Finding The Right Match When It Comes To Inclusive Employment

Finding The Right Match When It Comes To Inclusive Employment

Location matters As Forbes notes, hybrid working is here to stay – and that means that location matters. Employees need to work in cities that have good inclusivity, for instance on matters concerning disability – cities with poor public infrastructure, inadequate social support networks, and expensive healthcare will represent a bad deal. Conversely, some of the best U.S. cities […]

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How To Show Integrity In The Workplace (Plus Examples)

How To Show Integrity In The Workplace (Plus Examples)

Understanding integrity in the workplace is important for a couple of reasons: First, it can help you put your best foot forward and be a model employee. And second, you might be asked to share your personal definition during a job interview! This guide goes over what integrity is in a workplace setting and gives […]

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Program Management vs. Project Management: What’s The Difference?

Program Management vs. Project Management: What’s The Difference?

If you are confused about the differences between project and program management, don’t worry, you are not alone. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they are two methods organizations use to oversee projects and achieve business objectives. Although project and program management are interrelated, each plays a unique role in handling projects and has different objectives. Let’s start by first defining what we mean by each term.

Project management is the process of planning, executing, monitoring, and closing a specific project within a defined time frame, budget, and scope. A project is a temporary endeavor that produces a unique product, service, or result. Examples of projects are developing a new software application, launching a marketing campaign, or building a bridge.

Program management coordinates and aligns multiple related projects with a common goal or benefit. A program is a group of projects that are interdependent or complementary to each other. Examples of programs are implementing a new business strategy, improving customer satisfaction, or expanding into new markets.

Project Management: The Benefits, Challenges, Best Practices, & Tools for Success

Project management concept

Ok, now that we have defined each term, let’s compare and contrast each of these disciplines in terms of their benefits, challenges, best practices, and tools. We’ll begin with project management.

Benefits of project management:

  • Improved efficiency and effectiveness in delivering project outcomes.
  • Enhanced communication and collaboration among project team members and stakeholders.
  • Reduced risks and uncertainties associated with project execution.
  • Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Challenges of project management:

  • Managing multiple tasks and dependencies within a project.
  • Balancing competing demands for scope, time, cost, and quality.
  • Dealing with changes and issues that arise during project execution.
  • Ensuring alignment of project objectives with organizational strategy.

Best practices for project management:

  • Defining clear and realistic project goals and scope.
  • Developing a detailed project plan that covers all aspects of project delivery.
  • Establishing a robust governance structure that defines roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority.
  • Monitoring and controlling project performance using appropriate metrics and tools.
  • Closing the project by ensuring all deliverables are accepted, and lessons learned are documented.

Tools for project management:

  • Project charter: A document that formally authorizes a project and defines its objectives, scope, stakeholders, assumptions, and constraints.
  • Work breakdown structure (WBS): A hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into manageable deliverables.
  • Gantt chart: A graphical representation of the project schedule that shows the start and finish dates of each activity.
  • Risk register: A log that identifies potential risks that may affect the project outcomes along with their probability, impact, and mitigation strategies.

Program Management: The Benefits, Challenges, Best Practices, & Tools For Success

Program management concept

Let’s now go through the benefits, challenges, best practices, and tools for program management. You will now see the similarities and differences between project and program management.

Benefits of program management:

  • Provides a holistic view of the program’s progress, performance, and outcomes.
  • Enables better decision-making based on real-time data and insights.
  • Facilitates communication and collaboration across project teams and stakeholders.
  • Simplifies resource allocation and prioritization across projects.
  • Enhances quality assurance and risk mitigation at the program level.

Challenges of program management:

  • Requires a high level of leadership skills and stakeholder engagement.
  • Involves managing multiple scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables simultaneously.
  • Demands a flexible and adaptive approach to deal with changes and uncertainties.
  • Entails a more significant amount of documentation and compliance requirements.

Best practices of program management:

  • Define a clear vision and scope for the program that aligns with the organizational strategy.
  • Establish a robust governance structure that defines the program’s roles, responsibilities, processes, and standards.
  • Develop a comprehensive program plan that covers all aspects of the program lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
  • Implement effective communication strategies that keep all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the program.
  • Monitor and control the program’s performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that measure progress, quality, and value.

Tools of program management are:

  • Online program management software that can help coordinate the management of multiple projects in real time, such as Wrike or Asana. These tools allow program managers to create program governance groups, assign and schedule work for project teams, track and visualize project interdependencies, and generate reports and dashboards for analysis.
  • Gantt charts can help break down programs into phases and drill into their project components to the task level. These tools allow program managers to use real-time data as input for their decision-making process, which is a program management best practice.

Project Management vs. Program Management: Which Is Right For You And Your Organization?

