Is your courtesy selective? A reflection of your Executive Presence

Have you ever noticed how your treatment of others changes based on whether they are acquaintances or strangers? It’s a curious reality: it is much easier for us to be impolite to those we don’t know, while respect and "good manners" flow naturally when a bond exists.

However, true Executive Presence is not selective. An upright leader projects the same politeness and temperance in a boardroom as they do in a traffic dispute.

The "Acquaintance Effect" on Our Reactions

A friend once told me that while driving during rush hour, he made a maneuver that upset the driver behind him. The other driver caught up, enraged and ready to lash out. But when he pulled up alongside and recognized they were acquaintances, his face changed completely: he lowered his guard, smiled, and waved.

This incident leaves us with a great lesson: knowing people halts the impulse for aggression because it activates respect and trust. But what would happen if we decided to treat every stranger with the same courtesy we show a friend?

Strengthening Your Executive Presence Through Empathy

When you find yourself in a situation where someone is being challenging or rude, the best strategy to maintain your authority and elegance is to imagine you know that person. Responding without aggression is not a sign of weakness; it is a display of superior emotional control.

To strengthen your professional behavior, I suggest this self-awareness exercise:

1. List your strengths: Identify the attitudes that make you a polite and empathetic person.

2. Identify your blind spots: Recognize which situations or weaknesses lead you to lose your cordiality (traffic, hurry, stress).

Correcting these impulses and treating everyone with greater warmth not only improves your environment but also consolidates an image of solid and coherent leadership.

Ale Marroquín Executive Presence & Communication Expert.