Executive Charisma

FROM THE PUBLISHER

You know charisma when you see it in executives who exude self-confidence, style, composure, authority, and a boundless energy that propels them straight into the corner office. You work just as hard, contribute just as much; you're talented and ambitious, but what can you do? You're either born with charisma, or you're not, right? Wrong! In Executive Charisma, bestselling author and world-renowned executive development coach D. A. Benton demonstrates that charismatic executives are not just born, they are made -- and she introduces a proven six-step program for transforming yourself from a competent manager into a true leader. You'll learn how to think, act, and communicate like a C-level executive (CEO, CFO, CIO, etc.), and you'll discover powerful tools for developing and fine-tuning the complete executive charisma skill set.

Drawing on interviews with more than 500 of the world's leading executives and studies conducted by dozens of leading universities and research centers, Benton reveals that people skills account for 85 percent of why we get, keep, and move ahead in our jobs. The leaders who make it to the very top are those who work as hard at mastering the human side of management as they do at mastering the technical side. Executive Charisma shows you how to do the same.

With the help of this no-nonsense guide, you'll improve your interpersonal communication skills, learn how to manage upward, and find ways to project confidence even when you're feeling insecure. You'll discover how to use humor to put others at ease, develop an impressive executive bearing, and master the If you yearn to go beyond survival and just getting by, to take charge of your life, your career, and your destiny, stop dreaming and get to work. Read Executive Charisma, master the Sacred Six Steps, and infuse your climb up the corporate ladder with momentum and direction. You'll be amazed how much fun real success can be.

SYNOPSIS

You know charisma when you see it in executives who exude self-confidence, style, composure, authority, and a boundless energy that propels them straight into the corner office. You work just as hard, contribute just as much; you're talented and ambitious, but what can you do? You're either born with charisma, or you're not, right? Wrong!

In Executive Charisma, bestselling author and world-renowned executive development coach D.A. Benton demonstrates that charismatic executives are not just born, they are made—and she introduces a proven six-step program for transforming yourself from a competent manager into a true leader. You'll learn how to think, act, and communicate like a C-level executive (CEO, CFO, CIO, etc.), and you'll discover powerful tools for developing and fine-tuning the complete executive charisma skill set.

Drawing on interviews with more than 500 of the world's leading executives and studies conducted by dozens of leading universities and research centers, Benton reveals that people skills account for 85 percent of why we get, keep, and move ahead in our jobs. The leaders who make it to the very top are those who work as hard at mastering the human side of management as the technical side. Executive Charisma shows you how to do the same.

With the help of this no-nonsense guide, you'll improve your interpersonal communication skills, learn how to manage upward, and find ways to project confidence even when you're feeling insecure. You'll discover how to use humor to put others at ease, develop an impressive executive bearing, and master the "Sacred Six Steps" to becoming an outstanding leader: Be the first to initiate Expect and give acceptance to maintain esteem Ask questions, and ask favors Stand tall, straight, and smile Be human, humorous, and hands-on Slow down, shut up, and listen

If you yearn to go beyond survival and just getting by, to take charge of your life, your career, and your destiny, stop dreaming and get to work. Read Executive Charisma, master the Sacred Six Steps, successful trait by successful trait; and infuse your climb up the corporate ladder with momentum and direction. You'll be amazed how much fun real success can be.

D. A. Benton heads Benton Management Resources, an executive development and career-counseling firm in Fort Collins, Colorado, with clients in 18 countries. She is the author of numerous books, including the bestsellers Lions Don't Need to Roar and How to Think Like a CEO, as well as Secrets of a CEO Coach, and How to Act Like a CEO.

Develop the style, flair, and credibility that will propel you to the top!