Program management vs. project management concept

Project management and program management are different but related processes that help organizations achieve their desired outcomes through the effective initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of various initiatives.

Each process has its benefits, challenges, best practices, and tools that require different skills, knowledge, and competencies from the managers involved.

Improving organizational performance requires professionals to understand the differences between these processes and apply them appropriately relative to the nature, scale, and complexity of the company’s strategic initiatives.

For detailed information about project and program management, please visit the Project Management Institute website to learn how to become a certified practitioner in these areas, join a local chapter, and much more.

P.S. If you like this article, check out this previous article in the series that explains the difference between digital transformation and change management.

10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Any Interview

10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Any Interview

Your cover letter and resume have made a positive impression on a potential employer, and they’ve called you in for an interview. Now, you need to ensure the employer stays impressed with you and your potential in their organization.

There’s an old saying first impressions count—and there’s no better instance of the truth to this than the impressions made during a job interview. A variety of factors are in effect. It may include the way you are dressed, how you communicate, your personality, and a number of other considerations.

It takes a lot to develop a positive impression, and very little to leave one that does not work in your favor during a job interview.

Here are 10 common mistakes that can ruin any job interview (if you’re not careful):

1. Arriving Late

Everyone’s time is valuable. Show respect and do not waste other people’s time.

Of course, sometimes things pop up and cause unexpected delays. Try to plan ahead so you don’t arrive late. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview location. Make sure you have an outfit ready the night before, so you’re not scrambling five minutes before you’re supposed to be heading out the door.

If there is an unexpected delay, at the very least, give a call to apologize and inform your contact of your expected arrival time.

2. Jumping Into The Discussion Of Pay And Benefits

Woman asks about pay and benefits during a job interview

There will be a time for this discussion—generally not in the first interview, unless the employer brings it up themselves. You do not want to appear as though all you care about is, “What’s in it for me?”

At the same time, approaching the topic of salary is especially risky. You may end up putting yourself in a position where you are asked to present a desired salary and fall under what the company hadn’t anticipated. Learn more about the position and conduct research before going into the salary discussion.

3. Answering Your Phone

Man answers his phone during a job interview

Show respect by letting your employer know this interview is more important than any call, text, or notification. Turn off your cell phone. If you forget and it rings, apologize and turn it off.

4. Talking Badly About Your Previous Or Current Employer

Woman badmouths her current employer during a job interview

Regardless of the reality of the situation, never talk badly about your current or previous employer(s). It brings to question if you will do the same with this potential employer in the future.

If they ask why you are leaving your current job, be honest, take ownership of the situation, and focus on the future.

5. Being Brief, Hiding From Questions, Or Talking Too Much

Job candidate listens to a question during an interview

Just as you want to learn about the employer, the employer wants to learn about you. At the same time, you don’t want to be the only one talking throughout the interview. You also don’t want to be too brief with your answers. You’ll come off as unenthusiastic and uninterested in the position.

Learn to listen and have a balanced conversation where you both have a chance to receive information and ask questions.

6. Not Asking Questions

Man doesn't ask questions during his job interview

Regardless of how thorough the interview discussion is, when asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” always have a question. Preferably two or three.

When you do not have a question, it may come across as though you are not sincerely interested in the opportunity.

7. Dressing Inappropriately

Man dressed inappropriately for a job interview

Your appearance includes not just what you wear but how you groom yourself. Employers will not be impressed with a sloppy appearance. You need to appear and dress the part of what is expected of the position.

We recommend dressing one level up from the employees who work at the company. If the workplace culture is casual, wear something that’s business casual. You should look like you want the job, while also appearing like you’d fit in.

8. Being Unprepared

Man stressed out during a job interview

Conduct research so you have at least a general sense of the type of business the company is in and what the position you are applying for is about. The hiring manager will know right away whether or not you’re clueless about the job you applied for.

With thorough research, you will be able to better tailor your questions and answers during the job interview.

9. Lying

Woman lies to the hiring managers during a job interview

False information can lead to immediate disqualification and exemplify your weaknesses. You will most likely be blacklisted by the company, too.

Lying on your resume or during a job interview is never a good idea.

10. Being Inattentive

Man listens to the hiring manager during a job interview

Carefully listen to what the interviewer is saying and show you are attentive. You do not want to appear disinterested and come off as inattentive. It is not a desirable characteristic for any position.

If you’re not interested in them, they won’t be interested in you.

Most candidates will only receive one opportunity to make a good impression. Make sure the one you leave is as positive as possible by avoiding these 10 common mistakes during your next interview.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Are You Running Or Leading Your Company? (Intent Doesn’t Count)

Are You Running Or Leading Your Company? (Intent Doesn’t Count)

I was excited to catch up for some coffee with a CEO friend of mine at their request. We had met a month or so ago when they were really “stuck” at taking steps to prepare for the future while also preserving the company during the current uncertainty.

