The pandemic caused a rapid shift from the office to virtual working, in some instances, overnight. The different working environment required leaders to adopt a new mindset and skillset to adapt to the technology innovation and continuous change. The last year has proven that the ability to learn, lead and navigate a team through change is essential for leaders.
We may have become comfortable with remote working but some elements of the office have been more challenging to replicate over a Zoom or Teams call, particularly communication. It can be noticeably harder to convey ideas, make an impact and build relationships over the internet. Perhaps our social fear of the virtual world is as powerful as Godzilla.
However, it is possible to do all of the above remotely and thrive amidst the uncertainties of outside restrictions. Having a strong online presence will empower you to build relationships, motivate your team, engage clients, make revenue and strengthen your business.
According to a 2017 study by Hainan Provincial Education Science Planning Project, 34.65% of students believed they lacked confidence in the workplace; 63.85% of the students thought that public speaking and eloquence training was related to confidence in the workplace. Data from more than 10,000 people showed that relationships and personal image accounted for 85% of success. Authoritative survey showed that nearly 90% of business managers have some degree of speech fear and nervousness, especially in the virtual environment.
Executive Presence is often described as having confidence and grace under fire. People with presence exert gravitas and tend to be more influential, inspiring and motivational. The difference is a strength of character built on a resourceful internal mindset. Arcadia’s “Executive Presence” programme helps attendees to harness their executive presence and step more easily into leadership roles in the virtual, hybrid and office environment.
Clinical Professor of Leadership at the Kellogg School of Management, Brooke Vuckovic, stated “Executive presence is equal to credibility plus ease, all divided by ego. What executive presence does is it measures your capacity to translate out all your creativity, all your good ideas, all of your deep expertise.”
As Architects of Change, Arcadia Consulting has developed a unique S.A.F.E Meta Model and a “Three-step” strategy to implement the Executive Presence program based on its four core services: mindset, communication, leadership, and organizational Intelligence.
S (State): Mastering personal expertise and learning how to maintain a professional image of one’s personality, displaying a confident and assertive personality in any environment
A (Anchor): Control the topic direction and gain the approval of senior executives through body language and word skills
F (Flex): mobilize their own emotions and enhance cross-cultural communication ability
E (Engage): Attraction, audience identity, the TED talk approach
The last year has proven that every business needs an online presence. How can executives empower their teams to collaborate? How can employees enhance their self-belief and become influential? Executive presence is essential to stay relevant and connected to your colleagues, team, and clients. Future-proof your business by establishing yourself online. It’ll not only help you through current changes, but it’ll also help to engage your team, your clients and build your credibility no matter if you’re meeting in person or on Zoom.
Vincent Romano
Matthew Crome
