Strengths

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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.


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Executive Spotlight: What Defines Good Professional Presence?

3 Common Mistakes You’re Making When Creating A SWOT Analysis



What if I were to tell you that you might be doing the good old SWOT analysis incorrectly?

And on top of that, you're only doing half of it?

SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—a classic framework familiar to many in the business world. It’s often used as a situational analysis for an organization’s strategic planning.

The SWOT is so common that its usage, in some cases, has morphed from its original form. This results in an analysis that is only partially complete. And rarely helpful.

It also has a whole other half—the TOWS analysis—which is where your SWOT goes from “I made a list” to a practical, actionable strategy.

Here are the most common steps that we get wrong when completing a SWOT.

“I Just List My Company’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, And Threats, Right?”


Well…kind of.

Many people get the Strengths and Weaknesses correct. Indeed, you simply list out your company’s areas of mastery and shortcomings.

However, the Opportunities and Threats sections are where most people make their first SWOT mistake.

The O and T are NOT specifically about your company.

O and T are to be lists of EXTERNAL factors that could affect your business. In other words, things that in most cases are beyond your direct control.

Here’s a simple example. Let's say you are running a food cart that sells pie… because...pie! As I'm a native Midwesterner, it has to be pie-on-a-stick.

(Don't question me here. All Midwesterners know that anything can be eaten on a stick!)

Strengths – The things your company excels at. These are internal factors.

S could include having a recognizable brand, great employee perks (free pie!), being debt-free, and offering a customer rewards program.

Weaknesses – Things that prevent the company from reaching its optimum performance. These are internal factors.

For instance, not offering gluten-free or vegan options, you only have one cart location, and an unwillingness to invest in payment technology, so you only accept cash.

Opportunities – These are external factors that can help give your business an advantage.

For instance, your pie-on-a-stick food cart enjoys local tourism traffic, the permit fees are low, and food suppliers are dependable.

Threats – These are external factors that can negatively impact your business.

For example, there is a shortage of workers in your town, your region has bad weather for half the year which drives away foot traffic, and the stick manufacturer is raising prices.

Remember, O and T are external forces only. Many people tend to make O and T internal factors. And, well…it’s tough to do a situational analysis when you’re not fully examining the situation from all angles.

A SWOT Is Not An Island.


Woman creates a SWOT analysis on a whiteboard at work

That is to say, never do your SWOT in isolation. I’ve found that a SWOT analysis is typically done by one person or one department, with no additional research or data collected.

To get a truly holistic view of your company, you need to talk to other people (and not just the managers). You need to hear diverse voices from all departments and job levels for a truly representative set of data.

You may think you know your business’s strengths and weaknesses, but if you do not listen to a representative group of people from across the entire organization, you're not getting the full picture.

For external forces, monitor the environment for things that could potentially affect your business. A good framework for this is a semi-localized version of a PESTLE analysis, if you want to go deep.

Now, let's go back to our pie-on-a-stick food cart example.

Example of a Weakness that comes to light after talking with an employee:

You hear from one of your high school workers that none of their teen friends will eat at the cart because your business doesn't accept mobile payments. That could be cutting out a large chunk of potential customers, as the high school is located just around the corner.

Example of an Opportunity you could take advantage of, found from keeping tabs on the local business environment:

You learn from a local media outlet that there is a new off-site kitchen space opening up, which would be perfect for expanding your food prep capabilities, if you’re considering opening a second location but need more prep and storage space.

TOWS Is Just SWOT Spelled Backwards, But It Unlocks The True Power Of This Tool.


TOWS analysis matrix

Did you know that there is an entire step two to the SWOT? It's called the TOWS analysis. And yes, that is SWOT spelled backwards!

In a TOWS analysis, we look at the relationship between the internal and the external factors and what actions your business needs to take to improve your current positioning.

To do this, we use a matrix that, believe it or not, is called the TOWS Matrix.

Put your company’s Strengths and Weaknesses on the Y-axis and the external Opportunities and Threats on the X-axis. Then combine your S and W with the O and T, making actionable strategies for each quadrant.

In the SO quadrant, ask: “How can we utilize our strengths to take advantage of the current opportunities?"

For example: The pie-on-a-stick business is a well-known local brand, allowing you to take advantage of cross-promotional opportunities with nearby retail businesses, who you learn are looking to partner with popular local food brands.

In the ST quadrant, ask: "How can we utilize our strengths to overcome any potential threats in the current environment—and potentially turn them into opportunities?"

For example: Your established customer rewards program might help to weather planned road construction near your location that could cut into new customer foot traffic. You might encourage your biggest fans to stop by more often and receive double rewards during this period to help make up for lost new customer sales.

In the WO quadrant, ask: “How can the current opportunities help to mitigate our weaknesses?"

For example: You discover an opportunity to set up an indoor food stall across town that would not only add a second location (a weakness) but also be more immune to bad weather that affects your outdoor cart location (a threat).

This is an instance of a Weakness-Opportunity-AND-Threat strategy combo!

The WT quadrant is the danger zone! This is an area you need to watch out for. It's wise to create some offensive strategies to help manage risks if your weaknesses might magnify current threats.

For example: Your cash-only payment system could backfire as society moves more and more towards mobile and touchless payments as the norm. You might consider investing in new technology so you’re not left in the dust.

