Impress hiring managers and have executive presence with these 3 changes to the way you communicate.

A few years ago, I interviewed for a role I really wanted.

I thought I crushed it.

I had the experience, the results, the track record.

But I didn’t get it.

And when the hiring manager gave me feedback, I’ll never forget what he said:

“You didn’t have the executive presence.”

Oof.

That one stung. Because I thought I did have executive presence.

I thought I came across as poised, confident, and articulate.

But hearing that? It felt like a punch in the gut.

What he meant was:

I rambled.
I didn’t sound senior enough.
I didn’t look like a leader in the room.

It was one of the most pivotal moments of my career.

Because even though it hurt, it helped me get better.

Executive presence isn’t just for high-stakes moments like interviews.

It’s your daily advantage—in every meeting, every video call, and every room you walk into.

The Problem

You’re doing the work. You’re getting results.

But you still feel stuck, unseen, and underappreciated.

You don’t want to be performative. You don’t want to be fake. You want your work to speak for itself.

But here’s the truth:

People can’t appreciate what they don’t notice.

And if people don’t see your leadership, they won’t reward it.

The Big Small Thing

My brilliant friend Lorraine K. Lee just wrote the book I wish I had 10 years ago.

It’s called Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career—and it’s packed with simple, non-cringey ways to strengthen your executive presence and be respected at work (even if you’re an introvert or allergic to self-promotion).

Lorraine says building your executive presence isn’t about being loud.

It’s about being intentional.

Here are 3 small changes that can make a big difference this week:

1. Audit your language.

Scrub your most-used phrases for minimizing language like:

❌ “Just wanted to check in…”
❌ “I feel like maybe we should…”
❌ “Sorry to bother you, but…”

Replace them with confident alternatives:
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✅ “Following up on this thread.”
✅ “Here’s what I recommend based on what we know.”
✅ “Thanks for your patience!”

2. Prep one insight before every meeting.

Instead of winging it, prep 1–2 thoughtful points ahead of time—especially if you’re an introvert. This helps you contribute with clarity, not just volume.

(Pro tip: Ask for the agenda in advance.)

3. Share one win this week—strategically.

Try: “One thing I learned on this project that might help your team too…”

That’s not bragging. That’s being generous with your impact.

(Lorraine’s new book Unforgettable Presence is packed with more practical scripts like this.)

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How This Helps You Get What You Want

Executive presence isn’t just for execs.

It’s for anyone who wants to lead, be trusted, and get noticed for the right reasons.

When people see you as confident, composed, and clear…

✅ You build stronger relationships
✅ You get more recognition
✅ You attract better opportunities

This isn’t about chasing attention.

It’s about building influence—one intentional moment at a time.