We talked about the importance of strategy, an action plan, resources, skills, and incentives to accomplish what she wanted to do. She actually seemed lifted up out of a fog when we finished. In fact, as we departed our last meeting, she said, “Thanks for hearing me out and helping me clarify what steps to take, and how to make choices with ROI in mind. I cannot wait to meet with my leadership team in a couple of days to discuss. They will be thrilled that we are finally taking action.” It was almost like she knew she was holding them back.

As we sat down with our coffee she immediately jumped in with how she had wanted to meet with her team and start to figure out their strategy and so on but can you believe this banking situation? How she and the team had been discussing it and the same with her key clients and so on. She went on to explain how she had been consumed by and before she went much further, I SMILED. Her face turned red and she said, “What is so funny?”

“I thought you banked with J.P. Morgan Chase bank?”

She said, “Yeah, I do. We switched to them a couple of years ago so we are in great banking shape and they are going to be fine, and wow, thank god I do because can you imagine…”

I put my hand up.

I asked her, “What is holding you back from attacking the game plan we discussed a month ago?”

As she dropped her head, she said, “I know, I know. I just have never had to do it before and wonder if I am up to the task or not.”

Look… Intention isn’t good enough as a CEO and/or business owner. Action trumps it.

I also realized that as an executive coach and facilitator, maybe I was playing a role in this and because she is a friend, I had a blind spot so I stepped back myself and thought further about how to help her move forward in a more confident way.

Here are my thoughts that I shared with her and will share with any/all CEOs of SMBs that are wondering what is the best way to proceed.

First and foremost, just because you are the CEO doesn’t mean you have to be in the driver’s seat behind the steering wheel for everything. It is worth considering having a professional facilitator who knows your space or works with companies of your size and scale.

I would be asking myself the following questions to decide how to proceed:

  • Do I lead it or have it facilitated or are there other CEOs I could connect with in my market?
  • How will I measure ROI?

Facilitator Considerations

Executives use a facilitator to help their team

Facilitators bring an outside perspective: A facilitator can offer a fresh perspective on your organization and its priorities. They are not bound by the same biases or assumptions as your team and can help you identify blind spots or areas for improvement.

Facilitators can help manage group dynamics: When a group is trying to prioritize initiatives, there can be a lot of competing opinions and emotions. A skilled facilitator can help manage these dynamics, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and that the discussion stays on track.

Facilitators can bring structure to the process: Prioritization discussions can quickly become overwhelming and unproductive if there is no clear structure in place. A facilitator can help design and facilitate a process that is efficient, effective, and aligned with your organization’s goals.

Facilitators can help drive consensus: It’s important that your leadership team is aligned around your organization’s priorities. A facilitator can help drive consensus and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Of course, bringing in a facilitator comes with a cost, and may not be necessary for every organization. However, if you feel that your leadership team could benefit from an outside perspective, or if you’re struggling to make progress on prioritization discussions, it may be worth considering.

Peer Advisory Groups – There are several of them in every market place so exploring the right fit for you takes some time but is well worth it. I wish that when I was a CEO someone gave me that advice! When you join a CEO peer advisory group you will be working with a group of people who are demonstrably committed to learning—people who dedicate significant time, effort, and money to being regularly challenged by their peers, speakers, and chairs—all in the service of becoming better leaders and better people. It doesn’t get much better than that. It is the only safe, confidential space for business owners and CEOs to validate their decisions, recognize gaps in their thinking, or gain new exciting ideas they didn’t think of on their own.

Measuring ROI

Patrick Lencioni\u2019s Six Geniuses

When a CEO is deciding to prioritize certain projects over others, it is important to measure the return on investment (ROI) of each project to ensure that the projects being pursued will have a positive impact on the organization. In my experience, I would ensure my finance lead or CFO (depending on org size) had this responsibility. The two of us would talk it over and they would help me decide how best to measure the ROI. Below are some things to consider.

Define the goal: The CEO should define the desired outcome of each project, such as increased revenue or improved efficiency.

Estimate costs: The CEO should estimate the costs associated with each project, including both direct and indirect costs, such as labor, materials, and equipment.

Forecast benefits: The CEO should forecast the potential benefits of each project, such as increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction, or reduced costs.

Calculate ROI: The CEO should calculate the ROI of each project by dividing the projected benefits by the estimated costs. This will provide a percentage that indicates the potential return on investment.

Prioritize projects: The CEO should prioritize the projects with the highest ROI to ensure that resources are allocated to projects that are most likely to generate a positive return.

