Sylvia Ann Hewlett

As the world changes, so too do the expectations about what an ideal leader looks like. Executive presence, defined by leadership coach Sylvia Ann Hewlett, is a combination of gravitas, communication, and appearance that work to convince others of your leadership potential. This is as true today as it was in 2012 when Hewlett published her seminal text “Executive Presence.” However, since then, the top desired traits in each category have shifted. Whereas a “blue-chip pedigree” used to be important for gravitas, inclusiveness and respect for others have risen in the ranks. Forcefulness in communication has been replaced by a listen-to-learn orientation. Authenticity now outweighs physical attractiveness by a mile when it comes to appearance. In this presentation based on her book “Executive Presence 2.0,” Sylvia guides audiences through the new rules of executive presence to help them become leaders who inspire their employees to achieve greatness and help their organizations truly flourish.

We all understand the value of a mentor. But have you considered the impact of a sponsor? A sponsor is a senior-level champion who believes in your potential and is willing to advocate for your growing success. The critical relationship between the sponsee and sponsor provides high-potential talent with advocacy that accelerates their career trajectory and propels them into senior leadership—especially for diverse employees. Data and case studies show that sponsorship also boosts talent retention, reduces the perception of bias, and accounts for innovation and growth within the company. In this talk based on her critically acclaimed book, Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor, Sylvia Ann Hewlett addresses the benefits of sponsorship from the angles of the sponsee, the sponsor, and the business as a whole. For those interested in implementing sponsorship programs at their organizations, Hewlett also offers customized curricula full of actionable steps, ensuring lasting impact beyond the initial presentation.

During the pandemic, we saw women leave the workforce in droves as many were forced to become the primary caregiver for children learning remotely. Years into our return to normal, we’ve yet to see the numbers stabilize. Not only does women’s departure from the workforce affect their earning power for the rest of their working lives, but in countries like the US where women represent the most educated segment of the professional workforce, there is also an emptiness where their immeasurable contributions once lived that can be felt in all corners of every industry. The pandemic is not the first time we’ve experienced this female brain drain, but with the help of Sylvia Ann Hewlett, we can work to make it the last. Based on her book Off-Ramps and On-Ramps, this talk is a data-backed roadmap for keeping talented women on the road to success and reintegrating those who have taken a detour.

You’ve heeded the calls to action to diversify your workforce at all levels. No further action needed, right? Wrong. Hiring diverse employees to simply check off a box and say you’ve done it will never move the needle in ways you need or expect. More than just changing the faces in the room, hiring with intention will introduce a diversity of perspective and deliver wide-ranging, innovative contributions in ways that could never happen in a homogenous echo chamber. But that can only happen when employees feel seen, supported, and valued by the culture around them. In this talk, Sylvia Ann Hewlett provides the tools to keep diverse talent motivated, engaged, and valued so their unique perspective and differentiated experiences advances your company’s objectives rather than those of your competitors.

The last few years have been a time of reckoning. Many of the longtime social ills that plague our world erupted in ways that could no longer be ignored. With powerful segments of society newly galvanized, corporations and nonprofits stepped up, leading to an increase in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in workplaces across the country. While progress has been uneven, many companies now recognize the value of inclusion and have deepened their commitment to diversity. Leaders now recognize that not only is inclusion the right thing to do, but also the key to attracting top talent and maintaining a competitive edge. In addition to laying out a playbook for inclusion, Sylvia Ann Hewlett offers 10 action steps backed by vivid stories and bespoke data that demonstrate how to lead with authenticity, confidence, and credibility, as well as how to engage and inspire employees virtually and in person. As the world changes and progresses, leadership competencies must encompass new skill sets and priorities. Ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords for your company but rather ingrained into the culture. True, lasting, and sustainable change begins at the top.

Ever wonder why some people seem to rocket to the top of their career ladders while others with similar experience and qualifications are constantly overlooked? Dr. Sylvia Ann Hewlett makes a compelling case that the missing link between merit and success is Executive Presence (EP): a dynamic mix of gravitas (how you behave), communication (how you speak), and appearance (how you look). If you knock these qualities out of the park you will convince others that you are a leader-in-the making. In this presentation backed by bespoke data and enlivened by vivid storytelling the cross-sector research found in her seminal book Executive Presence and the updated Executive Presence 2.0, Dr. Hewlett dives deep into the original tenets of EP and the newer qualities necessary to lead in our modern era created by a global pandemic and seismic social movements. Designed with professionals of all genders, races, ages, and cultures in mind, audiences will walk away armed with tools and tactics that will empower them to take a seat at the top table—to go from working like an executive, to feeling like an executive, to being an executive.