Soft Power Isn’t Soft Results: What Executive Presence Really Looks Like
- Latoya Baldwin
- Oct 20
- 4 min read
You ever meet a woman who doesn’t raise her voice but somehow, the whole room leans in when she speaks?
She doesn’t need to dominate the conversation. She is the conversation.
And it’s not her title, or her wardrobe, or her resume that makes people remember her.
It’s something deeper.
Something quieter.
Something you can’t fake.
That’s soft power.
The kind of executive presence that doesn’t need permission to lead because it’s rooted in clarity, conviction, and calm. The kind that doesn’t apologize for taking up space, but also doesn’t need to shove its way in.
This post is your invitation to stop chasing loud, performative confidence and start cultivating the kind of presence that speaks volumes… even in silence.
What Is Executive Presence, Really?
Let’s get something out of the way:
Executive presence isn’t about being the loudest person in the room, having the biggest title, or mirroring what leadership has traditionally looked like.
Executive presence is about how people experience you.
It’s the trust you build without overexplaining.
It’s the quiet certainty behind your “yes” and the unapologetic clarity behind your “no.”
It’s not a performance. It’s a frequency.
And soft power?
That’s the foundation.
It’s the how behind your presence. It’s not about commanding the room. It’s about anchoring it.
Why So Many Women Overlook Their Own Presence
Here’s the truth. Most of us weren’t taught how to lead with presence.
We were taught how to perform.
How to be impressive but not intimidating.
Qualified but not too confident.
Sharp but still “likeable.”
And so we overcompensate.
We fill every silence with proof.
We show up over-prepared, over-explaining, over-delivering.
And we still feel under-seen.
But presence isn’t something you earn by overworking.
It’s something you embody when you stop performing and start believing in your own power.
3 Signs You’re Already Leading With Soft Power (Even If You Don’t Know It Yet)
You make people feel safe and seen
You read the room. You anticipate what’s needed. You lead with groundedness, not ego. And people trust you for it.
You influence without overpowering
You know how to move a conversation, close a loop, redirect tension, or land a powerful idea without steamrolling the room.
You’re remembered for how you made the room feel
Your presence lingers… in a good way. The energy you brought. The clarity you spoke with. The way you made space without shrinking or taking.
If you nodded to even one of these? You’re not lacking presence. You’re just ready to own it louder.
What Soft Power Looks Like at Work
Here’s what it might look like in a meeting:
You speak later in the conversation, but when you do, everyone stops to listen.
You ask a single clarifying question that shifts the entire direction of a project.
You say “I disagree” without softening your voice or adding 5 minutes of disclaimers.
You show up styled and centered, not to impress anyone, but because it reminds you who you are.
You don’t rush to fill space.
You don’t raise your volume to be heard.
And yet… you’re the one people quote when the meeting ends.
That’s presence.
And it’s unforgettable.
So How Do You Build It?
You don’t “build” executive presence the same way you build a skill. You uncover it by releasing the things that dilute it.
Here’s what I recommend:
1. Create an Anchor Ritual Before You Enter the Room
Whether it’s deep breathing, a signature fragrance, a playlist, or the act of selecting your power outfit, ritual breeds presence. It tells your body, “We’re safe here. Let’s lead.”
2. Speak From the Middle, Not the Margins
Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or apologizing before you speak, claim your space. Frame your ideas with clarity, not permission.
3. Rehearse Less. Remember More.
Memorizing talking points won’t ground you. But remembering who you are and what you bring to the table? That’s power. Walk in with that.
Executive Presence Isn’t a Look. It’s a Language.
It’s the way you say your name when you introduce yourself.
It’s how you hold the pause before responding.
It’s how you enter a room without explaining why you belong there.
It’s rooted in identity.
Which means the more you reconnect with who you are, the easier it is to radiate presence without performing.
Want to Lead With More Presence This Quarter?
Inside The Vault™, we’re not teaching outdated scripts or trying to “fix” your confidence. We’re helping you build a version of leadership that feels like you.
You’ll learn how to:
Own the room without losing yourself in it
Articulate your power with clarity and calm
Make strategic moves that don’t drain your energy
Feel seen, not just productive
Plus, if you’re ready to make your confidence a daily practice, the Rise365 Planner includes my favorite prompts, rituals, and reflection tools to help you lead louder and softer.
Your presence already exists. Now it’s time to let the room feel it.
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