Monitor progress: The CEO should monitor the progress of each project and adjust priorities as needed based on actual results.

When you are ready (note the prep work below), I would bring your team together and ask them the three most powerful words outside of I LOVE YOU…

I need help.

Set clear goals and expectations: Before you can prioritize tasks, you need to have a clear understanding of what your goals are. Take some time to articulate what you want your team to achieve and communicate those goals clearly to your team.

Define what is important: Know the big from the small and you will have to learn to be aggressively patient. (Move fast on some things, slow on others.) Once you have your goals, it’s important to determine what tasks or projects are critical to achieving them. Make a list of these items and share them with your team.

Collaborate with your team: It’s important to involve your team in the prioritization process. Hold a meeting or brainstorming session where everyone can contribute ideas on what should be prioritized. Encourage open and honest communication to ensure that all perspectives are heard.

Assign ownership: Once you’ve prioritized your tasks, assign ownership to specific team members. This will help ensure that everyone knows what they’re responsible for and that the work is distributed evenly. This is one of the most important steps in all of this because it establishes buy-in.

As a side note, I would also suggest looking at Patrick Lencioni’s new Working Genius tool (see image above) because it does an amazing job helping you and your leadership team identify your gifts as individuals and as a team. You will quickly see where maybe certain team members’ gifts are not being leveraged. Great story in Chief Executive magazine.

When you have total alignment it requires preparation and planning but, done well, you deliver optimum results! Strategy (without you get confusion), set the action plan (false starts without), have the right resources (frustration without), make sure you have the skills/competencies (or you create anxiety, and finally have incentives aligned (you will get only gradual change).

Top 6 Tips For Resume Formatting

Top 6 Tips For Resume Formatting

Resumes are still the main “calling card” used by job seekers and there are various schools of thought about the formatting of this document.

Here are a few tips for formatting your resume that may help you beat the blank screen blues if you’re creating a new resume from scratch (or updating one you haven’t touched in years):

1. White Space Is Important

Man on laptop thinking about how to format his resume

Most resumes have at least a half-inch margin, but a full inch is preferable. If your margins are smaller, you risk losing content if the document is printed by the hiring manager. Plus, a resume that lacks a one-inch margin is harder for the reader to peruse and may look cluttered or chaotic—two qualities that are not often sought by employers.

Readability is key when formatting your resume. Keep this in mind if you’re using a resume template, or adding bullet after bullet of new information to your already-existing resume. It’s a delicate balance between too much and too little information. Never underestimate the power of white space in your resume.

2. Don’t Leave Empty Fields

Woman on laptop correctly formats her resume for a job opening

If you’re going to use a resume template, ensure all of the fields are completed with your personal information. Nothing looks worse than seeing “insert job information here” on a candidate’s resume. A glaring resume mistake like this may tell the hiring manager you lack attention to detail or other basic skills needed for the job.

The better choice may be to look at a variety of resume formats and combine styles based on your level of experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

3. Use Spellcheck & Have A Human Edit Your Resume

Man helps his friend format her resume

Spellcheck is great, but it doesn’t catch all grammatical and typographical errors. It’s helpful to have someone else review your resume. Ask for that person’s feedback on the style of your resume and the resume’s readability and content.

Where do their eyes look first? Did you quantify your work experience? Are your skills relevant to the position you’re applying for? Does the resume prompt them to want to learn more about you and your qualifications?

A good resume format doesn’t mean a thing if you have spelling and grammatical mistakes. Having another person review your resume could save you from some embarrassing job search fails. It’s definitely worth the extra time and energy.

4. Cut The Fluff

Woman on laptop cuts the fluff while formatting her resume

Your resume should be clear and concise. Almost all people applying to jobs nowadays know how to use Microsoft Office programs and email, so there’s no need to have a technical skills section on your resume unless you have skills that set you apart from the competition.

There’s also no need to list “references available upon request.” If employers want to check your references, they will ask for them.

Resume fluff only hurts your chances of getting the job. Nowadays, it’s about quality, not quantity. A one-page resume with quantifiable accomplishments and work experience is always better than a two-page resume with irrelevant information.

So, cut the fluff and get clear on the value you bring to the table.

5. Be Consistent With Your Style

Man on laptop follows resume formatting tips

Keep fonts and font sizes the same throughout your resume. You should also consider using a similar heading on all pages of the document if your resume is more than one page. This is a good precaution in case the pages become separated.

Any inconsistencies will be distracting for the hiring manager. Choose a clean font, pick a font size, and keep the same style in each section of your resume, including section titles.

