I will never forget the moment I realized the true power of executive presence.
Earlier in my time at L’Oréal, I was leading a high-stakes product launch that would make or break our numbers for that year. I had the strategy nailed down, the data to back it up, and the confidence in my plan.
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In fact, I was actually really excited to present it to my leadership team that afternoon. But as I sat in a room full of senior leaders, something was off. No matter how solid my ideas were, I was not being heard.
It was not my knowledge that was failing me or lack of preparation. It was my presence.
That is when I realized that executive presence is not about how much you say, but rather about how you show up. It is your ability to project confidence, authority, and trustworthiness without having to constantly prove yourself.
Simply put, it is the reason some people command attention before they even speak, while others struggle to break through the noise.
In that moment, I knew I had to shift my approach, and once I did, everything changed.
It ultimately came down to 3 things I chose to do differently that strengthened not only my executive presence, but also my level of influence and support received.
Let’s dive into how you can own the room before you even walk in.
First things first, don't neglect this.
Like most things, building your executive presence does not happen overnight. It requires intentional, thoughtful action while focusing on these areas:
→ Body language: Often overlooked, body language significantly impacts how others perceive your confidence and authenticity. It is as important, if not more important, in how you interact with others and project yourself in your work environment. Stand tall, make eye contact, and maintain an open posture. Your physical presence can communicate confidence before you say a word.
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→ Authenticity vs. image crafting: Balancing authenticity with the need to build a professional image is crucial, as an overly contrived persona can come across as insincere and forced. You do not want to create a façade but rather a true representation of who you are and how you make others feel.
→ Emotional Intelligence: Executive presence goes beyond surface-level charm and demands a strong EQ to connect genuinely with your team and stakeholders. Leading with empathy and kindness will allow others to feel safe and supported.
"Fake it till you make it" simply will not work here. You cannot fake your way through executive presence. This is something others will feel and perceive from you through your daily actions (and inactions).
3 strategies to strengthen your executive presence
1/ Persuade through storytelling
When you are in front of senior leadership, reports alone will not capture their attention or secure their buy-in. What sets you apart is the ability to tell a persuasive story that connects your ideas to the bigger picture.
Senior leaders want to know why it matters, how it impacts the business, and what comes next. Storytelling gives you the power to do just that, positioning you as a strategic thinker and someone who can influence at the highest levels.
Here are 5 ways to implement this to boost your executive presence:
→ Focus on outcomes, not just details: Senior leaders are often less interested in the step-by-step process and more concerned with the results and the impact. Craft your narrative around the key outcomes and how they align with the company's strategic goals, pain points or opportunities. For example, instead of diving into every detail of a project, highlight how it drove significant revenue growth or solved a critical business challenge.
→ Connect your story to the business’s priorities: The most persuasive stories are those that tie directly to the company’s vision and priorities. Before you present, understand what matters most to the leadership team—whether it’s profitability, innovation, or market expansion—and frame your story around how your work supports those objectives. This will allow for much smoother buy-in.
→ Make your audience the decision-maker: Senior leaders want to feel empowered, not lectured. In your storytelling, position them as the key decision-makers by presenting options, trade-offs, or potential outcomes that they can act upon. This approach not only keeps them engaged but also shows that you respect their authority and trust their judgment, building on your recommendations.
→ Show resilience and adaptability: Do not be shy to demonstrate your ability to navigate challenges and pivot when needed. Highlight moments when you overcame obstacles, adapted to new information, or shifted strategies to achieve success. This shows that you can handle high-pressure situations and lead through uncertainty which are critical traits for executive presence.
→ End with a clear, confident call to action: After you tell your story, do not leave your audience wondering what comes next. Close with a decisive call to action, whether it is a recommendation, a request for approval, or an invitation for feedback. Senior leaders appreciate clarity and decisiveness, so show that you are ready to move forward with confidence.
[Check out my LinkedIn Learning course on Storytelling to Influence Leadership and Decision Makers].
2/ Communicate with clarity and precision
Your message should be powerful, targeted, and easy to follow to inspire trust and drive action. In essence, people should leave your conversations knowing exactly what needs to be done and why it matters.
Here are 5 steps to put this into action:
→ Simplify your message: Focus on the key points you want to convey and avoid overwhelming your audience with too much detail. When speaking with senior leaders, adopt a "less is more" approach and do not overshare. Rather, direct and fact-based communication is typically best received to help them make a quick and informed decision.
