Executive Presence for Women: The Science of Speaking With Authority

Speak with confidence and authority, command attention, pave the path to public speaking

Dr Sarah Alsawy-Davies

11/3/20252 min read

end imposter syndrome, speak with confidence, executive leadership coaching woman
end imposter syndrome, speak with confidence, executive leadership coaching woman

We’ve all met people who can walk into a room and command it — not because they’re loud, but because they radiate certainty.
That invisible quality is called executive presence — and for many high-achieving women, it’s the final bridge between competence and recognition.

But here’s what most people misunderstand: executive presence isn’t innate charisma. It’s a trainable skill grounded in psychology, physiology, and identity.

What Executive Presence Really Is

Executive presence is the ability to project calm authority and authenticity under pressure.
It’s a blend of gravitas, communication, and confidence — all fuelled by internal alignment.

Women often assume they need to be louder, more assertive, or more “corporate” to be taken seriously. In reality, presence doesn’t come from performance. It comes from energy.

When your internal state is grounded and self-assured, people sense it instantly.

The Science of Speaking Under Pressure

When your heart races before a presentation or board meeting, your brain has triggered a threat response. The goal isn’t to suppress it, but to retrain it.

Three science-backed tools:

  1. Breath control – Slow exhalations tell the brain it’s safe.

  2. Body positioning – Ground both feet and release your shoulders; this stabilises the vagus nerve and projects composure.

  3. Eye focus – Maintain a soft gaze rather than scanning. It communicates authority and connection simultaneously.

Your body is your loudest communicator — even before you speak.

The Language of Authority

Many women unintentionally weaken their message through “softening language.” Phrases like “I just think”, “Maybe we could”, or “Does that make sense?” subconsciously signal self-doubt.

Instead:

  • Replace “I think” with “I recommend”

  • Replace “Sorry, but…” with nothing at all

  • End sentences cleanly instead of trailing upward in tone

These subtle shifts change not only how others hear you, but how you experience yourself.

Authenticity: The Heart of Executive Presence

True presence doesn’t mean becoming someone else.
It’s about removing the barriers between who you are privately and how you show up professionally.

Through Speak With Authority Coaching, women learn to:

  • Regulate emotions in real time

  • Communicate strategically under stress

  • Balance empathy and authority

  • Lead discussions with composed confidence

The outcome? A voice that carries weight — not because it’s the loudest, but because it’s aligned.

The Ripple Effect of Presence

When you speak with calm authority, teams trust you faster.
Opportunities expand.
You stop being invited to meetings as a contributor — and start being invited as a decision-maker.

Ready to Develop Genuine Executive Presence?

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