Author: Steve Dion
A long‑standing commitment to research underpins our approach to leadership development, informing coaching and leadership best practices. Now that Dion Leadership is part of Gallagher, this commitment is reflected in the annual coaching effectiveness study and the development of research‑backed learning models and e‑books focused on leadership mindset, workplace conflict and leadership agility.
Leveraging customer intelligence
Each year we embark on a comprehensive journey to identify the most pressing topics impacting the modern workplace. Customer intelligence acts as the compass for our thought leadership and new client offerings. This process is both art and science: It requires listening closely to the pulse of the market while combining it with the practical expertise we've gained through years of leadership development work.
Our recent research pointed to a vital and nuanced leadership concept: executive presence.
Our research and client interactions revealed a growing emphasis on the importance of the somewhat elusive skill of executive presence. We noticed there was confusion about exactly how it should be defined. However, it was clear that leaders with executive presence made a bigger impact within their teams and organizations. And for those leaders who struggled with executive presence, we felt confident that we could help them understand how they could develop this critical leadership skill.
Why executive presence matters now
Executive presence has long been a pivotal factor in determining leadership effectiveness. In today's dynamic and often virtual workplace landscape, the ability to project authenticity, confidence and clarity has risen as a critical leadership skill. Executive presence transcends the surface level of charisma or eloquence. It's about the ability to inspire trust, communicate effectively and motivate teams to action — essential qualities for leaders in every sector. By focusing our development efforts on this topic, we aimed to empower leaders to embrace their unique strengths while building the presence necessary to navigate an evolving professional landscape.
Developing an executive presence learning model
Recognizing its relevance and urgency, we dove headfirst into this subject, researching its origins and various definitions. We developed a compelling, yet simple model. This work is offered through a one-day training course on executive presence, which is among leadership programs offered in our course catalog.
In a 2025 article, I made the point that improving executive presence is about so much more than what you look like on the outside; instead, it's an "inside job."1 Mindset, particularly a healthy view of yourself as a leader, is at the root of executive presence. This internal domain is foundational to strong leadership. It directly impacts your behavior and, consequently, how others perceive you as a leader.
Continuing the conversation, our VP of Coaching and Consulting Services Joe LaDuke, expanded on these themes in a blog post exploring the framework and practical ways leaders can strengthen their executive presence.2
The impact of collaborative expertise
Through an extensive literature review, client contributions and invaluable real-world examples and tips from our team of executive coaches, we provide comprehensive insights into executive presence, marrying research with real-world application. The resulting webinars and publications form a multi-dimensional exploration of this concept, ensuring that you can gain both a theoretical understanding and practical tools to implement what you've learned.
Looking ahead
As we continue to explore executive presence, we remain committed to leveraging customer intelligence as the foundation of our thought leadership initiatives. By listening to our clients and responding to their evolving needs, we strive to provide resources that drive transformation and inspire growth.
The sources below provide a strong foundation for building executive presence. To turn insight into action, contact us to discuss how we can support your leadership development and help you get started.
