According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace report, the last decade has seen women make important gains at every level of the corporate pipeline, including in senior leadership. But it also highlights how fragile this progress is, especially for women of colour, who continue to be underrepresented at every level. In many cases, women’s day-to-day experiences are not much different, or are even worse, than they were 10 years ago.
For women aiming to break through traditional barriers and ascend to leadership roles, mastering executive presence isn’t just a professional advantage—it’s a necessity. But how can women cultivate it to achieve their goals in environments often dominated by men?
Here, Angela Yore, CEO of SkyParlour, highlights five actionable strategies women can use to enhance their executive presence and navigate their leadership trajectory with confidence and authenticity.
Communicating with confidence
The ability to communicate effectively is at the heart of executive presence. But many women find speaking with authority a daunting prospect, especially in boardrooms or even virtual meetings.
But the secret to confidence in communication is in the listening.
Angela advises: “When you speak, speak with intention. This means using clear, concise language, maintaining eye contact, and projecting your voice to command attention. But it’s just as important to be an active listener. Listening intently not only fosters collaboration, it also demonstrates emotional intelligence—a trait highly valued in leaders. By mastering both aspects, women can foster trust and respect among peers and colleagues.”
Network strategically
In male-dominated industries, building a robust professional network can be a game-changer. As the CEO of a specialist fintech PR firm, Angela is no stranger to operating in a male-dominated sector, and her advice is not to network for the sake of networking. Instead, she advocates for strategic and values-driven relationship building.
“True networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships,” she explains, “Women should seek connections that align with their career aspirations and personal values. Engaging in genuine, reciprocal conversations and identifying mentors who can provide guidance and open doors is crucial.”
Strategic networking is the best way to amplify visibility and create opportunities for collaboration and support, and Angela urges women to see it as a routine part of their job: “Business all about relationships. By treating networking like any other part of your role it will become less daunting.”
Being closely involved with the European Women Payments Network (EWPN) – a community for women in fintech, cards, payments, banking and financial services – Angela is also a passional advocate for the power of women supporting women. She encourages women to find organisations that create supportive communities, and get involved: “Remember that you’ll get out what you put in, so be mindful of how such organisations can be mutually beneficial.”
Leverage personal branding
One thing that sets leaders apart in a professional setting is a well-defined personal brand, which not only enhances executive presence, but positions women as thought leaders in their industries. This is something Angela has cultivated throughout her career, and she urges other women to craft an authentic and consistent brand that resonates with both internal teams and external stakeholders.
“Your personal brand should reflect who you are and what you stand for,” she says, “This involves aligning your actions, communication, and professional appearance with your core values and leadership vision.”
Angela advises women to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to showcase their expertise, share insights, and build a digital footprint that reinforces their credibility.
She adds: “Leverage video content wherever possible to showcase your expertise and passion. In a world where trust drives business, your unique voice shared through video can create lasting connections and turn viewers into followers.”
Embrace your power and authenticity
Authenticity and self-awareness are cornerstones of effective leadership, and Angela firmly believes women should embrace the perspectives and strengths that make them unique, rather than conforming to traditional notions of leadership.
“Owning your power means being unapologetically yourself. That means recognising your worth, setting boundaries, and staying true to your values—even in challenging corporate environments. Too often, women see their authenticity as a vulnerability, but it can actually be a powerful tool for connection and influence. Authentic leaders are more likely to inspire loyalty and trust when they lead with integrity and empathy.”
See setbacks as a learning opportunity
Achieving your leadership goals is rewarding, but not easy, and setbacks are inevitable. Angela’s own experiences have taught her the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles, and encourages other women to see every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.
“People often talk about ‘cultivating a growth mindset’, but this is really just business-speak for reframing failures as stepping stones to success. Of course, that’s easier said than done. It helps to surround yourself with a support system that fosters encouragement and accountability, and to stay focused on your long-term goals. Resilience develops over time, and it gets easier to bounce back from adversity stronger, having learned valuable lessons.”
For women aspiring to leadership, these strategies provide a roadmap to cultivate confidence, authenticity, and resilience. Angela’s insights highlight that executive presence is not an inherent trait, but a skill that needs to be developed and refined over time. By mastering communication, building meaningful networks, defining a personal brand, and embracing authenticity, women can break barriers and lead with purpose.
