How to Build Executive Presence for Career Growth

Most execs master presence too late. 15 seconds decide your fate. I've sat in hundreds of boardrooms. I've seen hundreds of executives pitch themselves. I've made million-dollar promotion decisions. Here's what most don't understand: Two executives may enter the same boardroom. Both have an impressive track record with stellar results. Yet only one walks away with the offer. The difference? It's not about skills or experience. It’s executive presence. Here are 7 power moves that instantly transform your presence: 1/Master The First Impression →Begin the conversation like you’re the decision-maker. →Command attention through strategic body language.  →“Our Q3 cost optimization results exceeded expectations by 30%. 2/Activate Strategic Silence →Speak less, but make every word count. →Wait for precise moments of influence.  →“I understand your position. Here’s what truly moves the needle.” 3/Speak The Executive Language →Lead with metrics that matter most to the business.  →Speak directly to shareholder interests with quantitative results.  →"This initiative drives 3x ROI by Q3." 4/ Build Power Alliances →Map hidden influence relationships strategically and connect often.  →Solve problems across multiple business units.  →"I noticed an opportunity in your division..." 5/Create Strategic Visibility →Volunteer for high-level projects.  →Champion the most challenging initiatives now.  →"I'd like to spearhead this transformation." 6/Master Crisis Moments →Maintain composure when everyone else panics.  →Transform problems into key opportunities.  →"Here's our 30-day turnaround plan…" 7/Craft Your Narrative →Create a ”wins“ portfolio and document every significant win.  →Publish your behind-the-scenes strategic impact.  →"Our team’s latest breakthrough led to a 30% ROI." Results alone can't guarantee career success. Executive presence determines your future path. What powerful has worked for you? Share your winning strategy below. ⇣ 🔔 Follow me (Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC) for more C-suite insights.  ♻️ Share with an aspiring executive

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ≠ 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀 If you ask 10 people to define 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦... ... you’ll likely get 10 different answers. Or maybe… the sound of crickets. 🦗 It's a skill that’s often praised but rarely explained. I once had a client whose manager told them: “You need to develop executive presence.” That was it. No specific guidance or coaching. But here’s the truth: 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆. It’s not just about expensive clothing, loud voices, or taking up space in a room. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱. I’ve seen leaders transform from hesitant, unsure, and overlooked... To commanding, clear, and compelling. Here are 𝟭𝟬 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, and tips on how you can build them:  1. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘀     ➤ The ability to project confidence under pressure     ✔ Tip: Slow your speech, breathe deeply, and own your expertise.       2. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲)     ➤ Believing in your ability 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 diminishing others     ✔ Tip: Prepare thoroughly. Confidence comes from knowing your stuff.       3. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻     ➤ Getting to the point, clearly and persuasively     ✔ Tip: Use simple, compelling language. Cut the jargon.       4. 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀     ➤ The courage to make tough calls—and own them     ✔ Tip: Make timely decisions with the best available info. Perfection is the enemy of progress.       5. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆     ➤ Being real, not rehearsed     ✔ Tip: Align your words, values, and actions. People follow 𝘺𝘰𝘶, not your persona.       6. 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲     ➤ Reading the room and adjusting accordingly     ✔ Tip: Observe before you speak. Listen deeply. Respond with care.       7. 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲     ➤ Staying composed when things go sideways     ✔ Tip: Practice mental resets—pause, reframe, and choose your next move.       8. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻     ➤ Painting a compelling picture of the future     ✔ Tip: Share the "why" behind your decisions. Connect people to purpose.       9. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆     ➤ Earning trust over time through consistent action     ✔ Tip: Do what you say you’ll do.      10. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲     ➤ Showing up fully—physically, mentally, emotionally     ✔ Tip: Turn off distractions. Make others feel seen, heard, and valued. You don’t have to be born with these traits. You need 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, and 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Executive Presence is not about impressing others. It’s about 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 in your leadership. What do you think Executive Leadership means? #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadWithConfidence #PresenceOverPolish

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲? Of all the topics people ask me about, executive presence is near the top of the list. The challenge with executive presence is that it’s hard to define. It’s not a checklist you can tick off. It’s more like taste or intuition. Some people develop it early. Others build it over time. More often, it’s a lack of context, coaching, or exposure to what “good” looks like. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years, both from getting it wrong and from watching others get it right. 1. 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 People early in their careers often feel the need to prove they know the details. But executive presence isn’t about detail. It’s about clarity. If your message would sound the same to a peer, your manager, and your CEO, you’re not tailoring it enough. Meet your audience where they are. 2. 𝐔𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Executives care about outcomes, strategy, and alignment. One of my teammates once struggled with this. Brilliant at the work, but too deep in the weeds to communicate its impact. With coaching, she learned to reframe her updates, and her influence grew exponentially. 3. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 Every meeting has an undercurrent: past dynamics, relationships, history. Navigating this well often requires a trusted guide who can explain what’s going on behind the scenes. 4. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 Just because something is your entire world doesn’t mean others know about it. I’ve had conversations where I assumed someone knew what I was talking about, but they didn't. Context is a gift. Give it freely. 5. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Early in my career, I brought problems to my manager. Now, I appreciate the people who bring potential paths forward. It’s not about having the perfect solution. It’s about showing you’re engaged in solving the problem. 6. 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 Every leader is solving a different set of problems. Step into their shoes. Show how your work connects to what’s top of mind for them. This is how you build alignment and earn trust. 7. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Years ago, a founder cold emailed me. We didn’t know each other, but we were both Duke alums. That one point of connection turned a cold outreach into a real conversation. 8. 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 Before you walk into a meeting, ask yourself what outcome you’re trying to drive. Wandering conversations erode credibility. Precision matters. So does preparation. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 Executive presence isn’t about dominating a room or having all the answers. It’s about clarity, connection, and conviction. And like any muscle, it gets stronger with intentional practice.