About the Book

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.  

Critical Praise

“Whether you’re an established leader or an up-and-coming star, this book will transform your prospects for advancement. Pithily written, laden with vivid stories, and grounded in hard data that spans 2012 to 2022, Executive Presence 2.0 demonstrates how to master the intangibles of leadership in our post-pandemic world where inclusion, authenticity, and mastery of virtual collaboration are key to business success.” — Tiger Tyagarajan, Chairman and CEO, Genpact

“Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s excellent book is an inspiring and practical guide for professionals seeking to crack the EP code. I particularly value her data-driven approach and the weight she gives to challenging issues of identity and authenticity in corporate contexts. Executive Presence 2.0 provides a timely roadmap to navigate the complexities in today’s ever-evolving hybrid work environment.”  — Erika Irish Brown, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent, Citi

“Executive Presence 2.0 by Sylvia Ann Hewlett is immensely valuable, deftly solving some of the most significant barriers that impede the advancement of professionals of color in the corporate world. Her treatment of conscious and unconscious bias and her guidance on how to give and take unvarnished feedback across lines of gender, race, and sexual orientation are particularly powerful.” — Kennedy Ihezie, Head of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, AIG

“As a venture capitalist, I seek to identify the rare qualities that allow visionaries to create breakthrough innovation, build world-class teams and achieve rapid scale. This book provides state-of-the-art guidance. Hewlett shows how and why projecting gravitas and displaying an unwavering commitment to inclusive leadership are powerful traits for entrepreneurs to cultivate on the challenging journey from start-up founder to leading a large private or public company.” — Andrea Turner Moffitt, Co-founder, Plum Alley Investments

“Executive Presence 2.0 is inspiring and immensely concrete. Today both seasoned and up-and-coming leaders are expected to project inclusively and authenticity, show up on social media, and lead through a screen. Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s splendid book creates a blueprint and actional path to develop these urgent skills.”   — Elizabeth Nieto, Head of Equity and Impact, Spotify

 “For two decades, Sylvia Ann Hewlett has set the standard for cutting-edge research that goes far beyond data and analytics but tells a story digestible and deployable for leaders at every level. I’ve worked with Sylvia and seen her impact on the hundreds of CEOs who partner with Out Leadership worldwide. The importance of her work on Executive Presence cannot be overstated.” — Todd Sears, Founder and CEO, Out Leadership

“A solid guide for those looking to take their career to the next level” — Publishers Weekly

“This is a powerful and urgent book for young professionals climbing the ladder. Credentials alone will not get you the next big opportunity, you also need Executive Presence - the ability to signal confidence and credibility. ” — Aberdeen Press & Journal [Scotland]

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780063270558
• ISBN 10: 0063270552
• Imprint: Harper Business
• On Sale: 11/07/2023
• Trimsize: 6.000 in (w) x 9.000 in (h) x 0.970 in (d)
• Pages: 320
• List Price: $32.00
• BISAC1 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Business Etiquette
• BISAC2 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Leadership
• BISAC3 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Women in Business