21.03.2025 Today’s Insights into the Importance of Cultivating Executive Presence, from Consulting Firm Dion Leadership
Dear Students,
In this era of online interviewing and hybrid workplaces, where an ambitious international student like you may initially show up to a networking conversation, interview or first day on-the-job solely as a 10″/25 cm figure on a computer screen, do first impressions really matter?
Of course they do.
In fact, one could argue that a young person’s screen “presence” (which could mean yours!) matters even more than your physical presence does in person, due to your contact’s proximity of focus. As a result, it’s essential for candidates like you and your friends to project what’s called “executive presence,” to command respect from the very first moment of any conversation with a person who may potentially have an impact on your future. Amazingly, four separate studies back up the fact that first impressions are formed anywhere from less than 1 second to 7 seconds into a conversation!
In the attached informative piece, which was created by a leadership consulting firm and shared by one of our coaches, aspiring professionals like you and your friends will learn about the critical value of three elements that contribute to projecting executive presence, guiding you on how to present yourself as a desirable new hire, as well as one with leadership potential (a key Western value). Even prior to attaining a formal leadership role, however, your developing the right mindset and behaviors, as well as an effective personal brand (as mentioned here), are essential to your success.
Such recommendations are equally valuable for meeting “live,” of course, which requires also mastering powerful non-verbal communication throughout the rest of your stature.
It’s well worth reading this excellent piece and learning about the 4 dimensions of each of these three critical components, clarifying and discussing them in coaching, and then practicing them with one of your coaches, for maximum impact.
Here’s to making a great first impression this evening, however and wherever you choose to “present yourself!”
Best,
Amy-Louise