Executive presence isn't a performance hack.

Years ago, I was in a productivity bootcamp chasing every tool and hack. Then the leader threw us a curveball: "You need a bigger purpose to drive all this."

I rolled my eyes - that's not what I was taking this class for... Begrudgingly, I came up with: "Help people become their highest, happiest, most badass selves."

It felt cheesy at the time. But it planted a seed. My meetings with direct reports, peers, even my boss started to shift. Same person, same skills - different orientation. I wasn't performing competence anymore. I was connected to something that mattered. AND I was more productive because of it.

That's what real executive presence is. Not the right words, not the power poses. It's being anchored in purpose so people feel it.
When you lead from ego, people follow your title. When you lead from conviction, they follow you.