually. 

Use facial expressions more than body language.

Though you may be gesturing with your hands like you always would, your audience probably can’t see these movements on camera! Instead, add thoughtful facial expressions, like smiling with your eyes and raising your eyebrows, to what you’re saying. The small size of the video screen on your team’s video call means that exaggerating your expressions also helps you convey what you mean. 

Conveying Executive Presence in the Virtual Office

The definition of executive presence revolves around the idea that you’re a thoughtful, engaging leader who inspires confidence in your team. It is certainly possible to develop this image in a team that meets mostly or entirely outside of a physical office. Demonstrate your executive presence over the phone or on video calls by paying attention to your voice, positioning, and conveying your message with authority. 


Watch our on-demand webinar: Executive Presence in the Modern Workforce: How to Inspire, Empower, and Influence


 

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