This 60-Second Introduction Will Boost Your Executive Presence

I used to fumble my way through introductions.

There I was, surrounded by senior executives at a leadership offsite, and someone asked me to introduce myself.

You'd think after years of experience, countless meetings, and significant achievements, I'd nail this simple task.

Nope.

Instead, I rambled, downplayed my role, and walked away feeling like I'd totally missed the mark.

For some reason a simple task like introducing myself felt like a life or death moment… and I found myself being too humble or going on and on digging myself into a big hole.

Maybe you can relate?

I didn’t think it mattered but here's what I discovered: at the executive level, your introduction isn't just about sharing your name and title.

It's a strategic opportunity to shape how others see you.

Think about it.

When someone introduces themselves, what goes through your mind? Are they seniors? Strategic? Is someone worth knowing?

Your introduction is your chance to control that narrative.

Why Most Introductions Fall Flat

Here's what most people do. They say their name and title, maybe add what they do.

"Hi, I'm Sarah, VP of Marketing at TechCorp."

Sure, it tells you their role. But does it make you want to learn more? Does it position them as a strategic leader?

People can read titles on LinkedIn. At this level, you need to do more.

Let me show you what I mean.

From Basic to Brilliant

Imagine Sarah instead said:

"Hi, I'm Sarah, VP of Marketing at TechCorp. I joined a year ago, and since then my team and I have transformed marketing into a strategic partner for sales. We're currently leading a $1M product rebrand that's already moving the needle before full implementation. I’m excited to get to know all of you and see how we can collaborate."

Same person. Same role. Totally different impact.

Why does this work better?

Because it tells a story of strategic leadership, business impact, and transformation.

It makes people want to know more and connect with you.

Your Strategic Introduction Formula

The real secret? Before you say a word, ask yourself: "What do I want these people to think of me?"

Do you want them to see you as a strategic thinker? Someone who drives significant impact? A leader who transforms organizations? A great people manager? Partner?

Your introduction should be informed by how you want to be seen, for maximum impact. Start with the end in mind, and then use this formula to create the right impression:

1. Start with who you are and your role - that's your foundation. We’re talking name and title to set up the stage and give people context.

2. Add strategic context about your work. Titles don’t always reflect what you really do. This is your opportunity to tell your story. Not by talking about the scope of your work (I’m responsible for the website, and the SEO strategy, and also I run the digital campaigns), but by showing the value and importance of what you do.

”My team and I are the glue that connects the product, sales, and marketing teams to make every launch a growth opportunity for the business”

Or:

”The operational changes my team and I implement across the organization have played an integral role in this year’s cost-saving initiative”

3. Share recent achievements that matter to your audience. This is where you can talk about what you do now, or share a recent win to show your impact.

”We’re currently working to eliminate technical debt from the past year, to increase our capacity for product releases in Q4. I believe we can double it”

4. When appropriate add a little personality to be more memorable and approachable.

Let me explain this one because I don’t mean you should share your interests like on a dating app… “I love cooking and spending time with family” isn’t appropriate in this setting.

Adding personality means friendly language (not too formal), adding a joke the audience will relate to, or saying something vulnerable that makes you more likable.

"I'm the VP of engineering, currently leading our cloud migration - or as my team likes to call it, our 'journey from chaos to slightly less chaos.”

"I lead our sales organization, and after 15 years in sales, I finally learned that my mother was wrong - talking too much can actually be a career asset."

These aren't random personal facts. They're strategic moments of personality that make you memorable while maintaining executive presence.

Remember, this is optional. Don’t force yourself to be funny.

From Functional to Strategic

When I share this advice I’m often asked: Won't I sound like I'm bragging?

But this isn't about bragging - it's about strategically sharing information that helps others understand your value and potential. And it’s about getting visibility with senior leadership.

We think the small stuff don’t matter, but every interaction - from introductions to emails - impacts how you are being perceived.

Growing your executive presence depends on how well you nail every opportunity to show your potential.

And yes, delivery matters. You need to own it and be confident but not arrogant. Concise yet impactful.

Always tailor it to your audience. What impresses engineers might be different from what resonates with sales executives.

Your Next Steps

Think about the last time you were asked to introduce yourself.

Was it just functional? Or did it strategically position you as a leader?

If the answer is no…Here's what I want you to do:

Write down what you want people to think when they meet you.

Then identify one or two recent achievements that demonstrate these qualities.

And write a a new powerful introduction.

Remember: you're not just sharing information. You're creating an impression that can open doors.

I believe in you, and I’m rooting for you.

Maya ❤️