How do you demonstrate confidence and credibility in your executive interactions?

To project confidence and credibility in executive interactions, it’s essential to command the room with your presence and articulate your vision clearly. Confidence is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Stand tall, speak with conviction, and ensure your message is not just heard but felt. Credibility comes from showing you’ve done your homework—be prepared with facts, figures, and a forward-looking perspective. Remember, true leaders inspire trust not just through words, but through consistent, decisive action.

I maintain a high standard of professionalism, fulfill my commitments, am honest and transparent, continuously seek to improve my skills, respect confidentiality, show empathy and respect, remain calm under pressure, and am always willing to collaborate and provide support.

To establish confidence and credibility, prioritize clarity and conciseness. Define a clear purpose and craft a concise message, highlighting key points, benefits, and calls to action. Utilize simple, direct language, short sentences, and smooth transitions. Eliminate filler words, vagueness, and unnecessary repetition. Support your message with visuals, stories, and relevant data, but avoid information overload. Keep communication focused and purposeful. Confidence and credibility stem from a straightforward and compelling delivery.

This may be your single most important tool in our current age, where attention spans are minuscule and information is omnipresent. It's also something that does not come naturally to humans and must be learned and honed to perfection. Don't underestimate the power of rehearsal, despite your busy schedule. Think you've got a pretty tight speech? Now cut it in half. Can you deliver the same message with a fraction of the words? The more you hone in on the crux of your message, the more your audience will take away.

Try to 'half-life' your message. Take an email in your draft folder or open up a current slide deck. Now try to eliminate half the words without losing the meaning. Can you do it? :). Now do it again. Not only will people appreciate it, but your message also becomes "stickier".

Embracing confidence and credibility involves infusing your presentation with genuine emotion and passion. Let your voice resonate with enthusiasm, your body language exude conviction, and your facial expressions reflect sincerity. Demonstrate your investment in the topic, revealing the depth of your belief. Employ humor, weaving anecdotes and metaphors to forge emotional connections with your audience. Unleash your personality, showcasing the human side of your expertise. By infusing your presentation with these elements, you not only convey information but also create an unforgettable and impactful experience.

One of the most overlooked elements is the understanding of effective virtual communication. Much like public speaking is a cornerstone of leadership development, so is virtual communication. Too often corporations don't realize the skill set is different and it isn't until the executive is under the spotlight, that it becomes painfully obvious, they are way out of their league. Communication through the camera, is not the same as in a conference room, or even on a stage. You almost always needs to be more energetic. Remember, there is a performance element. We like to say we are data driven, but most of us are driven more by personality than we care to admit.

Confidence and credibility extend beyond mere verbal expression; they encompass active listening and meaningful engagement. Demonstrate a genuine interest in your audience's input, opinions, and queries. Employ active listening skills to convey attentiveness and understanding. Acknowledge and validate their perspectives, fostering a sense of value. Pose open-ended questions, prompting dialogue and encouraging participation. Cultivate curiosity, empathy, and respect in your interactions. Address concerns methodically, supporting your responses with facts and logical reasoning. Exhibit a willingness to learn and enhance your approach, reinforcing your commitment to continuous improvement.

Most people short-circuit interaction by not creating enough space for others to contribute. Work on pausing after asking a question. If the silence makes you uncomfortable, think to yourself, "My question requires people to think. The silence isn't necessarily a bad thing."

In executive interactions, authenticity and humility are paramount. Be genuine, honest, and true to yourself. Confidence and credibility are not achieved through arrogance; rather, they stem from a sincere acknowledgment of your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid exaggerations, lies, or unfulfillable promises. Admit mistakes openly, showcasing a willingness to learn and grow. Share your challenges and failures transparently, demonstrating vulnerability. Acknowledge your limitations, emphasizing the value of collaboration. Highlight the contributions of others, fostering a sense of appreciation within the team. A humble leader is one who recognizes and learns from the expertise of those around them.

Your vulnerability can be a strength. Tell a story of when things didn't work out or you made a mistake. It sends the signal that it's safe to be honest and real with you.

I have observed executives who don't fully understand that once they reach executive level, their role is one of leader, connector, and inspirer - not of functional expert. Often, execs will default to their comfort zone, communicating about granular details in their area of expertise. They feel confident in this arena, but they may be missing the boat. This potentially misses a huge opportunity to motivate people to participate in the cause. At the end of the day, confidence and credibility is felt most from executives who best leverage the leadership aspect of their jobs.

One of the most overlooked elements is the understanding of effective virtual communication. Much like public speaking is a cornerstone of leadership development, so is virtual communication. Too often corporations don't realize the skill set is different and it isn't until the executive is under the spotlight, that it becomes painfully obvious, they are way out of their league. Communication through the camera, is not the same as in a conference room, or even on a stage. You almost always needs to be more energetic. Remember, there is a performance element. We like to say we are data driven, but most of us are driven more by personality than we care to admit.

Confidence and credibility, in my professional opinion, is more about how skillfully and ethically an executive connects with people than it does trying to manufacture traits. Do you genuinely care for your people and value them for what they do to pursue and accomplish objectives and the mission? Do you, for all your responsibilities, make time for your people, as human beings as much as for being workers? If you seek to understand them and what's important to them too and communicate in a manner that proves that you "love" them or at least "like" them and respect them as "teammates" -- then you are much more likely to earn trust, build and nurture a positive relationship, earn influence and the opportunity to persuade and lead them.