Five principles for lasting presence and voice

This article first appeared on LinkedIn in April 2025.

Leadership today is more demanding than ever. Executives and people managers are expected to navigate complexity, inspire teams, and drive business outcomes—all while staying authentic and adaptable. Therefore, a strong leadership presence goes well beyond looking the part: it is about leading with purpose, clarity, and impact.

Throughout our careers, we have seen firsthand that the most effective leaders are those who are curious about the world around them, embrace continuous learning, cultivate their unique strengths, and make meaningful connections with their audiences. In our experience, five key principles can enable leaders to show up for their teams and stakeholders in a way that resonates and drives meaningful impact.

Be a learner, thinker, and doer

Great leaders have an insatiable drive to learn, challenging themselves to think critically, execute decisively, and inspire others around them to do the same. In any executive role, you will face situations where you don’t have all the answers. What sets strong leaders apart is their ability to process information quickly, ask the right questions, and apply insights in real time.

We believe in the power of strategic thinking—breaking down complex problems, structuring solutions, and staying open to different perspectives. But thinking alone isn’t enough. The best leaders are also able to pair strategic insight with decisive action, knowing that forward momentum—even with the occasional failure—is key to growth.

Meet people where they are

Leading with impact is not about being the loudest voice in the room—it is about creating rapport. One of the most overlooked leadership skills is the ability to tailor your messaging to different audiences. Effective leaders recognize that the same message can land differently depending on the context, culture, and mindset of the people they are addressing. The ability to bridge these gaps not only fosters trust but also ensures that ideas gain traction and inspire action.

We learned this firsthand while leading teams across multiple countries: leadership isn’t static—it requires adapting your communication style to ensure what you say and how you say it resonates across cultures and generations. Whether engaging with employees, business partners, or industry peers, the best leaders take the time to understand their audience, adjust their approach, and ensure their message lands with impact.

Stay curious

Leadership is an ongoing journey, not a fixed destination. The moment you stop learning, you risk falling behind. The best leaders remain students of their craft, constantly seeking new insights, asking questions and refining their perspectives. In an ever-evolving business landscape, the ability to be curious, learn, unlearn, and adapt is what separates those who thrive from those who plateau.

For example, we embrace curiosity in our everyday lives, both personal and professional—whether it’s observing consumer trends and innovations of different brands while shopping, immersing ourselves in unique environments while traveling, or taking time to ask questions and seek feedback from our colleagues. This approach broadens our perspective, helping us connect with different audiences, anticipate trends, and lead with greater adaptability.

Stay composed and decisive

Leadership comes with pressure—there is no avoiding it. Navigating challenges requires both emotional intelligence and the ability to make tough calls with confidence. The most effective leaders also meet adversity, but they can remain steady in the face of it. By managing emotions, staying solution-focused, and projecting confidence, they create an environment where teams feel supported and empowered to tackle challenges head-on.

We have relied on a structured approach to decision-making in high-pressure situations. Start by breaking down problems into manageable components, allowing yourself to focus on solutions rather than becoming overwhelmed. In moments of uncertainty, strive to stay composed, knowing that maintaining a steady demeanor fosters trust and reassures your team. Whether in crisis situations or high-stakes negotiations, the ability to remain calm, gather input, and act decisively is a hallmark of great leadership.

Focus on being different, not just best

One of the most common leadership traps is chasing an outdated definition of success. Many executives strive to be “the best” in their field, but true impact often comes from the new or different perspectives leaders can impart to their organizations. This is about bringing a unique perspective, challenging conventions, and redefining what success looks like in their space.

Throughout our careers, we have had the privilege of learning from brilliant mentors, and some of those early conversations continue to shape our leadership philosophies today. Understanding that differentiation, rather than competition, is what drives lasting influence is a great example. Leaders who embrace their individuality—while staying deeply aligned with business priorities—tend to build lasting credibility and impact.

Today, we view our careers through the lens of three key variables—time, money, and health. We have learned that at different stages of leadership, the balance shifts, requiring constant recalibration. The most effective leaders recognize these evolving trade-offs, remain open to new perspectives, and adapt their approach to meet people where they are—because growth is not a fixed destination, but a continuous process of learning and refinement.

The leadership journey is complex, but the most impactful leaders are those who remain true to themselves while continuously evolving. The challenge isn’t just to lead—it is to lead in a way that inspires and empowers those around you, to drive individual and business success.