Step Out to Ultimately Step Up

Why do CEO's, Managing Directors, Managing Partners and other senior leaders give presentations and keynote speeches?  Surely their time resources are so stretched that there are more important and pressing matters on their plate than giving a public speech on the latest financial data or industry innovations or economic predictions.  What's in it for them?  Obviously they are keen to promote their organisation whether it is an ASX-listed company such as Westpac or a Government-owned financial giant like QIC.

For instance, why does Doug McTaggart, the CEO and Managing Director of QIC turn up year after year at the suburban Chamber of Commerce Breakfast to present his graphs and forecasts post Federal budget?  Yes, he is there as the head of QIC but he is also there to reinforce his own successful leadership; he is there as the CEO super salesman.  Equally he is there to promote and reinforce his own executive presence as a highly successful and respected senior business leader.  He is reminding the business community at all levels that he has been there at the helm, steering QIC from strength to strength surviving the tough times and diversifying, expanding and growing the business.

Many CEO's and Managing Directors are salespersons-in-chief.    They know there is a lot of mileage for them personally as well because, while they are promoting the success stories of their organisation, they are promoting themselves as a senior executive success story.  They know they will not have to apply for their next role whether it is a senior executive role or whether they want to secure Board directorships or Chairman roles.  They will be discreetly approached for these scarce opportunities and will be appointed rather than have to go through a competitive selection process.

So in ways that are consistent and acceptable within the culture of your organisation, always be promoting what you have achieved, giving credit where it is due to others, and sharing your ideas and vision.  You must be visible and noticed by those who matter; you need to step out to ultimately step up.

If you would like further ways to build your executive presence, consider attending a People Results' Half-Day Executive Presence workshop held regularly throughout the year.  Contact us at People Results for the next available date, or visit our website at www.peopleresults.com.au