I had no idea how to dress like a human being.
After four years at Marine Corps Base Hawaii living in cammies and combat boots, I was headed to LA – supposedly the coolest city on earth. My girlfriends kept saying “shop at Ann Taylor,” but I stood in that store paralyzed. What the hell was business casual? How tight should pants be? Were blazers mandatory or optional?
What I really needed was Garanimals – those kids’ clothes with little animal pictures that showed you which pieces matched. Giraffe top, giraffe bottom. Foolproof. Because apparently, learning to navigate civilian fashion was harder than anything the Marines had thrown at me.
The transition from military to civilian life broke me in ways I never expected. And it started with something as basic as getting dressed. But the real gut punch came when I realized how many critical skills the Marines never taught me: how to negotiate when barking orders wasn’t an option, how to sell ideas instead of following them, how to command a room without rank on my collar.
These skills matter because they create executive presence – the ability to walk into any room and immediately carry weight. People listen to leaders who combine visual impact with crystal-clear communication. Without presence, your brilliant ideas die in meetings. Your expertise gets overlooked. Your value stays invisible.
You have something important to offer. Here’s how to make sure people actually see it:
Own your visual impact. Every morning, choose colors that make you look alive, clothes that fit your body and your day, and a style that broadcasts confidence. Get the manicure. Wear the belt. These aren’t vanity moves – they’re strategic ones. You’re communicating before you even speak.
Prepare to be heard. Spend five minutes before every meeting identifying your key points. The person who gets heard isn’t the loudest – they’re the clearest. Show up with a clean workspace, minimal distractions, and something valuable to contribute. You earned your seat at that table. Use it.
Control your body language. I’ve watched executives torpedo their credibility by swiveling in chairs during tense conversations, sneaking phone glances, or slouching in disengagement. Your nonverbals are screaming whether you want them to or not. Make sure they’re saying what you want.
Executive presence isn’t about perfection. It’s about intentionality. Every interaction is your chance to show up as someone worth listening to, someone who deserves respect, someone who belongs in the room. Because you do.
