👩🏽‍💼 The Unspoken Rules of Executive Presence

From Italy to a Nasdaq Reservation

How do you follow record-setting success? Get stronger. Take Pacaso. Their real estate co-ownership tech set records in Paris and London in 2024. No surprise. Coldwell Banker says 40% of wealthy Americans plan to buy abroad within a year. So adding 10+ new international destinations, including three in Italy, is big. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Invest for $2.90/Share

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}

Featured Job Listings

🏆 Top Picks of the Week (Hand-Picked, High-Impact Roles)

Role: Chief Program Officer

Company: TechEquity Collaborative
Location: Remote/San Francisco Bay Area | Leadership
Why it's great: TechEquity is at the forefront of ensuring technology benefits everyone, not just Silicon Valley elites. This CPO role oversees their Labor, AI, and Data & Tech Programs, shaping policy that impacts millions of workers and renters. You'll lead strategy on critical issues like algorithmic bias in tenant screening, AI's impact on global labor, and tech worker rights. With 15+ years experience required, this is your chance to rebalance power in tech systems and set the rules of the road for an industry that touches every aspect of modern life.
Apply here: Chief Program Officer
Recruiter Contact: Catherine Bracy

Role: Business Operations Lead

Company: Blacksmith
Location: San Francisco, CA | Leadership
Why it's great: Blacksmith is revolutionizing CI/CD by making GitHub Actions run 2x faster at half the cost using high-performance gaming CPUs. They're going after the $10B CI compute market currently dominated by hyperscalers. As BizOps Lead, you'll enhance founder effectiveness, manage operational processes, and help scale a company that already powers CI for 600+ fast-growing startups like Ashby, Slope, and Superblocks. Founded by ex-Cockroach Labs engineers, this is your chance to build the compute layer for CI while the market is ripe for disruption.
Apply here: Business Operations Lead
Recruiter Contact: Moira B.

Role: Chief of Staff

Company: Lyric
Location: Remote/US | Leadership
Why it's great: Lyric is an enterprise AI platform built specifically for supply chains, working with Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Estée Lauder. As Chief of Staff to the CEO, you'll drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence at a company that just raised $23M. They're solving trillion-dollar decision problems in supply chains with out-of-the-box AI solutions and no-code tools. With 20+ years of founder expertise at the intersection of supply chain and algorithms, this is your chance to accelerate your career while helping enterprises optimize networks, allocate inventory, and plan fulfillment at unprecedented scale.
Apply here: Chief of Staff
Recruiter Contact: 

Role: General Interest - Talent Community (Pitch Ops or Delivery Role)

Company: Colossal Biosciences
Location: Dallas, TX or Remote (US only) | Various Levels
Why it's great: Colossal is literally bringing species back from extinction using CRISPR technology, starting with the woolly mammoth. This breakthrough biotech company is restoring Earth's ecosystems while solving biological necessities for humanity's future. From genetic engineering to lab operations to corporate functions, they're building radical new genomics technologies. If you've ever wanted to work on something that could fundamentally change the planet's biological future, this is it. Named America's Most Loved Workplaces 2024.
Apply here: Join Colossal Talent Community 
Recruiter Contact: Cheryl Noga

Role: VP, Digital Excellence & PMO

Company: IPSY
Location: Remote (16 US states) | Leadership
Why it's great: IPSY is the world's largest beauty membership platform serving millions through Glam Bag, BoxyCharm, and Icon Box subscriptions. As VP of Digital Excellence & PMO, you'll be the CTO's strategic right hand, driving technology transformation for a platform that unites brands, creators, and beauty enthusiasts at unprecedented scale. This hybrid role combines Chief of Staff strategic thinking, PMO execution rigor, and digital ops excellence. You'll orchestrate cross-functional programs, optimize digital performance KPIs, and scale operational maturity during a critical technology modernization phase. With beauty-tech at the intersection of AI personalization and subscription commerce, this is your chance to shape the future of how millions discover their unique beauty.
Apply here: VP, Digital Excellence & PMO
Recruiter Contact: Cristal Ledesma

Role: Director of Entrepreneurial Programs

Company: Gradient (formerly 36 Degrees North)
Location: On-site – Tulsa, OK | Leadership
Why it's great: Gradient has generated a $1 billion economic impact for Tulsa over five years and is the cornerstone of the city's entrepreneurial ecosystem. As Director of Entrepreneurial Programs, you'll lead programming across CONNECT, START, and SCALE pillars while overseeing the Gradient Tech Incubator. You'll manage day-to-day operations for investment-ready startups, curate mentor networks, and design curriculum that supports founders from ideation to scale. With Tulsa's momentum as an emerging tech hub and Gradient's national recognition, this role puts you at the center of building the next generation of successful startups while contributing to a thriving regional economy.
Apply here: Director of Entrepreneurial Programs

Bots Take the Wheel

🤖 Focus Time Protection System

The Problem: Calendar gets hijacked by low-value meetings, destroying deep work time.

