Executive presence is a term that’s widely used in performance reviews, leadership development programs and coaching conversations. Despite its prevalence, however, the term remains difficult to define. Many people on the receiving end of executive presence-related feedback don’t know how to translate it into actionable, measurable behavior.

Even among those delivering the feedback, executive presence can be used as a catch-all rather than a precise growth area. Not only does this ambiguity create confusion, it can also create room for bias. In a 2023 qualitative study , Asian women executives described how gendered and cultural stereotypes influenced perceptions of their executive presence, reinforcing the importance of defining it through specific, observable behaviors.

One challenge with defining executive presence is that many people know it when they see it but struggle to articulate a clear definition grounded in observable behaviors. If you’ve been advised by your manager to work on your executive presence, you may be frustrated by that lack of clarity. Particularly if you’re a high achiever who strives for excellence, you likely want to act on the feedback. Without a clear definition, however, it’s difficult to know where to start. This lack of specificity has consequences. Research has found that the quality of feedback affects performance, with precise feedback producing better results than vague or limited feedback.

Though it often feels difficult to pin down, executive presence can be developed. What I’ve learned from years of coaching leaders is that executive presence is the ability to inspire confidence in the people around you, particularly in challenging moments. Others feel confident when they trust your judgment, believe in your ability to navigate uncertainty and know you’ll respond steadily under pressure. Here are three actionable behaviors that can help you strengthen your executive presence.

Remain Steady Under Pressure

Pressure has a powerful influence on human behavior. Recent research found that acute stress can impair decision-making, particularly as decisions become more comples. When faced with a high-stakes situation, such as a challenge to your authority, negative feedback or a question you can’t answer, your stress response may kick in. Rather than responding thoughtfully and intentionally, you may find yourself stammering, rambling or reacting defensively. These reactive behaviors can undermine your executive presence and make it more difficult for others to feel confident in your leadership.

Leaders who manage themselves under pressure maintain a strong executive presence because they appear capable of handling the situation. Their steadiness also influences everyone around them. People want to believe their leaders can navigate difficult moments. Unpredictable or unsteady behavior can undermine confidence and psychological safety.

Challenging moments at work are inevitable. With greater awareness and practice, however, you can learn to better respond to them. Start by noticing your physiological response to stress. A rapid heart rate, shallow breathing and increased body temperature may signal that you’ve been triggered. I refer to these signs as your body’s check engine light. If you learn to spot this response early, you can intervene before engaging in reactive behaviors you’ll later regret.

Maintaining executive presence requires paying attention to what’s happening around you, not just what’s in your own head. When your stress response kicks in, it’s easy to lose sight of others’ needs and become narrowly focused on protecting yourself. That inward focus can undermine your presence at the very moment others need your attention.

Every conversation offers insights into what others may need from you. Facial expressions, body language and tone of voice can signal confusion, frustration or fear. These cues are invitations to pay closer attention. If you’re too focused on your own discomfort, you may miss opportunities to ask questions, address concerns or adjust your approach. Instead of focusing on how you’re being perceived, ask yourself what the team needs from you.

The more clearly you understand what your audience needs, the easier it becomes to adjust your communication. This might look like slowing down the conversation, asking deeper questions or examining assumptions. For example, if you sense resistance in the room, you might pause and say, “I’m sensing there may be some concerns about this idea. I’d love to hear what you’re thinking.” Leaning into the moment with curiosity allows others to feel heard and conveys confidence in your ability to tolerate disagreement.

The ability to communicate clearly is crucial to executive presence. Your communication conveys your credibility and expertise. Clear communication also signals transparency and authenticity, which are linked to increased trust. If you’ve ever listened to a leader ramble incoherently or use esoteric language nobody understands, you know how unsatisfying unclear communication can feel. Clear communication requires both a focused message and a delivery approach that connects with your audience.

Start by translating your message into the language of your audience. You have access to far more information than others need or want. Strip out extraneous details and focus on the core message. Ensure that it aligns with your audience’s goals, interests and values, not just your own.

Speak with conviction by reducing unnecessary minimizing language. Phrases such as, “This might be a bad idea, but…” can dilute your message before others have had a chance to consider it. You can remain humble, open-minded and curious while communicating your perspective with confidence.

When managers struggle to pinpoint development opportunities or deliver constructive feedback, they may default to advising you to work on your executive presence. If you receive this feedback, ask for specific examples, observable behaviors and a clear description of what greater executive presence would look like in practice. Regardless of how the term is defined in your organization, remaining steady under pressure, reading the room and communicating clearly can strengthen your overall executive presence.