6. Determine If Your Page Length Is Appropriate

Most resumes are one to two pages. However, if you have more than 20 years of experience and/or a number of academic or professional publications, your resume may be longer.

Keep in mind that a longer resume doesn’t equal more review time by the recruiter or hiring manager. Your most important information should still be at the top of page one. This is where all your hard skills (and transferable skills) should be, as well as your most relevant work experience.

When in doubt, ask yourself if the information you want to include on your resume makes you a better candidate for the job. If not, it’s probably not relevant to the position and can be removed.

Resumes are not static documents, so even if you think you’re finished with crafting a great one, you will want to revise it slightly for each job you are applying for and add to it as you obtain more experience. Since more and more recruiters are using social media, you will also want to update your LinkedIn profile to match your new resume.

With the right resume format, you’ll catch the eye of hiring managers everywhere. We hope you use these resume formatting tips during your next job search. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference it makes.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

13 Executive Assistant Interview Questions & Answers

13 Executive Assistant Interview Questions & Answers

There are a number of interview questions for executive assistants that come up all the time. And because of that, it’s important to be ready for them if you’re serious about getting hired for this kind of position. This list will help you understand what interviewers are looking for when asking these questions, and how […]

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4 Ways To Tell If A Job Posting Is Fake

4 Ways To Tell If A Job Posting Is Fake

The job search process is already difficult enough. Now, throw in the fact that job seekers have to be on the lookout for fake job postings. This is an unfortunate fact of life for those looking for a job in today’s market, but luckily there are some simple ways to spot these fake postings.

You don’t want to fall victim to one of these fake postings. Not only is it a waste of your valuable time, but spammers and scammers are trying to gather your email address and other personal information to potentially steal your identity.

In some rare instances, established employers post fake openings as a way to collect resumes, or to see if any of their current employees are applying for jobs elsewhere.

In order to make the best use of your time, here are four easy ways to spot a fake job posting:

Your Research Comes Up Empty

A job seeker with a laptop is perplexed by an online job posting

A simple search of a company on the internet should contain a diverse wealth of information about a company, including a link to its website and other third-party websites that contain information about the company, such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn.

This is especially true now with so many companies focusing their efforts on good employer branding. Companies are pushing digital content through third-party websites, and their company websites and social media accounts, to tell their stories and give job seekers some insight into what it’s like to work at the company.

If your research on a company comes up empty, then that may be the most obvious red flag of all.

In addition, you should also be able to easily find a contact in human resources to send your materials to or reach out to with any questions. If that information isn’t included in the posting and is impossible to find, that should set off even more alarm bells.

The Posting Contains Multiple Typos And Grammatical Errors

Confused and frustrated man not sure if a job posting is fake or not

Reputable companies take the process of recruiting new talent extremely seriously. They’re going to spend a lot of time crafting the job posting, and they’re going to make sure it has been proofread.

If a job posting has multiple typos and grammatical errors, you should be very suspicious. Look at it this way: Employers will throw out a job seeker’s cover letter or resume for such errors, so job seekers should hold employers to the same standards.

The Posting Gets TOO Personal

Woman thinking about a fake job posting while on her phone and using her laptop

Whenever you apply for a job, there’s always some basic information that you must give, but there’s some information you should never give out from a job posting.

Bank Account Information – With so many people working from home now, a common job posting scam will ask job seekers to give out their routing numbers so “the company” can pay for equipment to help them do their jobs. Sound suspicious? It should, because it’s bogus. The exchange of money or banking information should never be involved in a job posting.

Social Security – Most job postings don’t ask for a Social Security number right off the bat. That usually comes much later in the process.

The Posting Sounds TOO Good To Be True

This warning sign may be a little more subjective than the others, but you should keep a reasonable amount of suspicion if the job seems too perfect.

If you’re applying for a job, there were obviously things about it that made it attractive to you, and it’s not uncommon for employers to list some perks in their job postings to entice top talent. However, if a job posting is littered with perks and promises, and has very little information about the actual job, then it’s trying too hard to attract a number of candidates, instead of the right candidates.

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

One last thing to look for: Job postings by staffing companies may not always contain the name of the company the job posting is for. In those cases, you’ll want to research the staffing agency to make sure it’s a reputable company, not a fake posting.

By keeping your eyes open for these warning signs, you should be able to avoid falling victim to a fake job posting.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.



When You Should Leave A High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job

When You Should Leave A High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job

While making the most money we can (or at least enough to be comfortable) is the goal, sometimes a high-paying job costs you more in the end. You might have to give up things that are important to you like job security, stress-free work, and work-life balance. So, when should you leave a high-paying job for a lower-paying job? How do you know it’s time to find a new job?

