Executive Presence: Your Key to Influence in Tech
Show up calm, clear, and credible so people follow your lead.
What is Executive Presence?
Executive presence is how people experience you when it matters. It’s the mix of clarity, confidence, and character that makes others trust your lead.
It’s not about being loud or flashy. It’s about being steady, prepared, and easy to follow.
For employees: Presence helps you get heard before you get a title.
For owners: Presence sets the tone for your culture and your clients.
👉 Want to know where you stand?
Why IT Leaders Struggle with Executive Presence
Tech leaders often over-index on the what (details) and under-deliver the how (signal).
Common blockers include:
Jargon overload: People can’t follow your message.
Quick Fix: Start with a one-sentence headline, then two key points.
Reactive tone — Pressure changes your presence.
Quick Fix: Pause three seconds. Lower volume. Speak in short sentences.
Inconsistent visibility — You “disappear” between big moments.
Quick Fix: Share a 60-second update every week: goal, progress, risk, ask.
Remote fatigue — Zoom (online meetings) dulls your energy and cues.
Quick Fix: Camera at eye level, stand if you can, end with one clear next step.
Good news: These are all trainable skills.
Five Signals of Executive Presence
Develop these skills to succeed to make a positive impact:
Clarity
You make complex ideas simple.
Calm Under Pressure
You slow the moment down.
Credibility
You’re prepared, concise, and evidence-based.
Consistency
Your words match your follow-through.
Care
You show empathy and respect while moving things forward.
If people feel these five signals from you, they will trust your lead.
How the LEADS Method™ Builds Presence
Executive presence isn’t a personality. It’s a set of repeatable behaviors. The LEADS Method™ gives you five simple steps, and daily reps, to make those behaviors automatic.
L - Learn Who You Are
What this builds: Self-awareness → credibility and calm.
Signals you are building: People describe you as clear and steady.
E - Elevate Your Belief
What this builds: grounded confidence → calm under pressure.
Signal you’re building: Your tone slows the room down, not speeds it up.
A - Activate Communication
What this builds: Clarity → people follow your lead.
Signals you are building: Fewer follow-ups, faster yes/no decisions.
D - Develop Executive Presence
What this builds: Consistency → trust.
Signals you are building: You are predictable...in a good way.
S - Serve with Stategy
What this builds: Aligned decisions → respect at every level.
Signals you are building: People experience you as helpful and decisive.
👉 Your results tell you where to start in the five steps path.
Executive Presence in IT Leadership FAQ
Do I need to be extroverted to have executive presence?
No. Presence is about clarity, calm, and consistency, not volume. Quiet leaders can be incredibly compelling.
Is executive presence just about how I look or dress?
Appearance is a tiny piece, you do want to present yourself in a professional manner. However, executive presence is mostly how you communicate, decide, and follow through.
How can I show presence without a title?
Use clear updates, frame decisions, and keep your promises. People follow reliability.
What about remote meetings?
Stand up if possible, look at the camera for key points, keep updates under 60 seconds, and end with a clear “next step.”
How does the LEADS Method™ help?
The LEADS Method™ gives you simple steps to build confidence, communication, and consistency so your presence shows up naturally on purpose.
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