S8 Ep4: Building Executive Presence – Stand Out and Lead with Confidence

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.

In this 17-minute episode, I’m diving into something that many of us hear about but don’t always fully understand: executive presence.

 You know that “it factor” people talk about—the ability to walk into a room and instantly command attention? That’s executive presence. And here’s the thing: it’s not just for CEOs or people at the top of the ladder. You can build it too, no matter where you are in your career.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What executive presence really is—and why it matters at every career level
• The core traits that make people stand out as credible, confident leaders
• Practical strategies to help you develop presence in both in-person and virtual settings
• Communication tips to help you speak with clarity, calm, and confidence
• My own reflections on navigating leadership and visibility
• And a few powerful mindset shifts and quotes to inspire your journey

I share the five key elements of executive presence you can start building today—like grounded confidence, clear communication, active listening, staying composed under pressure, and above all, showing up with authenticity. Plus, I offer real-world tips for how to project presence in hybrid and remote environments—because yes, you can lead with impact on Zoom too.

Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role or looking to sharpen how you show up at the top table, this episode is packed with tools to help you lead with intention and influence.

🎯 What Next?

A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice!
🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step.
🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

Useful Resources

·       The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman – a brilliant book on how confidence is built and what holds us back

·       Executive Presence by Sylvia Ann Hewlett – a must-read for understanding the three key pillars of presence

·       Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk: “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are” – powerful insights on non-verbal confidence and posture

·       "How Women Rise" by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith – excellent for identifying habits that may be holding you back

Transcript

🎙️ Season 8 Episode 4: Building Executive Presence: Stand Out and Lead with Confidence

Hello and welcome back to Your Path To Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

I’m your host, Kathryn, and in today’s episode, we’re diving into something that many of us have heard about but few truly understand: Executive Presence.

You’ve probably heard someone described as having “that it factor”—someone who just owns the room, even before they speak. That’s executive presence. And the good news? It’s not just for CEOs or top-level leaders. You can develop it too, no matter where you are in your career.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing:
• What executive presence really means—and why it matters at every stage of your career
• The key traits that make people stand out as confident, credible leaders
• Practical tips to help you build your own executive presence, both in-person and virtually
• Simple ways to communicate with more clarity, calm, and confidence
• Personal reflections on my own journey with leadership and visibility
• And a few powerful quotes to inspire you as you develop your own “leadership edge”

Whether you're stepping into your first leadership role or looking to strengthen how you're perceived at the top table, this episode is packed with tools and insights to help you show up with presence and lead with impact.

Before we jump in, grab your favourite beverage, find a comfy spot, and get ready to map out your leadership path with those lightbulb moments.

So, let’s get started!

🎯 Part 1: What Is Executive Presence, Really?
Let’s start by busting one of the biggest myths out there—executive presence isn’t just about looking the part. It’s not just about wearing a sharp suit, having a firm handshake, or speaking with a booming voice. Those things might help, sure—but they’re only surface-level.

Executive presence is deeper than that. It’s the subtle, powerful combination of how you show up, how you communicate, and how you make other people feel in your presence.

Think of it this way: have you ever been in a meeting where someone walked in and, without saying a word, completely changed the energy of the room? People straightened up, leaned in, listened more closely. That’s executive presence. It’s not about being loud. It’s about being compelling.

📚 Sylvia Ann Hewlett, who wrote the book Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success, defines it as a combination of three things:
1. Gravitas – how you act, especially under pressure. Do you stay calm? Do people turn to you when things get tough?
2. Communication – how clearly, confidently, and authentically you speak. Can you hold the room with just your words?
3. Appearance – how you visually present yourself, both in-person and online. Do you look polished, intentional, and credible?

And here’s the kicker—gravitas is the most important. According to Hewlett’s research, it accounts for over 60% of what we associate with executive presence.

✨ As she puts it:
“Executive presence is not about dressing for the job you want. It’s about behaving like the leader people want to follow.”

Let that land for a moment.

Because at the heart of it, executive presence is about trust. It’s about being someone that others want to follow, someone who radiates capability, confidence, and integrity—even when you don’t have all the answers.

💭 Here’s a question to reflect on:
When people leave a meeting with you, what impression do they walk away with?
Do they feel reassured? Energised? Inspired? Or a little unclear and unsure?

Executive presence is how you leave people feeling—and that’s powerful.

And the great news? It’s not just something you’re born with. It’s something you can build. Through awareness, practice, and a few strategic shifts in how you show up, you can absolutely develop a strong executive presence that feels authentic to you.

You don’t need to be the most extroverted person in the room. You just need to be the most intentional.

And that’s exactly what we’ll start digging into next.

💡 Part 2: 5 Key Elements of Executive Presence You Can Build Today
So now that we understand what executive presence is, let’s talk about how you actually develop it—because this isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional.

These five elements aren’t personality traits you either have or don’t—they’re skills you can practice, shape, and strengthen over time. Think of them like muscles. The more you work them, the stronger your presence becomes.

Let’s break them down:

1. Confidence – Not Arrogance
Confidence is foundational. It’s about walking into a room (or logging onto a call) with a mindset that says, “I belong here. I have value to offer.” But—and this is key—without tipping into arrogance.

