Executive Presence: Going Beyond Suits & Boardroom Residency

What if I told you that a single leadership trait could define your career trajectory—one that makes you stand out, earn trust, and consistently inspire others, even in the toughest moments? It’s called executive presence, and after recently completing John Ullmen's course, Developing Executive Presence, I now realize it’s the key differentiator between good leaders and great ones.

Here’s what I learned and how it’s transforming my approach to leadership.

What is Executive Presence?

Executive presence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room or having a charismatic persona. It’s about consistently inspiring confidence through your actions, your words, and how you carry yourself. It’s the ability to remain composed under pressure, communicate with clarity, and stay focused on making a positive impact—whether you're in a meeting with peers or presenting to senior leadership.

John Ullmen highlighted a compelling statistic: according to the Center for Talent Innovation, executive presence accounts for 26% of what it takes to get promoted to leadership roles. That’s one skill, out of dozens, responsible for a quarter of your success.

The Four Pillars of Executive Presence

One of the most impactful parts of the course was learning the four key factors that form the foundation of executive presence:

1. Passion: At the heart of executive presence is a deep desire to make a positive difference. It’s not about superficial charm; it’s about authentic passion. Nelson Mandela exemplified this during South Africa’s transition—he remained focused on his mission of unity, even when facing setbacks.
2. Perspective: Leaders with executive presence take a broader view. They think beyond their immediate job or team and look at the long-term impact. I’ve started applying this by connecting today’s challenges to future opportunities, helping me stay focused on the bigger picture.
3. Poise: Maintaining calm in high-pressure situations is essential. Poise isn’t about suppressing emotions but channeling them effectively to lead with composure. This was a huge takeaway for me—I now practice mindfulness to stay centered when challenges arise.
4. Projection: This is how you communicate your confidence and leadership through your actions, body language, and speech. Small things like posture, eye contact, and tone of voice can drastically alter how others perceive your confidence.

How I’m Applying These Lessons

Since completing the course, I’ve made deliberate changes to strengthen my executive presence. Here’s how:

• Clarity of Passion: I now approach every interaction with a clear sense of purpose—focusing on how I can make a positive impact, not just for myself, but for my team and clients.
• Broad Perspective: I actively connect my daily tasks to broader organizational goals. This shift in thinking has helped me make better decisions and lead with greater confidence.
• Improved Poise: In stressful situations, I focus on staying grounded and composed. This has significantly changed how I handle unexpected challenges.
• Strong Projection: I’ve become more mindful of my nonverbal cues. Improving how I communicate physically and verbally has helped me create stronger connections with others.

My Challenge to You

Are you ready to strengthen your executive presence? It’s a journey, but it starts with a single step. Take a moment to reflect on the areas where you could improve—your passion, perspective, poise, or projection. Which one needs the most attention?

If you’re serious about stepping up your leadership game, I encourage you to dig into these elements. Start by practicing mindfulness, improving how you project yourself, and above all, clarifying the positive impact you want to make.

Let’s not just be leaders—let’s be the kind of leaders who inspire confidence, even in the toughest moments.

These insights are based on my recent learning from John Ullmen ’s course, "Developing Executive Presence."