Leading in a Polarized World: How Executive Presence Helps You Stay Resilient

The louder the world gets, the easier it is for your voice to get drowned out—especially when you're a woman in a room full of men.

But being quiet isn’t the same as staying safe.

In times like these—when bias feels bolder and uncertainty is everywhere—executive presence isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s your survival skill. Not to sound dramatic, but without it, your ideas won’t get heard. Your work won’t get recognized. And your seat at the table? Someone else will take it.

I know because I’ve been there.

Years ago, I was leading a strategy session with a roomful of men—senior leaders, all with bigger titles than mine. I was the only woman. Halfway through my pitch, a guy we'll just call "Bob" (navy Patagonia vest over a crisp button-down, Allbirds tapping under the table, Montblanc pen in hand—because even Colorado execs love a status symbol) cut me off mid-sentence. Then, he repeated my exact idea. Word for word.

The room nodded. Not at me. At him.

I felt my face burn. I wanted to jump in—“Excuse me, didn’t I just say that?”—but instead, I froze. I told myself, Don’t be pushy. Don’t make it weird.

And that’s how my idea walked out of the room with his name on it.

That day, I learned the hard way: Having a seat at the table means nothing if you don’t know how to own the room.

And that’s what most women in senior roles get wrong. They think executive presence is about sounding polished or looking confident. It’s not. It’s about something much simpler—and much harder:

It’s about making people listen before you have power—so they know exactly who you are when you get it.

Here’s what no one tells you about executive presence: It’s not about perfection. It’s about precision.

• It’s knowing how to cut through the noise in a room full of louder voices.
• It’s having the guts to challenge a bad idea—and the grace to do it without burning bridges.
• It’s showing up so clearly and consistently that people hear your name and think “leader”—even when you’re not in the room.

And here’s the kicker: You don’t need to change who you are to have it. You just need to learn how to use who you are—strategically.

Because in a polarized world, here’s the truth:

• If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.
• If you don’t own your voice, someone else will take credit for it.
• And if you don’t lead the room, the room will lead you.

This is why I created the Executive Presence Accelerator.

It's not a course on “how to be confident.” It’s a system—built for senior women like you—to help you:

• Neutralize imposter syndrome so you never shrink in high-stakes rooms.
• Navigate power dynamics and get your ideas heard without being dismissed.
• Amplify your voice so that when you speak, people stop. And listen.

All without losing an ounce of who you are.

You already belong in the room. It’s time to own it.

If you’re ready to sharpen your executive presence and lead with impact—without losing yourself in the process—let’s talk.

? Book a virtual coffee with me: https://calendly.com/jen-coken/virtualcoffee No pitch. Just a conversation.

The room is yours. Let’s make sure they know it.