True confidence is grounded, not performative. It’s about owning your strengths and being open to learning, all at once.

🔁 Tip: Try the “power pose” before a big meeting or presentation—stand tall, shoulders back, hands on hips or in the air like a champion. It’s a simple, science-backed way to tell your brain: “I’ve got this.” Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk, “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are,” is a must-watch if this resonates with you.

🧠 Mini mindset shift: Think “What value can I add today?” instead of “Do I sound smart enough?”
2. Clarity in Communication
One of the most overlooked aspects of executive presence is clear communication. This isn’t about fancy words or sounding “professional.” It’s about getting to the point, making complex ideas simple, and speaking with purpose.

If you waffle, ramble, or over-explain, people might tune out—even if your idea is brilliant.

🎤 Tip: Practice the power of the pause. When you pause, you create space for people to absorb what you’ve said. You also give yourself time to think, which actually makes you appear more confident and in control.

🧠 Mini mindset shift: Ask yourself, “What’s the one thing I want people to remember after I speak?”

3. Active Listening
Here’s a secret about strong leaders—they don’t just speak well; they listen exceptionally. And not the kind of listening where you’re waiting for your turn to talk—but active, intentional listening.

When you really hear someone, you build trust, credibility, and influence. People want to follow leaders who understand them, not just instruct them.

💬 Tip: Try this in your next meeting—before responding, reflect back what the person said in your own words. Something like, “What I’m hearing is that you’re concerned about the timeline—have I got that right?”

You’d be amazed how powerful this simple step is.

🧠 Mini mindset shift: Listen to understand, not just to reply.

4. Composure Under Pressure
Executive presence shines brightest in moments of stress. When the unexpected happens, the people around you are looking for a steady hand. You don’t need to be robotic or emotionless—you just need to stay grounded.

Composure doesn’t mean you don’t feel pressure; it means you don’t react emotionally to it in a way that disrupts your leadership.

🔥 Tip: Practice box breathing. Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. This method slows your heart rate, calms your nervous system, and brings clarity in the moment.

🧠 Mini mindset shift: “I don’t need to have all the answers—I just need to be the calmest person in the room.”

5. Authenticity
This one’s big. The fastest way to erode your presence is to try to be someone you’re not. Executive presence isn’t about imitating someone else—it’s about leading from who you truly are.

The most magnetic leaders? They’re real. They’re self-aware. They don’t hide their personality or try to fit a mould. They lean into their values and use them as a compass.

💡 Quote to reflect on:
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Authenticity makes you relatable. And relatability builds trust. And trust? That’s the heart of influence.

🧠 Mini mindset shift: Don’t perform leadership—live it, from a place of alignment.

Each of these five elements—confidence, clarity, listening, composure, and authenticity—is like a dial you can turn up over time. You don’t need to master them all at once. Start where you are, pick one to work on this week, and build from there.

Your presence is like your signature—it’s how you show up before you say a word. And trust me, it’s worth investing in.

💼 Part 3: Executive Presence for Remote and Hybrid Work
Now you might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but I don’t even work in the same room as most of my colleagues!” And I hear you. Remote and hybrid work are here to stay for many of us—and the truth is, executive presence doesn’t disappear just because the boardroom has moved to Zoom or Teams.

If anything, presence matters even more in virtual settings, because so many of the non-verbal cues we rely on—like body language, tone, and physical energy—can easily get lost through a screen.

But here’s the good news: you can absolutely project credibility, confidence, and connection from your home office. It just takes a bit of intention.

🖥️ Tips for Building Executive Presence Virtually
Let’s talk about some small but powerful tweaks that make a big difference when you're working remotely or in a hybrid setup:

🎥 1. Keep your camera at eye level
It might seem minor, but your camera angle says a lot. A downward-facing camera can make you appear disengaged or unprepared, while one that’s too high can feel awkward and distant.
👉 Tip: Stack your laptop on a few books or invest in a simple laptop riser. Eye-level positioning helps mimic in-person eye contact and creates a stronger sense of connection.

🗣️ 2. Use your name and role when you speak up
In larger virtual meetings, it’s easy to blend into the background. Introducing yourself—even briefly—reminds people who you are and what you bring to the table.
👉 Example: “Hi, I’m Jess from People & Culture—just to build on what Mark said…”
It signals confidence and reinforces your presence, especially if not everyone knows you well.

🕒 3. Speak early in meetings
Research shows that the earlier you contribute, the more likely you are to be remembered. Speaking up at the beginning sets the tone for how others perceive you during the call.
👉 Tip: You don’t have to make a big point—just ask a thoughtful question or comment on the agenda. It gets your voice in the room and boosts your confidence.


✉️ 4. Communicate clearly in writing
In a remote world, emails, chat messages, and shared docs are your daily presence. Rambling or vague messages can undermine your clarity and authority.
👉 Tip: Keep it concise. Use bullet points. Be direct and kind. End with clear actions or questions.
People will start to associate your name with clarity and confidence—even when you're not speaking.