Leave Your High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job If THIS Is Happening…

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @_.michele4._ When to leave a high paying job for a lower paying #job. #jobtok #edutok #careertok #learntok ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

If you’re getting thrown around in a job and it’s really draining you, but they pay you a lot of money, you have what we call “golden handcuffs.” You’re trapped. And the reality is if you can’t find a way to make peace with that, if you can’t find a way to not let the way they throw you around and raise your blood pressure bother you, then it is time to move on.

Now, oftentimes when you decide to leave a high-paying job, you get offered a job that would require you to take a huge pay cut. If that happens to you, don’t assume that’s your next long-term career move. Look at this lower-paying job as an opportunity for you to get yourself back to a happy place and figure out how much more money you need. You might be perfectly happy with the lower salary, or you might decide you want to start a side hustle, or you might decide that you want to take this time to do the homework and figure out your next career move so that you can make more money and be happier no matter what.

It comes back to working on yourself. And if this lower-paying job will allow you to do that for, say, six months to a year, then I would say go for it. Leave that high-paying job for a lower-paying one. Your career and mental health will thank you.

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Healing Touch – How to Become a Massage Therapist

Healing Touch – How to Become a Massage Therapist

Soreness relieved, knots untangled, and tension eased. A professional massage can be healing. While it might seem like a luxury, it isn’t. A good massage can improve the immune system, promote digestion, and reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is a good healthcare investment. A massage therapist engages a sense that you may […]

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Executive Spotlight: What Defines Good Professional Presence?

Executive Spotlight: What Defines Good Professional Presence?

Everyone has a professional presence. The question is, do you have a good one? As a professional, your reputation is as important as your skills and experience. Your professional presence is your reputation, what people think when you walk into a room. Developing good professional presence is essential for success. No matter what industry you’re in, good professional presence can open the door to new opportunities and pave the way for raises and promotions.

We recently asked our successful executives what defines good professional presence.

Here are their responses…

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

The three main ingredients in any executive presence are:

  1. Confidence
  2. Clarity
  3. Credibility

Confidence – The most shining part of executive presence is gravitas—how you act. It means that you show up as inspiring, trustworthy, and capable.

From the start, you must show that you have substance and authority in your talents, knowledge, and skills.

Leaders with gravitas show grace under fire. They are great at handling adversity with a cool head, letting others know that any crisis can be taken.

Clarity – People with poise have a way of talking that transparently engages people.

Executives who have complete command over the goals that need to be reached can communicate and break down elements of the tasks into step-by-step instructions.

Leaders who can communicate effectively develop a personal brand for delivering information.

Credibility – Is the quality of being trusted and believable. In working in the sports business, credibility is paramount.

If fans lose confidence that the games are unfair and non-equitable, the NFL loses the core part of the business—the game.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M – $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Maria Grandone, Director In Higher Education

Professional woman/executive/leader with good professional presence sits at her desk

Good professional presence requires good personal skills that can help you succeed in your career as well as your personal life.

  • Be present – living a life of purpose one must be intentional, passionate, and connected and show that you care.
  • Be open to learning – lifelong learners are eager to learn to advance their skills, try new things, and even learn from their mistakes. Failing forward develops your character—failing 100 times and getting up 200 times is key.
  • Positive attitude – helps facilitate a good work environment and can inspire others to feel the same. This can-do attitude helps others positively contribute to innovation and find solution-oriented opportunities.

I believe you give 100+ percent. Show up, engage, collaborate, and connect with the team. In higher education, it is critical to model the way and inspire a vision that allows for success.

Maria Grandone is dedicated to student access and success, particularly of underrepresented students in higher education. She loves to wake up early to meditate, go for an early morning run, and meet people from all walks of life.

Kathleen Duffy, Founder, CEO, And President Of Duffy Group

Professional/leader with good professional presence talks during a work meeting

A professional presence is your image, your mission, your passion, your values, and your vision. It’s not a logo, a resume, or a profile on LinkedIn or other social media channels. It’s the story of how you solve problems and improve morale or service vs. your credentials—degree or job title.

Developing a strong professional presence can help showcase who you are—your skills, expertise, and passion. It provides a platform for you to establish credibility, helps you inspire and succeed, and establishes you as a thought leader in your field.

There are a few key tenets to keep in mind:

  • Be authentic, representing exactly who you are.
  • Be compelling, so people will want to take notice.
  • Be consistent across all channels of communication.
  • Be transparent—no secrets.
  • And be visible. After all, what good is a strong professional presence if nobody can find you?

Kathleen Duffy is the founder, CEO, and president of Duffy Group. The company’s vision is to elevate recruitment research as an alternative to contingent and retained search. Since its founding, Duffy Group has been a remote workplace and a culture of work/life harmony.

