I define having an intentional presence as understanding how you want to be perceived and subsequently communicating in a manner so that you will be perceived the way you want. It means aligning your thoughts with your words and actions. And it requires a keen understanding of your true, authentic self, as well as your impact on others.

Executive presence begins in your head. It resides in how you think about yourself, your abilities, your environment,

In general, it’s not the pause we notice as much as the speaker’s reaction to her own pause. I’ve seen magnetic presenters make prolonged pauses look entirely deliberate.

“Let thoughts go, let feelings be.” The idea is that even performers at the top of their craft get nervous. It’s a physical reaction. Instead of fighting it and resisting, learn to observe it and acknowledge it

it is critical to get your head around what type of presence you want to demonstrate, the values you want to convey, and how that matches up (or doesn’t) with how others currently perceive you.

The best way to improve your body language is to focus on your intention and make sure your body carries that message as well. (How you dress also counts as a form of nonverbal communication, with a similar need for alignment. See the sidebar for tips on how dress, as physical expression, can strengthen your presence.)

Key Takeaways from Chapter 1 1.Being intentional about your presence is similar to having an athlete’s mental focus. 2.Uncover any negative thoughts you have about your presence that are getting in your way. Know what’s playing just below your consciousness. 3.Set a positive intention for the kind of presence you want to convey overall. That’s your

As you develop your mental aim, you also need to determine what conversation is currently in your head and how it may need to change. Even when you aren’t paying attention, your internal conversation is always happening.

When I address these top executives, I introduce the concept of the red blinking light. When a leader walks into a room, it’s as though a red blinking light is flashing a message: “This is important!” When the CEO goes into a meeting, the importance of that meeting rises. If he decides to skip a meeting, its importance is reduced. Leaders have to