Mastering Executive Presence for Women: How to Build a Lasting Impact

Women share common frustrations at work every day:

• “I’m not being heard.“
• “My ideas get ignored or taken by others.“
• “Being direct gets me labeled as aggressive.“
• “Being gentle makes people see me as weak.“

These barriers directly affect how others see your executive presence, which is your ability to command respect and influence as a leader.

These challenges may also hold you back from promotions and growth.

But here’s the good thing: you can build a strong executive presence through focused practice and the right strategies. 

You can start right away with our executive presence coaching at Tandem Coaching. Let us show you how to command the room while staying true to yourself.

Book a free consultation to begin your journey!

The Importance of Executive Presence for Women

Grant Thornton’s 2024 research shows women hold just 33.5% of senior leadership positions globally.

Additionally, in Fortune 500 companies, women CEOs represent only 5.6% of leadership roles, a decline from 5.8% in previous years. Only 28 of 500 companies on the world’s largest businesses by revenue list have women CEOs!

These statistics highlight why developing an executive presence is particularly crucial for women. It can create more career opportunities and help overcome biases during hiring and promotions.

Strong executive presence coaching  enables you to:

• Lead teams with conviction and inspire them to embrace ambitious goals.
• Handle high-pressure situations with composure and confidence.
• Communicate your ideas with clarity and influence, ensuring you’re heard.
• Build credibility that helps overcome traditional barriers to advancement.

Mastering executive presence can help you get access to senior management roles and influence important decisions. You can finally get that sought-after “seat at the table.”

The New Rules of Executive Presence

Executive presence used to be narrowly defined by assertiveness and personal attractiveness. However, seismic cultural shifts of the last decade demand a new playbook.

What organizations value in their leaders has shifted dramatically.

While qualities like confidence, decisiveness, and professional polish still matter, inclusiveness and authenticity now carry more weight.

Based on a recent Harvard Business Review analysis, here are the three core elements of modern executive presence and what they mean for you:

1. Gravitas (“the lion’s share” of executive presence):

• Confidence and decisiveness remain the top traits, with over 70% of respondents in both 2012 and 2022 rating them the highest.
• Inclusiveness and respect for others have become vital new components.
• Emotional intelligence, while still important, is no longer considered a top-tier requirement.
• Traditional requirements like having a prestigious education (“blue-chip pedigree”) matter less than before.

2. Communication:

• Superior speaking skills continue to be fundamental, with 60% of executives considering them essential.
• Three new traits emerged in the top six since 2012:
  • Command of virtual platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
  • “Listen to learn” orientation rather than forceful speaking
  • Authentic communication style
• The ability to read and engage audiences across both virtual and in-person settings has become crucial.

3. Appearance (“the least-important EP bucket”):

• A polished look remains the top trait, cited by 36-37% of respondents in both surveys.
• Traditional appearance factors from 2012 (physical attractiveness, tallness, slimness, dressing for the next job) are no longer in the top six.
• The focus has shifted to four new priorities:
  • Authentic appearance that reflects your true self
  • Appropriate dress for the “new normal” hybrid workplace
  • Well-curated online image
  • Strategic in-person presence

What’s particularly interesting is how these changes reflect broader societal shifts. The traditional model of executive presence – largely shaped by white male CEOs – is giving way to a more inclusive, authentic approach.

For women leaders, this change presents both opportunities and challenges. You no longer need to fit into a rigid, traditional mold but must still find ways to project confidence and decisiveness while managing social biases.

The key is to develop a leadership style that’s both powerful and authentically yours.

Difference Between Executive Presence and Leadership Skills

Executive presence focuses on how you lead, while leadership skills refer to what you achieve in a management role.

Here’s an overview of the differences between the two:

Both executive presence and leadership skills are mandatory to reach senior management tiers and maximize your impact at higher levels.

How to Have Executive Presence as a Woman

Developing executive presence as a woman requires working on both inner confidence and outward projection.

Let’s break down specific steps:

1. Build Your Inner Strength:

• Boost Self-Confidence: Be aware of negative self-talk that makes you doubt yourself and practice replacing it with empowering messages. Remind yourself regularly of your capabilities.
• Grow Your Resilience: Getting comfortable with discomfort is key. Pursuing executive roles and working on your presence will involve stress, setbacks, and moving beyond your comfort zone. Prepare mentally to power through challenges.
• Lead with Authenticity: Connect your managerial approach to your core values. Leading in ways that align with your beliefs increases conviction and consistency.

2. Carefully Craft Your Outer Image:

• Better Your Communication Style: Speak concisely and clearly. Share ideas with precision. Practice eliminating verbal tics like apologizing or adding disclaimers before stating opinions (more on this in the next section).
• Use Powerful Body Language: Claim your physical space by standing tall with a grounded posture. Maintain eye contact, avoid nervous gestures, and match words to facial expressions and gestures.
• Cultivate a Professional Brand: Dress for the role you want, not the one you have. Ensure your appearance aligns with company culture and project competence. Avoid letting your look distract from the impression you wish to convey.

Recognize that developing executive presence is a journey, not a destination. You’ll never be 100% perfect; minor improvements matter!

How to Improve Executive Presence

Follow these steps to build your executive presence systematically:

1. Seek Specific, Actionable Feedback 

Vague feedback like “work on your presence” isn’t helpful. Instead, ask targeted questions such as:

• “What specific behaviors might be holding me back?”
• “How would improved presence look in my role?”
• “What’s your impression of my leadership style?”
• “Which aspects of my communication could have more impact?”