Sharon Grace, Executive Recruiter

Professional/leader listens to a coworker during a work meeting

As a seasoned executive recruiter, I have advised many hiring executives and candidates on their image. Professional presence includes feeling and looking your best, embracing a positive mindset, communicating effectively, and being likable. It would help if you gave people reasons to want to meet with you and build a relationship. I suggest six tips when improving one’s professional presence.

  1. Take care of yourself. The benefits of practicing good health and wellness are endless. Being mindful of good health keeps our stress levels low and our energy, focus, and positivity high. When you feel good, you look good.
  2. Be present, engaged, and actively listening. Showing up and being intentional is not always easy. Having the right mindset will help you perform better. Be an active listener with a curious attitude to learning.
  3. Be prepared. An action plan with the desired outcome is a time investment well spent.
  4. Communicate thoughtfully, clearly, and effectively. Clear is kind, and being direct, upfront, and honest is essential. Practice being engaged with those you speak with, and do not meet for the sake of meeting; make it a valuable experience.
  5. Speak in the way you want to be heard. Think before speaking and be in the right mindset. Know your audience.
  6. Look good and take an interest in your appearance. Dressing appropriately is always in style, and never forget to know who your audience is.

Sharon Grace is a veteran search executive who helps hiring leaders hire great people because of her proven track record as a strategic partner and advisor to recruit, identify and assess talent.

Kathryn Marshburn, Music Program Manager

Professionals/executives/businesspeople with good professional presence shake hands

Professional presence in the music industry is different than other industries. As a female executive in the music industry, earning respect is essential and requires putting in the time with teams that are highly sought after and in demand.

Professional presence starts with social media checks and ends with teams liking you.

Many times, just showing up is crucial because the teams, artists, and bands that connect with you personally provide roadmaps to other connections. That said, a few basics that are important include:

  1. Always have exceptional phone manners when receiving invites and say less and listen more.
  2. Show up in appropriate fashion for the moment. (Studios, events, and carpet opportunities require completely different looks.)
  3. Humble, humble, humble would be the word for the night. Be grateful that you are in attendance and thank the host.
  4. Be professional. Do not take pictures or videos when not invited. Keep all time spent as a professional in an invited space.
  5. Do not overindulge in any substance.

If I love a project or something I want to do, I don’t do it for money. I do it because I love it. If the budget isn’t there, I’ll make it work for me and throughout my career. I think that’s been a consistent theme. I hear all day long that peers will turn down jobs because the money is not right. Some people will throw away opportunities because of the pay. That’s just not how I do business as so many opportunities happen from just being in the room.

To be invited into successful circles, your presence is important no matter what industry you are in, and making sure that you are providing an attractive, positive image is always on trend.

Kathryn Marshburn has spent 12+ years in the music and gaming industries guiding teams on identifying targeted goals with an agile approach resulting in driving revenue and reducing risk.

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist

Young professionals talk during a work meeting

​According to multiple surveys, over 60% of organizations that hire coaches say executive presence is one of the two top purposes for their coaching. Companies see this skill’s value and want their leaders to lead with a strong presence!

So, if it is so critical, what is it? It is defined in different ways for sure, depending on who you ask, yet the definition that I typically go to combines:

  • Character
  • Personality
  • Credibility

And these probably include a wide variety of possible combinations which generate a successful “executive presence.” The result is a leader who can command the attention of a room and immediately draw you into their vision and who is set apart from others, allowing you to establish a reputation of respect and knowledge.

Companies and leaders may already know that executive presence is important, but it isn’t a skill that comes naturally for a lot of people.

It takes some time to develop and refine.

So, the most important question is, how can you develop it yourself?

  1. Be self-aware and spend time with other executives you admire. By studying yourself and others, you can train yourself through hard work and discipline.
  2. Inspire your direct reports through clarity and intentional communication, taking the initiative and being a role model for them by keeping a journal, etc. Writing down your goals, plans, and priorities can also help you better understand your emotions and encourage regular self-reflection!
  3. Build relationships, which helps you to connect with others and build trust. By building strong relationships with colleagues, clients (internal and external), and other key stakeholders, you can establish yourself as a leader who is approachable and respected.
  4. Create AND share a clear, compelling vision. One of the most inspiring forms of executive presence is to inspire and share a compelling vision for others to see and follow.
  5. Build trust across different stakeholder groups (i.e., direct reports, peers, next level up, etc.) by keeping your work, and taking the necessary time to build and earn trust.

Building executive presence is probably one of the most complicated things to do in leadership development, therefore don’t forget to get a coach, a mentor, and several peers who will be willing to support your development as you will support theirs!

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the “red thread.”

