The 5 Gaps Undermining Your Executive Presence

The Manager Track

When two equally capable managers get very different outcomes…

We’ve all seen it (maybe lived it, too). Two people with:

• Similar skills
• Similar résumés
• Similar results

Yet one gets tapped for the big meeting, lands the promotion, and becomes the go-to voice in high-stakes moments while the other gets a pat on the back and stays in the same position.

This week's episode is about the invisibles that drive careers. More specifically, we're talking about Executive Presence. How you show up when it counts, how others experience you, and why that perception accelerates (or stalls) your career.

This isn't about office politics or putting on a show. It’s about specific, learnable signals you send in interviews, in rooms with decision-makers, and under pressure.

You’ll hear a tale of “Sarah vs. Mike” and a real interview debrief that reveals what leaders actually look for beyond your résumé. Then we break down the fixable gaps that can erode credibility.

If you’re smart, capable, and still not being fully seen and rewarded for the level you operate at, this one’s for you.

What we’ll talk about:

• The self-awareness gap: when your intent and others’ experience don’t match and what to do about it
• The problem with hedging and over-explaining, and how to project conviction without pretending
• How to evolve your style for bigger scope without becoming someone you’re not
• Emotional steadiness and non-verbals: the signals you're sending without meaning to

Check it out on our Webpage, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

👉 Ready to level up? Learn more about our Executive Presence Intensive starting in October.

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

• Grab the free New Manager Toolkit mentioned in the episode: archova.org/freetoolkits
• Executive Presence Intensive: archova.org/executive-presence-program
• Learn how to turn your 1-on-1 meetings from time wasters, awkward moments, status updates, or non-existent into your most important and valuable meeting with your directs all week. Learn more at: http://archova.org/1on1-course
• Schedule a Leadership Strategy Call with Ramona HERE.
• Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

• Episode 219 - Executive Communication
• Episode 213 - Executive Mindset

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Learn more about our leadership development programs, coaching and workshops at archova.org.

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

Want to better understand your leadership style and patterns? Take our free quiz to discover your Manager Archetype and learn how to play to your strengths and uncover your blind spots: archova.org/quiz

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: archova.org/masterclass

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and to our Spotify Page, and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.