The Science of Influence & Executive Presence

What if executive presence and influence were less about how loud you speak—and more about how powerfully you hold the room?

A few years ago, I was invited to the company’s strategic planning retreat—held at their private compound in Miami.

I wasn’t a director yet. I hadn’t been officially “promoted.”

But I had been quietly working with the COO on a few growth strategies—and word had gotten out.

Now I was being flown in to meet the owners and join the company’s all-male executive team at the table.

And I was terrified.

I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know the power dynamics. I didn’t know the hidden landmines that come with navigating legacy leadership.

What I did know was this:

I was staying on-site. I was being observed. And if I wanted to make an impression, it wouldn’t be by competing for airtime.

So I did something unexpected.

While the execs talked—and sometimes shouted—over one another… I waited.

I listened.

And when I wanted to speak, I raised my hand.

Not as a sign of submission—but as a deliberate power move.

When the owner called on me, the room went silent.

And in that moment, I realized something that changed my leadership forever:

Influence isn’t about being the loudest voice.

It’s about being the one everyone wants to hear.

The API Framework: Authority, Presence, Impact

What you communicate is only part of the equation.

How you carry it, how you share it, and how people receive it—that’s what positions you as a true authority.

Here’s the framework I use (and now teach):

A – Authority

Establish what you know. But more importantly, show how you think.
Your authority isn’t just expertise—it’s clarity, conviction, and credibility.

Tip: Refine your point of view before your presence. If you can’t express what you believe, you’ll struggle to lead conversations that matter.

P – Presence

This is your energy, your non-verbal power, and your emotional intelligence.
It’s the space you take up—without having to dominate.

Tip: Speak slower. Use intentional pauses. Let silence do some of the talking. Presence isn’t performance—it’s resonance.

I – Impact

This is where logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (credibility) converge.
Influence without emotional or strategic resonance is just noise.

Tip: Ask yourself—Is what I’m sharing useful, meaningful, and aligned with what this audience values most?

When you weave API + ethos, pathos, logos into your communication, you stop being just another voice in the room…
You become the one people look to for clarity.

Let’s Talk About You.

This week inside the Powerhouse Legacy Collective, we’re unpacking how to:

• Elevate your executive presence

• Build your influence architecture

• Communicate with gravitas that actually opens doors

If you want access to the full training and materials, come join us inside the Collective.

You don’t have to shout to lead.

You just have to show up with strategy, presence, and purpose.

👉 Become a Member of the Powerhouse Legacy Collective

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to influence or presence?

Until next time,

Jessica