10 Reasons Why You May Be Lacking Executive Presence

Filed under “Mystifying career feedback”

He just found out that he lacks executive presence

A number of people who have hit a promotion ceiling in their careers tell me that they’ve received feedback that they are “lacking executive presence.” Understandably, they are frustrated by this criticism because it is such a cop-out.

It is a catch-all phrase that is meant to capture myriad issues when managers can’t be pinned down. But, I’ve been in innumerable employee review meetings from the leadership side of the table. I also work with managers who are trying to coach their direct reports through this “executive presence problem.” What I’ve learned is that they are often dissatisfied with one or more of the following issues:

1. You don’t seem very confident
2. Your behavior and/or appearance aren’t professional
3. The team doesn’t see you as a senior leader
4. Your public speaking skills are lacking
5. You don’t handle conflict very well
6. You’re lacking political savvy
7. You aren’t ready to “swim with the sharks”
8. You can’t think on your feet
9. You lack strategic vision