In a world of EdTech Leadership, a person’s innovation and strategy often get the attention and accolades of our peers. Underneath every impactful leader is something more hidden, but needs just as much or more attention, and that is Executive Presence. That hidden factor allows the leader to build trust, command attention, inspire, and call others to action – even if the leader says very little. Executive presence isn’t just for the person at the organization's top; it’s for anyone who wants to lead with purpose and influence others without overpowering.
Some people think that executive presence comes naturally and can’t be learned. I disagree and tell you that it can most definitely be learned. We all need to have the growth mindset that, with intention, we can reflect upon and grow our executive functioning skills.
In this blog, I list some of the overlooked soft skills you can use to create impact and stand out. I cannot say I am an expert in these, but I know good presence when I see it. In my next few blog posts, I will expand upon strategies to build your executive presence.
Some people think that executive presence comes naturally and can’t be learned. I disagree and tell you that it can most definitely be learned. We all need to have the growth mindset that, with intention, we can reflect upon and grow our executive functioning skills.
In this blog, I list some of the overlooked soft skills you can use to create impact and stand out. I cannot say I am an expert in these, but I know good presence when I see it. In my next few blog posts, I will expand upon strategies to build your executive presence.
What is Executive Presence?
Executive presence combines how you show up, make people feel, and influence others, regardless of your title. It includes your communication style, emotional intelligence, body language, and decision-making skills under pressure. In education technology, where leaders bridge the gap between pedagogy and innovation, presence becomes the avenue to trust and clarity. According to the Bates Model, executive presence is built across character, substance, and style, making it deeply human and highly strategic.
What are some key factors of executive presence? While many associate executive presence with polished public speaking or confident posture, these subtle, repeatable habits build trust and influence over time. Here are five of them:
What are some key factors of executive presence? While many associate executive presence with polished public speaking or confident posture, these subtle, repeatable habits build trust and influence over time. Here are five of them:
- Run clear and concise meetings: Savvy leaders run meetings with purpose, deliverables, and future actions. Create crisp meeting agendas that show the value of the participants in your meeting and use their time wisely. Know when to make decisions, table the conversation to create a subcommittee, or when you need additional information. Be inclusive while facilitating discussion and help keep time for those in the meeting who may become long-winded. Are there meetings you dread attending and others you appreciate being part of? Those feelings probably come from the way the meetings are led. Be the leader whose team is eager to go to meetings.
- Be fluent at providing feedback: Know when to offer and ask for feedback. Executive presence is an extension of your leadership skills in the way that you give and receive good feedback. One of my good friends will preface informal conversations with, “Are you open to feedback?” I love that technique because the receiver consents to the giver providing the feedback, and the receiver, in turn, can mentally prepare for hearing potential ways to improve their product, process, communication, or task. This technique strengthens your relationship with the receiver and shows that you care enough about the person to provide helpful feedback. On the flipside, displaying humility and requesting feedback also models presence. When receiving feedback, listen actively, without getting defensive or interrupting to tell the story from your side. Asking for clarity without disputing the facts from the provider’s point of view may be hard, but remember, you asked for the feedback. You need to receive it graciously and, most importantly, take the feedback, reflect upon it, and decide whether you need to make changes.
- Course correct with care: Savvy leaders know when to correct their course, the individuals they work with, their teams, or their departments when they see misalignment with the strategic goals or the organization’s culture. A leader’s ability to provide a nudge vs. using power or shaming keeps dignity intact and challenges and empowers those involved to find better ways. Using language like “I wonder what we could try differently” vs “this isn’t working” will help corrective measures move forward instead of causing guilt and shame.
- Recognize hidden agendas: Sometimes, your spidey sense lets you know something isn’t right. Perhaps there’s tension in the room, your participants' body language shows you that something is wrong, you identify that priorities compete, or people appear to have differing agendas. Being able to “suss” out the elephant in the room respectfully and tactfully is essential to clear away the barriers so that the real work can begin. Using words like:
- What’s not being said that might be important here?
- I want to ensure we’re not missing any concerns—what might people be holding back?
- I might be off, but it feels like something isn’t sitting right. Is there anything we need to clear up?”
- I’m noticing an energy shift—does anyone else feel it?
- What are we assuming that might not be true?
- No blame, just clarity—what do we need to say out loud to move forward?
- Display an emotional quotient: A savvy leader can read the energy and emotions of their team, colleagues, or the room. The ability to read the team’s mood and respond with the appropriate tone and level of energy is a skill you should keep growing in yourself and others. More importantly, how you react in those moments will help build your leadership executive presence.
These are just a few of the items that make up executive presence. In what strategies do you already excel? Which ones do you feel a gap exists? Use those strategies as you work with your team on hardware or software implementation or help your leadership team develop generative AI guidelines.
Next month, I’ll list five more strategies that can help. Leadership is a continuum, and we are constantly learning. I by no means have perfected executive presence, but I know it when I see it.
These are some of the strategies I’ve seen and tried to emulate in my own life. I hope they can be helpful to you too!
Next month, I’ll list five more strategies that can help. Leadership is a continuum, and we are constantly learning. I by no means have perfected executive presence, but I know it when I see it.
These are some of the strategies I’ve seen and tried to emulate in my own life. I hope they can be helpful to you too!