Chapter 3: Introduction to Executive Presence

Executive Presence is a mature self-confidence that inspires trust in leadership. It’s the ability to take control of difficult situations, make tough decisions, and respectfully hold your own, all while staying calm and composed. Traditionally, Executive Presence is more commonly seen in men, mostly because men overstate their confidence and abilities, while women generally undersell themselves. As author Kate Purmal reveals in this audio book chapter (Chapter 3) of Composure: The Art of Executive Presence, this disparity is referred to as the Confidence Gap, and leads to women being underrepresented in top roles and leadership. However, the key to being promoted into the executive ranks lies not only in one’s abilities, but also in the world’s perception of those abilities—which is how Executive Presence comes into play.