Marshall Martin, Director Of Operations

Businesspeople with good professional presence shake hands and talk during a work meeting

Developing a good professional presence is crucial for success in any industry. It is not just about having the right skills and knowledge, but also about presenting oneself in a positive and effective manner. Good professional presence is defined by a combination of qualities, such as:

  • Passion is the driving force behind a person or organization’s work and is essential in creating a positive impact. It exudes optimism and a can-do attitude.
  • Integrity is fundamental in demonstrating honesty, ethical behavior, and trustworthiness. It is essential for building trust and credibility with colleagues and clients alike.
  • Generosity involves giving back to others and contributing to the community. Whether through sharing knowledge or supporting others with our time, talents, and treasure, generosity fosters strong and healthy relationships.
  • Gratitude is recognizing and expressing appreciation for others’ contributions. It contributes to creating a positive work culture.
  • Authenticity is being true to oneself and one’s values, maintaining a sense of transparency and honesty in all interactions.

Overall, good professional presence requires intentional effort and self-awareness. By embodying these qualities, individuals can establish themselves as respected and trusted leaders, achieving success and making a positive impact on those around them.

Marshall Martin is a former executive with start-up/entrepreneurial and large multi-national organizations with 20+ years of experience in the delivery of sales, finance, and operations management. His mission is to be a servant leader that connects, creates, and builds innovative ideas and solutions.

Percy Leon, Digital Media Content Executive

Man with good professional presence at work

​In today’s competitive business world, having a good professional presence is essential for success. Here are some key characteristics that I feel contribute to a strong professional presence:

  • Confidence: A good professional presence is characterized by confidence. This means having the self-assurance to speak up, take risks, and make decisions. When you exude confidence, others will be more likely to trust and respect you.
  • Communication skills: Communication is an essential part of building a strong professional presence. This includes not only speaking clearly and articulately but also being a good listener and able to communicate effectively in writing.
  • Professionalism: Professionalism is another key characteristic of a good professional presence. This means being reliable, respectful, and trustworthy in your interactions with others. It also means dressing appropriately for the situation and being punctual.
  • Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of others. This is essential for building strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
  • Competence: Finally, a good professional presence is characterized by competence. This means having the skills and knowledge necessary to do your job well and being willing to learn and adapt as needed.

A good professional presence is a combination of confidence, communication skills, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and competence.

By focusing on developing these characteristics, you can build a strong professional presence that will help you in your career.

Percy Leon is a digital media content producer specializing in educational technology and entertainment. He is interested in web3, metaverse, and the use of virtual reality for storytelling.


Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Executive/woman with good professional presence at work

I didn’t know much about professional presence until about 2 ½ years ago when I met J.T. O’Donnell. I took her in-depth course on executive presence and learned that it’s about what people see when they come in contact with us. It’s our ability to project gravitas, confidence, competence, poise under pressure, decisiveness, speaking skills, assertiveness, and the ability to read an audience or situation, among other key characteristics. It enables us to build trust, establish credibility, and accelerate outcomes and results. What defines good executive presence is a personal journey and requires work. And that’s what I’ve been doing over the last several years. I did a deep dive into four areas:

  1. Understand My Strengths, Weaknesses, Talents, & Biases
  2. Explore How Peers, Colleagues, Subordinates, & Leaders Perceive Me
  3. Develop An Action Plan To Enhance Executive Presence
  4. Create A Measurement Plan

This process was very enlightening, helping me understand where I was undervaluing myself based on feedback from those who have worked with me. As a result, over the last year, I’ve been able to turn around my executive presence based on the action plan I put together, helping me become a more effective leader, build stronger relationships with others, and achieve greater success at work.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

John Hoffman, Creative Producer

Professionals/employees with good professional presence attend a work meeting

An excellent professional presence is essential for anyone, especially those starting a career path.

It begins with credibility, being present, paying attention, and inspiring confidence in your colleagues.

To build credibility, focus on four simple aspects:

  1. Competence – the ability to do something successfully.
  2. Communication – transfer information succinctly.
  3. Integrity – do what you say, say what you do.
  4. Preparedness – be ready.

Always be willing to learn and improve by asking questions, stepping out of your comfort zone, and being open to feedback. Stay positive, avoid negative language, and have fun. Taking yourself too seriously can be detrimental to your professional presence, so remember to keep it simple and enjoy the journey.

In closing, pay attention to the positive and ask yourself if your actions are helping or harming the task. Then, do these things and develop a professional presence to set you up for success.

John Hoffman has 15+ years of leadership experience creating and producing video content, branded entertainment, PR stunts, and experiential and live events. At his core, he’s a storyteller who has mastered the creative map and can scale logistical mountains.

What do you think defines good professional presence? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily’s Executive Program.