Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to interview Ora Shtull, The Glass Elevator: A Guide to Leadership Presence for Women on the Rise

Ora Shtull is an Executive Coach. She helps senior executives in Fortune 100 companies enhance their Leadership Presence – the ability to engage, connect, and influence in the workplace. Executives who have worked with Ora over the past 15 years are thriving at their jobs, being promoted, and making smooth and seamless transitions.

In addition to coaching high potential NY executives, Ora has served as Adjunct Professor of Business Communication at NYU Stern School of Business. She is the author of The Glass Elevator: A Guide to Leadership Presence for Women on the Rise and is a featured speaker at events across the US, inspiring leaders to communicate with confidence and lead with impact.

Here are highlights from the Ora Shtull interview:

What is leadership presence?

Leadership presence is your ability to engage, to connect, and to influence in the workplace. Leadership presence has nine component skills. The higher your leadership presence quotient (LPQ) the more professionally successful you’ll be. You’re not actually born with this LPQ; it is something that you develop.

What are some mistakes that hold women back from becoming leaders?

Women sit at the table with men but don’t speak up as much as men. Women often neglect networking. Women hate tooting their own horn and the idea of self-promotion.

We have to extend our networks, inside and outside the company. We all need a tribe (network) because a tribe will teach us new things and help us do our jobs better.

“The power of WE is a lot more commanding than the power of ME.”

How can we grow our network?

Give to gain – the idea of being generous. Your network naturally grows because people will get attached to you. This week invite a colleague for coffee or introduce someone in your network to someone else.

Also, nurture your needs. A recent study identified six particular needs: support, expertise, influence, feedback, validation, and energy. Women value the quality of connection.

What you can do: This month attend an industry event and increase your online presence.

How can women speak up more?

Ask a strategic or solid question or make a commitment to speak up at every meeting.

What do you wish you would have known as a new professional woman just starting out in her career?

There are so many people out there in the world that are simply waiting to help you and all you have to do to ask. As women, we forget that we have the power to ask for help.

Thanks, Ora!