Executive Presence Is Not About Being Loud — It’s About Being Trusted
- vartikavats3
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Let me say this upfront: All the big decisions about your career are made when you’re not even in the room. Yes, you read that right. And no, it’s not fair — but it’s real.
You might be doing fantastic work, hitting your goals, staying late, and delivering results. But if you're not instilling confidence in the people who make the decisions, those efforts may go unnoticed.
There have been moments in my career where I was more than ready… but the opportunity didn’t come. Why? Because I hadn't yet developed something, I didn’t even know I was missing Executive Presence.
So, what is Executive Presence?
It’s not self-promotion.
It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room.
And it’s definitely not about pretending to be someone you’re not.
Executive presence is about how you make others feel. It’s about instilling trust — that you’re the right person for the job.
Let’s break it down into 3 core parts:
1) Gravitas — The Quiet Power of Confidence
Do you believe deeply in your own ideas and decisions?
Can you make thoughtful decisions, even under pressure?
According to Harvard research, confidence is ranked as the number one trait of executive presence. That’s because confidence builds trust. And trust builds opportunity.
2) Communication — Not Just What You Say, But How You Say It
Our brains are constantly asking: Can I trust this person? Do I feel safe with them?
Do you listen without interrupting?
Do you show up as your authentic self, not a corporate version of you?
Does your body language support your message?
Your communication can either elevate your leadership or hold you back. Small shifts make a huge difference.
3) Energy — The Invisible Vibe You Bring
Do you bring positive, grounded energy into meetings?
Does your presence lift the room or drain it?
People remember how you made them feel. And when you show up with high energy and presence, it’s contagious.
Want to Build Executive Presence? Start Here:
Know that you can learn it. It’s a skill, not a personality trait.
Work on your mindset, not just your voice.
Watch people who lead with presence, and learn from them.
Ask for feedback — and don’t get defensive when you hear it.
Practice presence in small moments — not just big meetings.
I’m still building mine every day — and that’s okay.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is to keep showing up, trusting yourself a little more, and letting others feel that trust, too.
Because when you do, you won’t just speak — you’ll lead.
Comments