Developing Executive Presence
Project confident, credible leadership presence in meetings
Developing Executive Presence offers practical strategies to help professionals project confidence, clarity, and credibility in leadership contexts. The course focuses on practical methods to strengthen internal poise and external projection so you communicate with greater clarity and influence.
Lessons are concise and research-informed, emphasizing mindset, emotional poise, and observable communication habits that learners can practice immediately in meetings, presentations, and high‑stakes conversations.
At a Glance
Developing Executive Presence is a short online course taught by John Ullmen that outlines practical methods to project self-confidence, clarity, and credibility in leadership contexts. It covers the four key factors that drive executive presence and shows how to strengthen both internal and external presence without feeling inauthentic.
| Level | Intermediate |
| Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
| Duration | 1+ hours |
| Languages | English |
| Certificate | Certificate of completion (downloadable, shareable) |
| Access | Access while your LinkedIn Learning subscription is active (free trial available) |
| Course includes |
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| Price | Subscription-based (LinkedIn Learning); pricing varies by plan |
What This Course Teaches
This course frames executive presence as a set of measurable competencies you can practice and demonstrate in real-world leadership situations. Outcomes focus on skills you can build and apply, from strengthening internal poise to projecting clarity and credibility.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organized as an introduction, four thematic units (Understanding; Think; Feel; Do), and a brief conclusion, delivered as 23 short video lessons totaling about 1 hour and 12 minutes. Lessons are compact and focused, making the course easy to complete in a single sitting or to revisit by unit.
Curriculum overview
01Introduction▾
Course orientation and what to expect from the lessons and practice items.
02Executive presence: The key differentiator▾
Defines executive presence and explains why it matters for leadership and influence.
031. Understanding Executive Presence▾
Introduces the foundational concepts that the unit will explore in detail.
04Passion and positive difference▾
Explores how visible passion contributes to influence and perceived leadership.
05Inner presence before outer presence▾
Distinguishes internal mindset work from external behaviors when building presence.
06Four factors of executive presence▾
Breaks down the four core drivers that together form executive presence.
07Do I have to be fake?▾
Addresses concerns about authenticity and how to develop presence without feeling inauthentic.
082. Think: Perspective▾
Unit header introducing how thinking patterns affect presence and decision making.
09Thinking patterns and executive presence▾
Analyzes thinking styles that support clarity and composed leadership decisions.
10Thinking about yourself▾
Guides reflective approaches to self-awareness and its role in confident presence.
11Thinking about others▾
Covers perspective-taking and audience-aware thinking to improve influence.
12Getting things done▾
Connects thought patterns to practical execution and follow-through.
133. Feel: Poise▾
Unit header introducing emotion regulation and maintaining composure.
14Emotional patterns▾
Identifies habitual emotional responses that can undermine or support presence.
15Being emotionally proactive▾
Teaches active strategies to prepare and regulate emotions before interactions.
16Shifting emotions▾
Shows techniques to move from reactive states to composed, present states.
174. Do: Projection▾
Unit header focused on observable behaviors that communicate presence.
18Action patterns▾
Examines action habits that convey decisiveness and competence.
19How you act▾
Details body language and comportment that reinforce credibility.
20What you say and how you say it▾
Focuses on message clarity, tone, and delivery to increase impact.
21Priming your presence▾
Offers short preparation routines to enter interactions fully present.
22Conclusion▾
Wraps up the course themes and reinforces next steps for practice.
23Next steps▾
Practical suggestions for continued practice and applying the course material.
Audience & Requirements
The course targets professionals who already hold or are preparing for leadership responsibilities and who want practical methods to increase their influence and credibility. It is most useful for managers, team leads, and emerging executives seeking concise, research-informed coaching on presence and communication.
- Mid-level managers transitioning into senior or executive roles.
- Team leaders and project managers who lead meetings and stakeholder conversations.
- Experienced professionals preparing for high‑stakes presentations or visibility opportunities.
- Coaches and consultants who develop leaders’ communication and presence skills.
- Some prior leadership or management experience is recommended (course level: Intermediate).
- Willingness to practice reflective exercises and brief presence routines outside lessons.
- Working proficiency in English to follow video lessons and downloadable materials.
Final Verdict
Given its strong rating and placement on a major professional learning platform, this course is a compact, research-informed option that delivers practical techniques you can apply quickly in leadership settings. It’s worthwhile for managers and emerging executives who want focused, actionable guidance and a shareable certificate to document their learning.
Bear in mind the course is intentionally short and targeted rather than a substitute for long-term coaching or immersive leadership programs; it works best as an introduction or a concentrated refresher to pair with deliberate practice or mentoring.
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