“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” — John C. Maxwell
In today’s fast-changing business world, leaders are not just expected to deliver results — they’re expected to command respect, inspire trust, and communicate clarity under chaos. That’s the essence of Executive Presence — the invisible force that makes people listen when you speak and follow when you act.
A recent Harvard Business Review study found that 78% of senior executives believe executive presence is essential for career advancement, yet only 37% feel they truly embody it. This gap is where executive coaching comes in — turning capable professionals into compelling leaders.
Global organizations like Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Unilever are investing heavily in executive coaching. At Google’s “Project Oxygen”, leadership coaching improved team productivity by 30%. Similarly, at IBM, coached leaders reported higher engagement scores and stronger team cohesion.
As India’s corporate landscape evolves, leaders must cultivate gravitas, empathy, and influence — not by changing who they are, but by mastering how they show up. Here are 12 simple, actionable steps every corporate leader can take to build executive presence and gravitas.
1. Own the Room
In a crisis meeting, Satya Nadella of Microsoft didn’t raise his voice — he lowered it. His calm composure set the tone. Leaders build trust not through noise, but through poise. “True power whispers.”
2. Speak with Clarity, Not Complexity
Sheryl Sandberg simplified Facebook’s communication by making every idea pass the “grandmother test” — if your grandmother understands it, you’re ready. Simple words build credibility. “Clarity is not the opposite of intelligence; it’s proof of it.”
3. Develop Emotional Composure
When Indra Nooyi faced criticism during PepsiCo’s transformation, she didn’t react — she responded. Her emotional control redefined respect. “Gravitas is grace under fire.”
4. Listen More Than You Speak
Sundar Pichai transformed Google’s culture by asking more questions than he answered. Listening builds trust faster than talking ever will. “Listening is leadership in silence.”
5. Tell Stories That Stick
In one Apple keynote, Steve Jobs didn’t sell an iPod — he sold “1,000 songs in your pocket.” Storytelling isn’t decoration; it’s the doorway to influence. “Facts inform, stories transform.”
6. Build Visual Confidence
Eye contact, posture, and gestures are silent signals of authority. When Ratan Tata addressed employees during tough times, his steady gaze and composed body language spoke volumes. “Your body speaks before you do.”
7. Lead with Empathy
During the pandemic, Arvind Krishna of IBM began weekly “empathy townhalls.” The result? A 20% rise in employee satisfaction scores. “Empathy turns power into purpose.”
8. Embrace Feedback Fearlessly
At Google, leaders undergo 360° feedback cycles twice a year. Those who acted on feedback improved performance metrics by 40%. “Feedback is the mirror leaders must not avoid.”
9. Be Consistent, Not Perfect
Mary Barra of GM once said, “I’d rather be consistently good than occasionally great.” Reliability creates respect more than brilliance does. “Consistency builds credibility.”
10. Communicate Vision, Not Just Tasks
When Narayan Murthy spoke about Infosys, he didn’t talk code; he talked contribution. Vision attracts, direction sustains. “Vision gives weight to words.”
11. Manage Energy, Not Just Time
Leaders like Richard Branson prioritize well-being to project vitality. Executive presence is as much about energy as it is about intellect. “Energy is the currency of influence.”
12. Coach Others to Grow
At Unilever, coached leaders coached others — creating a ripple of performance improvement. Coaching multiplies leadership impact exponentially. “The best leaders don’t just lead; they lift.”
In Summary
Executive Presence isn’t an accident. It’s a discipline — built through self-awareness, communication, and compassion. Coaching accelerates that journey by helping leaders refine their voice, influence, and authenticity.
As India’s leading Executive Coach and Storytelling Expert, Anand Munshi helps CEOs and CXOs develop clarity, confidence, and charisma to lead with empathy and influence. Through personalized coaching, he empowers leaders to turn presence into impact, and communication into connection.
“Leadership begins when self-awareness meets authenticity.”
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Learn more at www.anandmunshi.com.
