CHAPTER 3
Substance
Qualities That Inspire Others to Go Above and Beyond
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
—JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
If the first dimension of executive presence is about trust that wins goodwill, then the second dimension, Substance, can be summed up as credibility that inspires action. A leader of substance paints a vivid picture of the future and mobilizes others to give their all. When we asked those we interviewed to describe leaders with substance, they often use words like “gravitas” and “savvy.” What they are expressing, we believe, is the essential nature of experience, intellect, and know-how. We are inclined to follow leaders who are visionary, pragmatic, ...
Get All the Leader You Can Be: The Science of Achieving Extraordinary Executive Presence now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
