14 December 2025

Executive presence has long been treated like an ineffable aura, but research shows it is built on specific behaviors. Brown University calls it the ABC of leadership, appearance, boldness and communication, and emphasizes that leaders must project a confident image, act decisively and speak clearly. New research from Harvard Business Review reveals that while gravitas, communication and appearance still matter, inclusiveness, authenticity and the ability to lead on digital platforms are now key traits. This article unpacks these evolving dimensions and provides practical guidance for founders seeking to develop genuine executive presence in a hybrid world.

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Ask a roomful of founders what executive presence means and you will hear vague references to charisma or an indefinable “it” factor. But Brown University’s School of Professional Studies breaks executive presence into three tangible elements: appearance, boldness and communication. Appearance refers to how you present yourself in terms of dress, grooming and body language. Boldness is the calm confidence to act decisively under pressure and comes from building deep competence and earning others’ trust. Communication is the ability to express ideas clearly and project your voice without filler words. Rather than being innate, these pillars are skills that can be practiced.

Even within those pillars, expectations are changing. A decade-long study of leadership traits found that confidence and decisiveness remain essential, but inclusiveness has shot up the list of valued attributes. Leaders are now expected to demonstrate respect for diverse backgrounds and to “listen to learn” before making decisions. In our hyper‑connected era, the ability to command virtual platforms such as Zoom has also become part of executive presence. During the pandemic many executives struggled to lead effectively online; those who mastered eye contact, clear visuals and authentic connection on video gained a competitive edge.

Appearance: Align your style with your environment

Appearance is not about vanity; it is about signaling that you understand the norms of the environment you operate in. Brown’s Ed Barrows notes that if everyone in a tech start‑up wears hoodies and sneakers, showing up in a blazer signals that you do not grasp “how we do things around here”. Effective leaders take time to understand their organization's dress code and use clothing, grooming and posture to align with or intentionally stand out from those norms. In hybrid workplaces authenticity matters more than conformity; the New Rules of Executive Presence report found that authenticity, which barely registered in surveys a decade ago, is now among the most prized appearance traits. Don’t mimic a dated stereotype; instead, show up polished yet genuine, as Google CEO Sundar Pichai does by pairing approachable attire with professional polish.

Boldness: Build competence to earn confidence

Boldness requires more than bravado. Barrows describes it as calmness, courage and self‑assurance grounded in two facets: deep competence and the confidence others place in you. Leaders project boldness when they can make tough decisions quickly and when their teams trust their judgment. That credibility is earned through demonstrated expertise, not just style. To cultivate it, founders should narrow their focus to mastering the technical and strategic aspects of their domain while soliciting feedback to understand how others perceive their strengths. In the New Rules survey, decisiveness and confidence still top the list of gravitas traits. Yet boldness today also means being open to feedback and learning from diverse perspectives. It requires acting with conviction while remaining humble enough to change course when new information emerges.

Communication: From oratory to conversation

Communication has always been central to leadership; Brown University calls it “the skill that makes good leaders great”. Traditional executive presence emphasized commanding speeches and polished presentations. While those skills remain valuable, the New Rules research shows a shift: leaders who listen and learn from others before making decisions are now more sought after than those who merely broadcast. During remote meetings, this means ensuring that quieter voices are heard and demonstrating genuine curiosity. It also means mastering digital tools. The report notes that executives must command Zoom, Teams and Slack, maintaining eye contact through the camera and using visuals thoughtfully. Steve Jobs’ presentations were legendary not because of flashy slides but because he made eye contact, used minimalist visuals and spoke crisp, clear sentences. Founders should practice their messaging on camera, refine their pacing and tone, and use technology to humanize virtual interactions.

Inclusiveness and authenticity: The new differentiators

Perhaps the biggest shift in executive presence is the elevation of inclusiveness and authenticity. According to the HBR survey, executives are expected to respect others’ lived experiences, listen with empathy and ensure diverse perspectives inform decisions. Leaders like Dyson’s Thasunda Duckett intentionally hire diverse talent and encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work, believing that global perspectives spur innovation. Authenticity is not performative vulnerability but a willingness to reveal your values, roots and even imperfections. That transparency builds trust and fosters psychological safety, which research shows is crucial for high‑performing teams. In practice, this means sharing your reasoning, admitting when you don’t know something and inviting others’ input.

Developing your presence

Executive presence can be cultivated. Start by auditing your appearance: does your clothing and demeanor align with your organization's norms while expressing your authentic self? Next, invest in deepening your expertise and soliciting feedback to build the confidence that underpins boldness. Practice communication by recording yourself speaking, eliminating filler words, varying your tone and refining your messages. Finally, commit to inclusiveness: learn about cultures and experiences different from your own, ask questions, and listen to learn. In a hybrid world, don’t neglect your virtual presence; practice eye contact on camera and use visuals sparingly.

Conclusion

Executive presence is evolving from a polished veneer to a multidimensional capability rooted in competence, communication and character. While appearance, boldness and communication remain the pillars, inclusiveness, authenticity and digital fluency now define how leaders are perceived. For founders aiming to scale organizations globally, developing executive presence is not about adopting a persona but about aligning who you are with how you lead. By mastering the ABCs and embracing the new rules, you project credibility and inspire trust in any setting.

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