From Intern to Full-Time Consultant: Executive Presence (5)

As an intern, your interactions with senior executives (both within the firm and at the client) were likely limited and highly supervised. You may have observed more experienced consultants presenting to clients, but had few opportunities to do so yourself. Your focus was primarily on producing good work, with less emphasis on how you presented yourself and your ideas.

As a full-time consultant, developing a strong executive presence becomes crucial. You'll be expected to convey confidence, credibility, and competence, even in high-pressure situations with senior clients. Executive presence isn't just about appearances; it's about commanding respect, inspiring confidence, and effectively influencing decision-makers. This skill becomes increasingly important as you progress in your consulting career.

Key Aspects of Developing Your Executive Presence

• Mastering Non-Verbal Communication: Your body language often speaks louder than your words. Develop an awareness of your physical presence. Practice maintaining an open, confident posture - stand or sit up straight, keep your shoulders back, and avoid crossing your arms. Make appropriate, confident eye contact with everyone in the room, not just the most senior person. Use purposeful gestures to emphasize key points but avoid excessive or nervous movements. Remember, poised stillness can be very powerful.
• Vocal Dynamics: Your voice is a powerful tool for conveying authority and engagement. Work on modulating your tone, pace, and volume to maintain interest and emphasize key points. Develop a lower, resonant speaking voice - it tends to convey more authority. Eliminate filler words like "um" and "uh” and be particularly mindful of uptalk (ending statements with a rising intonation like a question), as it can undermine your authority. Practice speaking slowly and clearly, with well-timed pauses for emphasis.

• Mastering High-Pressure Situations: Consultants often face tough questions or challenging situations, especially when presenting to senior executives. Prepare extensively for these moments. Anticipate potential tough questions and practice your responses. Master techniques like bridging back to your key messages or buying time with phrases like "That's an interesting point. Let me consider that for a moment." When faced with a question you can't answer immediately, it's better to confidently say "I don't have that information right now, but I'll find out and get back to you promptly" than to guess or fumble.
• Projecting Confidence Under Pressure: Develop techniques to manage nervousness and project confidence, even when you're feeling uncertain. Practice deep breathing exercises or power poses before important meetings. Remember, it's okay to take a moment to collect your thoughts before responding - this pause can make you appear more thoughtful and in control. Confidence often comes from thorough preparation, so ensure you know your material inside and out.
• Emotional Intelligence: A key part of executive presence is the ability to read the room and adjust your approach accordingly. Develop your empathy and ability to pick up on subtle cues from your audience. Learn to modulate your style based on the personalities and preferences of different executives.
• Authenticity: While all these skills are important, remember that the most impactful executive presence comes from authenticity. Don't try to imitate someone else's style. Instead, work on becoming the most polished, confident version of yourself.

Developing executive presence is a journey that continues throughout your consulting career. Seek feedback regularly from colleagues and mentors. Look for opportunities to present to senior audiences and reflect on each experience to identify areas for improvement. Remember, true executive presence comes not just from how you act in the moment, but from the depth of your preparation and the confidence that comes from knowing your material thoroughly.

Conclusion

To transition from intern to full-time consultant, developing a strong "executive presence" is essential. This encompasses more than just outward appearance; it includes self-confidence, credibility, and the ability to remain composed in challenging situations. By purposefully improving your nonverbal communication, vocal dynamics, and emotional intelligence, as well as by presenting yourself authentically, you can effectively build trust and persuade leaders. Continuous feedback and thorough preparation will help you consistently enhance your executive presence.

Explore the other articles in our content series "From Intern to Full-Time Consultant."

👉 Article 1: Changed Expectations and Responsibilities
Understand how the expectations of you will change and what new responsibilities you will take on.

👉 Article 2: Deepen Your Skills
Learn how to further develop your analytical skills to tackle more complex tasks.

👉 Article 3: Strengthen Your Business Acumen
Discover how to develop a deeper, practical understanding of industries and business models.

👉 Article 4: Enhance Your Communication Skills
Develop your abilities to communicate effectively with clients, team members, and leaders.

👉 [Coming soon] Article 6: Cultivate Client Relationships
Understand how to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with clients.

👉 [Coming soon] Article 7: Manage Work-Life Balance
Get tips and strategies for finding a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Happy reading! 😊

About the Author