Business Research Based:
The Executive Presence Training

Learned Power is
Good for Companies and Good for You

The tools we teach in The Executive Presence Training are based on leadership development studies and business research which collectively suggest that power:

  • Improves performance: Return on investment (ROI)
  • Improves executive functioning (ROI)
  • Leads us to approach rather than avoid challenges (ROI)
  • Increases authentic feelings of power (leads to your ROI)
  • Enhances creativity (ROI)
  • Boosts authenticity (ROI)
  • Improves the ability to self-regulate (ROI)

 

VIEW BUSINESS RESEARCH and REPORTS BELOW.

Research shows: Power improves executive functioning, optimism, creativity, authenticity, the ability to self-regulate and performance. Click image for more.
Research shows: Power improves executive functioning, optimism, creativity, authenticity, the ability to self-regulate and performance. Click image for more.
A person’s sense of power improves executive functioning, optimism, creativity, authenticity, the ability to self- regulate and performance in various domains. Galinsky, A. (2003). From power to action. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85 (September), 453–66.
Acquiring power produces individuals to feel more goal-oriented, more likely to take action and more optimistic. Click image for more.
Acquiring power produces individuals to feel more goal-oriented, more likely to take action and more optimistic. Click image for more.
Acquiring power produces individuals to feel more optimistic, more goal-oriented, and more likely to take action. Therefore, [learned] power may liberate people from the psychological constraints that keep them from being their best, brightest selves. Anderson, C., Galinsky, A. Eur. J. Soc. Psychol. 36, 511–536 (2006)

268 senior executives polled deemed gravitas as “the most important” characteristic.

268 senior executives polled deemed gravitas as “the most important” executive presence characteristic. Executive presence was described as an amalgam of qualities that true leaders exude. Hewlett, Sylvia Ann, Leader-Chivée, L., Sherbin, L., Gordon, J., & Dieudonné, F. (2012). Executive Presence. New York: Center for Talent Innovation.

Power leads us to approach rather than avoid challenges, and approaching leads us to feel more confident, optimistic – and happier. Click image for more.
Power leads us to approach rather than avoid challenges, and approaching leads us to feel more confident, optimistic – and happier. Click image for more.
Power leads us to approach rather than avoid challenges, and approaching leads us to feel more confident, optimistic – and happier. Smith PK, Bargh JA. Nonconscious effects of power on basic approach and avoidance tendencies. Social cognition. 2008;26 (1):1-24.
Across species, body posture is often the primary representation of power. Click image for more.
Across species, body posture is often the primary representation of power. Click image for more.
Across species, body posture is often the primary representation of power. Hall, Judith A.; Coats, Erik J.; LeBeau, Lavonia Smith. Nonverbal Behavior and the Vertical Dimension of Social Relations: A Meta-Analysis. Psychological Bulletin, Vol 131(6), Nov 2005, 898-924.

Learned power-confidence may reshape the brain for long-term cumulative benefits.

Exercises designed to change behavior actually change the brain and, most importantly, continues to change the quality of life. ‘So, when we change our habitual negative behaviors…our brains will create a new map for continuing these productive habits. This powerful effect of neuroplasticity has been documented by esteemed medical reporter Sharon Begley (Wall Street Journal, Newsweek) and UCLA psychiatrist Jeffrey Schwartz’, reports Tamar Chansky, an expert on youth explanatory styles, per Nicole Force, “Humor, Neuroplasticity and the Power to Change Your Mind”, PsychCentral.com

Increased power may reduce aggression in our world. Click image for more.
Increased power may reduce aggression in our world. Click image for more.
Increased power may reduce aggression in our world since "...aggression appears to be driven by ego threat. Aggressiveness is eliminated when one’s sense of self-worth is boosted. A study of 410 people employed at various levels in various companies examined when and why power holders seek to harm other people. The present research found that that aggression among those in power [positions] is often the result of a threatened ego. Aggressiveness was eliminated among participants whose sense of self-worth was boosted."
Fast, N. J., & Chen, S. (2009). When the boss feels inadequate: Power, incompetence, and aggression. Psychological Science, 20, 1406-1413.
Executive presence telegraphs you are in charge – or deserve to be. Click image for more.
Executive presence telegraphs you are in charge – or deserve to be. Click image for more.
Gravitas [a component of Executive Presence] is at the top of the list of executive traits most commonly sought by Senior Executives. Hewlett, S.A. et al (2012). Executive Presence. New York: Center for Talent Innovation

Looking like a leader is the first step to becoming one.

The top five personality traits employers are looking for most in job candidates: Professionalism (86%), High-energy (78%), Confidence (61%), Intellectual curiosity (57%) and Self- Monitoring (58%). Forbes staff writer Meghan Casserly citing data from Universum.

More Business Research and Leadership Development Studies

Productive thinking habits led to increased sales and higher retention [and we teach our own version of Thinking Tools of Top Performers].

A study done by the Wharton Business School, widely considered to be one of the best business schools, looked to determine the effects of applying new thinking habits to business. After measuring the attitudinal styles of a sales force, it was determined that sales novices who were taught productive thinking habits sold 35 percent more than sales veterans – and identified pessimists were two times more likely to quit in the first year than optimists [We also teach a powerful, attitudinal tool as part of our Thinking Tools of Top Performers]. Schulman, Peter. Applying Learned Optimism to Increase Sales Productivity. Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management. Volume XIX, No. 1, Winter 1999, 31–37

Changing behavior, even when doing so is [initially] disingenuous, can create genuine, authentic and important benefits.

Changing behavior, even when doing so is disingenuous, can create genuine, authentic and important benefits. Psychological Science. 2012;23(11):1372-8.

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First-impression traits are the most critical, and even the most seasoned of CEOs can get tripped up by the basics.

Even the most seasoned of CEOs can get tripped up by the basics. First-impression traits are the most critical…[People] can read you the moment you walk in the door, from the clothes you wear to the way you stand to the grip of your first handshake. Casserly, Meghan. Top Five Personality Traits Employers Hire Most, Forbes.com

Confidence breeds success and it can be taught.

“…Confidence is teachable…it’s not something anyone is born with…Speak up and speak confidently; Walk into a room like you belong there…”. Confidence Breeds Success — And It Can Be Taught, Beth Monaghan, Forbes.com.

Optimally pleasing voices win the biggest leadership roles and earn the biggest salaries.

Mayew, C.A., Venkatachalam, M., “Voice Pitch and the Labor Market Success of Male Chief Executive Officers,” Sidney Winter Lecture Series, April 12, 2013

Adapting an upright posture increases positive affect, reduces fatigue, and increases energy in some groups of people.

Adapting an upright posture increases positive affect, reduces fatigue, and increases energy in people with mild to moderate depression, while a slumped posture is commonly observed in depression (Canales et al., 2010; Michalak et al., 2009) (Wilkes et al., 2017; Peper & Lin, 2012). Peper, E., Lin, I-M., Harvey, R., & Perez, J. (2017). How posture affects memory recall and mood. Biofeedback, 45 (2), 36-41.

The sound of our voice matters twice as much as our content.

Cited by Sue Shellenbarger in “Is this How You Really Talk?,” Wall Street Journal online article, April 23, 2013, referring to research done by Quantified Communications.

Voices in the lower-frequency range will encourage others to see you as successful, sociable and smart.

Study done by Quantified Impressions, as cited by Hewlett, S. A. (2014). Executive presence: The missing link between merit and success. S.l.: Harperbusiness

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The Executive Presence Training: Based in Business Research and Leadership Development Studies.

Top Rated for a Reason: It Works.

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