Successful professionals understand the importance of perceptions and know how to influence the way others perceive them. They hone their communication skills to generate respect, credibility, and trust and to manage their professional reputations. They realize that their credibility not only determines their ability to lead and manage effectively, but also their likelihood of being noticed and considered for career advancement. This introductory article focuses on attributes that will communicate and maintain an executive presence that is powerful and memorable.

There are 13 basic qualities of excellent executive presence. Those qualities are:

1. Presence – Conveying a sense of sophistication through a combined background of experience and knowledge
2. Awareness – Reading people and situations and responding appropriately
3. Authenticity – Being genuine, honest and respectful
4. Passion – Expressing motivation, commitment and drive
5. Clarity – Communicating thoughts, feelings and insights with simplicity
6. Intelligence – Having and maintaining a thorough understanding of your area of expertise
7. Insight – Boiling complex facts and data down into optimum solutions
8. Determination – Showing drive to achieve and succeed
9. Confidence – Assuring others through your own strength and resolve
10. Humility – Willingness to admit mistakes
11. Courage – Willingness to take risks, even against considerable odds
12. Humor – Bringing down others’ defenses with amusing tendencies
13. Empathy – Being accessible to and interested in others

Over eighty percent of your executive presence will be communicated via non-verbal cues. Your audience, no matter its size, relies on non-verbal cues to validate your words and make decisions about your credibility. These 13 basic qualities determine how you package and present your communication, and tell the story about who you are. They guide the way you engage with others.