Executive Presence: How to Know If You Have It

You’ve been told you need to ‘show more executive presence.’ Or that you’re ‘not quite ready for that next-level role because you don’t yet “own the room.” And while the feedback might be well-intentioned, it can often feel vague, frustrating, and even unhelpfully personal.

So what does executive presence really mean? Is it charisma? Confidence? A commanding voice? Is it something you’re born with, or something you can build?

At VB&A, we coach talented, ambitious leaders who are ready to step up, but keep hitting this invisible wall. So here’s a practical breakdown of what executive presence actually is, why it matters, and how you can start building (and recognising) it in yourself.

What Is Executive Presence?

At its heart, executive presence is the ability to inspire confidence in your leadership, your judgment, and your ability to lead through complexity. It’s what makes others believe, ‘You’ve got this.’

It’s not about being loud or polished or fitting a mould. It’s about being someone others trust in the room when the stakes are high.

What It Looks Like in Action

Here are some of the key components of executive presence, and how others experience them:

1. Gravitas

What it is: Staying calm and grounded under pressure. Speaking with weight and perspective.

What people see: You don’t rush to fill silences. You stay composed when challenged. You project calm confidence rather than defensiveness.

2. Strategic Clarity

What it is: Thinking beyond your function. Connecting your expertise to wider business goals.

What people see: You talk about business impact, not just operations. You frame challenges through a commercial or strategic lens.

3. Personal Impact

What it is: The energy and presence you bring into a room.

What people see: Clear voice. Strong posture. Eye contact. You seem ‘ready’ and intentional. You adapt your tone; you don’t dominate, but you’re not invisible either.

4. Storytelling and Communication

What it is: Distilling complexity into clarity. Making people care.

What people see: You use examples, stories, and structure. You don’t just ‘report the facts’, you connect them to meaning and outcome to capture the hearts and minds of others.

5. Composure Under Challenge

What it is: Staying in control of your emotions and energy when things get tense.

What people see: You don’t become defensive. You stay present. You respond, not react.

6. Relationship Intelligence

What it is: Navigating power, politics, and personalities with maturity.

What people see: You manage up, down and across with the same degree of thoughtfulness. You can read the room and adjust your approach. You also listen to and value the voices of others.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

Today’s senior roles demand more than technical expertise. Boards, exec teams, and senior stakeholders are looking for leaders who can:

• Command trust in moments of uncertainty
• Align others to a vision, even when the path is unclear
• Model calm, human leadership – not just drive outcomes

Executive presence is the bridge between what you know and how you show it.

So How Do You Know If You Have It? Ask yourself:

• Do people lean in when I speak  or zone out?
• Do I adapt how I communicate, or just repeat myself louder?
• Am I seen as a peer in the room or someone who’s still ‘proving’ themselves?
• Do I speak with purpose, or just to share information?
• When the stakes are high, do people turn to me?

And if you’re unsure — ask! Feedback, when asked with openness and curiosity, is nothing but a powerful tool for growth.

The Good News? Executive presence can absolutely be developed.

It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about strengthening how you show up. It’s in how you structure your thoughts, manage your energy, and connect with others at a senior level.

If you’ve been told to work on this, know that you’re not alone. It means you’re stepping into a bigger arena. And that growth takes intention, practice, and support.

Victoria Buckenham 2025