Source: forbes.com
As hybrid and distributed work reshape how teams connect, the traditional idea of “executive presence” for leaders is evolving, too. No longer confined to physical rooms, presence is now established through clarity, consistency and intentional communication across digital spaces.
Leaders who fail to adapt risk diluting their influence in often subtle, but nonetheless consequential, ways. Here, members of Forbes Coaches Council share what they see happening in this regard and how executive leaders can avoid inadvertently undermining their own credibility and authority.
Convey Confidence Through Clarity And Tone
In hybrid environments, executive presence is less about charisma in a room and more about clarity and emotional steadiness on screen. Leaders establish presence through concise thinking, calm tone and intentional listening. One way they undermine themselves is by overtalking to prove value. The rush to fill silence signals insecurity. Presence now comes from regulation, not volume. – Sahar Andrade, MB.BCh, Sahar Consulting, LLC
Communicate Authentically Across All Channels
Establishing executive presence requires effective and authentic communication across all technical engagement mediums. Use of Zoom and Teams catalyzed global connection during Covid, yet in-person events are still in demand and often more impactful. Versatility and agility are needed as technical breakdowns can undermine credibility and engagement, thus impacting executive presence. – Gina Lavery, Gina Lavery Inc.
Strengthen Presence Through Nonverbal Cues
In helping leaders improve or maintain their presence in hybrid settings, we focus on nonverbal communication options, such as looking directly into the camera lens for more powerful “eye contact” and using silence deliberately and purposefully. I still catch leaders using less than high-quality lighting and fuzzy, unprofessional backgrounds without having their camera at eye level. – John Reed, PhD, MBA, MCC, Quinn Reed Associates LLC
Frame Outcomes To Establish Authority
The leaders who establish presence today understand that their authority travels through intention. They frame outcomes clearly: Why are we here? What decision needs to be made? What does success look like by the end of this conversation? In virtual spaces, ambiguity spreads fast. Without clear framing, attention fractures and engagement drops. – G. Riley Mills, Pinnacle Performance Company
Build Trust Through Emotional Consistency
In hybrid and distributed work, executive presence shifts from being felt in the room to being trusted at a distance. People track who you are being—steadiness, coherence and the emotional climate you create under pressure. Leaders undermine it when they “perform” presence but leak reactivity through micromoods, defensiveness and inconsistency—making the signal unsafe or unclear. – Paul Templer, Opusdynamic
Lead With Audience Awareness And Listening
A leader’s power resides in knowing their audience, their team, their stakeholders and what is expected from them. Leaders who arrive prepared with communication that addresses the stakeholders’ issues and concerns and demonstrate respect and curiosity exhibit executive presence. They are prepared to answer questions and, when they don’t have the answer, commit to finding it. They listen more than speak. – Susan Curtin, Insights4results, LLC
Show Up In Person When It Counts
In this hybrid and distributed world of work, executive presence is established by making intentional trips into the office for key meetings. As good as you might be virtually, presence is developed in hallways, elevators and the snack room when people see you. If you only do that with “virtual coffee,” it is woefully insufficient. You undermine yourself when you don’t show up in real life. – Anton Gunn, 937 Strategy Group, LLC
Provide Calm Direction, Not Noise
Executive presence once meant commanding the room. In hybrid teams, it’s about creating clarity across distance. Many leaders undermine themselves by filling the silence with more meetings, more messages and more commentary. Real presence now shows up as calm direction, not constant noise. – Bronwen Sciortino, sheIQ Life Pty Ltd
Shift From Commanding The Room To Commanding Clarity
Executive presence in hybrid and distributed environments has shifted from commanding the room to commanding clarity. It’s less about physical presence and more about communication, consistency and follow-through. One way leaders undermine themselves? Through inconsistency—saying one thing on Zoom and another in Slack, then modeling something different entirely. – Jessica Miller-Merrell, Workology
Elevate Presence With Contextual Preparation
Like most things in hybrid and virtual environments, everything has to be a bit bigger, just like being on stage. Many of the qualities associated with executive presence—gravitas, communication, vision, integrity and, yes, even appearance can be demonstrated in a variety of contexts with intention and effort. It’s a mistake to think it happens magically or without preparation. – Susan Sadler, Sadler Communications LLC
Keep The Cadence Consistent And Structure Meetings
In hybrid environments, executive presence shows up through rhythm, clarity and well-structured meetings more than physical presence. Leaders need a consistent cadence that keeps people aligned and engaged. One way they undermine themselves is by letting meetings become unfocused or inconsistent, which quickly weakens clarity, trust and their leadership presence. – Veronica Angela, CONQUER EDGE, LLC
Make Clear Calls And Close Loops In Writing
As a fractional COO and CoS, I’ve seen executive presence shift from physical presence to decision clarity. In distributed environments, presence is established by how clearly you frame priorities, make calls and close loops in writing. Leaders undermine themselves when they overexplain, crowd Slack with thoughts or avoid making firm decisions. Presence now is precision, not proximity. – Desiree’ Stapleton, Goal Accomplishment Made Easy
Signal Value Through Focused Attention
Executive presence in hybrid environments is now judged through attentional signals, not physical presence. The brain tracks where a leader’s focus goes—who they acknowledge, what they prioritize and what they ignore. Leaders undermine themselves when attention appears scattered. In distributed teams, attention is interpreted as value. That value translates into buy-in, productivity and performance. – Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory
Own The Digital Room With Pacing And Restraint
Executive presence online now shows up in pacing. The leader who speaks last, summarizes crisply and ends the call cleanly owns the room, even on Zoom. The self-sabotage is overexplaining every slide and filling every silence. Digital authority is built in restraint, in knowing when to stop talking and let the decision breathe. – Alla Adam, Adam Impact Institute
Lead Through Thoughtful Silence
Presence isn’t the power of your voice, but the depth of your silence. In hybrid spaces, leaders undermine themselves by rushing to fill every digital gap with “answers.” Real command is established by architecting moments where others feel safe to think out loud. You lose influence the moment you try to be the smartest person on the screen instead of the one building the smartest room. – Rahul Karan Sharma, Steady Steps
Balance Casual Style With Professionalism
So often when I join a virtual call, people are much more casual in their appearance, which makes people sometimes feel a little closer, more human. But, do not mistake a casual appearance for casual thought. You still need to bring your best to the conversation and show up as prepared, present, clear and contributing—otherwise, “casual” tips into “sloppy,” and that undermines your message. – Joelle Jay, Leadership Research Institute
Stay Visible In Between Meetings
It is no longer about being seen in the office but being visible where it matters. Leaders must show up in key moments, decisions and updates. A common mistake is disappearing between meetings. When leaders are not intentionally present, teams begin to question direction and leadership stability. – Wale Adekanla, The Leadership Channel Institute
Build Influence Through Active Engagement
Visibility is crucial in hybrid and distributed environments! Having cameras on and speaking up in meetings are musts. Ask a question or agree with something said. Schedule regular outreach for “coffee” or other relationship-building meetings with internal leaders, peers and team members via video or in real life. The biggest pitfall? Thinking that keeping your head down and cranking out work is enough to influence or lead. – Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC
Construct Presence Through Dedicated Attention
In distributed environments, executive presence shifted from something you carry into a room to something you construct deliberately. The biggest mistake I see? Confusing visibility with presence. True gravitas now comes down to one thing: dedicated attention—being fully there, focused on one thing at a time. Everything else is just noise. – Mary Senkowska, Creative Brain
