The Byrnes Blog

Executive presence is a desired term, meaning it is often associated with more senior roles (hence ‘executive’) and the ability to effortlessly influence others. Who wouldn’t want that? When I am approached by clients who said their boss told them they need more executive presence, what often will follow is a slight pause and then, ... “what is it?” They know they need to go get it, but they don’t know what ‘it’ is. Sometimes it is easier to recognize when it is happening tha

“Do you have a minute?” A question I often hear from clients and colleagues when they are in the middle of implementing a business solution and have hit that point when the project feels like it’s dragging its feet, the team is hesitating or confused, the business is sensing risk, or clarity is needed. The question is often followed by “I think we need to bring in change management now”. After a good discussion we arrive at what can be done at this stage, but it is also reco

There is a scene from an old movie, Shakespeare in Love, where one of the theatre actors is pressuring the theatre owner on the arrival of Will Shakespeare’s next play, badgering him with questions which finally ends with the exchange …… · Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. · So, what do we do? · Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out w

A perfect autumn afternoon at the top of a skyscraper in New York City. The sun had lowered in the sky highlighting the windows of the Chrysler building as the sounds of jazz music began to weave through the room. I had just finished a full day at a conference focused on the future of work and was networking with new colleagues when I heard the strands flow through the cocktail hour. As we made our way over to the music, we discovered a jazz quintet playing. They were good. N

What is it you are trying to do? Influence? Teach? Inform? Impact? What is it that would sway any of us in those categories? When do you find yourself willingly being influenced? Or, open to being taught? Or, able to really listen to something new? Or, and this is a big one, changed ? What conditions need to be in play to have any of those things happen? It may not be the only condition, but a powerful one is to be included. To feel included. And one of the easiest ways to d

44 years later and I still remember that moment. The moment she posed the question. Another incredibly simple question, but the kind you know the answer to before all the words are said. The kind of question where the answer is felt in your gut before your mind has finished comprehending. I was twenty-one and hadn’t finished college yet. I had pursued an art degree for my undergrad, but it wasn’t working out quite like I had hoped. Perhaps it was a case of a little fish in a