Lead with GRACE: Elevate Your Executive Presence, Authentically

When I first became a manager, executive presence felt like this elusive, almost theatrical concept. Was I supposed to walk into rooms with an invisible spotlight? Or channel someone else's voice, polish, and polish until I disappeared into a template?

What I’ve learned—through trial, error, and a fair amount of second-guessing—is this: executive presence isn’t something you perform. It’s something you cultivate by being more of who you already are.

If you're trying to find your voice, your gravitas, your confidence in leadership — let GRACE be your guide: ✨ Growth ✨ Resilience ✨ Authenticity ✨ Compassion ✨ Engagement

 G — Grow Your Story & Self-Advocacy
Early in my career, I assumed I had to know all the answers to speak up. I sat in meetings silent, stewing in my own ideas until I gave myself permission to simply ask questions. That was the first shift.

I also stopped brushing off my achievements with, “It was nothing.” It was something—and it’s okay to own that.
Executive presence starts with owning your story. Not just the polished milestones, but the messy lessons, the wins hard-earned, and the value only you bring. Don’t wait for someone to notice you. Speak up. Share your thoughts. Ask for that opportunity. Your voice is not a disruption—it’s a contribution.

R — Reframe Self-Doubt as Fuel
At one point, I gave my inner critic a nickname: Miss Doubtfire. She wasn’t very kind, but she meant well. So instead of banishing her, I started listening—with compassion. What was she trying to protect me from?

Self-doubt doesn’t vanish with promotions. But it doesn’t have to paralyse us either. It can be a prompt—to prepare better, to pause and reflect, to get grounded in what makes us unique. The trick isn’t to eliminate doubt—it’s to move forward with it.

A — Authentic Presence: Show Up as You Are
There was a day I decided to wear a qipao to work. No special occasion—just because I wanted to. I brought snacks to team meetings, too. These tiny acts of joy, of cultural pride, became quiet declarations of self.

Turns out, influence doesn’t come from erasing yourself to fit in. It comes from showing up—fully, and unapologetically. Whether that’s your fashion, your sense of humour, your heritage, or your quirks. Leadership is not a mask. It’s your whole self in the room.

C — Cultivate Gravitas with Heart
I used to believe I had to mimic the charisma of leaders like Steve Jobs—or the unwavering calm of Jacinda Ardern. But the truth? Their power wasn’t in performance. It was in alignment. It was values, embodied.

When I embraced servant leadership, it felt like coming home. I stopped chasing the illusion of “command and control” and instead leaned into empathy, curiosity, and integrity. Gravitas isn’t about dominating the room. It’s about standing grounded in what matters—especially under pressure.

E — Engage & Communicate with Warmth and Clarity
Somewhere along the way, I learned that presence isn’t just about how you speak—it’s how well you listen. Deep, active listening—really trying to understand, not just respond—changed how I led.

People don’t just want direction. They want connection. They want to feel heard. So speak with intention, listen with care, and make space for others to do the same. That’s how trust is built. That’s how leadership becomes a two-way street.

So if you’re wondering whether you “look” or “sound” like a leader—maybe start with a different question:

What kind of leader do you want to be?

Let GRACE guide you:
✨ Growth
✨ Resilience
✨ Authenticity
✨ Compassion
✨ Engagement

Your presence doesn't need to fit a mould. It just needs to be yours.

#ExecutivePresence #AuthenticLeadership #WomenInLeadership #SelfAdvocacy #ImpostorSyndrome #LeadershipDevelopment #ServantLeadership #CareerGrowth #LeadWithGRACE