I’ve found that the TOWS analysis will dramatically improve your SWOT. Instead of merely listing things out in a SWOT and calling it a day, the TOWS adds actionable strategies and tactics based on research and data from the internal and external environments. Good luck!


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3 Common Mistakes You’re Making When Creating …

3 Questions That Will Help You Find Your Dream Job



Why is figuring out what we want to do with our lives so painfully difficult? Seriously! It's like we've all been given this massive amount of energy that we're aching to use in a productive and enjoyable way. Yet discovering what to use it on eludes us. And the longer it takes to discover what we really want to do, the more uncomfortable we feel. That restless energy builds, and we long to be utilized for a worthy purpose.

The hard part for most of us is figuring out what that purpose is. And if you're in a similar position, then this article is going to help you focus that energy. These three powerful questions will help you figure out what you're meant to be doing:

What Are Your "Super Human" Strengths?


Happy woman at her dream job

According to a Gallup study, people who use their strengths and like what they're doing are 127% more productive than the average employee! It makes sense. When you're doing what you're naturally good at, you're more likely to be in flow, that magical state when you're in the zone and feel like you can achieve anything.

So, how do you figure out your work strengths? You can take Work It Daily's FREE Workplace Personas Quiz to see what your professional strengths are, and how to use them to your advantage!

What Are Your Core Values?


Happy man works his dream job from home

Do you value freedom, adventure, and risk-taking? You might not want to get a desk job. Or what if you value family, relationships, and security? Perhaps you'll find your best fit working from home, or at an office nearby with flexible work hours.

Figuring out what's most important to you helps narrow down the field of possible career choices, not only in terms of lifestyle but also in terms of what kind of company and people you want to work with. Strong values of corporate responsibility and environmental consciousness will mean that a certain group of organizations won't appeal to you, while others will.

So, do some deep reflection and list out everything that's important to you, keeping in mind the eight key areas of life. Narrow that list down to 10 items. Then, try to get it down to your top three or five, and make sure that any opportunity you accept fits with those values. This is an incredibly powerful exercise for me each time I do it, and I think it will be for you as well.

What Inspires You Like Nothing Else?


Happy woman at work

Doing something that inspires you is at the core of reaching high states of happiness, and the most inspiring thing you can do is contribute to something you feel has a higher purpose. Something bigger than yourself. Like Batman, except without all the violence...hopefully.

Yet similar to Batman, one excellent way of figuring out what inspires you is to think about what makes you really, really angry in the world. What can't you stand? Bruce Wayne, or Batman, couldn't stand the fact that criminals were taking over his city, so he took a stand against crime. In doing so, he inspired others.

So, what bugs you the most in the entire world? And who's doing the best job of solving that problem? When you tap into your strengths, figure out your core values, and contribute those to a purpose that inspires you, then you've found your dream job.

Bonus Tip: Find A Mentor!


Woman talks to her mentor about work

Once you answer these three questions, there's a way to speed up your progress even more and get your dream job as quickly as possible: find a mentor. More specifically, by following in the footsteps of people who have already done what you want to do.

Answering these questions and taking these steps will help you get closer to figuring out what your dream job is. If you need more help finding and landing your dream job, especially if you're feeling lost, trapped, or burned out in your career, we're here for you.

We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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3 Questions That Will Help You Find …

#1 Tip For Talking About Your Strengths In A Job Interview



You're in a job interview and you get the dreaded question, "What are your strengths?" How do you usually answer this interview question? Instead of saying, "I think my strengths are ____," try this...

Tell Hiring Managers What Other People Have Said About You


@j.t.odonnell How to talk about your STRENGTHS in a job interview... #interviewprep #interviewtips #jobsearch #careeradvice #interview #1 #edutok #careertiktok ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

When you're asked about your strengths in a job interview, you want to give hiring managers solid examples, not just your own opinion of yourself. To do this, focus on compliments and feedback from those you've worked with. You can say something like this: "I've actually asked my manager and co-workers and, based on their feedback, they've told me my top three strengths are ____, ____, and ____."

By doing this, you show amazing emotional intelligence. It means you know that your value in the workplace is based on how others perceive it, your contributions. So, by getting that feedback and saying this is what they told me, it makes employers believe you'd be a great, emotionally intelligent employee.

If you want to confidently and effectively answer questions about your strengths in a job interview, just remember this tip. You'll be sure to impress employers and stand out from other job candidates in the interview process.

Feeling Burned Out & Need Help Finding A New Job?


Man experiences job burnout

Breaking through career burnout requires a step-by-step process to help you calm the crisis in your mind so you can start to see new possibilities that can lead to a more satisfying job and life.

If you want to find career satisfaction again, sign up for my revolutionary new course "Break Through Your Burnout: How To Go From Crisis To Career Satisfaction."

This one hour/week, 4-week course is going to walk you through what you need to do to reclaim your career satisfaction so you can define and find work that works for you.

In this FREE course, you will discover:

  • Where you currently fall on the Career Satisfaction Spectrum and how it impacts your ability to make good career choices
  • How your unique combination of personality, skills, and preferences directly impacts what types of careers you are a good fit for
  • Why choosing an employer to work for should feel like a fun shopping experience
  • What you can do to leverage the knowledge above to find a new, better job—or make the job you are in feel much more satisfying
Interested? Sign up today! It's time to take back your happiness.

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#1 Tip For Talking About Your Strengths …