
As a PR professional, I've spent the last 12 years spearheading external communications strategies—via messaging, media training, and high-stakes decisions— for high-profile leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs.
I serve as a trusted advisor and sounding board, helping them cultivate and maintain a compelling and strategic external brand. This often involves refining their "executive presence," a quality honed through practice, exploration, focused conversations, and a strategic framework.
Each person their own style. Each story, unique.
As a practitioner, I love the intimacy of these professional partnerships.
I have also noticed parallels in the shared experience among these leaders and wanted to offer a few actionable tools, prompts, and insights as you consider how to "own your executive presence."
1. Know Your Why
Impact begins with clarity of purpose. It requires introspection, a deep dive into your own beliefs and aspirations. Ask yourself:
What ideas do I want to share with the world? What keeps me up at night? What do I believe needs to change?
Why does this matter? What are the stakes? What's the potential impact? Why should others care?
Who am I trying to reach? Who needs to hear this message? Who can help me make a difference?
Your perspective needs to be more than just an opinion – it needs to be a clearly articulated point of view. This is where true authenticity lies. A powerful point of view is fueled by purpose, passion, clarity, and credibility.
It's the foundation for making a real difference.
2. Focus on Your Audience and Their Needs
Every aspect of your communications strategy should start with a deep understanding of your audience.
Picture this: your colleagues, friends, network, industry experts, even your biggest critics – all gathered in one room.
Who are you truly able to influence?
Who are you hoping to persuade?
Now, step into their shoes. What are their needs, their desires, their pain points? What keeps them up at night? Every person is asking themselves, consciously or not, "What's in it for me?"
Your message needs to answer that question in a clear and compelling way.
3. Practice "Zero to One"
Peter Thiel's 'Zero to One' was a game-changer for any person looking to elevate their thinking.
After I had the opportunty to work on a startup that he (Theil) supported, his book challenged me to break free from conventional thinking and pursue some of my most original ideas.
It ignited a spark that led me to create the TE&Co. Magazine, a platform where I share PR strategies and empower entrepreneurs and companies to take steps to build their visibility. I launched the magazine because I consistently encountered confusion and misconceptions about PR within the business community. It's often misunderstood, misapplied, and mismeasured. It's neither pure marketing nor sales, but a unique discipline with its own power and potential.
The TE&Co. Magazine encourages to forge their own path to success.
I share my personal shift in thinking with you as a showcase of how the book opened up my own original thinking and how I was contributing to the best interests of my audience.
The"Zero to One" philsiphy and perspective is intended to encourage ys all to explore, study, and even admire your own interests, tastes, ideas and go full force on how you want to reach others.
What are you creating that has not yet been done before?
There is no playbook for success, make it your own.
4. Invest in Yourself
These days, standing out requires more than a polished resume, a compelling bio, or a solid elevator pitch.
Those who focus on their executive presence invest time in meeting the situational skills required for the demands of their roles. The ability to connect with an audience, whether it's one person or ten thousand; whether it's a board room, a skeptical investor, or a warm and friendly audience.
How will you win them over and motivate them towards your call to action?
It's about understanding, establishing, and improving your own strengths in the art of projection, communication, and persuasion.
Imagine yourself captivating a room, inspiring action — the audience hanging on every word.
This is the power of effective public speaking. Investing in communication skills – whether through sales training, public speaking coaching, or media training – is an investment in your own influence and impact.
Build a toolkit that amplifies your message: a compelling bio, a dynamic speaker kit, high-quality videos, and strong visual branding. Remember, tools are only as effective as the person wielding them.
Cultivate confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Let that confidence radiate through your posture, your voice, and your every interaction. Embrace risk, express your opinions with conviction, and become a magnetic force in any room.
5. Take Action
My business wouldn't be where it is today if I hadn't been willing to take risks, to experiment, to "throw spaghetti at the wall" and see what stuck.
The same goes for my clients.
Their willingness to go beyond the status quo is what has put them front and center in their companies, industries — heck even on stages. Once those training wheels are off, it's so interesting to see how they find their groove and continue to evolve their thinking.
Boldness and a willingness to embrace the unknown are essential ingredients for growth.
Don't get me wrong, it can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first.
But pushing beyond your comfort zone is where the magic happens. And what's even more rewarding is inviting others to join the journey. Build a community, share your vision, offer support, and create opportunities.
Move with purpose and intention.
Let your voice, your body language, your presence, all project confidence and conviction.
Don't hold back – embrace the messiness, the uncertainty, the possibility. This is where true innovation and impact are born."
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12 weeks (and over 30 pages) of actionable tools, prompts, insights, and considerations to help you harness the power of your unique influence
Learn more about Your Executive Challenge by visiting: https://www.tamaraedwards.co/product-page/your-12-week-executive-presence-challenge
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