Executive Presence 2.0

Leadership in an Age of Inclusion

By: Sylvia Ann Hewlett

Narrated by: Rosalind Ashford

In this updated and expanded edition of her celebrated book Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success, one of the world’s most influential business thinkers reveals the qualities essential to leadership in our fast-changing, post-pandemic world. Some are timeless (confidence, decisiveness), some are brand new (the ability to command Zoom), and all are game-changers.

Nearly a decade ago, economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett cracked the code of executive presence (EP). Drawing on complex data and in-depth interviews with senior executives from sectors as different as finance and fashion, she demonstrated that EP is a potent mix of gravitas, communication, and appearance.

Executive Presence became a classic. Translated into seven languages, it’s helped tens of thousands of ambitious, accomplished professionals to fast-track their careers. Chuck Robbins (CEO of Cisco), and Thasunda Brown Duckett (CEO, TIAA), are among the leaders who recommend this book for any up-and-comer seeking to rise through the ranks and do something extraordinary with their lives.

But EP has evolved. Black Lives Matter, the #MeToo movement, and a global pandemic have changed the leadership equation. But how? To answer that question, in 2022, Hewlett embarked on a second round of quantitative and qualitative research, targeting seasoned leaders and thirty-something-year-old executives at the cutting edge of the new economy (fin-tech, gaming, media). Her findings are timely as new executives find their feet in a post-pandemic world.

Hewlett demonstrates that in 2023 leaders worldwide seek to promote high-performing men and women who exude confidence but also project authenticity and inclusivity. They’re also intent on advancing those who excel at leading remote teams and demonstrate a command of social media. It’s no coincidence that Eddie Glaude, Amanda Gorman, and Gustavo Dudamel are stars of this new edition of Executive Presence and the usual suspects.

Hewlett’s most potent message, ten years ago and now, is that EP is eminently learnable. You don’t need to have the voice of James Earl Jones, the communication skills of Steve Jobs, or the athleticism of Michelle Obama to ace EP. You merely have to arm yourself with the tools and tactics contained in these pages.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Reader is not a good fit for this book

The book was good and insightful. The reader was awful for this book. She is better suited for drama not a self development book, sorry to say. I found it very hard to get through with her voice dragging on

The Dull presentation

Leftist view on executive presence, downplaying people and leaders that have accomplished great things while simultaneously making incompetent leaders sound great.

Political pandering in disguise…

Cherry picked stories and a political bias that was eye rolling at times… Good narration however.

First part is very good, second part is redundant

The second part of the book seems redundant to me and was not as helpful.

Repetitive content, laced with political bias

The concept of the book had promise, and while there are sections that present some degree of value, the majority of the book makes the same points over and over again while incorporating bias in the examples highlighted.