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- The Elite Edge: 💥 Executive Presence Is a Lie 🚫👔 (Unless You Define It Yourself 🧠👑
The Elite Edge: 💥 Executive Presence Is a Lie 🚫👔 (Unless You Define It Yourself 🧠👑
Doing The Research For You.
Deepali Vyas
July 28, 2025
Elite Edge – Week 45: 💥 Executive Presence Is a Lie 🚫👔 (Unless You Define It Yourself)🧠👑
Redefine what power looks like. Reclaim how it’s projected.
You’ve heard it in feedback.
You’ve felt it in the room.
You’ve watched someone less competent get the promotion — because they “just felt like a leader.”
Maybe you didn’t speak up with perfect polish.
Maybe your voice shook for half a second.
Maybe your tone didn’t match their idea of calm.
And suddenly, the narrative became: “You’re not quite ready.”
Let’s call it what it is:
Executive presence has become corporate camouflage for bias.
It’s a shape-shifting term — used when they can’t name the real reason,
or don’t want to.
It’s used to reward people who already fit the mold —
And stall the ones who are quietly breaking it.
Because when they say “presence,” they often mean:
“Do you look like the leaders we’ve always promoted?”
“Do you speak like someone we’ve already trusted?”
“Do you make us feel comfortable?”
But comfort doesn’t create change.
And leadership isn’t a look — it’s an impact.
This week, we’re breaking the myth.
Because executive presence isn’t something they give you.
It’s something you define. Something you build. Something you own.
Whether your leadership is loud or quiet, commanding or collaborative — you don’t have to trade authenticity for authority.
Not anymore.
📚What I Read This Week…
📖 The AI Talent Frenzy Is a Mixed Bag for VCs – The Wall Street Journal
Even venture capitalists are feeling the heat from the AI hiring surge.
This piece breaks down how inflated expectations, outrageous comp packages, and unclear value add from some AI “superstars” are creating friction — not just fuel — in the startup ecosystem.
💡 Takeaway: It’s not just about having AI talent. It’s about deploying it smartly. Presence, clarity, and leadership matter more than ever — especially when the market is oversaturated with hype.
🎙️What I Listened to This Week… (Podcasts)
💣 Corporate Confession:
“I was told I didn’t have executive presence — by a guy who read from PowerPoint in every meeting.”
– Senior Director, Tech, San Francisco
We’ve collected dozens of stories from high-performing professionals who were told they weren’t “leadership material” based on:
Their tone
Their accent
Their outfit
Their actual personality
You know what’s rarely questioned?
Mediocre leadership with the right voice and haircut.
⚔️ The Elite Edge Playbook:
🔹 5 Ways to Project Leadership — Without Playing Their Game
Use your voice strategically – Speak with clarity and ownership, not perfection. People follow conviction.
Signal power nonverbally – Calm posture, steady pace, intentional eye contact.
Drop the disclaimers – Cut the “justs,” “maybes,” and “I think” from your language.
Tell the story, don’t just present data – Data informs. Story persuades.
Define your own presence – Choose 3 words that reflect your leadership. Build your narrative around them.
💬 Pro Tip: Executive presence isn’t about being liked. It’s about being believed.
🛠️ Elite Tool of the Week: Say It With Authority
📥 Download the Swipe File – “Say It With Authority”
A ready-to-use PDF of high-authority phrases for:
Kicking off meetings
Redirecting conversations
Stating recommendations with power
Replacing undermining language (like “just” or “sorry”)
Keep it handy for your next 1:1, team call, or boardroom moment.
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🤖 AI Corner: Tools to Sharpen Your Presence
📌 Tools I recommend this week:
Yoodli – AI-powered speech coach that helps eliminate filler words and build clarity
Poised – Gives live communication feedback in Zoom/Teams calls
Gamma – Create stunning, high-authority presentations with a prompt
Claude / ChatGPT – Use to script bold, polished messages and leadership updates
ElevenLabs – Use voice cloning to test tone and delivery
Use AI to sharpen the signal — but don’t lose your voice in the process.
😂 Meme of the Week:
“You don’t have executive presence.”
— Manager with 0 vision, 12 open tabs, and a flip phone
(Image idea: split screen of chaotic Zoom caller vs. calm, poised leader who’s clearly doing the real work.)
💡 Elite Edge Thought of the Week:
They’ll say you’re too soft.
Then say you’re too direct.
They’ll tell you to speak up.
Then punish you for saying too much.
Define your presence — or they’ll define it for you.
Leadership isn’t about mimicking power.
It’s about embodying your own version of it.
💬 Final Word:
Don’t contort yourself to match a broken mold.
Upgrade the mold.
Own the room.
Lead like you.You've got the Edge. Now sharpen it.
See you next week,
— Deepali Vyas
Your Elite Recruiter
Doing the research so you don’t have to.
Want to go deeper?
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🔥This Week’s Elite Job Drops 🔥
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I’m sharing them here first, to connect top talent with real, unposted opportunities 👇
I’m here to help — and your opportunity will reach thousands of highly engaged, top-tier professionals. Let’s lift as we climb!🚀
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