How To Improve Executive Presence and Become Unstoppable

Executive presence is something special that makes people want to follow you, trust you, and believe in your vision.

You might think about power suits and firm handshakes when you hear the words "executive presence," but it goes much deeper than that - especially if you're a woman who's ready to finally command attention.

In this blog post, I'll explain how to improve executive presence so you can become a successful leader and crush your big goals.

What Is Executive Presence?

Many people think that executive presence is just being confident and looking the part, but that's a very surface-level way of looking at it.

There's no simple answer to the question, "What does executive presence mean?". I like to think about it as the perfect blend of how you communicate, how you carry yourself, how you make decisions under pressure, and how you handle conflict.

Yes, it's a lot...but that's because these are the leadership qualities that get you to the boardroom. That makes people think, "Yeah, she belongs in the C-suite."

According to Forbes, there are 5 pitfalls that sabotage your executive presence: assuming achievements speak for themselves, not trusting your gut, falling into old habits, not knowing what to focus on, and waiting too long to develop executive presence.

(I'd add not knowing how to handle difficult conversations to this list, too.)

To have a strong executive presence, you don't need to be the loudest voice in the room or never show weakness. That's old-school thinking.

Instead, you need to lead with both authority and empathy.

Executive Presence for Women and Why It Matters

When it comes to developing executive presence, the game is different for women. Way different, despite the fact that 90% of respondents in a recent research study report having at least one woman in their C-suite or equivalent positions.

Women often need to work twice as hard to prove they have executive presence. Why? Because we're fighting an uphill battle against unconscious bias and double standards. When a man is assertive, he's a leader. When a woman is assertive? Well, you know the labels we get hit with.

But women actually often bring unique strengths to executive presence, such as stronger emotional intelligence and more collaborative leadership styles.

But they're also walking the delicate tightrope between being "too aggressive" and "too soft."

Which is why if you're an ambitious professional or a CEO, figuring out how to improve executive presence is especially important.

How to Improve Your Executive Presence for More Success at Work

Tired of being talked over and feeling defeated? Looking to move up the ladder or secure new exciting partnerships for your business?

Here's how to build executive presence that'll get you the results you want.

1. Cultivate Assertiveness

Being assertive isn't being aggressive. There's a huge difference between being mean and owning your space and your ideas. And good leaders are very good at the latter.

Stop apologizing for having opinions! Drop the "just" and "maybe" from your vocabulary.

Instead of "I just think we should..." try "I recommend we..." Instead of "Maybe we could..." say "Here's what I propose..."

Your ideas deserve airtime. Claim it.

2. Master the Power Pause

Ever notice how the most powerful people in the entire room never rush to fill the silence? That's the power pause in action, and it's a vital skill to master if you want to build executive presence.

When you finish speaking, pause. Let your words land. When someone asks you a tough question, pause before answering. Getting emotional in a meeting? Pause before responding.

Silence is powerful, NOT awkward. Use it to your advantage.

3. Develop Emotional Intelligence

Your technical skills might get you the job (or clients for your business), but your emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills are what allow you to thrive and reach your goals.

Learn to read the room. Notice when energy drops. Pick up on unspoken tensions. All of that is important for effective communication.

Practicing self-awareness and sharpening your people-reading skills helps you adjust your communication style when needed, navigate office politics, and build stronger relationships.

4. Hone Your Communication Skills

Clear communication is a power skill!

Throw out weak words like "think" and "believe" - replace them with power verbs like "recommend" and "propose." Also, kill those qualifiers that make you sound uncertain. "Kind of," "sort of," and "basically" have no place in executive speech.

When you're structuring your message, use the "What-So What-Now What" framework. Tell them what's happening, why it matters, and what needs to happen next.

Simple, powerful, done.

5. Control Your Body Language

Your body speaks before your mouth does, and everyone in the room is reading that message.

To communicate that you're in a leadership position, stand tall and make every movement count. Fidgeting tells people you're nervous, but deliberate movements tell them you're in control.

Your eye contact is a conversation tool, too. Use it to emphasize points, show you're listening, and connect with everyone in the room. This helps build credibility and inspire confidence.

6. Be a Good Listener

If you're wondering how to develop executive presence, the answer isn't to dominate every conversation you have. On the contrary!

