Welcome back to the Look and Sound of Leadership, an ongoing series of

executive coaching tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the

way you want to be perceived. I'm Tom Henschel, your

executive coach and today we're talking about creating charisma.

Finula loved her role as second in command to the division president as the public face of her Fian

love her role as second in command to the division president.

As the public face of her boss's policies,

Fianula got to put her innate Irish love of language

and her gift with people on full display.

She told me her goal for our coaching was to buff up her public

speaking skills. When I asked what she thought was wrong, she shook her head.

Nothing's wrong, she said. In fact, I'm just fine, but fine isn't good enough for my position. I want to be

terrific. I went to see one of her presentations and sat in the back of the room as people filed

in. My sense was the group was neutral.

She could win them over or lose them.

For the next 40 minutes, Fanula laid out an upbeat business story.

She spoke with her natural eloquence and answered questions fairly succinctly.

When she concluded there was a small murmur that sounded like approval, one person clapped a couple

times.

Then they all filed out. In the empty room afterwards,

Vanula said to me, Do you see what I mean? There's nothing really wrong

but there's no fire in the room. I want those folks to be on fire when they leave. I asked

...