Command the Virtual Room with Executive Presence On Camera
- Laura Doman
- Sep 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 2
The art of presence, influence, and authority in every virtual meeting
Why Executive Presence Matters Online
Ever notice how some leaders lose their edge the moment the camera turns on? I’ve seen a CFO deliver a brilliant quarterly update over Zoom. Yes, it was strategically solid and financially sharp. Yet.... within minutes, board members were checking their phones.
Why? Because her delivery didn’t match the strength of her ideas.
That’s the power of executive presence on camera. In person, many executives naturally project authority. They know how to own a stage or a boardroom. But move the interaction online, whether it’s a video call, an all-hands meeting, or a media interview, and the spark can fizzle fast.
The good news? Virtual executive presence isn’t about being flashy or perfect. It’s about making people feel like you’re speaking directly to them. When your audience feels understood, even through a tiny webcam, they lean in and listen.
Executive presence on camera isn’t about perfection.
It’s about making genuine connections that inspire trust and attention.
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” - Warren Buffett
Common Challenges Leaders Face on Camera
The old-time orators knew a thing or two. So do some of the most effective preachers and motivational speakers. It's how you rally the troops with your presence, your energy, and your intent.
Leadership skills don’t always transfer from the boardroom to the digital stage. Great strategy can sound flat on video.
Mistakes That Undermine Authority in Video Calls
What are some of the more obvious cues that an executive is about to lose his audience?
Speaking in a steady, unchanging tone
Minimal facial expression and stiff posture
Gestures that are either too big - or disappear entirely
Camera eye contact that drifts (hello, second monitor)
Any of these tell us that the speaker is disconnected from the material - and the listener. Dull speech. Overly dramatic gestures that hint at self-involvement. Disinterest that's plainly broadcast from a disengaged speaker's face, body, or lack of eye contact. We instinctively know from the voice and body language when someone is just going through the motions or conversely, is highly uncomfortable or even out of their depth.
How to Strengthen Your Executive Presence on Camera
Fortunately, these issues can be fixed! Here are five foundational steps to improve your on-camera presence right away:
Step 1: Prepare Your Body, Not Just Your Slides
Most executives fine-tune decks for hours, but your delivery starts well before you open your mouth. A few intentional steps - hydrating at least an hour earlier, breathing deeply, rolling your shoulders, standing tall - set the stage for projecting confidence on video.
No time for preparation? Try this quick reset: Before logging in, inhale deeply, exhale slowly, and let your shoulders drop. Repeat a few times. This small ritual grounds you, calms your nerves, and helps your voice sound stronger. And it only takes a few minutes!
Step 2: Vary Your Delivery to Command Attention
A steady tone will sink even the smartest strategy. People need variety - pauses, inflection, and changes in pace - to stay engaged and command attention in virtual presentations. Try this:
Speed up when you’re sharing excitement.
Slow down when you want a point to land.
Use pauses like punctuation—they give your message weight.
These subtle shifts add energy and authority without forcing you to “perform.” And as a bonus, you may even enjoy seeing how much more engaged your audience is during your presentation.
Step 3: Let Your Hands Support the Message
“What do I do with my hands on camera?” This can be of concern to those who are very expressive with their hands in everyday speech.
No problem. Keep them in play - but with intention. Nervous fidgeting or big, sweeping gestures distract. Think of your hands as visual highlighters. A small, steady gesture at the right moment underscores your words and helps you build authority in video calls.
Alternatively, use those big hand movements - but keep them below frame so they're not distracting. If you're fidgeter and need to keep your hands busy, use a stress ball, but again keep your hands below frame.
Step 4: Adapt to the Occasion
This one may seem a bit obvious, but a change in tone on-camera to fit the audience makes a huge difference.
You wouldn’t brief the board the same way you’d inspire employees during a sales rally or how you'd energize investors on a media panel. Before you go live, ask:
What’s the purpose of this presentation?
Who’s my audience?
What tone will connect best?
That clarity ensures professional presence on Zoom in the right voice, whether it calls for gravitas, warmth, or charisma. Just be authentic! A fake demeanor is only magnified on camera because the focus is solely on you in close-up, not set at a distance. All of this leads to....
Step 5: Lead with Authentic Confidence
People don’t want flawless. They want credible. Check your setup (lighting, sound, background), maintain steady lens eye contact, and show up prepared. Then let your genuine self come through.
Leaders who connect on camera are confident but not stiff, polished but still human. That authenticity is what earns trust and on-camera leadership.
How do you show up online the most?
0%Videos
0%Online Presentations
0%Virtual Board (or other) Meetings
0%Interviews (Media, Employee)
Your Executive Presence Checklist
An executive deserves an executive summary, so here's a quick checklist:
Body prep: breathe, stretch, ground yourself
Dynamic delivery: vary pace, tone, and volume
Gestures: intentional, not distracting
Context: adapt tone to the occasion
Authenticity: confident, natural, genuine
Lead the Digital Stage with Authority
Those are the key steps. They're worth following, because executives now spend as much time leading through screens as they do in person.
The ability to command the virtual room isn’t optional - it’s a core leadership skill. Traditional executive coaches often miss performance nuance; acting coaches may miss business stakes. You need both: performance skills and strategic communication. That’s where the magic happens. When you combine these two worlds, you don’t just “get through” a video call.
You own the screen.
Final thought: Presence isn’t about being flawless. It’s about genuine connection that makes people stop scrolling, sit up, or lean in. Master that, and you don’t just get attention - you earn influence.
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I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.
