The Art of Grace at Work

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 than trying to find the words to describe it. A traditional definition might be: Executive presence is the ability to inspire confidence in others—confidence in your competence, your character, and your capacity to lead—through how you show up, communicate, and make decisions.

My response is, yes, and …. I think it is more – and less – than that. That definition is focused on how others perceive you, which is true. But in my opinion, the most powerful executive presence shows up when the individual is almost unaware of what, or how, they move through life. It’s not limited to their work; it is woven throughout their life. It has become part of their DNA. It is just who they are.

Another word that is often part of the fabric that wraps someone in executive presence is grace. Grace in everything. It is the ability to be at ease in the world around you. That is a rare ability in today’s work world when very little seems predictable allowing for assuredness in response, but to me that is where the DNA comes in.

It is a beautiful thing to watch that sort of ease in action; it can appear as a physical action – graceful movement through their space or being socially observant and extending kindness to those around them, it’s patience and acceptance blended together, or humility and gravitas as a default mechanism. It is style. It is the art of being aware of other people and consider their feelings for whatever the situation presents. It is also the ability to take all that has been observed and experienced in life and be patient and curious to see what can be applied to the situation at hand.

Grace is ageless. I have seen it appear at all ages – those ‘old-soul’ five-year-olds, to the disabled 95-year-olds. It’s an outlook on life. It is a quiet, elegant, control of who we are that is manifested in a way that is seamless to others. It is learned. Some are born with it. Like I said, it is easier to observe than to describe, but it is beautiful to watch. And, when done well, tends to leave others with that confidence in us, that trust, and a desire to listen, because of the ease that they put us at.

Grace In Motion