Having a strong executive presence is the key to making people listen, trust your leadership, and believe in your ability to lead. In this blog, I’ll explain what executive presence really means, why it’s so important, and share three practical strategies to help you build it. My Experience When I first stepped into my role as a leadership consultant, I had to get used to something that wasn’t easy—talking with executive-level clients. The pressure of sitting in meetings with CEOs and VPs made me feel completely out of my league. I overthought everything, stumbled over my words, and felt overwhelmed. After a few uncomfortable moments, I realized something had to change. I needed to develop executive presence to feel confident in these situations and be taken seriously. But what exactly is executive presence, and how can you build it? What Is Executive Presence? Executive presence is what makes people listen when you speak and trust you as a leader. It’s all about confidence—how you carry yourself, communicate, and connect with others. It’s not just about looking or sounding good, but owning your space and being sure of your value, even when you’re surrounded by more experienced people. Developing executive presence takes practice and a mindset shift. It’s about believing that you deserve to be part of the conversation. But how do you go about doing that? 3 Simple Ways to Build Executive Presence Here are three simple strategies I learned that helped me build my executive presence: 1. Become Intentional with Preparation In the beginning, I would walk into meetings unsure of what I wanted to say, which led to stumbling over my words. I quickly realized that preparation was key. The more prepared I was, the more confident I felt. Before each meeting, take time to write down three main points you want to communicate. Practice saying them out loud to ensure they’re clear and concise. When you know your points by heart, you’ll feel more confident, especially under pressure. 2. Speak Clearly and Concisely One of my biggest challenges was speaking clearly when I felt nervous. I used to rush through my thoughts, which made me sound anxious. Over time, I realized that speaking too quickly signaled nerves, while pausing and speaking calmly showed confidence. Try pausing between sentences to give yourself time to think and your audience time to absorb what you’re saying. This also helps calm your nerves and makes your points more impactful. 3. Make Eye Contact and Listen Actively I also learned that making eye contact and actively listening is pretty important for showing confidence. Executives appreciate when you’re fully engaged in the conversation. It signals that you’re present and thoughtful. Instead of focusing on what you’ll say next, practice listening closely to the person speaking. Make eye contact, nod along, and respond thoughtfully. This makes your responses feel more natural and connected to the flow of the conversation. Conclusion Building executive presence doesn’t happen overnight, but with practice, it becomes easier. Start by preparing your points before meetings, speaking clearly and calmly, and making sure you’re fully engaged by listening actively. Over time, these strategies will help you show up with confidence and establish a stronger presence in any professional setting.
