Plenary: Like A Boss: Are You the Leader You Want to Work for?
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By Robin Farmer
"Executive presence isn’t something you are born
with, it’s something you learn," said Tai Wingfield, senior vice
president of communications, Center for Talent Innovation.
Wingfield was part of a panel that included Winston Maharaj, managing director and deputy general auditor, DTCC;
Linda Spearman-Scott, senior vice president, Bank of America; and,
Maurice Coleman, senior vice president, senior relationship manager,
Bank of America.
The group shared insights for mastering executive presence and offered 11 specific tips to become a successful leader.
Panelists shared these tips to navigate the terrain to the top:
- Be self-aware. Ask for feedback to see how others perceive you. Make adjustments so that your intent matches your impact and there are no surprises on your evaluations.
- Document your performance so that you have a defensible argument about review ratings.
- Get a feedback buddy or two who will observe you and provide feedback.
- Add value-added comments in meetings. Don’t feel the need to dominate the conversation. And show up 15 minutes early.
- Expand your comfort zone by disbanding your discomfort zone.
- Operate with integrity and transparency to develop the "it" factor.
- Ask for feedback, but know what to integrate and discard.
- Stop using props such as notes and PowerPoint presentations, which can make you seem ill-prepared. Know your stuff cold.
- Make the headlines, but don’t read them. You are never as good as you think. When you win include others. Move horizontally before moving vertically.
- Don’t let your attire be the thing that lets people not take you seriously.
- Seek a sponsor, who is at least two levels higher. Before you do, know exactly what you want to do in the next five years and how the sponsor can help.
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