Welcome to the FREE COMPOSURE Audiobook

COMPOSURE The Art of Executive Presence. Narrated by author Kate Purmal.

This audiobook is also available on Audible here.

Chapter 1: The High Achiever

Even though we like to assume that our past stays in the past, the truth is we draw on our past experiences in order to make choices for the future. But what if those experiences have a negative impact on our present-day reality? In this audio book chapter (Chapter 1) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, author Kate Purmal introduces motivational patterns that are common among high achievers, and how those patterns may be self-sabotaging your success. With a deep dive into both extrinsic (external) and intrinsic (internal) motivational patterns, Kate illustrates how we often achieve success through an over-emphasis on external validation, which can make us feel stuck or unworthy. This is especially true for those in underrepresented groups that don’t identify with the dominant demographic in a workplace environment (also referred to as the out group).  

Chapter 2: The Impostor Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is when an individual feels less confident and less competent than they are, despite their obvious success to everyone else. In the workplace, 75% of female executives have experienced Impostor Syndrome at some point in their careers. This self-uncertainty is why 81% of working women put more pressure on themselves to avoid criticism and failure than men do. Join author Kate Purmal in this audio chapter (Chapter 2) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, as she introduces the five “fingerprint” Impostor Syndrome behaviors, including Lack of Confidence, Rejection Sensitivity, Depressed Entitlement, Perfectionism, and Feeling Like a Fraud. Find out whether Impostor Syndrome may affect you, and what you can do to resolve it.

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Preface

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Victor Frankl

Chapter 3: Introduction to Executive Presence

Executive Presence is a mature self-confidence that inspires trust in leadership. It’s the ability to take control of difficult situations, make tough decisions, and respectfully hold your own, all while staying calm and composed. Traditionally, Executive Presence is more commonly seen in men, mostly because men overstate their confidence and abilities, while women generally undersell themselves. As author Kate Purmal reveals in this audio book chapter (Chapter 3) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, this disparity is referred to as the Confidence Gap, and leads to women being underrepresented in top roles and leadership. However, the key to being promoted into the executive ranks lies not only in one’s abilities, but also in the world’s perception of those abilities—which is how Executive Presence comes into play.

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Chapter 4: Powerful Intentions

Your intention serves as a North Star to keep you focused on your goals. The three characteristics of setting a powerful intention are: A) State your intention in the positive, B) Make sure your intension is achievable and sustainable, and C) Make sure your intention is defined by measurable experiences and has a specific outcome. As you can imagine, Impostor Syndrome can be a huge roadblock for positive and powerful intentions. In this audio book chapter (Chapter 4) of Composure, author Kate Purmal not only shows you how to set powerful intentions, but also shares three ways to break through Impostor Syndrome through Awareness (discovering the root of your Impostor Behaviors); Resolution (through strong personal boundaries); and Transformation (shifting from external to internal to increase congruence with your true self).

Chapter 5: The Root Cause

It seems desirable NOT to rely solely on external validation as a measure of self-worth. So, why do we do it? What is the Root Cause of such behavior? Unfortunately, difficult childhood experiences can result in a desire for external confirmation. Such children often grow up to be adults who put themselves last and seek approval from others. Join author Kate Purmal in this audio chapter (Chapter 5) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, as she shares some common childhood traumas that can lead to over-reliance on external validation later in life—and how you can become aware of these limited beliefs, so you can change them. As Kate shares, this behavior is common among perfectionists who unnecessarily worry about the quality of their work. But by changing your limiting beliefs, you can learn to recognize and override old patterns that hold you back.

Chapter 6: Badass Boundaries

How you use your time is a reflection of your priorities. But when you spend too much time on what other people want (as opposed to what you want), it can feel like your priorities are out of control. However, you are IN CONTROL of your priorities more than you think! The key is setting personal boundaries. Personal boundaries are the limits we establish in our relationships, and those limits determine what we’re willing to give up without compromise. In this audio book chapter (Chapter 6) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, author Kate Purmal shows you how to create a personal boundary that establishes a protected, sacred space around you, in which you, and only you, get in. Badass Boundaries allow you to say “no” to things you don’t want, and encourage you to say “yes,” to the things you do want.

