When I founded Dion Leadership, I made an important promise to myself and the talent development field. I committed to regularly investing in research that meaningfully contributes to leadership development and coaching best practices. Staying true to this promise has led to the annual publication of our coaching effectiveness study as well as several new learning models and accompanying e-books on topics such as leadership mindset, workplace conflict, and leadership agility.

Leveraging Customer Intelligence

Each year we embark on a comprehensive journey to identify the most pressing topics impacting the modern workplace. Customer intelligence acts as the compass for our thought leadership and new client offerings. This process is both art and science: it requires listening closely to the pulse of the market while combining it with the practical expertise we’ve gained through years of leadership development work.

Our most recent research pointed to a vital and nuanced leadership concept: executive presence.

Toward the end of 2024, our research and client interactions revealed a growing emphasis on the importance of the somewhat illusive skill of executive presence. We noticed there was some confusion on exactly how it should be defined. However, it was clear that leaders with executive presence were able to make a bigger impact within their teams and organizations. And for those leaders who struggled with executive presence, we felt confident that we could help them understand how they could develop this critical leadership skill.

Why Executive Presence Matters Now

Executive presence has long been a pivotal factor in determining leadership effectiveness. In today’s dynamic and often virtual workplace landscape, the ability to project authenticity, confidence, and clarity has risen as a critical leadership skill. Executive presence transcends the surface level of charisma or eloquence. It’s about the ability to inspire trust, communicate effectively, and motivate teams to action—qualities that are essential for leaders in every sector. By focusing our development efforts on this topic, we aimed to empower leaders to embrace their unique strengths while building the presence necessary to navigate an evolving professional landscape.

Developing an Executive Presence Learning Model

Recognizing its relevance and urgency, we dove headfirst into this subject, researching its origins and various definitions. We developed a compelling, yet simple model, shown below.

This model is described in detail in our Cultivating Executive Presence e-book published earlier this year. We also developed a one-day training course  with the same title.

In May I kicked off a public conversation on the topic with an article published in Fast Company. “The Inside Story on Executive Presence: It’s More Than a Wardrobe Upgrade” made the point that improving executive presence is about so much more than what you look like on the outside; instead, it’s an “inside job.” Mindset, particularly a healthy view of yourself as a leader, is at the root of executive presence. This internal domain is foundational to strong leadership. It directly impacts your behavior and, consequently, how others perceive you as a leader.

Continuing the conversation, our VP of Coaching and Consulting Services, Joe LaDuke, offered his invaluable perspective via HRCI’s “Alchemizing HR” webinar series (you can find the recordings of the 3-part, deep-dive series here) and an accompanying blog post. Joe delved into the framework and practical applications leaders can use to enhance their executive presence (and attracted over 10,000 engaged participants over the three sessions).

The Impact of Collaborative Expertise

Through an extensive literature review, client contributions, and invaluable real-world examples and tips from our team of executive coaches, my colleagues and I were able to provide comprehensive insights into executive presence, marrying research with real-world application. The resulting webinars and publications form a multi-dimensional exploration of this concept, ensuring that you can gain both a theoretical understanding and practical tools to implement what you’ve learned.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to explore executive presence throughout the year, Dion Leadership remains committed to leveraging customer intelligence as the foundation of our thought leadership initiatives. By listening to our clients and responding to their evolving needs, we strive to provide resources that drive transformation and inspire growth.

For those eager to dive deeper into executive presence, we encourage you to explore the articles and recordings mentioned above. If you would like to participate in a live webinar, we will be hosting one on September 16 (sign up here). Together, these resources offer a rich tapestry of insights that will equip leaders to thrive in their roles and shape the future of their organizations.

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