Leadership and executive presence have evolved far beyond traditional stereotypes. I coach a lot of leaders on presence, and I’ll tell you right now that there is no “template” or “one way” to have presence.
You need to do the work to find your authentic way to show up for yourself, and for the people you lead. And guess what? Your way might not look like what you traditionally think about presence.
Body language, eye contact, “charisma” — sure, they can help. But that’s not the whole story. In fact, I firmly believe you can be someone who struggles with certain traditional behaviors that are associated with presence and still have a strong presence that inspires people.
One thing that’s critical is authenticity. It’s the cornerstone of executive presence. And it isn’t about conforming to expectations; it’s about staying true to ourselves while adapting to our roles — and adapting our communications for those we lead.
Want to read more about my thoughts on presence? Check out this post.
Michael Piperno is a communication coach and executive presence expert. His insights empower leaders to communicate effectively and authentically.