When You Say Yes to Growth

When you make yourself vulnerable, open to honest feedback, and willing to learn, you rise above most leaders. Executive presence grows the moment you decide to look honestly at how you show up, not how you hope you show up. That decision creates momentum. The real work and growth begins when you commit to building on it.

I remind leaders every day that executive presence is not a destination. It is a practice. Momentum matters because each small, intentional action compounds over time. Here are three ways to keep that momentum strong.

Three Steps to Growth:

First, audio and video record yourself as often as you can. This is one of the fastest ways to strengthen self-awareness. When you hear your tone and see your body language, patterns become obvious. You notice where your message lands and where it drifts. Leaders who consistently embrace a desire for growth and self-observe develop clarity faster because they stop guessing. According to Gallup, employees who receive regular, meaningful feedback are 3.6 times more likely to be engaged at work, which directly ties to how leaders communicate and show up every day.

Second, keep asking for feedback from people you trust in your personal and professional life. The quality of feedback improves when you prepare people for it. Let them know what you want input on before the conversation starts. This creates focus and encourages honesty. Feedback is not about validation. Feedback gives you data. Data helps you refine your executive presence Monday to Monday®.

Third, give yourself grace. Growth feels uncomfortable because it stretches habits that have been in place for years. Progress looks uneven before it looks consistent. Leaders who extend grace to themselves stay in the game longer. That consistency builds credibility, confidence and trust with others.

Executive presence strengthens when self-development becomes a commitment rather than a project. Each recording sharpens awareness. Each conversation adds insight. Each moment of grace keeps momentum alive.