Executive Presence for HR Executives

Executive Presence for HR

9-10 April

9 AM PT / 12 PM ET

1 PM PT / 4 PM ET

This course is designed to help HR leaders develop the confidence, credibility, and influence needed to operate effectively at the executive level. Executive presence is not just about how you look or speak — it’s about how you show up in high-stakes moments that define leadership.

Objectives

  • Understand the components of executive presence: gravitas, communication, and appearance
  • Apply executive presence in key HR scenarios such as interviews, board presentations, conflict resolution, and change management
  • Strengthen strategic influence and relationship-building across the organization

Understanding Executive Presence in HR

  • What is executive presence and why it matters for HR leaders
  • The three pillars: Gravitas, Communication, Appearance
  • HR-specific scenarios requiring executive presence:
  • Leading sensitive interviews (e.g., executive hires, misconduct cases)
  • Presenting to the board or C-suite
  • Navigating organizational change
  • Handling crises and employee relations issues
    • Self-assessment: Your current executive presence profile

Course Outline

Gravitas – Leading with Authority and Integrity

  • Cultivating calm confidence under pressure
  • Demonstrating sound judgment in:
  1. Disciplinary meetings
  2. Succession planning discussions
  3. Diversity and inclusion strategy sessions
  • Building credibility through strategic thinking and ethical leadership
  • Case study: HR leader navigating a merger or downsizing
  • Speaking with clarity, brevity, and impact
  • Executive-level storytelling: framing HR data and decisions
  • Scenarios:
  1. Delivering tough feedback to senior leaders
  2. Advocating for HR initiatives in budget meetings
  3. Facilitating high-stakes negotiations (e.g., union talks, executive compensation)
  • Practice: Crafting and delivering a 3-minute executive pitch

Communication Mastery for Influence

Visual and Vocal Presence

  • Body language that signals confidence and openness
  • Dressing for influence: aligning appearance with organizational culture
  • Vocal tone, pace, and modulation for authority
  • Scenarios:
  1. Media interviews or public speaking engagements
  2. Town halls and employee forums
  3. On-camera presence for virtual leadership
  • Building trust with senior stakeholders
  • Navigating power dynamics and organizational politics
  • Scenarios:
  1. Coaching executives through behavioral change
  2. Influencing cross-functional peers without formal authority
  3. Managing up: positioning HR as a strategic partner

Relationship Capital and Political Savvy

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