How to Show Up Looking Like a CEO in Team Meetings
You’ve built your career on results. You’ve earned your seat at the table. But when you show up on screen in virtual meetings, something fundamental breaks down—and it’s costing you more than you realize.
Your teams can’t see the confidence in your eyes. Your board notices a disconnect they can’t quite name. Your direct reports disengage halfway through your town halls. And the feedback you’re getting is frustratingly vague: “We need more energy.” “Can you be more present?” “Something feels off.”
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: In a virtual-first world, your executive presence isn’t being measured by your track record or your strategic vision alone. It’s being judged in the first three seconds of every video call—before you’ve said a single word. Poor lighting, awkward camera angles, flat audio, and distracted body language are quietly eroding the authority you’ve spent decades building.
This isn’t about vanity or being camera-ready. This is about influence at scale. When you’re leading distributed teams, managing investor expectations, or presenting to the board, your virtual presence is your presence. Period. And right now, too many Fortune 500 leaders are showing up like they’re hiding from their own message—low energy, disconnected, literally in the dark.
If you keep showing up small, scattered, and unsure, no one will step up to follow you.
Magnetic leaders don’t hope to be seen. They make it impossible to look away.
When Your Boss Notices You’re Not Showing Up
I recently worked with a North American president at a global company. His CEO instructed him to hire a media trainer to improve his online meeting presence. The CEO couldn’t explain exactly what to do. They just said, “Fix it.” When the president reached out, we saw the issues immediately. He wasn’t showing up in meetings the way he should. He was in the dark when presenting to his teams. He needed better artificial lighting or to face the window in his office, and he was looking off to the side at other monitors while leading his teams instead of looking directly into the camera.
Our body language, or how we present ourselves to others, accounts for more than 50% of our message. His audience literally couldn’t see his eyes or connect with him as a result. It was hurting his reputation.
The transformation took just a few hours. We worked with him to reposition his setup, adjust his camera, add proper lighting, and coached him on where to look. The impact was immediate. His employees felt engaged for the first time in months.
This isn’t about vanity. It’s about influence. And you can make these same changes starting today.
We also changed how he delivered his live town halls from one of his factories. We fixed the audio, the framing of the shot, the equipment used, his body language, the messaging, and the way he segued to his subject matter experts, improving the experience for hundreds of employees.
Five Pillars of Virtual Executive Presence
1. Camera Angle: Meet People Eye-to-Eye
Your camera angle speaks volumes before you say a single word.
Too high? You look weak and meek, like someone asking for permission rather than leading with authority. No company wants its leaders looking small.
Too low? You’re literally looking down on people, which creates an unintentional power dynamic. The focus should be on your eyes, not on your neck or jacket collar.
The solution: Position your camera at eye level. Imagine a level tool measuring from your eyes to the center of the camera lens. This creates an even, respectful connection with everyone you’re leading.
2. Lighting: Look Like the Leader You Are
Poor lighting makes you look tired, unprepared, and less trustworthy, even if you’re none of those things. Those harsh overhead ceiling lights? They’re creating dark circles and shadows you don’t actually have.
You don’t need to show up looking like an Instagram influencer, but you should look rested, confident, and trustworthy.
One tip I like to share with my clients. If you have a window, try to face that whenever possible and add a light source in front of you. When I set up for a video call while traveling, I take every lamp in my hotel room and arrange them in front of me. Yes, it takes a few extra minutes. But those minutes are worth the credibility you gain.
3. Body Language: Lean into Leadership
Awareness of your body language is the first step to improving your executive presence. Leaning back signals disinterest, fatigue, and disengagement. It says you’d rather be anywhere else.
Instead, lean forward. Your body language should communicate that “I’m excited to be here. I’m going to deliver on time and exceed expectations. Your physical presence should match the promises you’re making.
Make direct eye contact with the camera. Sit with energy and intention. Your body is speaking volumes, so make sure it’s saying the right things.
4. Audio Quality: The Non-Negotiable Element
Research shows that people will tolerate less-than-perfect video quality, but poor audio? They tune out immediately. They’ll switch to another podcast, leave the meeting mentally, or remove their earbuds altogether.
I always tell clients, do not rely on the computer microphone. Invest in an external microphone, as it makes a significant difference in delivering your message.
When speaking, make sure your doors are closed and try to eliminate any background noise.
Great audio isn’t optional. It’s the foundation that allows people to actually hear your message.
5. What You Wear: Color Matters
Wear clothes that make you feel powerful and look great on camera. When you’re staring at yourself during an online meeting, you shouldn’t be critiquing your outfit or doubting your color choice. You should feel confident and focused on your message.
Certain colors evoke confidence and trust. Others can wash you out or undermine your presence.
Take time to test this. Record yourself on your phone wearing different colors. Review your recorded meetings. Ask yourself: Does this color brighten my face? Does it make me feel powerful? Does it align with the message I want to send?
Choose colors that complement you well, not ones that detract from your presence.
The Bottom Line: Your Presence Is Your Power
Executive presence isn’t about hoping people notice you. It’s about making it impossible for them to look away. It’s about showing up with such clarity, confidence, and intention that your team, your investors, and your board feel compelled to lean in and listen.
You don’t need a complete transformation. You need strategic adjustments that compound into undeniable influence. Start with these five pillars and watch how quickly people respond differently to your leadership.
Because magnetic leaders are built, one intentional choice at a time.
At Janicek Performance Group, we specialize in training leaders to accelerate growth, command attention, and drive innovation through impactful communication. If you’re ready to transform from expert to influential leader, refine your presence, project confidence, and take control of your message, reach out today to learn how we can help.
