Beyond the Boardroom: A Fresh Perspective on Building Executive Presence

Executive presence is one of those leadership traits that everyone talks about but struggles to define. It’s often described as “that certain something” that sets great leaders apart. As Sylvia Ann Hewlett explains, Executive presence is “a fragile thing. It needs to be nurtured, invested in, and curated.” Like a personal brand, executive presence is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. No matter how you define it, one thing is clear: executive presence matters. And if you want to elevate your leadership image, learn to demonstrate executive presence.

Executive presence is a hot topic. Regardless of industry, job title, gender, or company size….leaders want to be known as someone who “has it” - who demonstrates a strong executive presence. And we’re here to tell you that executive presence isn’t just something you’re either born with or not. It can be developed over time—and it doesn’t mean changing who you are. In fact, the people who are most aligned with who they are and what they stand for are the ones who often have the strongest and most captivating executive presence. 

What Executive Presence Is (and Isn’t)

Let’s clear up some common misconceptions:

• Executive presence is not about perfection. It’s about authenticity and continually striving to be a better leader while staying true to yourself. It’s about speaking from your values and aligning your internal compass to your external environment.

• Executive presence is not one-size-fits-all. Personal traits and cultural nuances can play a big role in what effective executive presence looks like. What works in one setting may not resonate in another.  

• You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to demonstrate executive presence. Some of the most effective and influential leaders we’ve worked with have also been some of the more quiet, less demonstrative executives. Yet, even without saying a word, these leaders emulate executive presence.

For more specifics, check out our past blogs on executive presence here.

So, then, what makes up executive presence? Hewlett talks about “gravitas” as a core component of executive presence as defined by:

• Confidence and “grace under fire”

• Decisiveness and “showing teeth”

• Integrity and “speaking truth to power”

• Emotional intelligence

• Reputation and standing / “pedigree”

• Vision/charisma

Think about some of the leaders you’ve worked with. Which of these qualities have you seen them demonstrate? Better yet: when have you demonstrated some of these qualities? When pressure is high and tempers and timelines are short, it’s a great opportunity to model grace under fire. Speaking truth to power can be scary - and empowering. Take a few moments to reflect on your own experiences relative to these criteria: you might be surprised!

Emotional Intelligence: The Foundation of Executive Presence

We believe that the one area you can focus on that will significantly elevate your executive presence is building your emotional intelligence. Tools like the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) can help leaders assess and improve their emotional intelligence in critical areas including:

• Self-awareness 

• Relationships

• Stress Management

• Decision-Making 

Are you curious about strengthening your own emotional intelligence? Let us help you get started with a facilitated EQ-i assessment—it’s a game-changer for leaders looking to elevate their executive presence. Connect with us to learn more!

Building Your Executive Presence

Improving executive presence doesn’t happen overnight. And it’s 100% achievable. Here’s what we recommend to get started:

1. Ask for Feedback: Ask people you trust at work how they perceive your leadership style. What stands out? What could you improve?

2. Be Intentional: Every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate executive presence—no matter how big or small.

3. Avoid Reacting: The Forbes article Executive Presence Traits You Can Implement Today speaks about how no matter how frustrating a discussion may be, it is best to always maintain poise. “The most immediate action you can take is to be outwardly calm.”

4. Be True to Yourself: Don’t try to imitate someone else’s style. The most compelling leaders are those who lead with authenticity and integrity.

Executive Development Coaching

Executive presence isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity, confidence, and the ability to inspire trust. Through one-on-one coaching at Nova Leadership, we help leaders cultivate the self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills that define true executive presence. Our coaching process, which can be supported by the EQ-i assessment, provides personalized insights and actionable strategies to help you lead with greater impact. 

Ready to elevate your executive presence? Contact us today to work with a Nova coach and take the next step in your leadership journey!