As a business executive and classically trained actor, I bring deep passion for and experience with the concept of Executive Presence. I find most advice on this critical topic to be outdated and impractical.

The main way we go wrong with Executive Presence is we focus on ourselves. Executive Presence is not about you. It's about your audience's experience with you.

We usually talk about Executive Presence as having confidence, being comfortable public speaking, being quick on our feet, standing tall. We often assume extroverts have stronger Executive Presence and that introverts struggle with it.

Banish these outdated thoughts.

Rather than pushing yourself towards some outdated ideal of Executive Presence (tall, white, middle-aged male), focus instead on being a Present Executive. Really connect with your audience by getting out of your own head. Take the focus off of yourself, and put your attention on your audience.

Intentionally create the experience you want your audience to have with you, and the rest will largely take care of itself, for example, “what do I do with my hands” “how do I remember what I’m going to say?” “will I talk too fast?” Whether your audience is one or 1000...in writing, on video, or in person…place your energy on your audience.

Executive Presence is not about you. Elevate your Executive Presence by being a Present Executive.

This coach can help.