In today’s workplace, technical skill alone is no longer enough to stand out. Professionals are increasingly expected to communicate clearly, lead conversations with confidence, and present ideas in ways that inspire trust and action. In a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation, the ability to communicate with clarity and human connection may actually be becoming more valuable, not less.
Few people understand that transformation better than Mike Acker, executive communication coach, speaker, author of multiple books on communication, and founder of Uplevel Communication.
Recently, I sat down with Mike to ask a few questions about executive presence, communication, leadership, and what professionals can do to communicate more effectively in today’s rapidly changing workplace.
A lot of professionals hear the phrase “executive presence,” but it can feel vague. How do you personally define executive presence?
When I look at the phrase “executive presence,” I separate the two words.
First, executive. What is an executive? It’s someone who has learned how to execute at a high level. Over time, they’ve contributed through their own work and through others. They’ve developed experience, knowledge, work ethic, and the ability to get results.
But then there’s the second part of the phrase: presence.
Presence is how you show up.
So executive presence is the ability to show up at the same level that you execute.
In corporate settings, I often see people who know how to execute, but they don’t know how to show up. The reality is this: if your execution is high but your presence is low, people often assume your execution is lower than it really is.
On the other hand, if someone has high presence but low execution, people often assume they’re more capable than they actually are. We all know people who can kind of BS their way through because of presence alone.
But when high execution and high presence come together, that’s where real influence happens. You’re not only able to do the work, but also communicate it, lead people through it, and inspire confidence around it.
You work with a lot of highly capable professionals. What are some of the most common communication mistakes you see?
A lot of highly capable professionals focus almost entirely on content. They think communication is only about what they’re saying.
But communication is more than content.
There’s the verbal side, the actual words you say, and then there’s the nonverbal side, both visually and audibly. It’s how people see you and how people hear you.
So communication isn’t just about getting content out there. It’s about getting content across.
What often happens is someone is brilliant in terms of expertise, but they haven’t developed the communication skills that help people actually receive the message. They’re focused on accuracy, but not necessarily connection, clarity, or delivery.
And in leadership environments, those things matter.
Many people struggle to speak up in meetings or high-level conversations. What advice would you give someone who feels intimidated in those moments?
On a deeper level, I think it’s important to ask why you feel intimidated. What’s happening internally that’s creating hesitation?
But tactically, in the moment, my advice is simple: the first time you think you should speak up, do it.
Because the longer you wait, the more hesitation grows.
I compare it to cliff jumping. The longer you stand there looking down, the harder it becomes to jump. And in meetings, the longer you wait, the more likely someone else jumps in first and takes the space you were about to step into.
So when you have the thought, enter the conversation. Use a simple segue like, “Let me add to that…” or “One thing I’d build on…”
But beyond tactics, remember this: you’re in the room for a reason. You bring value to the conversation. Part of executive presence is learning to come to terms with the value you already bring.
You often connect communication with career growth. How much does communication actually impact promotions and leadership opportunities?
If you take two people with similar experience, education, intelligence, and work ethic, the person who communicates better will almost always have the advantage professionally.
In many cases, even if the stronger communicator has slightly less experience, they may still get promoted faster.
Why?
Because communication amplifies competence.
Leadership isn’t only about being capable. It’s also about helping other people see, understand, and trust your capability.
Your communication becomes a multiplier on your skill set.
In a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation, why do you think human communication skills are becoming even more important?
I actually think there’s becoming a greater desire for what feels real and human.
Even recently, I shifted away from scripting certain social media content and started speaking more naturally and directly. What I found was that people appreciated it more.
Not because the old content wasn’t mine, it was, but because people are increasingly looking for evidence that there’s a real person behind the communication.
As AI becomes more common, authentic human communication becomes more valuable, not less.
People want clarity, connection, emotion, trust, and presence. Communication is one of the clearest ways we show our humanity.
What’s one practical step someone could take this week to immediately improve how they communicate professionally?
Record yourself.
Watch yourself in a meeting. Listen to your voice. Pay attention to how you come across.
A lot of people are trying to improve communication without actually knowing what they currently look or sound like.
You can’t improve what you haven’t observed.
It would be like asking an artist to paint a flower they’ve never seen before. You first have to see the subject clearly before you can improve the painting.
The same is true with communication.
Become aware of your habits. Notice your pacing, your filler words, your energy, your posture, and your tone.
Awareness is where growth begins.
Communication may not be the only factor in professional success, but according to Mike Acker, it is often the factor that amplifies every other skill.
To learn more, visit www.mikeacker.com.
