The Truth About Executive Presence (and How to Build It Without Faking It)

Executive presence is one of the most talked-about—and least understood—skills in your career. In this episode, Lauren sits down with executive coach and co-author of The Presence Principle, Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, to break down what executive presence actually is, why it matters for promotions, and how to build it in a way that feels authentic—not performative.

If you’ve ever been told to “speak up more” or “be more confident” without clear guidance, this conversation gives you a practical, research-backed roadmap to develop presence on your own terms.

You’ll learn:

• A simple 3-step framework to build executive presence in a way that aligns with your strengths
• The difference between making a strong first impression and building lasting leadership credibility
• Small but powerful shifts in mindset, voice, and body language—especially in virtual settings—that elevate how you show up at work

Show Notes

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Guest Resources:

Alexa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-chilcutt-phd/

The Presence Principle: https://www.amazon.com/Presence-Principle-Embodying-Executive-Impact/dp/1041021968 

Career Contessa Resources

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Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

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