With 80% of executives now managing teams remotely (even when working in the office), executive presence is no longer limited to the room you’re in. It’s about learning to command attention, build trust and inspire action from behind a screen. Some struggle to make an impact in virtual spaces while others thrive. What sets great leaders apart today?
While traditional executive presence drew on the power of physical proximity, today’s digital-first workplace demands more. The foundations—gravitas, communication and authenticity—have not changed, but how we express them has. Leaders must be able to project confidence through screens, build trust across digital channels, influence stakeholders in new ways and inspire teams they may never meet in person. This isn't just adaptation; it's the new standard of leadership excellence.
Without executive presence in virtual spaces, credibility and influence suffer. Leaders who fail to project confidence and clarity may find their authority questioned by peers, direct reports and even the board. Navigating conflict becomes harder, trust erodes and getting buy-in on critical decisions is an uphill battle. Teams disengage, motivation dips and career growth stalls as missed opportunities for leadership and advancement pile up. In today’s workplace, if you don’t lead with presence, you risk being overlooked.
A Vice President of Marketing’s remote-work challenge turned into her greatest opportunity. Early on, her lack of strong virtual presence led the executive team to underestimate her engagement and leadership potential. Realizing the impact of this perception, she transformed her approach to digital leadership. Her method was precise and strategic: brief but impactful video check-ins with key stakeholders, paired with high-impact contributions and confident communication during virtual meetings. She didn't just speak more—she spoke with purpose. The result? Within six months, she earned a spot on the succession planning list for her boss’s position, proving that distance from leadership, colleagues and key decision makers doesn’t have to be a barrier to advancement.
When a COO’s role expanded to leading teams from acquired companies across three continents, he knew he needed to refine his virtual presence—especially since conflicts were arising. Instead of letting time zones hinder connection and escalate issues, he created an innovative solution: "virtual office hours" for spontaneous discussion and problem solving, complemented by thoughtful asynchronous video messages and regular meetings. He also remained calm under pressure when meetings got heated and provided creative solutions to challenges. This approach strengthened personal connections across global boundaries, boosted team engagement worldwide and enhanced board relationships.
Whether or not you work in office, create an environment that projects authority while ensuring seamless communication:
Be intentional, confident and authentic during every interaction:
Be purposeful and responsive to build trust in relationships:
Building executive presence virtually is an iterative process. Start by auditing your setup and communication patterns. Focus first on technical fundamentals and core communication skills, then expand to relationship building and influence. Seek regular feedback from trusted peers, mentors, or senior leaders and adapt accordingly. At its core, executive presence is about authentic, confident and effective connection, which builds trust and inspires action, no matter how far apart you are.
Strong leaders transcend physical boundaries. Developing virtual executive presence is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. By mastering these strategies, you can build influence, forge stronger connections and advance your objectives in any environment.
At Point Road Group, we help executives refine their presence and communication skills to lead more effectively and advance their careers. Through personalized coaching, we empower leaders to engage colleagues and stakeholders, inspire teams and make a lasting impact—whether in the conference room, boardroom or on screen.