Being a good listener is very important when you're in a leadership role. It shows you're secure enough in your power that you don't need to always be the one speaking.

When you give someone your full attention - no phone checking, no interrupting, no planning your response while they're still talking - you're saying, "I'm confident enough in my position to focus completely on understanding you."

Even better if you follow up on previous conversations! Nothing says "I value you," like remembering and referencing what someone said in your last chat, and this is one of those leadership skills that inspire trust and loyalty (even in the cutthroat corporate world).

7. Stay Calm

Drama and good leaders don't mix; it's as simple as that. When crisis hits, your response sets the tone for everyone else. So, stay steady and controlled, even if your heart's racing, and manage your facial expressions.

Instead of getting caught up in the panic, train yourself to immediately shift to solution-mode. Ask yourself: "What needs to happen right now?" and stay objective when others are getting emotional.

Your team will mirror your energy. It's also important to stay calm if you're involved in a scandal.

8. Be Concise

The days of long-winded presentations are (thankfully) over, and modern leaders need to get to the point fast. So, drop the habit of rambling or over-explaining. It doesn't make you look more knowledgeable. It just dilutes your message.

Master the elevator pitch format for everything important: clearly state the problem, present your solution, specify what action needs to happen, and lay out the timeline. That's it.

Being concise is one of those strong communication skills that saves everyone time and shows that you can cut through complexity to get to what really matters.

9. Master Conflict Resolution

Many people are scared of conflict (especially in the workplace), but I like to think of it as your golden opportunity to showcase real leadership. When tensions rise, you can be the one who steers the conversation away from emotional reactions and toward fact-based solutions. That's huge.

Learn more about my 1:1 conflict coaching to stop playing small!

10. Be Your Authentic Self

You don't need to become someone else to build executive presence. Your personality traits and perspectives are assets, not liabilities. Don't try to be perfect and constantly present a polished version of yourself to the world. People need to KNOW YOU to want to follow you.

Instead, focus on developing your personal brand and becoming authentically, unapologetically you.

Can Executive Presence Be Taught?

Absolutely, and investing in executive presence coaching is one of the smartest career moves you can make. Some people seem to naturally exude authority, but the reality is that executive presence is a set of learnable skills that can be developed and refined.

If you're ready to start building executive presence and learn how to effectively resolve challenges that come your way, learn more about my coaching services!

FAQs

What Are the Don’ts of Executive Presence? 

Well, there are quite a few things. First, avoid the confidence killers: apologizing for taking up space, using minimizing language, or trying to please everyone. Don't mistake aggression for assertiveness or confuse talking over people with showing authority. Steer clear of overexplaining your decisions and getting visibly rattled by criticism.

Most importantly, don't try to copy someone else's executive presence style because it'll come across as inauthentic. Focus on building YOUR self-belief and personal brand!

What Is Poor Executive Presence? 

On the surface level, poor executive presence can look like showing up unprepared or dressed inappropriately. But it also comes through in the small moments, such as the slight tremor in your voice during tough conversations and the tendency to ramble when challenged. Executive presence is multi-layered, and working with executive coaches can help you improve it.

How Do You Know If You Have Executive Presence? 

You'll know you've developed a strong executive presence when you start noticing that people naturally turn to you during crises and seek your perspective and guidance. Also, if your suggestions in meetings carry weight and you rarely have to repeat yourself to be heard, that's another sign.

Most importantly, you feel it - that quiet confidence that comes from knowing you can handle whatever challenges come your way without having to prove yourself or announce your authority.

What Creates Executive Presence? 

There are multiple things that go into developing executive presence because it's a combination of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to handle conflict and lead difficult conversations. There's no one thing that makes or breaks executive presence. It's an overarching skill that you improve every time you successfully navigate a challenging situation or make a tough decision with confidence.

Is Executive Presence a Skill or a Trait? 

You don't have to be born with natural charisma; executive presence is absolutely a skill that can be developed! There are specific techniques that you can work on, such as mastering the power pause and public speaking strategies, as well as more overarching things like deepening your emotional intelligence.

Go From Crisis to Crushing It

Let me ask you a question, what if your executive conflict coach was also a lawyer, crisis manager, and trained negotiator who could help you figure out how to kick ass at work and command the respect you deserve?

Learn how we can work together to get started!