The Power of Presence: Commanding a Room with Confidence

FuturePrint Leaders Summit, Geneva Switzerland 2022

When I first got my seat at the table as a manager, I wasn’t quite sure I belonged. I wanted to be in the room, but I felt like I hadn’t earned enough respect to speak up. I certainly didn’t have a strong presence—I probably wilted a little.

In contrast, when I was in an individual contributor role as a salesperson, I believed I was the best. I positioned myself as an equal in most conversations, particularly in my last years in that role. But in 2015, when I was promoted to my first management position, everything changed. I became the manager of my peers—some of whom were close friends.

I remember my manager, the VP of Sales, pulling me aside. While I believed no one could see my tentativeness, she must’ve noticed. One day, she said to me, “You belong here. I want to hear from you, and you need to speak up in this group.” Wait?! I was adding value to the conversation?

As I’ve discussed throughout this blog series on the SPARK Method, so much of leadership is about mindset and believing in oneself. If you’re not commanding a room—whether on video or in-person—with confidence, here are some basics to refine your executive presence:

Fundamentals of Presence:

• Dress for success. If you are dressed professionally and appropriately for the occasion, you will feel more confident.

• Posture and body position. Are you sitting up or standing tall, shoulders back, hands open, and relaxed? Or are you slouching, tense, and closed off?

• Facial expression. Are your brows raised in engagement, and are you smiling? Or are you frowning with furrowed brows?

  
  

All of this speaks to the room before you even say a word. Presence speaks volumes.

For Experienced Leaders: The Power of Self-Awareness

Even leaders with years of experience can develop blind spots. You might assume your presence commands respect, but how others perceive you may not always align with your intent.

Consider this:

• Are you fully engaged, or are distractions (like your phone or laptop) sending a message of disinterest?

• Do you unintentionally dominate conversations, leaving little space for others to contribute?

• Are you projecting confidence—or coming across as disengaged or dismissive?

  
  

Executive presence isn’t just about confidence—it’s about connection. Great leaders make people feel heard, valued, and inspired. The most respected executives don’t just take up space; they create space for others to thrive.

✅ Want to assess your presence? Ask a trusted colleague for feedback on how you show up in meetings. The best leaders never stop refining their impact.

Final Thoughts

Your presence in a room—virtual or physical—shapes how others perceive your leadership. It’s not about being the loudest or most dominant voice, but about showing up with intention, clarity, and connection.

---

💡 Want more insights on executive presence and leadership? Subscribe to my Ignite: SPARK Executive Edge newsletter for deeper strategies or follow my weekly SPARK Effect on LinkedIn for real-time leadership insights.

How are you cultivating your presence as a leader? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments!