Certain leaders just seem to have that “Business X Factor”—something that propels them to the top of an organization almost effortlessly. Opportunities emerge. Doors open. Advancement occurs on a fast track. Some people refer to this intangible, success-attracting quality as executive presence. What is it exactly? And how can you incorporate those elusive attributes to increase your career momentum?Music producers are usual...

Ever feel like you are stuck in your current position? Want others to see you as a prime candidate for advancement? To demonstrate that you’re ready for the next level in your career, you need to shift from “tactical” to “strategic.” Make the move from doer to driver!We see it all the time in Hollywood. Actors play certain roles so well that they become type-cast. Think Samuel L. Jackson. Jennifer Aniston. Will Ferrell. Dir...

How does your manager describe you? Words like action oriented, dependable, driven, and collaborative are all admirable. But to demonstrate you’re ready for next-level leadership, you need words like strategic, innovative, influential and resilient. It might seem like a subtle shift, but the potential impact on your career can be enormous.When I work with my coaching clients, there’s a question that always comes up. Is ther...

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably seen some of the reality-show talent competitions… The Voice…Top Chef…So You Think You Can Dance. The hopeful contestants perform and wait anxiously for response from the judges and the audience. They crave that instant feedback, applying it to make improvements and compete at a higher level.So why don’t more people apply this principle in business? If we want to move ahead in our...

Have you ever noticed that almost all the coaching advice (solicited and unsolicited!) you receive is about how to deal with other people, workplace situations or a variety of outside factors that you don’t have direct control over? While this counsel is necessary and helpful, you may be looking for something that you have dominion over that impacts YOUR life and career. The one thing you have minute-by-minute control over...

While many professionals today have embraced the popular concept of the “authentic leader,” I often wonder whether that pendulum has swung too far to one side. In fact, this latest trend prompts me to think, “here we go again.”Authentic LeadershipDon’t get me wrong; I think authenticity is an important attribute for leaders. It gives them the ability to move through different situations in a more natural way, displaying equ...

This is part of a series about the attributes and behaviors of professionals who have elevated their leadership impact and reached the next level of success. Her frustration was clearly visible. I was meeting with a coaching client, and she described the progress she had made in her current position. She was consistently reaching her quarterly goals. She implemented process improvements that saved money for the department....

We see it happen in so many companies. Five or six mid-level managers all have about the same credentials and experience, but only a few of them seem to get more attention. And better projects. And greater opportunities. And the coveted promotions.On paper, these leaders look very similar. In reality, only a few of them have that intangible quality known as Executive Presence. It’s the “business X-factor.” Tough to describe...

When Brad spoke during meetings, people listened. And I mean really paid attention—the set-down-your-coffee-and-stop-checking-Facebook kind of listening that’s usually reserved for announcements by top executives. Even though Brad was a mid-level manager, he was known for making observations or recommendations that invariably helped to solve pesky problems that had the rest of the team stumped.What was it about Brad that se...

This is part of a series about the attributes and behaviors of professionals who have elevated their leadership impact and reached the next level of success.In my coaching sessions with leaders and high-potentials, I frequently hear comments like this: “My VP has asked me to be more strategic, but I’m not exactly sure what that means—or how to do it.” The lesson here? Companies shouldn’t just assume future leaders understan...