There’s a hard-to-describe, “you know it when you see it” quality that makes strong leaders stand out from the rest. They can command a room, rally the troops, and build collective buy-in – all while appearing to be completely at ease.
In the business world, it’s often referred to as “executive presence.” As you advance in your career, not having it can be a barrier to professional growth.
Think about the most impressive leader you’ve ever met. Chances are, they weren’t rigid or overly formal. They probably cracked a joke, interrupted others when needed, and seemed surprisingly… relaxed. That’s because true executive presence isn’t about following a script. It’s about being comfortable enough, and confident enough, to be yourself. These leaders have found their authentic voice and aren’t afraid to use it.
So, how do you discover your own authentic voice? Here’s Ultraspeaking’s executive presence cheat sheet to help you shape what executive presence looks like for you.
1. Remember: the wacky science teacher has executive presence too.
While we often think of executive presence as serious and composed, passionate and energetic individuals can command a room just as effectively. Executive presence comes in many forms, from the exuberant, energetic type to the warm, empathetic speaker. Ask yourself: what feels authentic to me?
2. Imposter syndrome and executive presence don’t mix.
Trying to fake executive presence when you don’t feel you deserve respect is a sure-fire way to sound like you’re reading from a script. If you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, building up your confidence will go a long way to gaining executive presence.
3. …but overconfidence can be just as detrimental as under-confidence.
The key is to find a balance. Self-awareness about your tendencies (whether you tend to overestimate or underestimate yourself) is crucial for developing genuine executive presence.
4. Sometimes, you have to draw attention to yourself.
This might seem counterintuitive, especially for those who feel most at ease with a thoughtful, reserved approach. However, “drawing attention” doesn’t always mean you have to be the loudest voice in the room. Techniques like pausing for emphasis when speaking actually work by focusing more attention on you.
5. Musicality is a hidden component of executive presence.Â
Think of executive presence like music. It’s not just about the notes you play (what you say), but the rhythm, tempo, and dynamics (how you say it). Sometimes you need to pause for emphasis, other times you need to speak with conviction. The magic lies in the variety and contrast.
Finding your authentic voice isn’t something you have to do on your own. It’s one of the most valuable outcomes of Ultraspeaking’s 5-week speaking fundamentals course, which gives you concrete strategies to influence, present, and communicate, no matter who your audience is. Registration is now open for the next cohort!
