🎯 Post 5 of 6 | Presence, Politics, and Putting Yourself Forward

This is part 5 of my 6-part series on executive transitions, adapted from my chapter in Coaching Perspectives X.

So you’ve built your plan, delivered early wins, and connected with your team. But now comes the part no one likes to talk about —
internal politics, visibility, and executive presence.

And yet, these are often the things that make the biggest difference.

👔 Executive presence isn’t about ego — it’s about confidence with purpose.

People are constantly reading you:
Do you speak with clarity? Do you listen actively? Do you radiate calm when things go sideways?

Your body language, energy, tone, and yes — how you dress — all send messages.
They shape how others trust and follow your leadership.

🧭 Internal politics is the terrain — not the enemy.

Early in my career, I avoided office politics. I believed quality and hard work would speak for themselves.
They did — up to a point.

But leadership isn’t just about delivery. It’s also about navigating influence, relationships, and priorities at the highest level.

If you want resources, support, and sponsorship — you have to build internal alliances.
This doesn’t mean being manipulative. It means being strategic and aware.

🎙️ And sometimes, you need to throw your hat in the ring.

New projects, cross-functional initiatives, or “stretch” assignments — they may not be easy or even clear.
But they are where visibility is earned, and where transformation begins.

As one senior partner told me years ago:

“Don’t wait to be picked. Volunteer. Step into the spotlight before someone else does.”

📘 I explore these themes in Coaching Perspectives X, where I reflect on my own transition into executive leadership. And what I’ve learned — often the hard way — is this:
Competence gets you in the room. Presence and political fluency help you lead in it.

👉 What helped you grow your influence or executive presence?

#ExecutiveLeadership #ExecutivePresence #InternalPolitics #CareerMomentum #StrategicLeadership #ConsultingCoach