→ Control your voice: Speak clearly, without rushing or hesitating. Practice pausing for emphasis to show that you are comfortable in your position. Pauses can also bring more impact in your delivery when timed well (i.e. in between transitions of different topics or in between key sentences of your message). Pro tip: End your statements on a down note so that you sound more assertive.
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→ Use strong openings: Start with a compelling statement that grabs attention. Whether in meetings or presentations, how you begin sets the tone for how your message is received. Here are some examples for opening hooks that draw people in:
- “In the next 10 minutes, I’ll share the strategy that will increase our revenue by 20% this quarter.”
- “We’re facing a major opportunity, and here’s how we can capitalize on it immediately.”
- “Here’s the single most important decision we need to make today to drive the business forward.”
→ Be direct and decisive: Avoid hedging language like “I think” or “maybe.” Assert your ideas confidently, but be open to feedback. Use statements like "I believe", "I recommend" or "I suggest" as they are more forthcoming in your communication and show that you have a strong level of conviction in what you share.
→ Listen as much as you speak: Strong communicators also know when to listen. Engage in active listening to show that you value others’ input and can adapt your message accordingly. You are much better off listening to understand than listening to respond.
3/ Nurture strategic relationships and supporters
Executive presence is not just about how you present yourself. It is about how you relate to others.
The most effective leaders cultivate strong relationships, both inside and outside their organization. Building a network of allies and advocates is key to establishing influence and ensuring your presence is felt beyond just meetings and presentations.
Here's how:
→ Invest in meaningful connections: Focus on building genuine relationships with key stakeholders. Do not just network for the sake of it. Instead, seek to understand the goals and challenges of others. You can even pre-vet your ideas with other leaders in your company to get their input and feedback, this way you can integrate that to have stronger propositions, plans and recommendations.
→ Be a trusted advisor to others: Position yourself as a reliable source of insight and support. Offer value consistently, whether through advice, resources, or simply being available when needed. This one element has an incredible compounding effect over time.
→ Engage in cross-functional collaboration: Get involved in projects or initiatives that cut across departments and get you exposed to other company decision makers. This allows you to demonstrate your leadership skills and expand your influence beyond your immediate team.
→ Mentor others: Being a mentor shows leadership and generosity, 2 traits that contribute to executive presence. It also helps you develop a reputation as someone who lifts others up which goes a long way when it comes to internal advancement decisions. This has helped many of my clients secure their promotions sooner than expected because of the goodwill they gained in their organizations.
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→ Leverage your network strategically: Know when to activate your relationships. Whether you need support for an initiative or advice on a challenge, building the right relationships ensures you have advocates when it counts. Who you associate yourself with can also have a positive halo effect on your perceived executive presence.
Pro tip: Pay attention to those in your company with a strong executive presence. How do they behave towards others? What top traits describe them? How do they bring people together? How do they exude influence? What do they do distinctively differently vs. less performing leaders? What do you respect about them? What would you want to emulate? Use this as inspiration in how you choose to show up.
How will you strengthen your executive presence?
Executive presence is not only about being seen—it is about being heard, respected, and trusted in every room you enter. Its impact on your career and leadership can be profound so now is the time to step into your potential and make sure your presence leaves a lasting mark.
You've got this!
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This week's mission is designed to strengthen your executive presence. Dedicate uninterrupted time to answering the questions below and leverage these reflections to influence your day-to-day actions and longer-term strategies.
1/ Persuade through storytelling:
- Identify a key project or challenge you are currently facing and craft a concise narrative around it. Begin with the problem, explain the journey, and end with the outcome you envision.
- Practice delivering this story in front of a colleague or friend, paying attention to emotional cues and how your message resonates. In your next meeting or presentation, use this story to frame your points and see how it impacts engagement and decision-making.
2/ Communicate with clarity and precision:
- In your next meeting, open with a clear, direct statement about the most important decision or outcome needed from the discussion. Also practice ending your statements on a down note.
- Listen actively during conversations by summarizing others' points concisely and respond with targeted, decisive feedback.
3/ Observe your company's senior level leaders:
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What top traits would you use to describe them? Do you notice commonalities of these traits among multiple leaders in your company? How do they exude influence? Use this as inspiration in building your executive presence based on what the company values at that level.
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