In today’s fast-paced corporate world, executive presence for leaders is essential for advancing and commanding respect at higher levels. It’s not enough to excel in your technical skills or expertise—executive presence is what sets leaders apart, allowing them to influence decisions, inspire trust, and drive results. In this article, we explore the importance of executive presence for leaders through Paul’s journey—a talented professional who discovered that executive presence was the missing key to his career advancement.
Paul hesitantly walked toward Kevin’s office, unsure why a superior three levels above him had invited him into his office. Should he be concerned or excited? His anxiety brewed. Kevin was just one level below the CEO of their multi-billion-dollar biotechnology company, and Paul had never formally met with him before, let alone been invited to his office. His heart beat faster, and he wanted to turn around.
Kevin jumped right in by saying that Paul’s performance, talents, and overall track record were all excellent. “You are great at what you do, and you’re a high-potential leader that top management has its eyes on,” he said. Elated, Paul started to completely relax. He even thought, maybe he’s wanting to give me my boss’s job.
Without Executive Presence, Leaders Success Comes to Halt
Then, Kevin said something that really shook Paul up. “This conversation isn’t about today; it’s about your future,” he began. “Without executive presence, your career success will come to a halt and you will not continue to thrive at this company.”
Paul was in shock. He had never received feedback like this before. “It’s not just you,” Kevin assured him. “When I’m talking with other executives about who has what it takes for advancement, it’s apparent that most of our next-level leaders lack executive presence.”
This critical moment highlighted a key principle: executive presence for leaders is not optional—it’s essential. Without it, no matter how skilled you are, your career trajectory can stagnate.
Working With an Executive Coach to Develop Executive Presence
Kevin saw potential in Paul but recognized that without executive presence, he would not be able to advance to the higher echelons of leadership. He encouraged Paul to work with an executive coach to grow his executive presence. Kevin recommended me, and we utilized the 3×3 Executive Presence Model outlined in my book Executive Presence for six months of coaching.
During the coaching process, we uncovered that Paul had been missing opportunities to build rapport with colleagues throughout the company. Developing executive presence for leaders often begins with expanding influence, and for Paul, this meant actively networking and cultivating relationships beyond his immediate team. By engaging colleagues from different functions and inviting them into collaborative discussions, Paul was able to contribute more deeply to the organization’s goals.
Practical Tips for Cultivating Executive Presence for Leaders
Here are some actionable strategies that Paul used to elevate his executive presence—and that you can apply to your own leadership journey:
1. Expand Your Influence Through Networking
Paul needed to move beyond his comfort zone and engage with colleagues across departments. Building strong relationships not only enhances visibility but also increases influence—key aspects of executive presence for leaders. He scheduled regular meetings with peers in different divisions to discuss cross-functional ideas and opportunities.
Tip: Identify colleagues in other departments whose work overlaps with yours. Reach out, offer support, and discuss opportunities for collaboration. This helps you build trust and influence while broadening your network.
2. Seize Leadership Opportunities
One of Paul’s biggest breakthroughs came when he confidently volunteered to lead a high-stakes project. This allowed him to showcase his leadership abilities and reinforce his executive presence. When the chance to solve a complex issue arose, Paul took charge, positioning himself as a problem solver.
Tip: Don’t wait for leadership opportunities to be handed to you. Step up when challenges arise, even if it feels outside your comfort zone. The more you act decisively, the more others will see you as a leader.
3. Project Confidence in Communication
As we worked together, Paul realized that executive presence for leaders involves more than just making decisions—it’s also about communicating them with conviction. He practiced becoming more direct in his conversations and learned how to express his ideas without hesitation or self-doubt.
Tip: When sharing ideas or making decisions, be clear and assertive. Avoid undermining yourself with phrases like “I think” or “I’m not sure.” Instead, speak with confidence and conviction.
4. Build Commanding Presence
One of the core elements of executive presence is the ability to command attention and respect in every interaction. Paul had to work on projecting authority not only in meetings but also in informal settings, ensuring his presence was felt by others at all levels of the organization.
Tip: Pay attention to your body language, tone, and energy in meetings. Stand tall, make eye contact, and speak with authority. Cultivate a presence that draws people in and makes them want to listen to what you have to say.
Paul Executive Presence Transformation
By the end of our coaching engagement, Paul had transformed his leadership style and significantly improved his executive presence. When I asked him what changes surprised him the most, here’s what he shared:
- “My confidence immediately began to soar.”
- “I felt much more in command.”
- “I became more decisive and could make bolder decisions without self-doubt.”
- “I showed conviction in my ideas.”
- “I became more direct in my communication and began expressing myself without hesitation.”
Through this transformation, Paul learned not only how to act like a leader with executive presence but also how to feel like one.
Why Executive Presence for Leaders Matters
Paul’s executive presence began to shine. Within the first few months, senior leaders began to praise his ability to bring together cross-functional teams and lead impactful initiatives. After six months, Paul was promoted to vice-president, and within a year, he was being groomed for a senior vice-president role—all because he had mastered the competencies of executive presence for leaders.
His story became so powerful that the company hired me to lead executive presence training for other up-and-coming leaders. Paul now shares his experience during these sessions, showing his peers why executive presence for leaders is a vital factor in advancing their careers.
Start Cultivating Your Executive Presence
Like Paul, you can begin cultivating executive presence by working with an executive coach to identify your areas for growth. Of the 9 core competencies of executive presence, which ones do you need to strengthen the most? For Paul, it was his ability to project confidence and influence others that helped him unlock new leadership opportunities.
Take these steps to evaluate your own executive presence and start working on the areas where you need improvement. By doing so, you can position yourself for career growth and leadership success, just as Paul did.
Final Thoughts
Executive presence for leaders isn’t just about charisma or communication—it’s about the ability to influence, command respect, and act decisively. By cultivating these skills, you’ll not only enhance your leadership capabilities but also open doors to higher-level roles within your organization. Take the first step today by assessing your strengths and weaknesses in executive presence and commit to growing into the leader you’re capable of becoming.
Ready to start your executive presence journey? Contact Joel to get started with executive coaching or an executive presence training program. You can also purchase his book for your employees: Executive Presence: Step into Your Power, Convey Confidence and Lead with Conviction.
