How to Build Executive Presence and Lead with Confidence
How do you develop executive presence?
I once met a leader I deeply admired, only to discover he was much shorter than I expected.
But in seconds, I forgot about his height. His executive presence filled the room.
I was struck by his warm smile, firm handshake, and how in one sentence he made me feel part of the team.
It was unforgettable. I remember it decades later!
That experience taught me something essential: Executive presence isn’t about your title or how you look. It’s about how you show up—internally and externally.
Executive presence is about carrying and conducting yourself in a way that earns trust, communicates credibility, and makes others feel confident in your leadership.
At its core, executive presence is made up of two dimensions: what’s happening inside a leader, and how that leader shows up externally. Let’s put on both these lenses as we examine executive presence.
This article is a summary — for more details (and practical examples), head on over to the YouTube video!
Internal factors
The internal dimension of executive presence is about who you are on the inside — your mindset, emotional steadiness, and self-assurance under pressure.
It reflects how you think, feel, and carry yourself in the face of uncertainty or pressure, and it’s made up of three traits:
Competence: This is where it starts — knowing your stuff and having the experience to back it up. But it also includes the humility to admit when you don’t know something, and the wisdom to redirect or follow up as needed.
Confidence: You don’t need to have all the answers — confidence comes from knowing your voice belongs in the room. It shows up in how you speak, how you hold space, and whether you trust your own perspective.
Composure: Leaders are often under pressure. Composure is your ability to stay grounded when others are reactive. Even if your brain is firing off neurons with great alarm, when you keep your composure, you listen non-defensively, respond with curiosity, and model steadiness so others can do the same.
External Factors
The external dimension is how others experience your leadership through your presence, communication, and relational connection.
This is the part that people see in meetings, conversations, or public settings.
The external dimension is also shaped by three traits:
Carriage: How you physically show up matters. Your posture, facial expression, and even pace of speech send powerful signals. Standing tall, making eye contact, and minimizing fidgeting can all signal confidence — even when you’re feeling unsure.
Communication: Executive presence includes knowing how to say more with less. Clear, concise communication — especially when leading with your main point — helps others follow more easily.
Connection: Great leaders make people feel seen. This means bringing warmth, empathy, and curiosity to every interaction. It’s about acknowledging others, affirming their input, and showing respect — especially in moments of disagreement or tension.
Putting It All Together
These six traits — competence, confidence, composure, carriage, communication, and connection — form a framework for developing executive presence from the inside out.
The best part is all six can be practiced and strengthened over time.
Executive presence isn’t something you perform — it’s something you practice.
It comes from the alignment between your inner steadiness and your external engagement with others.
When you show up with intention, empathy, and credibility — especially in moments that matter — people know they can trust your leadership.
Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or refining your influence as a seasoned professional, executive presence is a skillset that helps you lead with greater clarity, trust, and impact.
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