Emily Radkowski, former Director of Revenue Enablement at AI company DataRobot in Boston, led an MTM Network Executive Buffet session on how anyone can develop executive presence, regardless of title, background, or industry. Speaking to a room of small business owners and professionals, she emphasized that executive presence is learned, not innate, and that you do not need to “be at the top” to start practicing it now.​

What Is Executive Presence?

Emily defined executive presence as the ability to instill confidence in others—clients, colleagues, family, or even strangers you meet in everyday settings. It is less about job titles and more about how you show up, inspire trust, and make people feel capable and supported when they interact with you.​

She drew a clear distinction between power and presence, noting that people may hold powerful roles without inspiring others, while others with no formal authority can still powerfully influence and motivate those around them.

Who Has Executive Presence?

To make the topic relatable, Emily asked attendees to name people they admire and explored why they found them compelling, surfacing traits like fearlessness, knowledge, purposefulness, empathy, and passion. Participants referenced leaders they know personally as well as public figures such as Steve Jobs, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Merkel, Donald Trump, and LeBron James, illustrating that executive presence is highly opinion-based and experienced differently by each person.​

Emily underscored that we would not approach all of these figures in the same way, which proves that executive presence does not have a single “look” or personality type; instead, it is a combination of qualities that resonate with specific audiences in specific contexts.​

Key Qualities of Executive Presence

Throughout the discussion, the group surfaced a set of core qualities that often show up in people we perceive as having strong executive presence:​

• Fearlessness in speaking up and stating what needs to be done.
• Deep knowledge and competence in their domain.
• Purposefulness and intentional action that others can feel.
• Empathy and the ability to listen and truly be present.
• Passion that inspires others to want more for themselves.

Emily highlighted intentionality as one of her favorite qualities, explaining that when someone acts with clear intent—positively or negatively—you can feel it, and that memorable, intentional actions frequently become the moments that wake us up and inspire growth.​

Why Executive Presence Matters for Your Career or Business

Emily framed executive presence as a doorway to opportunity: when you consistently convey confidence, clarity, and care, people are more likely to trust you with bigger projects, referrals, collaborations, and leadership roles. This is especially valuable for small business owners and career changers who need to expand their networks and attract new opportunities in competitive markets.​

She also pointed out that executive presence helps reduce friction in everyday situations—from sales calls and networking events to team meetings—because others feel safe following your lead and are more willing to engage, share, and act.​

How to Start Building Your Executive Presence Today

Emily closed with practical, accessible steps that anyone can begin using immediately:​

• Find a mentor: Identify someone who inspires you—whether a public figure like Steve Jobs or someone in your community—and study how they speak, decide, and lead, even if you never meet them in person.​
• Ask for candid feedback: Create a safe circle of people who will share the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable truths about how you show up, and use that information to refine your presence.​
• Treat it as ongoing work: Executive presence is not a “one and done” skill; it grows through practice, change management, habit shifts, and showing up intentionally in every area of your life.​
• Make it your own: Rather than copying someone else’s style, clarify what executive presence looks like for you and your values, then build a version that feels authentic and sustainable.​

Through stories of figures like Ellen DeGeneres and LeBron James, Emily illustrated how people reinvent themselves, stand back up after setbacks, and evolve their presence over time—all proof that executive presence is a practice, not a personality trait.