The term executive presence shows up constantly in professional feedback—but what does it actually mean? For many ambitious professionals, especially women, this vague phrase becomes a frustrating barrier that leaves them overlooked and unsure how to advance. Today, we unpack executive presence with former tech executive and executive coach Katy McFee. She shares how she bridged the gap from director to VP—and how she now helps women do it faster. Inside, you’ll learn why “head-down hard work” stops paying off at senior levels, how to push back on vague feedback and get clarity, and Katy’s practical advice for building authentic visibility through mindset, skills, and habits. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start showing up as a confident, influential leader, keep reading.

Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/katy-mcfee.

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