Executive presence unpacked: Essential skills for effective leadership

It’s that elusive “it factor.” The quiet yet commanding quality that makes a leader trustworthy, calm under pressure, and someone people naturally want to follow. We often call it executive presence, and while it might seem like some leaders are simply born with it, the truth is it’s a skill that can be cultivated and one that is critical to success in today’s workplace.

But what exactly is executive presence? And more importantly, how can we develop it?

Let me start with a story.

A Tale of Two Leaders

Years ago, I worked with a talented Supply Chain executive. Let’s call her Alex. She had a sharp mind, unmatched technical expertise, and a stellar string of successes which earned her an executive leadership position But the experience of working directly with her on a project was unnerving. Her frantic and insecure nature resulted in second-guessing her own decisions as well as mine, creating a deeply frustrating paradigm. I and other team members would devote time and energy to a plan, only to have the plan overturned because she often flipped in her decision-making. People liked her but hesitated to work with her and for her because it felt as though one could never move forward with any degree of confidence. Meetings often ended in a frantic feeling of frustration, deadlines slipped, and morale was low.

Alex wasn’t lacking intelligence or technical skills. What she lacked was the ability to inspire trust and calm within her team. She approached every challenge with urgency and intensity, which only amplified the feeling of chaos around her. Her technical brilliance couldn’t mask the absence of deeply anchored confidence.

Contrast that with a different leader—a seasoned manager named Clara. Clara had a gift for turning high-stress situations into moments of clarity and collaboration. She exuded a calm confidence that steadied her team, even in the face of a crisis. What set her apart wasn’t just her expertise; it was her ability to project trust, empathy, and control.

So, what made the difference between Alex and Clara? Executive presence.

The Science of Presence: Why It Matters

Executive presence isn’t just about charisma or charm, it’s rooted in behaviors, strategies, and personal wellness, which make a leader effective. Studies have shown that nonverbal communication plays a significant role in how leaders are perceived. According to research by Albert Mehrabian, 93% of communication is nonverbal, comprising tone, body language, and facial expressions. This aligns with Clara’s ability to convey calm and trust without saying a word.

Additionally, a recent study by economist Sylvia Ann Hewitt found that 67% of executives believe executive presence is a critical factor in career advancement, outranking even skills and experience. Think of the leaders you’ve worked for, have you had an Alex experience versus a Clara one? How did you feel after being with this person for an hour? Bigger picture, did you want to emulate their life and leadership journey? Did it feel as though you’d lead a more thriving career if you continued to sit in their sphere?

Amy Cuddy presented one of the most watched TED Talks of all time and one that I listen to as a ‘walk-up song’ of sorts, before I enter any evaluative situation, “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.” Cuddy’s research highlights how power poses, such as the “Wonder Woman” stance, can boost confidence and influence how others perceive you. By standing tall and physically expanding your presence for just two minutes before a high-stakes interaction, you can increase testosterone levels (linked to confidence) and lower cortisol (associated with stress). Being able to pause, bring your brain and body to a place of calm, and remember why you are prepared for the moment has a tremendous effect on the outcomes of our lives. 

Small, intentional changes to how we carry ourselves create a ripple effect in how others respond to us

Building Blocks of Executive Presence

If executive presence feels intangible, here’s some good news: it’s a skill, not an innate trait. Here are three key components to develop. 

1. Nonverbal Communication: What We Don’t Say Speaks Volumes

Nonverbal cues—posture, tone, and pacing—are often more impactful than words. Leaders who pause confidently, maintain calm body language, and avoid unnecessary filler words convey authority.

For instance, Clara’s ability to pause in the middle of a crisis allowed her team to process information and trust her direction. Pausing isn’t about silence, it’s about exuding confidence in what you’re saying. It is an act of confidence to say “Let me think about this,” “Let’s think about this together”, or “Let’s sleep on this and come back to it in the morning.” Science tells us that a rested brain has a greater ability to come to better solutions -which is why brilliant ideas often come to us in the shower. 

Cuddy’s TED Talk experiment also underscores this. Leaders who project openness signal authority and reliability.

2. Clear and Concise Communication: Every Word Matters

We’ve all sat through rambling emails or meetings where the main point got lost in a sea of words. Executive presence means delivering your message with clarity and brevity. Leaders with executive presence don’t overwhelm their teams with excessive information. Instead, they provide just enough detail to inspire confidence and action. Chat GPT can help tremendously with training our writing to get to the point. Using the Chat prompt “Make this more concise”, can give us a pared-down message to then further personalize with your own human tone.  

3. Emotional Intelligence: The Bedrock of Trust

According to Daniel Goleman, the pioneer of emotional intelligence research, 90% of high performers have strong emotional intelligence skills. Leaders like Clara excel at reading the room, acknowledging emotions, and aligning their actions to create a sense of unity.

When Clara walked into a chaotic situation, her calm tone and empathetic questions transformed the mood. Emotional intelligence isn’t just about being “nice”—it’s about understanding the emotional currents in the room, asking questions about what people are not saying, leaving enough white space for hesitant team members to speak up, and responding effectively.

Practical Hacks to Develop Executive Presence

1. Practice the Pause: In conversations or presentations, pause after making a key point. This not only conveys confidence but also allows your audience to absorb your message.
2. Master the Wonder Woman Pose: Take two minutes before important meetings to stand in a power pose. It’s a simple, science-backed way to boost your confidence.
3. Edit Ruthlessly: Whether it’s an email or a meeting agenda, remove unnecessary fluff. Concise messages have more impact. You’ll gain a reputation for every word having meaning.
4. Embrace Feedback: Ask trusted colleagues how you come across in meetings. Their observations can help you identify and refine your executive presence.
5. Balance Authority with Approachability: Smile, use humor sparingly, and maintain eye contact. These small actions create connection and trust.

Why Executive Presence Matters More Than Ever

Now,  more than ever, leaders are expected to guide their teams through uncertainty and transformation. Studies show that ineffective communication and lack of change readiness are among the top reasons leaders fail.

Take the case of Alex; by working with an external coach, focusing on nonverbal cues, clear messaging, and building trust, she transformed from a frazzled manager into a steady leader her team could rely on. And Clara? She remains a masterclass in executive presence and a reminder that when leaders project calm and clarity, they empower their teams to do their best work.

So, the next time you think about leadership development, don’t just focus on technical skills. Invest in building executive presence. Because when leaders show up with calm, confidence, and clarity, it’s not just their teams who thrive, it’s the entire organization.