Posted on Thu, Jun 17, 2010 @ 07:22 AM
A high potential executive who knows my work as a leadership coach asked me how he could incorporate the concepts of leadership presence as he interviewed for a senior position in a new division of the company where he works. In previous blogs, I've talked about various facets of leadership presence including integrity, communication, and self-trust.
Here's another angle: whether you are interviewing for a job, a consulting assignment or a new position within your current company, leadership presence can help you conduct yourself with authenticity and impact.
Prepare as a leader
Your interview begins well before you meet with the decision makers. It starts with thorough preparation. You'll undoubtedly research the company history, financials, and current leadership team. But it will also be important to gain an understanding of the vision and objectives of the organization. By including the following questions in your research, you will lay the groundwork for presenting yourself effectively:
- What is the organization known for? What is its reputation? Does it do what it claims it does? How does the organization present itself to the public? Its stakeholders?
- What are the business imperatives for the organization? How does it see its future?
- What is the culture of the organization? What are the organization's strengths? Challenges?
Then dig deeper:
- Who are your interviewers? What can you learn about senior management, potential peers and direct reports?
- Make time to meet and talk with employees - their perspective will enhance your sense of the organization's culture.
- How do the leaders demonstrate the organization's values? What is your sense of their alignment?
- What is the track record for achieving results?
- Identify areas where you feel you may be able to add value.
Reach out to your own professional network and find out who might have additional knowledge about the organization that will be helpful for you.
Investing time in research and preparation helps you gain a sense of the areas where your own core values and leadership style are genuinely aligned with those of the organization and will give you some useful common ground for the interview.
Attitude is important
You don't have control of what your interviewers may be thinking about you, but you do have control of your attitude and how you present yourself during the interview process. Some points to remember:
- Review your talking points before the interview so that you are clear in your own mind about the most important things you want the interviewers to know about you.
- Interviews are a two way street - think of them as a conversation, not a monologue. Listen. Ask clarifying questions. Make your points clearly and succinctly.
- Be natural: give interviewers an opportunity to experience the authentic you. Your actions and behaviors during the interview are a reflection and expression of your core values and leadership style.
Be present in the moment
The day of the interview arrives. You are prepared and have a positive attitude. Now how will you act? What first and lasting impressions will you leave?
Start by being present in the moment - be focused on the here and now, not distracted by your thoughts of what else you have to accomplish that day. Turn off your phone. Take a couple of deep breaths and get centered.
Remember your body language:
- Walk into the building, down the hallways and into the interview room with a smile.
- Make eye contact with each person in the room and greet them with a smile.
- Posture is important. Show your interest by leaning into the conversation.
- Maintain a professional demeanor,
Stay focused:
- Be mindful of the time - use it wisely.
- When asked a question, paraphrase your understanding of the meaning of the question and when you are not sure, ask for clarification.
- It is very likely that you will be asked open-ended questions. The interviewer will really listen to how you answer. Be clear about the point you want to make.
- As the interview concludes, take a moment and recap what you have learned about them and what you want them to have learned about you. Offer to address any additional areas that may be helpful.
- It is likely the interviewers will tell you where they are in the process, however if they don't - ask.
Sincerely thank your interviewers for their time. When you hand-write your thank you note, recap something that resonated with you from the interview. If possible, mail your note the same day.
Have you interviewed recently or do you have an interview coming up? What would you add to our tips for conducting yourself with leadership presence on an interview? Tell us!
Posted on Mon, Mar 15, 2010 @ 09:14 AM
Soft skills training often focuses on how well executives communicate and present themselves. The sCORESM Model is a framework that can be used to raise awareness about how other leaders present themselves. These insights then can be applied to the executive's own leadership style.
Rating Leadership Communication and Presence with the sCORE Model
Start by choosing someone they regularly see or are familiar with from business, the community, politics, the media, etc. Then observe how this individual presents him/herself, using the criteria below. Ratings serve as the basis for how you think the person comes across.
Name of person you're observing: ________________________________________
Use a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (outstanding).
Speaker Style
_____ My first impression
_____ Personal appearance
_____ Took a moment to greet me (verbally or non-verbally)
_____ Established eye contact
_____ Used natural gestures
_____ Non-verbal expression (body language)
_____ Paced the presentation
_____ Used examples/stories
_____ Used appropriate vocabulary
_____ Had vocal variety
Commitment
_____ Connected to the information
_____ Prepared for the presentation
_____ Had a point of view/position
_____ Thoughtful
_____ Spoke from the heart
Organization
_____ There was a clear plan of material: beginning, middle, and end
_____ Framed key message with a strong opening statement
_____ Content points supported key message
_____ Logical
_____ Concluding remarks: summarized, clarified, set direction/action
Relevance
_____ Found the best way to present to the audience
_____ Increased understanding
_____ Provided value
_____ Meaningful
_____ Important
Engagement
_____ Aware of the audience
_____ Held my attention
_____ Tuned in to me
_____ Listened to verbal and non-verbal responses
_____ Adapted to the situation
_____ Total Rating (Maximum 300 pts.)
What are some of the points that you can apply to how your present yourself?
photo by Mays Business School (flickr.com)