May 05, 2026

Build Your Authentic Executive Presence

37 minutes

What can you do to improve your executive presence? Perception of your leadership abilities directly impacts your career trajectory, for better or worse. You’ve likely heard of executive presence before, but even though it often comes up in the context of something to improve, it’s difficult for many people to identify a clear path to make that improvement.

My guest, Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, is an executive communication expert at Johns Hopkins University and wrote the book, “The Presence Principle.” In it, she offers a 3-step framework to demystify this confusing but vital professional trait once and for all. Alexa joins me on the podcast to get into the weeds about what executive presence is and how we can cultivate it to become more impactful leaders.

Give your career trajectory a boost with Alexa’s research-backed perspective:

What executive presence is, and what it’s not;

Why you don’t have to impersonate the traditional leader archetype to succeed in your career;

The impact of initial and enduring impressions;

The three-adjectives activity that will pump up your leadership presence progress.

Related Links:

Connect with Dr. Alexa Chilcutt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-chilcutt-phd/

Order “The Presence Principle” from Routledge - https://www.routledge.com/The-Presence-Principle-Embodying-Executive-Presence-to-Lead-with-Impact/Chilcutt-DuPont/p/book/9781041021964

Sally Williamson, “Executive Presence Is a Top Priority for Leadership” - https://sallywilliamson.com/executive-presence-top-priority-leadership/

Coqual, “Executive Presence Key Findings” - https://coqual.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/26_executivepresence_keyfindings-1.pdf

Episode 407, How to Delegate Without Feeling So Bad About It - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode407

Episode 491, Debunking Imposter Syndrome as a Women's Issue - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode491

Episode 447, Job Search Success: How to Optimize your LinkedIn Profile Skills Sections - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode447

Episode 298, How to Maximize Your Time to Get Things Done - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode298

LEVEL UP: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelup

Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/

Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

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