The Pivot and Promotion Podcast - Career and Leadership Advice

Author: Dani Tan - Leadership and Career Coach

Hi! I'm Dani Tan, a Leadership and Career Coach, and Speaker. I empower leaders who are the first, few, or only in their space. If youre looking to pivot careers, get promoted, expand your leadership skills, or find your voice, Im here for you. I've pivoted multiple industries from sales, PR, merchandising, and e-commerce all while achieving 11 promotions in 11 years. Let's get started.
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118. How to Build Executive Presence Without Becoming Someone Else
Episode 118
Thursday, 12 March, 2026

In episode 118, we're talking about how to build executive presence without losing yourself in the process.You have probably heard the feedback — your executive presence is a little lacking. And you are left wondering: does that mean be more confident? Command a room? Become someone entirely different? It does not. Your leadership is not the problem. The feedback just did not come with enough information to act on.In this conversation, I break down what executive presence feedback actually means, how to decode it into something specific and actionable, and how to decide what is worth building versus what you get to keep exactly as you are.In this episode, I cover:→ Why "executive presence" is often code for something nobody will explain to you→ How to go back and get specific, actionable feedback from your manager→ The framework for deciding what is a skill worth building vs. what is worth owning→ A client story: how one woman kept her directness and changed the outcome→ How to lead at the next level without erasing who you areKey Takeaways:– You cannot build a strategy around vague feedback, get specific examples first– Executive presence feedback can be useful or it can be asking you to code switch, know the difference– Your values (directness, community, humility) are leadership strengths, not liabilities– Decode, decide, then build, in that order– You do not have to become someone else to lead at the next levelChapters:00:00 Introduction: Building Executive Presence Without Becoming Someone Else01:30 What "Executive Presence" Feedback Actually Means03:15 Phase 1: Decode the Feedback05:30 You Cannot Change What Nobody Has Named07:00 Phase 2: Decide What Is Worth Changing vs. Owning09:00 Client Story: Same Person, Better Framing11:15 Dani's Personal Story12:30 What If the Feedback Is Valid?14:00 Closing: You Do Not Have to Become Someone ElseLearn more and stay connected:⁠⁠www.danitan.com⁠⁠⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/dani-tan⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my weekly newsletter