The Power of Executive Presence

I work with many senior leaders who have been very successful, sometimes almost despite paying little attention to their personal brand. I also work with leaders who seem to over-index on their image and online persona. Watching both ends of that spectrum makes me wonder where the right balance really is.

Then there are the leaders who just seem to have it. Their presence has an impact. They influence the system they are in, and you feel it when they show up. You want to be around them. Their brand is not forced. It is simply who they are.

How You Show Up Matters

Ideally, we want people advocating for us in rooms we are not even in. Results matter, of course, but they are not enough on their own. We also need strong networks and real visibility.

In the past, that meant walking the halls. Today, it means being intentional about making our rounds in different ways. How we look, listen, speak, and act all contribute to how we are perceived.

Recently, a woman I coach shared a story that stayed with me. She had just joined a new organization and was excited to meet a senior leader in her chain of command.

When the meeting happened, the leader did not know her name or that she was new. During the conversation, the leader kept looking at their phone and texting rather than being present.

As she told me the story, it felt a bit soul-crushing.

That moment will likely be repeated many times, and not in a positive way. In that interaction, the executive did not show up. There may have been very good reasons for the distraction, but those reasons will not become part of the story. What will last is how the employee felt.

How different might it have been if the leader had simply put the phone down, made eye contact, shaken her hand, and said welcome?

Presence Does Not Have to Be Complicated

Managing your brand and executive presence does not need to be exhausting. A few small, consistent actions go a long way.

• Be attentive. Make eye contact, in person and on calls, and put the device down.

• Use LinkedIn to recognize others and share why you appreciate them. Make it less about you and more about lifting others up.

• When on Zoom, take the time to look professional, even if you are working from home.

• Get involved in a charity or volunteer effort and invite others along. Doing good together builds real connection.

• Share an article, book, or framework with someone who might benefit.

• Show up for people during life moments, both good and hard. A card, a call, a meal, or a simple check-in matters.

These things take time, but they build trust and real relationships.

The Miss I See Too Often

What fascinates me about many smart leaders I work with is how often they only focus on their brand, presence, and network when they need something. That is one of the biggest oversights I see in business.

The real magic happens when leaders make relationship building part of who they are. When they commit to being authentic, curious about others, and respectful of relationships every day, not just when it is convenient.

That is executive presence. And it is one of the most powerful tools a leader has.

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Leigh Ann Errico works with leaders who want to strengthen executive presence, deepen relationships, and lead in ways that feel authentic and effective. If that sounds like support you could use, let’s connect.