Advance Praise for Executive Charisma:

"A wonderfully personal, step-by-step guide to being a truly caring leader with integrity, confidence, and drive."—Reuben Mark, Chairman and CEO, Colgate-Palmolive Company

"Getting to better answers, better strategies, better positions inevitably means having an accurate and complete roadmap.￯﾿ﾽ For those seeking to improve—this is the roadmap."—Kerry Hicks, President and CEO, HealthGrades, Inc.

"Leaders need to know both what to do and how to do it effectively. This is the 'how-to' part!￯﾿ﾽ Debra Benton helped me, now she can help you."—Bill Coleman, founder and former Chairman and CEO, BEA Systems

"Amazing.￯﾿ﾽ Debra Benton has done it again.￯﾿ﾽ She has uncovered fresh insights and nuances which separate the charismatic leader from the rest of the pack."—Doug Conant, president￯﾿ﾽand CEO, Campbell Soup Company

FROM THE CRITICS

Soundview Executive Book Summaries

Six Steps to Mastering the Art of Leadership
Executives who have their eyes set on the corner office will first need to learn a few skills before they can reach their goal. Although charisma, self-confidence, poise and energy are skills everyone would like to be born with, most leaders are still looking for "the ability to gain effective responses from others by using aware actions and considerate civility in order to get useful things done." This ability is executive charisma, and D.A. Benton, the head of an executive development and career-counseling firm, has many words of advice for leaders that can help them become more effective and find greater success.

Executive Charisma revolves around Benton's "Sacred Six Steps" to becoming an outstanding leader. These are: Be the first to initiate.Expect and give acceptance to maintain esteem.Ask questions and ask favors.Stand tall, straight and smile.Be human, humorous and hands-on.Slow down, shut up and listen.

Throughout her book, Benton expands each of these concepts into a complete chapter that analyzes the practice and delivers advice that can help leaders put a human face on the skill, and understand simple ways to put the idea into practice. While providing expert advice, she also provides numerous examples from politicians, CEOs, celebrities and academics who have succeeded by embodying the behaviors she introduces.

Add Substance and Style
Benton's research reveals that hard work is a starting point, but the missing piece in the puzzle that can get leaders further in their careers is charisma. Her suggestions are the finishing touches that can add substance and style to a leader's store of resources for meetings, public appearances, and public speaking.

The author's recipe for leadership success begins with a healthy portion of integrity. This includes living up to your word and exhibiting behavior that would make your mentor proud. Next, she writes that integrity gives leaders the confidence they need to conquer fear and apprehension, while earning the confidence of others. While using integrity and confidence to communicate and relate, a successful leader must also offer full disclosure. Benton writes that this means being direct, clear, "disarmingly open," and straight in every verbal and nonverbal communication. Great leaders tell people what they need to know, early and often, and create a sense of accountability. Openness and humbleness build a bridge to those who are being led while no disclosure builds a wall.

These elements are the firm roots on which Benton's Sacred Six Steps grow. She writes that the first skill a leader must master is taking initiative. Leaders must know how to seize opportunity before they are ready, and start something. To do this, they need to put their fears aside (or at least out of the way), take action with determination, and be consistent by having the discipline to keep trying.

Expect Acceptance
Next, Benton reminds leaders that they will not be accepted if they don't expect acceptance from others or give the feeling of significance to them. Thinking others are adequate, treating others as though they are adequate, and giving acceptance even when people don't seem to deserve it are the keys to developing this crucial skill.

When describing the importance of asking questions, Benton explains that leaders must know how to choose their words and tone carefully, keep their questions organized, and volunteer information without being asked. To help leaders do this, Benton offers a number of solid questions they can ask that can enhance their communication skills and style. She writes that asking somebody for a simple, specific favor, and thanking them, is a great way to maintain that person's esteem.

Other advice from Benton's treasure chest of improvements that leaders can make include: deciding to live life with a healthy, poised posture; smiling; telling a good story to make a point; and touching others to show openness and humanness. To round out her approach to a better leadership style, Benton reminds leaders they should appreciate the power of silence, listen more, and slow down to find a proper pace.