When you enter a high-stakes meeting… the first few seconds set the tone.
Most executives focus on what they’ll say.
The best focus on how they enter.
Research shows non-verbal first impressions shape perceptions more than anything you say (Harvard Business Review, 2024).
The first 10 seconds set the tone:
Your posture
→ Walk in with purpose
→ Stand tall, shoulders back
→ Your body speaks before you
Your eyes
→ Make deliberate eye contact
→ Scan the room with confidence
→ Show you belong there
Your pause
→ Don’t rush to speak
→ Listen for cues before jumping in
→ Silence signals authority
When you master the first 10 seconds:
→ Stakeholders lean in
→ Your ideas carry more weight
→ Decisions move your direction
→ Authority becomes natural
Executive presence isn’t about charisma…
It’s about owning the room.
♻️ Agree? Message me.
