Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence

Find your signature voice.

People are drawn to and influenced by leaders who communicate authentically, connect easily with people, and have immediate impact. So how do you become one of them? How can you learn to "own the room"? This book will help you develop your leadership presence.

According to Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins, leadership presence is the ability to consistently and clearly articulate your value proposition while influencing and connecting with others. They offer a simple and compelling framework, as well as practical advice about how you can develop your own personal presence.

No matter where you sit in an organization, you can "own the room" if you are able to do two things well: first, demonstrate your authentic value and distinction, and second, connect to others in a positive way. Leaders who are able to be authentic while connecting with and impacting others have what the authors call a "signature voice"--a means of self-expression that is uniquely and distinctly their own. Once you discover and express your own signature voice, you'll be ready to take your leadership presence to the next level.

Filled with real-life stories and examples, Own the Room demystifies the concept of presence and gives you the tools you need to identify and embrace your unique leadership voice--and have a greater impact on the world around you.

Amy Jen Su is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Mariswood Group, LLC, a boutique executive coaching and leadership development firm. Amy's work draws on decades of experience partnering with CEOs, leaders, and investment professionals to sustain and increase their effectiveness as they drive organizational change and transformation.

Amy is the author of The Leader You Want to Be: Five Essential Principles to Bringing Out Your Best Self--Every Day (Harvard Business Review Press 2019) and the Washington Post bestseller, Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence. (Harvard Business Review Press 2013).

She is also a frequent contributor on HBR.org and her thinking has been featured in media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Forbes, and MarketWatch. Amy holds a BA in psychology from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Muriel Maignan Wilkins is managing partner and cofounder of Isis Associates. Muriel is an executive coach, a strategy expert, and a frequent speaker on issues of leadership communication. She specializes in helping leaders develop in the areas of executive presence, role transitions, and relationship management. She has served senior-level clients across a number of industries including management consulting, private equity, biotech, and financial services. Muriel was recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the metro-DC area's "Top Minority Business Leaders."