Executive Presence Without the Mould: Ageism, Culture, and Code-Switching

Episode 329 - We unpack what interviewers are really reacting to, how to show agility at any age, and how to stay authentic while adapting to different cultures and expectations.

I understand why Brené Brown and Adam Grant can say “thumbs down” on executive presence and get a standing ovation. In their conversation on Dare to Lead, they frame executive presence as “party of one” and contrast it with leadership as a “collective capability.” It’s a compelling point, and a necessary correction for leaders who confuse charisma with competence or confuse performative confidence with real stewardship.

But in my day-to-day work as a career coach for experienced corporate professionals, executives, and senior technical specialists, executive presence is not a fad, a buzzword, or an outdated corporate relic. It is a hiring variable. It’s the most searched term on my podcast’s website. And pretending otherwise leaves job seekers at the mercy of unspoken rules.

That’s why I devoted Episode 329 of The Job Hunting Podcast to executive presence, alongside two experts who don’t treat it as a personality type or a costume: Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, executive coach and faculty lead for the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School’s Executive Education Business Communication Certificate, and Dr. Carl DuPont, Associate Professor of Voice at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute and Executive Education faculty at Carey.

What I took from our discussion is this: executive presence is real because the question isn’t whether it exists. The question is whether we teach it responsibly, in a way that helps professionals be read accurately, without forcing them into a narrow mould.

Read the full Blog on the Website

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses



Timestamps to guide your listening:

1. My website
2. My Instagram
3. Subscribe to my newsletter
4. Group coaching wait list
5. Work with Renata: All my courses and coaching services
6. Alexa Chilcutt, PhD
7. Carl DuPont, DMA
8. Alexa and Carl's website
9. Alexa and Carl's book - for 25% discount, enter the code Pres26 at checkout

Links mentioned in this episode:

1. 00:00 Introduction to Executive Presence
2. 01:51 Defining Executive Presence
3. 04:43 The Importance of Communication
4. 07:36 Challenging Traditional Views on Executive Presence
5. 09:54 Navigating Ageism in the Workplace
6. 12:52 Cultural Dissonance and Code Switching
7. 28:33 Authenticity vs. Performance in Executive Presence
8. 32:27 The Evolution of Personal Branding
9. 34:22 Navigating Cultural Expectations in Professional Appearance
10. 37:42 The Role of Voice in Executive Presence
11. 41:23 Embracing Diversity in Professional Narratives
12. 46:52 The Art of Communication: Finding Your Voice
13. 52:03 Overcoming Barriers to Executive Presence

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress.

Watch the Episodes on YouTube

Follow Renata on Social Media:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X / Twitter