Executive Presence: The secret to leading with credibility and success

Why are some professionals able to influence complex environments and others not? What mindset and skills set them apart? The secret is called ‘Executive Presence‘, a set of skills that differentiate those who are able to inspire deep respect, trust, and influence in highly demanding professional contexts.  

This essential leadership concept was popularized in 2014 with the book Executive Presence by Sylvia Ann Hewlett. This work brilliantly defines it as “the ability to project credibility, composure, and influence to mobilize teams and make complex decisions, regardless of hierarchical level.”  

Executive Presence is based on three main levers: gravitas (calm and credibility under pressure), high-impact communication (clarity and synthesis), and credibility (consistency between words and actions), with gravitas being the fundamental element in environments of transformation and public scrutiny. 

Why is Executive Presence important?

Executive Presence (EP) directly influences the perception of competence, access to opportunities, and the ability to mobilize action at critical moments. EP is a fundamental aspect of managerial success as it allows you to communicate clearly in uncertain situations, build trust with stakeholders, and align teams around an inspiring and shared vision. As Andrés Raya rightly states, executive presence is the link between merit and success. 

Professional gravitas: the heart of Executive Presence

Several elements define professional gravitas, a concept coined in Ancient Rome as a fundamental aspect of a good citizen. 

• Serenity under pressure and serious decision-making: this involves maintaining calm and composure in challenging situations and always acting with responsibility and moral rigor.
• Confidence in one’s own abilities: projecting self-assurance without falling into arrogance, generating credibility and respect in the professional environment.
• Sound judgment and discernment: making decisions based on experience and knowledge, demonstrating sound judgment even in the face of uncertainty.
• Integrity and ethical consistency: acting with principles and consistency between what is said and what is done, which inspires confidence in others.
• Authenticity, self-confidence, and self-control: being genuine, controlling your emotions, and understanding those of others, which allows you to influence positively and be perceived as a true leader. 

How to put Executive Presence into daily practice

Executive Presence is not just a perceived quality, but a tool with strategic impact that manifests itself in the way leaders act, decide, and connect with others. Its true value lies in how it translates into concrete and consistent behaviors on a daily basis. Five aspects to keep in mind when talking about Executive Presence in everyday life are: 

1. Presence in decision-making. A manager with EP not only makes decisions, but also conveys confidence in the process. They explain the criteria clearly, listen to diverse perspectives, and generate collective commitment, even when the final decision is complex or unpopular.
2. Impact on organizational culture. EP is not just individual; it also has a multiplier effect. Leaders with a strong executive presence foster environments of psychological safety, where people dare to innovate, question, and contribute. The way a leader communicates under pressure sets the cultural tone for the entire organization.
3. Leading in the digital age and constant change. In an environment characterized by volatility and public overexposure, EP becomes an essential asset. Technical expertise is not enough: it is the ability to project serenity, vision, and humanity that distinguishes those who manage to mobilize large groups.
4. Continuous development and personal sustainability. Executive presence does not arise spontaneously but is cultivated. It is strengthened through:
   • Self-awareness: reflecting on how we are perceived and what impact we have.
   • Deliberate practice: training communication and pressure management in real-life scenarios.
   • Personal energy management: taking care of rest, well-being, and focus in order to maintain gravitas in the long term.
5. A decisive skill in professional development. Today’s organizations seek leaders who can inspire, provide direction, and build trust in uncertain times. Mastering EP makes the difference between a good professional and a leader capable of influencing beyond their formal role. 

In short, Executive Presence is much more than an intangible quality: it is a strategic asset for leading with credibility and success in today’s environment. Constant training allows leaders to turn every interaction into an opportunity to reinforce their personal and collective impact. Hopefully, this article will help you train and strengthen your Executive Presence to bring out the best in you. 

This article has also been published in Do Better by ESADE, September 16, 2025

David Reyero Trapiello – Senior HR Business Partner – Sanofi Iberia
e-mail: David.reyero@sanofi.com / Twitter: @davidreyero73 / Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/davidreyerotrapiello/
Manuel Clavel – Founding Partner Talengo