I do not mean whether you sound loud, polished or “posh”. I mean whether, when you speak in a meeting, promotion panel, board presentation or executive interview, people experience you as someone operating at that level.
This is where a lot of very capable Directors and Senior Leaders quietly lose authority. Not because they lack the thinking. Not because they are underqualified, but because their voice and communication do not fully reflect the level they are already operating at.
Their thinking is strong, but the delivery becomes hesitant. Their volume drops. They over-explain. They rush. They soften clear points until they almost disappear. Nothing dramatic happens, but the room starts experiencing them as less certain than they really are.
That matters, especially in FTSE, enterprise and professional services environments where decisions are often made in rooms where you have limited time to land your point. A board presentation, executive interview or promotion panel is rarely just about the content. It is also about whether people trust how you carry the content.
This is where executive presence becomes very practical. It is not about being theatrical or trying to dominate a room. It is about calm, credible authority. It is about speaking in a way that makes people feel your judgment, not just hear your words.
Your voice is part of your leadership presence whether you realise it or not. People are constantly making decisions about confidence, credibility and authority based on how you sound under pressure.
That is why communication is not just about the words you choose. It is about whether your voice matches the level you are already operating at.
If this is something you want to understand more clearly in yourself, I’ve created the Speak Proud Executive Presence Assessment. It takes a couple of minutes and gives you a clearer picture of how your voice, presence and communication are landing when the stakes are high.
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Lisa Sheerin, ICF PCC Executive Coach | Transforming Confidence, Communication & Leadership
Lisa works as an executive public speaking coach, actor, and group fitness instructor with over 20 years of experience. A graduate of a three-year drama school program in London, she began her career in theatre and film, where she faced and overcame imposter syndrome. Today, she empowers others to embrace their authenticity and transform self-doubt into confidence, combining her acting expertise, fitness training, and passion for personal growth. Her mission is to guide others toward a life where they can speak and live proudly.
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