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Chapter 7: Dealing with Conflict

Conflict comes in two forms; external and internal. External conflict involves a negative situation with another person or group of people. Internal conflict, on the other hand, comes from within and stems from conflicting internal desires and beliefs. In either case, conflict makes us feel stuck and prevents us from getting what we want. Join author Kate Purmal in this audio chapter (Chapter 7) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, as she shares ways to deal with external and internal conflict (as well as your inner critic) through Executive Presence and a curiosity to actively explore the intensions of each side of conflict. When efficiently considered, you will come away appreciating the powerful good of both sides of a conflicting issue.

Chapter 8: Revise Limiting Beliefs

Beliefs are the shortcuts our brains use to predict what will happen in our environment. Core beliefs are the unique, central ideas that a person reflects back upon themself. Core beliefs are typically formed during childhood by an extreme emotional response. Although they exist to keep us safe, core beliefs can also be limiting, making us feel stuck or unworthy. But as author Kate Purmal points out in this audio book chapter (Chapter 8) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, we can revise our limiting core beliefs by replacing them with new emotional experiences that actively work to destabilize existing beliefs. By becoming aware of our limiting beliefs, we can identify and resolve the unconscious patterns that hold us back and get in the way of what we want.

Chapter 9: Resolving Trauma

Whether it’s an event that’s big (like a death) or smaller (like a broken arm), the depth of trauma depends on the emotional context in which we process that event. Traumatic events can stick with us for life, triggering emotional reactions that prevent us from being the best version of ourselves, which ultimately leads to not getting the things that we want. In this audio book chapter (Chapter 9) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, author Kate Purmal reveals some specific symptoms of trauma, as well as how to use somatic awareness of trauma to resolve issues that live in the mind and body. When trauma is resolved, our bodies no longer overact to situations that were previously considered threatening, thus allowing us to respond in a more composed manner.

Chapter 10: Applying Executive Presence

A key component that separates leaders from managers is the ability to use influence to inspire, rather than wield power to control. Instinctively, people decide how competent someone is in as little as 100 milliseconds; first impressions come across as either authoritative or approachable. When applying executive presence, it’s important to find the right balance of both while engaging in difficult or high-stakes conversations. In this audio book chapter (Chapter 10) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, author Kate Purmal shares how to use that balance to achieve the highest and best good for all stakeholders; not just you, but other parties and the entire company, as well—which is a cornerstone of good leadership. When all parties are addressed, everyone feels heard and considered by a leader that genuinely cares about the outcome.

Chapter 11: The Joy Factor

Quite often we forget to consider ourselves, and our own needs, as we build our careers. However, when you align with your true self and your core values, your emotional energy elevates to a higher good. As a result, you are guided and supported in unexpected ways. Some refer to this as “being in the zone” or “in a state of flow.” The underlying theory is that when your thought patterns vibrate at higher frequencies, it increases your emotional state. In this audio book chapter (Chapter 11) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, author Kate Purmal introduces The Joy Gap, which is the difference between your expectation of feeling joy (sparked by what you do), and actually feeling true joy. To understand what lies within that gap, Kate also shares the The Flow Scale, which provides insights into how to get into a more positive, productive state of mind.

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Chapter 12: Envision

You can learn to cultivate your vision just as easily as you can learn just about any other desired skill. For successful leaders, vision ranks second (after honesty) as the most important leadership trait. Envisioning the career you want gives you a peek at your desired future in the present. And when you are clear on what you’re striving for, the path to get there becomes distinct and attainable. In this last audio chapter (Chapter 12) of Composure, The Art of Executive Presence, author Kate Purmal offers to take you “Above the Clouds” during meditation exercises that guide your through a process to help you not only envision a future that brings you joy, but also shows you how you to get there.