Early in my career, I was told I needed to “show up with more executive presence.” No one explained what that meant. There was no checklist, no roadmap, just a vague expectation to somehow "be more." This left me frustrated, doubting myself, and trying to decode a message I couldn’t quite translate.
Has anyone ever told you that "you need more executive presence"... as if it were something you could buy at Target between dry shampoo and LaCroix?
“Gravitas.”
“Presence.”
“Confidence.”
These are words that frequently get tossed around in leadership coaching and performance reviews. Still, they’re often vague and unhelpful, especially for high-performers who don’t fit the traditional mold of what “executive” is supposed to look or sound like.
It’s like someone telling you to just be taller. Thanks for nothing.
Executive presence sounds like one of those magical traits you either have...or you don’t.
But here’s the truth: it’s not mystical. It’s measurable. And it’s absolutely buildable.
It’s giving “figure it out” energy, and that’s where AI changes the game.
So, let’s break it down, reframe it, and use the tools of the future to help you show up like the leader you already are.
Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s research in Harvard Business Review breaks executive presence into three core pillars:
Let’s be real...appearance might be the smallest percentage, but it’s often the first signal people receive before you say a word.
The good news? Every single one of these pillars can be built. And AI tools are here to help you build them: faster, with more feedback, and way less guesswork.
What’s holding you back:
“Executive presence is something you’re either born with or you’re not.”
The empowering shift:
Executive presence is a learnable skill set. It's not a personality trait.
How AI can help:
Use Yoodli to rehearse high-stakes conversations. It gives real-time coaching on filler words, pacing, tone, and body language so you can show up with calm authority, even under pressure.
What’s holding you back:
“If I dress the part, I’ll seem like I’m trying too hard.”
The empowering shift:
Style is strategy. Dressing with intention communicates credibility.
How AI can help:
ShopLook.ai and Fashwell use AI to recommend outfits based on your industry, event type, and body type, helping you project polish without losing authenticity.
What’s holding you back:
“I’m not a natural public speaker, so I’ll never command a room.”
The empowering shift:
Great communicators aren’t born. THEY. ARE. COACHED.
How AI can help:
Use Grammarly Premium or Orai to practice and refine your delivery. These tools analyze your tone, structure, and word choice so you sound as confident as you are capable.
Ready to move from vague feedback to clear action? Use these prompts and tools to start showing up with executive-level confidence and clarity.
Prompts to try:
AI Tools to explore:
Executive presence isn’t about being loud. It’s about being clear. It’s not about dressing like everyone else...it’s about dressing like the leader you are.
You don’t need to fake confidence. You need to practice presence, and AI gives you a private, judgment-free space to do just that.
Real leaders don’t wing it. They work at it - intentionally.
You’re not here to blend in. You’re here to be unforgettable.
Hasta la próxima, Abrazos!