👀 5. Turn your camera on (when possible)
We get it—there are camera-off days. But consistently showing your face in meetings helps humanise your presence and build trust, especially when you’re managing or influencing others.
👉 Tip: Even if others don’t always turn theirs on, your choice to do so signals energy, engagement, and leadership.

🧠 Final thought for remote work:
Executive presence isn’t about being “on” all the time—it’s about being intentional in the moments that matter.
That might mean:
• Preparing one impactful point before a meeting
• Sending a follow-up email that’s clear, warm, and action-driven
• Using your tone of voice and body language—even through a screen—to make people feel seen and supported

You don’t need to dominate the call. But when you show up with clarity, calm, and consistency, people notice—and they remember.

Remote leadership is still leadership. And your presence can absolutely shine from wherever you are.

💬 Part 4: Real Talk – My Own Journey
Let me share something personal here.

When I first stepped into a management role, I remember feeling completely out of my depth—especially when it came to making recommendations for change. I knew my stuff. I’d done the research, I had the experience. But the idea of presenting my ideas to senior leaders? That felt intimidating.

I’d sit in meetings, rehearsing what I wanted to say in my head over and over, second-guessing whether my suggestion was valid or if I even had the authority to propose a change. I was showing up physically—but I wasn’t showing up with presence.

It wasn’t until a colleague pulled me aside and said, “You’re in the room for a reason. We trust you. Speak like you know that.” It hit me. I was waiting for someone else to validate my presence, instead of owning it myself.

So I started small. I made sure I contributed early in meetings. I prepared a clear point or question. I reminded myself that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with intention, listening actively, and backing yourself.

And over time, that confidence grew. It wasn’t overnight. I’ve learned that building executive presence isn’t about being the loudest, most extroverted person in the room. It’s about intentionality—how you show up, how you make others feel, and how you lead with integrity and calm.
And yes, it’s a work in progress. For all of us.

📝 Part 5: Quick Wins – What You Can Do This Week
Let’s land this episode with some quick, simple actions you can take this week to start building or strengthening your executive presence—no major overhauls required, just intentional steps.

These are small shifts, but they create ripple effects.

🎙️ 1. Record yourself speaking
Pick a short topic—maybe something you’re working on, or how your day’s going—and record yourself talking for one or two minutes. Then play it back.

Listen not to judge yourself, but to observe:
• Are you clear and confident?
• Do you overuse filler words like “um,” “like,” or “you know”?
• Is your tone aligned with your message?

👉 Quick tweak: Try slowing down and inserting natural pauses. You’ll sound more thoughtful and composed—instantly upping your presence.

🗣️ 2. Ask for feedback
Find a trusted colleague, manager, or even a friend and ask them this:
“How do I come across in meetings?”

You might be surprised—in a good way. Sometimes, we’re doing better than we think. Other times, we get a nugget of insight that helps us adjust and grow.

👉 Bonus tip: Ask specifically about your communication, confidence, or leadership style. People love being asked, and it shows you’re self-aware and committed to growth.

👔 3. Dress for your own confidence
Yes, even on remote days. This one’s personal.

When you wear something that makes you feel strong, focused, and put-together, it affects how you carry yourself—even if no one sees you below the shoulders.

👉 This isn’t about expensive suits or trends. It’s about what makes you feel “on.”

Whether it’s a bold lipstick, a great-fitting shirt, or just brushing your hair before that Zoom call—showing up for yourself is part of executive presence too.

🧭 Closing Thoughts
Executive presence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

It’s built moment by moment—in how you show up, how you speak, how you listen, and how you lead.

Try one of these quick wins this week. Then come back to this episode in a month and see how far you’ve come.

Because trust me—you’ve got this.

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:
✨ Part 1 – What Is Executive Presence, Really?
We explored what executive presence actually means—it’s not just how you look or sound, but how you carry yourself, communicate, and build trust. Gravitas, clarity, and authenticity are key.

🔑 Part 2 – 5 Key Elements You Can Build Today
From confident communication to active listening, staying composed under pressure, and being truly you—we covered the practical behaviours that make you stand out as a leader.

💻 Part 3 – Executive Presence in Remote and Hybrid Work
We looked at how to bring presence into the virtual world—through eye-level cameras, clear communication, and small cues that help you own your space on screen.

📖 Part 4 – A Personal Story
I shared a moment from my own journey—when stepping into leadership felt uncomfortable—and what helped me grow into my presence over time.

📝 Part 5 – Quick Wins for This Week
Three simple actions you can take right now to strengthen your executive presence: record yourself, ask for feedback, and dress in a way that fuels your confidence.

Whether you’re leading a team or preparing to, remember—executive presence is something you build, not something you’re born with.

You’re capable. You’re credible. And you’ve got everything you need to lead with confidence.

📣 If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to follow, rate, and review the show. It really helps it reach others on their path to career success. 

👥 And if you know a colleague, mentor, or rising leader who needs to hear this?
Share it with them — it might be just the boost they need.

If you’d like to work with me directly or continue the conversation, come connect with me on LinkedIn or visit www.thecareerowl.co.uk. 

Thanks for listening—and remember, you’ve got what it takes to lead with confidence.

Until next time, keep moving forward on your path to career success.