Building Executive Presence: 10 Key Situations Where It Matters Most”

Very few leaders were born with executive presence—most need to grow executive presence, research shows. Every leader needs to build executive presence and display it across 10 key work contexts. Are you currently showing up with more executive presence in some than in others? Consider where you excel and where you need to cultivate a more powerful presence.

10 Circumstances Where Building an Executive Presence Matters

Where does executive presence matter at work? And would you show executive presence in every context where it matters?

Building executive presence will make you a more effective leader across a broad range of contexts—both in-person and virtual. Let’s explore the main situations where you need executive presence at work to get ahead.

The Main Contexts Where Building an Executive Presence is Needed

1. Delivering a presentation in a team meeting where you need to discuss your idea or project with the group.

   It can feel daunting to take the spotlight and radiate conviction in your idea, all while clearly explaining your insights. But master this skill set, and you’ll make a powerful impression that will expand your influence! Remember, what you say matters. This is why bringing executive presence to your presentations is so important.

2. Leading a higher-level project for the first time.

   When tackling a new type of project, building executive presence will help you immediately gain others’ trust. They’ll see you as a capable leader whom they want to follow. In contrast, seeming uncertain within new terrain will cause others to question your abilities.

3. Having the chance to sit by a top executive before a meeting and strike up a conversation.

   These opportunities may not happen every day, so it’s important to make the most of them. Radiating executive presence in chance interactions like this will help you make a memorable impression on the top executive. You’ll become a face they know rather than a name they barely remember.

4. Taking part in a meeting with a senior leader where you have the opportunity to share a big idea.

   If you’ve ever let a big opportunity to share your great idea pass by, you know how detrimental it is to lack executive presence in these situations. Likewise, if you’ve ever muddled through your delivery with a senior leader, you know how a lackluster presentation can kill even the greatest idea. But if you speak up with confidence, charisma, decisiveness, and clarity, you’ll build excitement for your idea. Moreover, senior leaders will want to continue inviting you to the table and getting your input on their ideas, because you’ve just expanded your influence.

5. Coaching another employee in a particular skill area.

   Peer mentoring is a fantastic way to show executive presence in a way that benefits the team. You probably have skills your colleagues need—how often do you share them, and how effective are you at coaching your peers?

6. Participating in regular team meetings where everyone is expected to participate in a robust dialogue, sharing their ideas and opinions.

   In team meetings, nothing undermines executive presence as effectively as remaining silent. Boldly sharing opinions and articulating your insights powerfully will make you a crucial part of the discussion. This is how you’ll radiate executive presence in meetings.

7. Having difficult conversations with coworkers or subordinates whose inappropriate behavior or poor work ethic needs to be addressed.

   Do you shy away from these conversations, or do you candidly express yourself when the need arises? Being courageous enough to hold tough conversations clearly demonstrates executive presence.

8. Learning that a coworker clearly needs your specific expertise to succeed in a project.

   How would you respond if you learned that you could offer crucial support to a coworker who may be struggling with a project? Stepping up to the plate by tactfully yet assertively providing the needed support will mark you as a leader with executive presence.

9. Holding a one-on-one meeting with your boss about a potential promotion.

   In such negotiations, displaying executive presence will remind your boss of why you’re leadership material. Your boss will be more likely to strongly believe you deserve the promotion—and to go to bat for you, if need be, with other senior leaders.

10. Presenting the results of your project to the group.

    Can you speak confidently about the outcomes you’ve achieved? Consider whether you would sweep your contributions under the rug or matter-of-factly assert your great results.

As you build your executive presence, practice exuding it in all of these contexts. You may notice that radiating executive presence happens more naturally in some situations than in others. Among people you feel more comfortable with, you naturally appear more confident and capable.

Ready to cultivate executive presence by building it in all of these work situations. A skilled executive presence coach can help. Contact Joel to get started with an executive coaching or an executive presence training program today. You can also purchase his book for your employees, Executive Presence: Step into Your Power, Convey Confidence and Lead with Conviction.