You’ve built your executive presence. You speak assertively, walk with confidence, carry yourself with authority. You’ve invested time in developing composure under pressure, polish in communication, and a self-assured style.
But once you have presence, then what?
Presence alone isn’t enough. Without intention, it’s easy to default to style over substance, optics over outcomes. Purposeful leaders ask: What outcome am I trying to achieve when I bring presence into the room?
This is especially true for women leaders, who often face steeper expectations to show presence and authenticity, yet can be penalized if one seems stronger than the other. Presence is a lever for influence, alignment, and trust, not just visibility.
What Executive Presence Is and Why Re-Define It
Executive presence blends gravitas, communication, and appearance to signal leadership ability. It’s how you show up verbally, non-verbally, and energetically in spaces where influence happens.
But the rules are shifting. While gravitas still matters, authenticity and respect are increasingly central. Listening, empathy, and leading from your values are not optional adornments. They define how presence is perceived.
For women leaders, executive presence with purpose builds sustainable influence, even in systems that put extra demands on them.
Turning Presence Into Strategic Influence
Here’s how to move from simply having executive presence to using it purposefully:
1. Define the outcome first
Before any meeting, presentation, or conversation, ask: What result do I want here? Knowing your outcome guides tone, posture, and content.
2. Use micro-practices as resets
Ground yourself with a deep breath, posture check, or mental anchor before entering the room or logging onto Zoom. This helps calm nervous energy, center your focus, and project confidence, so your presence is intentional rather than reactive. Reframe nervous energy as focus and let a core value like clarity or impact shape how your presence shows up.
3. Model authenticity through alignment
Align your words, actions, and intentions. When presence reflects your true values, it builds trust. Inconsistencies, like declaring collaboration matters but interrupting others, erode impact over time.
4. Lead through listening and relational presence
Presence isn’t always loud. Holding space, inviting feedback, and asking clarifying questions signals that your executive presence serves the team, not just you.
5. Use feedback loops and reflection
Ask trusted colleagues when your presence felt strongest and when it fell short. Reflect on body language, voice, pacing, and alignment with outcomes, and adjust over time.
A Story from the Field: Coaching Executive Presence with Purpose
One of our executive coaches recently shared the experience of a senior leader in our Accelerate program who was receiving one-on-one coaching. She had already invested heavily in developing her executive presence: poised in meetings, confident in her voice, commanding attention.
But in meetings with her leadership team and direct reports, her presence wasn’t always helping her achieve desired outcomes: alignment on priorities, clarity on next steps, or team accountability. Her team thought she was a confident presenter, but they didn’t always leave the meeting persuaded by her ideas.
Through coaching, she paired micro-practices with intentional actions: stating the desired outcome upfront, pausing to confirm alignment, inviting feedback, and adjusting her direction based on the group’s input.
Over weeks, she noticed the difference. Meetings became more focused, conversations more collaborative, and her team left with clear next steps. Her executive presence was no longer just seen. It was now actively guiding outcomes.
Backed by Research: Why Purpose Matters
Research confirms what we see in practice. Gallup (2025) found that followers value hope and trust above charisma or boldness. Leaders who deliver on these elements create work environments where people feel safe, motivated, and willing to follow.
IMD Business School reinforces the point: executive presence is shifting. Today, leaders who show up authentically by relying on their values and character rather than their title or authority are the ones who move their teams and organizations forward.
The takeaway is clear: executive presence is most effective when tied to purpose. When your presence reflects your values, guides desired outcomes, and builds trust, it moves your team and your work forward.
Practical Habit Shifts: Everyday Actions
| Habit | What to Do |
| Intention prior to visibility | Before any meeting or visible moment, complete the sentence: “My purpose here is to …” |
| Grounding & posture reset | Stand up, ground feet, take 3 slow breaths, calm mind (even if just for 30 seconds). |
| Articulate outcome early | At the start of any meeting, share: “Here’s what I want us to leave this room having done/decided/agreed on…” |
| Pause & invite input | After making a point, pause: “What are your questions and concerns? What haven’t we covered that’s important?” |
| Values check | Reflect weekly: Did my presence reflect my values? Where did I compromise? Where was I off-message? |
Why This Shift Matters More for Women Leaders
Women often enter rooms expected to prove presence and credibility more than men. Purpose-aligned presence redirects energy from “proving” to leading.
Biases still exist: what’s seen as decisive in a man can be labeled aggressive in a woman. Purpose-driven presence gives a framework: you’re not being aggressive; you’re driving outcomes that matter.
Authenticity becomes a differentiator. Leading from your values and strengths, rather than trying to fit someone else’s mold, makes your presence noticeable and memorable.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Presence built is half the work. Presence used with purpose is what makes leadership matter.
To start:
- Clarify your outcome before your next important meeting.
- Try one micro-practice (breathing, posture reset) before every presentation.
- Reflect on feedback: where was your presence felt, but not impactful, and how will you adjust?
At Her New Standard, we help women leaders not just build presence, but apply it intentionally. Our Cultivating a Powerful Presence workshop and executive coaching programs are designed to deepen impact and move outcomes.
Let your presence be more than visibility. Let it move outcomes, build trust, align teams, and amplify your leadership with purpose.
Ready to elevate your leaders’ presence from polished to purposeful?
Executive Presence with Purpose: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between executive presence and executive presence with purpose?
Executive presence is about how you show up — your gravitas, communication, and appearance. Presence with purpose takes it further: it’s using that presence intentionally to achieve specific outcomes, build trust, and guide your team effectively.
2. I already have executive presence. Why do I need to focus on purpose?
Presence alone can make you visible, but it doesn’t guarantee influence. Purpose ensures your presence drives results, aligns teams, and builds credibility — especially in high-stakes or complex leadership environments.
3. How can I define the right outcome before a meeting?
Start by asking: What result do I want from this conversation? It could be alignment, clarity on next steps, buy-in from the team, or solving a conflict. Defining the outcome first guides your tone, approach, and the way you respond in the moment.
4. What are micro-practices, and do they really work?
Micro-practices are quick, intentional resets — like a grounding breath, posture check, or mentally anchoring a core value — that help you enter a meeting centered, confident, and focused on your purpose. They work by aligning your internal state with your desired outcome.
5. How do I model authenticity without oversharing or losing authority?
Authenticity isn’t about disclosing everything. It’s about aligning your words, actions, and decisions with your values. Show up in a way that’s true to yourself while maintaining clarity and authority.
6. How can I use executive presence to strengthen relationships?
Listen actively, invite feedback, and pause to check alignment during meetings. Presence isn’t always about commanding attention. Sometimes it’s about creating space for others to contribute, which strengthens trust and engagement.
7. Can executive presence with purpose be learned?
Yes. It’s about practicing intentional behaviors, reflecting on outcomes, and seeking feedback. Tools like micro-practices, outcome alignment, and coaching programs can accelerate the process.
8. Why is this especially important for women leaders?
Women often face higher scrutiny for how they show up. Purpose-driven presence shifts energy from “proving” to leading, helps navigate bias, and allows women to stand out authentically while driving meaningful outcomes.
9. How can I start applying this today?
Begin small: define one outcome before your next meeting, practice a quick micro-reset, and reflect afterward on whether your presence moved the outcome you intended. Over time, these habits compound into impactful, purposeful leadership.
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