by Larry Chiang
You are around the corner from your marquee MBA. You’re now in amongst the tall trees when it comes to existing executives who have graduated before you. With everyone reaching for the top office, how do you measure?
Presidential Timber refers to the intangible qualities of being a company’s top-officer. I attempt to add tactile, measurable and replicable ingredients to building your personal grade of presidential timber.
They Don’t Walk, They Glide.
Andrew Carnegie identifies presidential timber as fast paced walkers in “How To Win Friends and Influence People”, but me and my fashion model mentor have observed the “presidential glide”. Its three layers: (a) each step nearly levitates, (b) stylishly glowie and (c) comfortable in their skin.
Presidential Timber Attracts Alphas.
Presidential timber is drawn to current alpha leaders like a moth to a flame. The lure of mentorship is coupled with how presidential timber is ready to be molded.
Presidential timber also attracts “junior alphas” that show signs of talent. These emerging alphas get mentored. In short, presidential timber is surrounded by junior and senior alphas.
Brass Balls to Go Against a Wrong
The rank and file will scoff from afar or at best submit anonymous letters. Presidential timber has the backbone to put a name to their opinion. Often there’s an aura of truth or cause (or consumer advocacy truth) to rally around that is taken as a personal mission.
They Light Up a Room.
JFK was observed to light up a room when he entered. Room illumination is observed but its never dissected.
Lighting up a room is about embracing the attention of the moment, adding value and then bouncing it back to the room. The energy of the room is expanded when it is entered by a force of nature known as future president.
Presidential Timber Single-Tasks.
Listens with their entire being and does not multi-task you.
Walk Tall.
The average Fortune 500 CEO is 6′+
On the internet, no one knows you’re 5’5″. Plus its not how tall you are… its the size of your rolodex, business talent and wallet that matters.
Self Deprecation Humor Included.
People are easily put at-ease with some self deprecating humor that pokes fun at yourself.
Oozes and Drips with Talent
Presidential timber grows is not about taking or waiting for the title of president.
Public Speeches.
Presidential timber grows well during hardship. Even during non-difficult times, a speech may have errant courses or wayward audience members. But how you handle silences, lost trains of thought or jokes that bomb magnify and expose your strength of character.
The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.
Character Compass
People that read character well can better predict behavior and guess as their life compasses. Presidential timber grows stronger by character compassing future teammates.