Be a Swan

My mom painted this swan, and it sits on my desk as a reminder to slow down. Swans glide across the water with effortless calm. What we don’t see are their webbed feet paddling—perhaps frantically—beneath the surface. That image comes to mind when I think about executive presence.

Executive presence is something you may already have—or something you’re working to build.

As a leader, your actions are amplified. If you seem rushed or overwhelmed, people may assume things are unraveling—or that a crisis is ahead. Moving and speaking a bit more slowly can signal calm, control, and approachability.

What other behaviors and communication styles convey confidence and build trust? Some call it gravitas, but I believe it’s more nuanced than that.

How would you define executive presence? Sometimes it’s easier to spot when it’s missing.

Is it shaped by how someone dresses, how they carry themselves, or both?

How do you show up? From the outside, what impression do you leave?

What is one step you can take to strengthen your executive presence?