What is Personal Executive Presence?

A new, actionable definition

Let’s get right to it.

Personal Executive Presence (PEP) is a state of freedom from inner conflict resulting in a unique, personal and palpable presence that instills trust in others that you are, or deserve to be, in charge.

Exactly what does this mean, and why does it matter? Let's unpack.

What is Presence?

While we have a general understanding of the words personal and executive (as in business leader), the word Presence has multiple meanings.

Webster’s Dictionary defines Presence as:

1: the fact or condition of being present

2: the bearing, carriage, or air of a person

3: a noteworthy quality of poise and effectiveness

4: something (such as a spirit) felt or believed to be present

As you can see, the definition of “Presence” stretches from something as simple as being there (like a chair), to a felt sense of a spirit. “Presence” as used in PEP includes, in its completeness, all 4 definitions; more about this later.

Definitions of Executive Presence

When we ask leaders for a definition of PEP (or the more commonly found, related term Executive Presence, EP) we get a number of answers, most of which are surprisingly vague for something rated as so important:

• “What separates a great leader from an average one”

• “I know it when I see it”

• "X-factor”

• "It”

In business and leadership literature we find different definitions of EP:

• “An amalgam of qualities that true leaders exude, culminating in an aura that telegraphs you are in charge.” (adapted from Hewlett, 2014)

• “A person with EP is someone who, by virtue of the effect he or she has on an audience, exerts influence beyond that conferred by formal authority.” (adapted from Dagley & Gaskin, 2014)

• “Your ability to project mature self-confidence, a sense that you can take control of difficult, unpredictable situations; make tough decisions in a timely way and hold your own with other talented and strong-willed members of the executive team.” (Beeson, 2012)

“The state of being attuned to and being able to comfortably express our true thoughts, feelings, values, and potential.” (Cuddy, 2018)

• “Presence reveals itself to others when you are being the natural ‘you’ – your true Self.” (adapted from Scouller, 2016)

• “Authentic credibility at the most senior levels of an organization.” (Matheson & Akers, 2021)

• “The ability to project confidence and gravitas (substance) under pressure.” (Bryant, 2020)

Note in these definitions that EP is recognized primarily through its impact on others. The leader with EP has a particular influence on others, which they recognize, and call EP. Note also the use of words that describe intangibles: qualities, aura, effect, influence, project, gravitas. Upon feeling the impact of these intangibles, others ascribe EP to the one who possesses them.

Inner and Outer Executive Presence

This brings us to a rarely made distinction regarding EP: The distinction between Inner EP and Outer EP.

• Outer EP is what others experience: the impact of your actions, words, body language, demeanor and appearance.

• Inner EP is what you experience inside: Your personal, internal state and experience.

This distinction leads to four more:

• Outer EP flows from Inner EP. Stated otherwise, Outer EP is the outcome, or

expression, of Inner EP.

• A wide range of Inner EP is possible, and Outer EP ranges correspondingly.

• Each person’s Inner EP, and hence Outer EP, is authentic to them, personal and unique.

• Together, Inner EP and Outer EP are called Personal Executive Presence.

This last distinction is critical. Your Inner EP and Outer EP are both personal to who you are, and together, they form your Personal Executive Presence (PEP). PEP includes both your inner experience, and how others experience you.

Personal Executive Presence = Inner EP + Outer EP

This equation directly informs the definition of PEP:

Personal Executive Presence (PEP) is a state of freedom from inner conflict resulting in a unique, personal and palpable presence (Inner EP) that instills trust in others that you are, or deserve to be, in charge (Outer EP).

Importantly, Outer EP flows from Inner EP, and not the other way around. Inner EP is your personal inner state that enables you to manifest in a specific way, which is recognized by others as your personal Outer EP. In contrast, Inner EP is your personal, private experience. Unless you choose to speak of your Inner EP, all the world can know directly is your Outer EP.

One way to think of Inner EP resulting in Outer EP is to think of a stage performer: what they experience and do “backstage” directly gives rise to what their audience experiences when they perform their art “on stage”.

Putting it together: The definition of Personal Executive Presence

We can now return to Webster’s Dictionary to review the four definitions of “Presence” and relate them to PEP.

1: the fact or condition of being present

PEP is most apparent when you are present in and with yourself (Inner EP) and in person with others who experience your impact (Outer EP).

2: the bearing, carriage, or air of a person

This is your Outer EP, personal to you and experienced by others.

3: a noteworthy quality of poise and effectiveness

Additional elements of your Outer EP.

4: something (such as a spirit) felt or believed to be present

The deepest core of your Inner EP: that which is most deeply what you are. Referred to with words like Spirit, Soul, True Self, Atman, I Am That, Buddha Nature, True Nature, Personal Essence etc. in various wisdoms of psychology, philosophy, religion and spirituality.

When we put these elements together, we arrive at the aforementioned definition of PEP:

Personal Executive Presence (PEP) is a state of freedom from inner conflict resulting in a unique, personal and palpable presence that instills trust in others that you are, or deserve to be, in charge.