Everyday Executive Authority: Micro-Habits That Build High-Achievers’ Personal Brand

Authority isn’t announced; it’s signalled in micro-moments. Small, deliberate behaviours can make or break your authority. CEOs don’t just speak; they calibrate their personal brand with intentional presence.

Over a 15+ year career in marketing and communications, spending endless hours in the inner circle with executive teams and CEOs, I’ve recognised similar patterns in the micro-habits of these high-performers.

Executive authority isn’t just built in big speeches; it’s signalled in micro-moments. Every verbal and non-verbal communication conveys confidence and authority with impact and persuasiveness. 

1. Non-verbal micro moves 

Smile slower and the ‘Flooding Smile’

Smiling is a universal signal of warmth, but in a professional context, it could be hurting your credibility. 

The downside of a smile first caught my attention when I read How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes. The book highlights that smiling too quickly can signal inauthenticity and nervousness. 

Research on microexpressions shows that subtle, intentional expressions convey emotional intelligence. Studies have also shown that women who were slower to smile in corporate life were perceived as more credible. This isn’t about not smiling; it’s about smiling genuinely. 

As Lowndes says: 

“Big Winners know their smile is one of their most powerful weapons, so they’ve fine-tuned it for maximum impact.”

How to Talk to Anyone recommends a ‘Flooding Smile’. A delay of even less than a second conveys more sincerity. Instead of a fake grin, a flooding smile engulfs your face like a warm wave crashing over the recipient it’s directed to.

Smiling too often feels fake, while a controlled smile signals genuine warmth and authority. 

‘Sticky Eyes’ eye contact

Studies show consistent eye contact increases perceptions of competence and trustworthiness. But eye contact isn’t all about establishing authority; it also creates a connection. One study from Yale showed that the more eye contact, the more positive feelings.

Try to hold your eye contact for slightly longer than what might come naturally. Or engage Lowndes’ ‘Sticky Eyes’ idea from How to Talk to Anyone. ‘Sticky Eyes’ stick like warm toffee. It doesn’t fall off as soon as the speaker stops speaking, darting around the room; it takes time to peel away, making the speaker feel seen and heard. 

The book also highlights that Big Winners go beyond the conventional advice to keep good eye contact. They are culturally and contextually aware. They understand this intimidates some. In some cultures, it’s even threatening and disrespectful. But Big Winners know the right exaggerated eye contact can pack a punch.

Take up space: purposeful posture and gestures

Your non-verbal cues are about more than just your face. Fully embody your executive presence, with grounded and open posture. Think feet planted, chest lifted and shoulders back. This conveys authority and can influence your own perception of confidence.

Executives respect personal space, while also taking up space. Confident people have been shown to naturally claim more space without invading others. 

Deliberate and calm hand gestures, without over-gesturing, can also elevate your communication impact. The research shows that those people who gesture while speaking are more persuasive and better understood. Using gestures to complement your verbal points gives the impression of confidence and mastery of organised ideas. Think of your gestures as your storytelling support - for example, list ideas on your fingers for verbal and visual cues. 

2. Verbal micro moves 

Speak slower

Confident speakers know their voice adds weight and value, so they don’t need to rush their words. While fast-talkers are often perceived as nervous, studies in leadership communication found that slower speech increases perceptions of confidence and competence. It conveys calm authority. 

Try to slow down your speech by 20-30% compared to your usual approach in casual conversation. Focus on enunciation, and while your rate of speaking decreases, perceptions of your articulation, credibility and authority will rise. 

Pause

Sometimes it’s not all about what you say, but what you don’t say. Studies on authority show that brief pauses make statements more persuasive and authoritative. They signal confidence and also allow your brain to organise your thoughts, increasing your perceived competence. Before you rush to answer a question or make a statement, pause for maximum impact. 

Statement sentences 

Pauses aren’t to be confused with trailing off mid-sentence. CEOs finish their statements with impact and also avoid upward inflections at the end of statements. This ‘uptalk’ in linguistics is when your statement sounds more like a question and signals uncertainty, while a firm ending signals decisiveness. Notice any rising intonation in your conversations and consciously lower it as you end your sentences. 

Email like an executive

Online communication, especially your everyday emails, can have as strong an impact on your executive presence as your in-person interactions. Executives write emails with cut-through clarity, choosing and editing their words wisely.

Here are a few tips to make your point clearer in your email: 

• Avoid over-qualifiers, e.g. say “I recommend”, instead of “I strongly recommend”.

• Cut excessive words. Remove every word that adds no value.

• Avoid unnecessary apologies. Skip “I’m sorry to bother you” or “I hope you don’t mind”.

• Remove filler words, e.g. ‘just’.

For more, see my earlier blog, Email like an Executive (6 Tips). Project a confident and credible personal brand in your everyday emails.

Micro power moves

Authority is cumulative, built in small, intentional actions. Practise these micro moves - smile with purpose, pause strategically, gesture deliberately, and watch your executive presence and personal brand strengthen naturally.