Body language—including posture, eye contact, and tone—immediately signals confidence (or lack of it). These subtle cues often speak louder than words in professional settings.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Stand in front of a mirror and practice holding eye contact for 60 seconds without shifting.</li></ul>

The Power of Nonverbal Signals

Vagueness erodes confidence. Precision builds it.

Monarth shows that people assess your leadership potential not only by what you do but by how you appear to do it. Performance and perception need to align, or your efforts may be overlooked.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Ask 3 people to describe your professional image in one word to spot alignment gaps.</li></ul>

Perception Is Reality

Leaders who can regulate their emotions—especially under stress—are seen as stable and capable. Staying calm in crises enhances your credibility.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: When faced with frustration, pause and silently count to five before responding.</li></ul>

Emotional Control Equals Power

Effective leaders shift their style based on the context and audience. One-size-fits-all behavior can weaken your presence, while adaptability makes it stronger.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: For your next two meetings, identify one small way to shift your tone or energy to match the group.</li></ul>

Adapt Presence to Fit the Room

It’s not enough to be competent; people must perceive you as such.

You are the author of your leadership story, and proactively shaping it is important. Without your input, others will fill in blanks that may not favor you.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Write a 3-sentence summary of your leadership journey and practice saying it aloud.</li></ul>

Craft Your Narrative

No leader succeeds alone. Building strong professional alliances to extend your influence and create opportunities.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Send a thank-you note or LinkedIn message to a mentor or colleague who’s helped you.</li></ul>

Relationships Multiply Presence

The ability to express ideas clearly and succinctly is key to executive presence. Monarth notes that vagueness weakens your credibility, while precision builds it.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Prepare one sharp, concise point to deliver at your next meeting.</li></ul>

Communicate With Precision

Deep listening is a powerful way to build trust and demonstrate respect. Active listening helps you pick up on unspoken needs and power dynamics.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: In your next conversation, reflect back what you heard before adding your perspective.</li></ul>

The Art of Listening

Your long-term credibility—your reputation—is your most valuable professional asset. Maintaining consistency in behavior and results to build a lasting positive image.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Choose one core value (like integrity) and make a conscious effort to embody it in every decision today.</li></ul>

Your Reputation Precedes You

High performance is essential, but Monarth makes it clear: being seen doing valuable work is what propels careers forward. Strategic visibility ensures your impact is recognized.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Action step: Attend at least one high-stakes meeting this month and speak up at least once.</li></ul>

Visibility Matters

If you don’t craft your story, others will craft it for you.

Executive Presence breaks down the often invisible factors that make people rise to leadership roles beyond just talent or results. Harrison Monarth explains that perception—shaped by your behavior, appearance, communication, and emotional intelligence—determines how others judge your readiness for leadership. The book emphasizes that leaders are made visible and credible through deliberate strategies that manage both real performance and how it’s perceived, blending authenticity with image management.

Get the Key to the Boardroom with Powerful Executive Presence! “This book can be a key aid in helping you make it to the next level! Great coaching for anyone who is even thinking of becoming an executive!” Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times bestselling author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There “On the corporate battlefield a true leader’s success is based upon his or her ability to communicate effectively, persuade others to follow a goal, and execute it. This leads to success for all. When the stakes are high, you’re well advised to read this book first.” Scott A. Gaines, vice president, Hertz Corporation “If you are seriously looking to be perceived in the light you choose, Executive Presence is the book that not only answers the question, but shows you how to apply the answers.” Kevin Hogan, author of The Psychology of Persuasion “Harrison Monarth is a first-rate thinker who writes as clearly as he thinks. No matter where you are on the career ladder, Executive Presence will put you a step ahead of your competition.” T. Scott Gross, author of Positively Outrageous Service “Most people know that to move up in your career, you need to have self-awareness and the ability to manage the perceptions of those whose opinions count. . . . Executive Presence is your comprehensive guide to help you become more profi cient at self-marketing and the art of ethical persuasion to achieve your personal and professional goals.” Larina Kase, PsyD, MBA, author of The Confident Leader and coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Confident Speaker About the Book An expert in coaching high-level players in the art of perception management, Harrison Monarth reveals the critical difference between CEOs and those of us who wish to be CEOs. It’s not a matter of intelligence, connections, or luck. It can be summed up in two words: executive presence. While most of us toil in obscurity and expect great things to follow, those on the path to corporate leadership spend their time perfecting the types of leadership communication skills that generate respect and get others to share their vision. They use these skills to establish how they are perceived by others and to manage their reputation throughout the organization. In other words, these soon-tobe top players have developed the presence of an executive through careful image management—and they make sure they have the goods to back it up. In Executive Presence, Monarth shows how you can seize control of your own career using the same skills. Inside, he explains how to: <ul> <li>Accurately “read” people and predict their behavior</li> <li>Influence the perceptions of others</li> <li>Persuade those of opposing views to your side</li> <li>Create and maintain a personal “brand”</li> <li>Manage and control your online reputation</li> <li>Perform damage control when things go wrong</li> </ul> Monarth’s conclusions aren’t based solely on his keen insight and extensive experience; they’re the result of the latest scientifi c research in interpersonal communication and human behavior. Talent and skills are important, but they alone won’t take you to the top of your organization. People reach highly infl uential positions because they deeply understand the power of perception and know how to leverage it in their favor. The good news is, anyone with the will to succeed can do it. Executive Presence provides all the techniques you need to take your career to the highest level of any organization.

The Art of Listening

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