3 Mistakes Tanking Your Team’s Executive Presentations
Join Duarte’s VP of Communication, Maegan Stephens, as she unpacks 3 mistakes behind avoidable executive presentation breakdowns.
Learn what to do before, during, and after a high-stakes moment to meet audience needs, stay composed, and win the room in the age of AI.
How to Present with Executive Presence in the AI Era
The runway leading up to a make-or-break interaction is always a tense time. For sellers going all-in on a pitch with a major account, to L&D leaders making the case for increased budget or revolutionary programming, to executives revealing their vision to a skeptical board, there’s a formula to consider that works universally, no matter what’s at stake.
And the best part? Each element is in your control.
There’s a myth that executive presence is something people either have or they don’t. But just like any other skill or ability, learning how to command a room, show up empathetically to one-on-one conversations, or engage with conviction during a town hall or expert panel boils down to a replicable and achievable set of traits.
Executive Presence Helps in High-Stakes Moments
At Duarte, we define executive presence as the power to connect, influence, and stay composed no matter the room or the moment. This means reaching audience members from their comfort zones, centering buyer pain points or ROI during pitches, or speaking to the hopes and fears of stakeholders when pushing a new initiative.
In short, it’s about putting your audience first no matter the size or stakes.
When the moment demands that you show up and project deeply human qualities like trust, compassion, and authority, executive presence is key for rising to the occasion.
Here’s 4 aspects to consider for any successful interaction:
- What you prepare
- What you say
- How you say it
- How you engage
Too often, speakers place outsized emphasis on what they say and neglect to acknowledge or explore the potential preparation, delivery, and engagement have to boost their message. But successful executive presence that moves audiences to action requires shoring up each area for maximum effect.
To rebalance your executive presence efforts and win your next high-stakes moment with proven, replicable strategies, watch the video above.
For more free resources and videos to help build and maintain presence, visit The Duarte Guide to Executive Presence.