For many women in leadership, the challenge isn’t competence—it’s visibility. You’re doing the work, driving results, and holding it all together, yet you still feel overlooked when decisions are made or opportunities arise. If you’ve ever felt invisible in your career, you’re not alone.
The missing piece for many high-achieving women is executive presence—that combination of confidence, clarity, and credibility that ensures your voice is heard and your contributions are recognized.
Lisa Anderson, Chief HR Officer, coach, and author of Invisible Professional to Influential Leader, has observed this pattern repeatedly throughout her 25+ year career. She works with women leaders who are ready to step into their power and claim their place at the leadership table.
“Executive presence isn’t about becoming someone else,” Lisa explains. “It’s about amplifying who you already are and leading in a way that aligns with your values and strengths.”
Here are a few of Lisa’s core strategies for building executive presence and moving from invisible to influential:
1. Find and Strengthen Your Leadership Voice
Too often, women hesitate to speak up in meetings or soften their language to avoid seeming “too direct.” But executive presence requires owning your voice. Lisa encourages women to practice clear, confident communication—whether that means preparing talking points before a meeting or simply permitting yourself to stop apologizing for sharing your ideas.
2. Lead with Courage, Not Perfection
One of the most significant barriers Lisa sees is the pressure to be perfect. Instead, she challenges women to focus on courage: the courage to advocate for themselves, to take risks, and to step into opportunities even when they don’t feel 100% ready. “Courage is what allows women to move forward when self-doubt wants to hold them back,” she says.
3. Build Your Visibility Intentionally
It’s not enough to do great work—you need to be seen doing it. That doesn’t mean self-promotion in a way that feels uncomfortable. Instead, Lisa recommends seeking opportunities to present, lead cross-functional projects, or mentor others. Each of these raises your profile while also contributing real value.
4. Align Presence with Authenticity
True executive presence isn’t about adopting someone else’s leadership style—it’s about showing up fully as yourself. Lisa emphasizes that women don’t need to trade authenticity for influence. Instead, aligning your actions with your values fosters trust, credibility, and staying power.
5. Commit to Continuous Growth
Executive presence is not a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing practice. Through coaching and her own career journey, Lisa has learned the importance of reflection, feedback, and adaptability. “The leaders who rise are the ones willing to learn, evolve, and invest in themselves,” she notes.
Why It Matters
When women leaders cultivate executive presence, they not only advance their own careers but also open doors for others. Representation matters. Visibility matters. And when women lead with confidence and authenticity, entire organizations benefit.
Lisa’s message is clear: You already have the potential to lead with influence. It’s about harnessing your voice, stepping into courage, and committing to show up as the powerful leader you are meant to be.
👉 If your organization is ready to empower women leaders and strengthen executive presence across teams, connect with Lisa Anderson to bring her expertise to your workplace.
