Executive presence is reinforced or weakened by nonverbal signals. Posture. Eye contact. Movement. Facial expression. Energy. Below are the most common nonverbal patterns that quietly undermine leadership presence — and what to replace them with.
1️⃣ Bad Posture
Rounded shoulders, lowered head, hunched back, uneven shoulders, lifted shoulders. - this signals hesitation or tension.
Instead:
Stand and sit upright. Open your chest. Ground your feet. Physical expansion creates psychological authority — both for you and for your audience. You can find posture and supporting breathing exercises in the app 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause.
2️⃣ Avoiding Eye Contact
Looking down. Looking at notes excessively. Scanning the room nervously. This signals insecurity.
Instead:
Hold steady eye contact for a full sentence. When speaking to a group, anchor key messages by looking at one person at a time.
Eye contact equals ownership and reinforces your credibility.
3️⃣ Excessive or Nervous Movement
Fidgeting. Touching your face or constantly improving your hair. Adjusting clothing repeatedly. Shifting weight constantly. Movement without intention weakens presence.
Instead:
Move with purpose. Pause physically when making an important point.
Stillness is power.
4️⃣ Inconsistent Facial Expressions
Smiling when delivering serious information.
Showing visible frustration.
Blank expression when enthusiasm is required.
Your face must match your message.
Leadership requires emotional control — not emotional suppression, but alignment.
5️⃣ Open Gestures & Owning Your Space
Confident leaders take up space — physically and energetically.
People who lack confidence often shrink themselves. They cross their arms, keep gestures small and tight, pull their shoulders inward, or make themselves physically smaller in the room.
This sends a subtle but powerful signal: I do not deserve to take up space. I am unsure of myself.
Instead:
Use open gestures. Keep your arms relaxed and visible. Allow your hands to move naturally to support your message. Stand grounded, with a balanced posture. Sit fully in your chair — don’t perch on the edge.
Owning your space is not arrogance. It is a visible sign of self-assurance.
Executive presence happens when:
Your words are clear.
Your voice is controlled.
Your body reinforces the message.
When all three align, authority becomes natural — not forced.
This concludes the Executive Presence series. If you had to improve just one element — speech, voice, or body language which would create the biggest shift in your leadership impact?
Look forward to your comments
Warmly
Olga Smith