Executive Presence Training
If you want to be a leader, you must learn to play the part.
Executive Presence Training: Develop a more powerful, charismatic leadership presence
You're great at your job and poised to move up the corporate ladder.
Executive presence training-- it’s never been on your radar. You do, after all, produce excellent results at work. Your coworkers say you go out of your way to help the team. And your performance reviews are always stellar.
But at your last meeting with the executive team, your boss said “If you want to move into upper management, you need to improve your executive presence.” When you asked him to explain further, his reply was vague: “We all truly value your work,” he said, “but if you want to be a leader here, you need to learn to own the room. Look into getting some executive presence training, okay?”
You left the meeting asking yourself, “What the heck is executive presence? And why don’t my colleagues think I have it?!”
What is Executive Presence?
While the term “executive presence” or “leadership presence” has been popular for a few years in leadership circles, the definition of executive presence is rather nebulous. As this HBR executive presence article explains, even experienced senior executives struggle to explain why some people have executive presence while others do not. In general, people agree that executive presence is comprised of the following:
- Self-confidence
- Willingness to tackle difficult situations
- Unflappability – able to handle pressure
- Poise – you have calm, relaxed, and assured body language
- Ability to communicate – one-on-one, with teams, and large groups
- Appearance – you are well groomed and nicely dressed (you look the part)
But here’s the thing - Executive presence looks different from one executive to another because a huge part of executive presence is authenticity – those unique qualities you possess that make you YOU and allow you to be comfortable in your own skin.
Executive Presence Training – Workshops, Seminars, and Coaching to Effectively Develop Executive Presence
There are many executive presence tips, books, videos, and articles to help you learn what it takes to improve your executive presence. For example, in this short executive presence HBR video, Muriel Maignan Wilkins, coauthor of Own the Room, breaks executive presence into three essential parts:
- Your assumptions and your mindset;
- Your communication strategies;
- Your ability to manage your energy and match it to each situation.
While there is no quick fix to immediately amp up your executive presence gravitas, with executive presence training you can expect to tap into your own authenticity and transform into your own best version of a leader.
Maximize your executive presence so you can speak and lead with maximum influence.
My coaching clients run the gamut. Some are running innovative small companies. Some are in C-suite positions at influential international corporations. Many are on the verge of stepping up to leadership positions of greater reach and visibility.
All of them have one thing in common: They want to achieve master-level presence and presentation skills that magnify and reflect their unique leadership style and message.
As transformational leaders, the men and women I work with are open to learning, growing, and developing themselves to the best of their abilities…much like master-level professional actors, who spend their lifetimes improving their ability to be perform at their peak under pressure.
People in leadership positions approach me for executive presence training when…
- They need help finding words and ways to motivate their under-performing team.
- They’ve received feedback that they’re aloof or difficult to relate to and want to become more approachable.
- They to want to “own the room” when they speak to their team or give critical speeches at large public events.
- They want, for once and for all, to define and project their unique leadership style… the style that reflects who they are at their core. As one of my clients put it, “I want to define, speak, and embody a solid message that inspires others and reflects who I really am as a leader.”
What about you? What area of your leadership presence needs development in order for you to perform at your peak with eyes on you?
Let me help you fire up the troops with a confident presence that gets instant buy-in and a message that has lasting impact!
The Leadership Presence Mastery Coaching Process:
The executive presence training program I’ve developed helps you improve your presence, craft and polish your presentation skills, and connect and communicate more authentically.
Here’s how I work with you:
- First, we examine the gap between how you are perceived and how you see yourself as a leader, so we can determine the leader you want to be as well as your authentic leadership style.
- Then we determine the assets we need to maximize and the liabilities we need to minimize, so you can reach your leadership potential.
- Finally, we develop the verbal, physical, and energetic presence that inspires the people you lead. This can include creating and finessing high-level keynotes or presentations—because great leaders need to be great communicators.
This executive presence training process is founded on my Five Principles of Transformational Presence: Know Thyself, Be Thyself, Prepare Thyself, Commit Thyself, and Turn Thyself on, so you can Turn Others On.
The Results:
- Increased confidence, which encourages those you lead to throw their support behind you.
- Increased clarity, which helps your team know what they’re there to do, making them more willing to take action.
- Increased authenticity and relatability, which generates in others a greater sense of trust, belonging, and desire to connect with and support your vision, initiative or big idea.
I offer executive presence training within my structured coaching programs. What kind of support feels most aligned with where you are right now?
Build Your Presence from the Ground Up
If you’re stepping into greater visibility and want more confidence in your communication skills, this is for you.
Core Coaching is ideal for professionals who want structured, skills-based communication coaching to build executive presence, sharpen presentations, and feel more at ease and effective in meetings, interviews, and everyday leadership moments.
For Leaders Looking for Deeper, More Personalized Coaching
If you’re in a high-level role and the stakes of your communication are significant, this is for you.
Premium Coaching is designed for senior leaders and high-stakes presenters who need message clarity, executive-level gravitas, and steady confidence when decisions, reputation, or outcomes are on the line.
Master-Level Coaching for Leaders at the Top of Their Game
If you’re already a strong leader or communicator and want to operate at the highest level of influence, Elite Coaching provides customized, ongoing support.
This is for high-impact presenters who want to deepen their charisma, storytelling, and presence, refine major speeches, and consistently move people to action with confidence and authenticity.
Crafting a Legacy Message That’s Truly Yours
“What sets Eleni apart is the combination of structure and soul. She has a refined, proven methodology—clear frameworks, a repeatable process, real strategy—yet the experience never feels formulaic. It feels bespoke. She meets you where you are, sees what you’re reaching for (often before you can name it), and guides you there with calm steadiness and unwavering standards.
If you’re ready—really ready—to craft a legacy message that reflects your depth, your humanity, your truth and your lived experience, Eleni is extraordinary."
Paul Templer
Speaker, Author, and Philanthropist
Ready to command the room?
Explore the coaching support that feels most aligned, or reach out and we’ll find the right fit together.