What is Executive Presence — and Why Does it Matter?
If you’re interested in leadership development, you’ve probably been reading a lot about executive presence lately. But what do people really mean when they talk about executive presence?
At its core, executive presence is about how we instil confidence and inspire those around us — whether that’s our senior leadership team, investors, or employees. It’s the way we show up as leaders and how others experience us.
Who Needs Executive Presence?
Leaders certainly need executive presence, including CEOs and senior executives. But it’s not limited to people already in leadership roles. Anyone aspiring to be a leader in the future can benefit from developing it. And if you’re an entrepreneur, executive presence is especially important—it can influence trust, credibility, and how seriously others take your vision.
The Key Attributes of Executive Presence
If you do a quick internet search, you’ll find plenty of lists outlining the attributes commonly associated with executive presence. Many of them seem to begin with the letter C:
communication, connection, confidence, character, charisma, and so on.
Ultimately, these attributes all relate to how we present – both ourselves and our ideas—very much my area of interest.
My Series on Executive Presence
That’s why I’m planning a series of blogs focused on these attributes and how we can actively develop them. Each blog will explore one aspect of executive presence and offer practical insights for strengthening it. I’ve also created a companion series of video shorts, which you can find on my YouTube channel: The Animated Presenter.
If there’s an attribute of executive presence you’d like me to cover—whether it begins with C or not—feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to address it.
Based in Leytonstone, London, UK, Julia Caddick is a dynamic voice and presentation coach with over 30 years of experience in music, theatre, and communication. She helps business leaders, teams, and individuals present themselves and their ideas with clarity, authenticity and impact — both in person and online.