I remember the first time I was told I needed to “check” my executive presence.
I was the only Black man in the room. I was leading well, driving outcomes, and getting results. But after a high-stakes meeting, a senior executive pulled me aside and said, “You’re doing great, but… you could work on your executive presence.”
When I asked what they meant, the feedback got vague real fast.
“Maybe tone it down a bit.”
“Dress a little more… corporate.”
“Be more like the others.”
Let me be clear: What they were really saying was, “Don’t make us uncomfortable with your authenticity.”
That was the moment I learned that executive presence isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold; it’s about owning your leadership without losing yourself.
What Is Executive Presence, Really?
People throw that term around like it’s some mystical charisma sauce you either have or you don’t. But here’s what executive presence actually boils down to:
- Confidence without arrogance
- Clarity under pressure
- Credibility that earns trust
- Consistency in how you show up
It’s not about your suit, your accent, or your playlist. It’s about whether people believe in you, and whether you believe in yourself.
The Myth of Compromise
Too many leaders, especially women, people of color, and those from underrepresented backgrounds, are told they need to compromise who they are to rise.
That is a lie.
You do not have to erase your culture, your voice, or your values to lead powerfully.
In fact, when you lean into your authenticity, you inspire more loyalty, drive more engagement, and make better decisions because people can feel when you’re being real.
So, How Do You Build Executive Presence Authentically?
Here are 3 principles I’ve lived by, and they’ve never failed me:
1. Speak with Purpose, Not Perfection
You don’t need to have a perfect script. You need to have something worth saying—and say it with conviction.
Your story is your superpower. Your experience is your expertise. Share it. Own it. Let people see the leader behind the title.
2. Command the Room by Grounding Yourself
Power doesn’t come from puffing up. It comes from grounding down.
I start every high-stakes meeting with 10 seconds of stillness. No posturing. No pretense. Just presence. It reminds me that I don’t have to perform—I just have to be.
When you walk into the room grounded, you don’t have to fight for respect. You carry it.
3. Lead with Values, Not Just Vision
Vision tells people where you’re going. Values tell people how you’ll get there—and whether they can trust you to lead them.
I’ve turned down big contracts and walked away from toxic environments because my values didn’t align. And guess what? The right people took notice. Values-based leadership always builds a legacy.
Final Word
Don’t let someone else define what leadership looks like for you.
Executive presence isn’t about code-switching or culture-washing.
It’s about knowing who you are, standing on that truth, and leading from it—even when it’s hard.
That’s real power.
And that’s how you change rooms, change systems, and change lives.
🔥 Leadership Moves You Can Make Today:
- Ask 3 trusted peers how you show up under pressure. Then reflect: Is that how you want to be seen?
- Write down your top 3 core values. Are you living them out loud at work—or hiding them to fit in?
- Practice a 30-second “authentic intro” that communicates who you are, not just your title.
You don’t need permission to lead.
You just need to show up—as you are—and lead anyway.
Free Resource:
Want to lead with more confidence and clarity—without compromising who you are?
Download the FREE Authentic Executive Presence Blueprint to define your leadership on your terms.