Pro tip: Gather feedback from colleagues, team members, and your coach to get a complete picture. Try to get feedback right after important meetings or presentations when impressions are fresh.

Even if you receive positive feedback, ask: “What are two specific things I could do differently next time to make an even stronger impact?”

2. Identify and Address Presence-Diminishing Habits 

Everything you say and do affects your presence. Research shows that how you deliver your message matters even more than the content itself. 

Here are key areas to watch:

Small changes in communication can significantly impact how others perceive your executive presence.

Focus on one or two areas at a time rather than trying to change everything at once.

3. Build New Presence-Enhancing Habits 

Start by choosing specific behaviors you want to improve.

Here’s how:

• Record yourself during practice sessions to see how others view you.
• Study women leaders you admire and analyze what makes their presence effective.
• Read executive coaching books to understand proven techniques.
• Adapt their techniques to fit your authentic style.
• Use “strategic silence” – sometimes not speaking carries more power
• When interrupted, confidently use phrases like “I’d like to finish my thought” or “Let me complete this point.”
• Support other women through “amplification” – reinforcing their ideas while ensuring proper credit.

Make it stick: Create visual reminders (like wearing a specific piece of jewelry) or practice visualization before important meetings. Your brain responds to vivid mental rehearsal, almost like you’re actually performing the action.

4. Define Your Leadership Brand 

Strong executive presence flows from clearly understanding who you are as a leader. 

Take time to:

• Clarify your values and beliefs
• Identify your unique strengths
• Understand your purpose and mission
• Build self-confidence through self-awareness
• Align your outer presence with your inner convictions

You’ll notice your influence and effectiveness growing naturally as you do these.

The most important thing is to begin this journey with self-awareness and patience. You’re not trying to become someone else – you’re working to become the most powerful version of yourself.

5. Take Professional Coaching Support from Tandem Coaching

Developing executive presence is a deeply personal journey that can take years to master. Working with a professional coach can significantly accelerate the process and help you avoid common pitfalls.

At Tandem Coaching, we help executives and senior leaders like you transform your presence through personalized executive coaching solutions.

Our program is ideal for:

• New executives looking to establish their authority
• Experienced executives aiming to enhance their impact
• High-potential managers preparing for senior roles
• Leaders whose technical skills outweigh their presence

Through one-on-one sessions tailored to your unique needs and goals, we help you focus on:

• Building authentic confidence and gravitas
• Enhancing communication and influencing skills
• Developing emotional intelligence
• Mastering crisis management
• Creating lasting behavioral change

Our weekly or bi-weekly coaching sessions provide structured support while giving you space to practice and integrate new skills.

Most importantly, you’ll have an experienced guide to provide objective feedback, challenge your assumptions, and help you work more confidently around complex leadership situations.

Ready to build an awesome executive presence? Find out how coaching can help!

Steps to Overcome Challenges in Executive Presence for Women

Here are the most common challenges women face in developing executive presence, along with practical solutions for each:

1. The Double Bind

• • Challenge: Being perceived as either too aggressive or too passive
  • Solution: Find your authentic leadership style that balances authority with approachability
  • Action Steps:
    • Adapt your communication style to the situation, not others’ expectations
    • Practice assertive (not aggressive) communication
    • Develop connections that enable you to come across as confident yet relatable.

2. Visibility Issues

• • Challenge: Getting noticed in male-dominated environments
  • Solution: Create opportunities to showcase your leadership capabilities
  • Action Steps:
    • Volunteer for high-profile projects
    • Speak up early in meetings
    • Build strategic relationships across departments
    • Share your team’s successes with key stakeholders

3. Imposter Syndrome

• • Challenge: Doubting your abilities and accomplishments despite evidence of success
  • Solution: Build confidence through concrete evidence of your impact
  • Action Steps:
    • Keep a “wins journal” to document your achievements
    • Focus on your unique contributions and perspective
    • Collect and save positive feedback
    • Coach others to reinforce your expertise

Recognize these challenges as external barriers rather than personal deficits, and take strategic action to overcome them.

Explore our executive presence coaching for personalized guidance on addressing them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to common questions on building an executive presence as a woman leader:

What Traits Define a Woman with a Strong Presence?

Women with excellent executive presence exude confidence, authenticity, empathy, resilience, superior communication skills, and a professional image. 

They deliver results while creating inclusive cultures where employees succeed.

Why Does Executive Presence Matter More for Women Today?

Executive presence matters more than ever because:

• Increased competition for executive roles
• Greater scrutiny of women in leadership positions
• Need to overcome unconscious bias
• Importance of standing out in virtual environments

If you’re facing these challenges, consider executive coaching for women at Tandem Coaching. We can help you build your authentic presence!

How Does Body Language Affect Executive Presence?

Practicing powerful poses can actually make you feel more confident. Display presence physically by speaking firmly, holding eye contact, claiming personal space, and avoiding nervous tics like excessive nodding. 

Align gestures with words to build authenticity.

Conclusion

Breaking through the glass ceiling takes more than hard work because people hold unconscious biases against women.

To succeed, you must develop a powerful executive presence that helps you overcome these barriers while remaining true to yourself.

At Tandem Coaching, we work one-on-one with you to build confidence, enhance communication skills, and develop the gravitas needed for senior leadership.

Whether you’re new to your role or aiming for the C-suite, we create a tailored roadmap to help you achieve your leadership goals.

Book a free consultation today to learn how we can help you break through barriers and develop an executive presence everyone admires!