The Solution: Automated focus time protection that guards your peak cognitive hours.

Use Case 1: Smart Calendar Blocking

Set up Google Calendar automation that automatically blocks your peak energy hours (based on your chronotype) for deep work. Include automatic decline of non-essential meetings during protected time with suggested alternative slots.

Use Case 2: Meeting-Free Zone Enforcement

Configure Slack workflows that automatically respond to meeting requests during focus hours with your availability and preferred meeting times. Include context about why you protect certain hours for strategic work.

Use Case 3: Energy-Based Task Routing

Create Asana automation that automatically schedules high-cognitive tasks during your peak hours and routine tasks during low-energy periods. Include workload balancing to prevent cognitive overload.

Visionary Voices 

📝 Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Girls Who Code

Reshma Saujani exemplifies executive presence that transcends traditional boardroom power. As the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress and founder of movements that have reached millions, her leadership philosophy centers on "brave, not perfect"—a principle that revolutionizes how we think about professional presence¹.

Her communication mastery is evident in her viral content: her 2023 Smith College commencement speech on imposter syndrome garnered 18 million views, while her TED talk "Teach girls bravery, not perfection" has reached over 54 million viewers globally. This isn't accidental—Saujani has perfected the art of vulnerable authority, using personal storytelling to build credibility rather than hiding behind polished facades.

Her digital presence strategy demonstrates modern executive leadership. Her #FailureFriday Instagram posts normalize mistakes and build authentic connection with her audience. When she launched "My So-Called Midlife" podcast in 2024, it quickly hit Apple's Top 10 and reached #1 in Health and Fitness—proof that authentic vulnerability can amplify rather than undermine authority.

Actionable Takeaway: Adopt Saujani's "brave over perfect" communication approach. Share strategic vulnerability in your leadership—acknowledge mistakes quickly, lead with purpose over polish, and use storytelling to build connection. Authentic presence often commands more respect than flawless performance.

Dive Deeper:

• Read: "Brave, Not Perfect" - Saujani's international bestseller on redefining leadership courage

• Listen: "My So-Called Midlife" podcast for real-time examples of authentic leadership communication

• Watch: Her 18-million-view Smith College speech on conquering imposter syndrome

✨ Weekly Recommendations

A sharp framework showing how specific habits compound into general success—essential reading for delivery leaders wanting to move from reactive to strategic.

An unsettling exploration of why AI that's almost-but-not-quite human triggers our deepest discomfort, with implications for how we design tech experiences that feel trustworthy.

A provocative case for why extreme personal data protection isn't paranoia but a necessity in an age where your digital exhaust reveals everything.

The definitive guide to striking the perfect tone in workplace conversations that could make or break your reputation—bookmark this for your next difficult discussion.

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Professional Development

📚Executive Presence in the Details: What People Understand Without You Saying a Word

The myth of meritocracy tells us that good work speaks for itself. But signal theory in professional psychology reveals a different story: humans constantly scan for environmental cues to assess competence, and these micro-signals often carry more weight than we'd like to admit.

Your Grooming Sends a Leadership Signal

That chipped nail polish isn't just a cosmetic issue—it's a credibility leak. Research on nonverbal impression formation shows that personal grooming ranks among the top three factors in initial competence assessments. Your appearance communicates attention to detail and self-management before you've said a word.

The fix: Maintain neutral, well-groomed nails or go bare. If you color your hair, keep roots touched up & choose colors that say “executive”. It’s not about natural vs relaxed hair. It’s rather about well-arranged vs disheveled hair. These aren't vanity moves—they're strategic investments in your professional signal.

Your Meeting Habits Reveal Your Priorities

The executive who frantically types notes on their laptop while others speak sends a different message than the one taking measured handwritten notes. The constant phone-checker signals divided attention and scattered priorities, while the person who places their device face-down demonstrates presence and respect for the room.

The fix: Develop a pre-meeting ritual (yes, even if you’re remote). Phone goes away, notebook comes out, and you arrive two minutes early to settle in. Your full attention becomes your competitive advantage.

Your Communication Pace Impacts Your Authority

Speaking too quickly—especially for women and underrepresented leaders—triggers unconscious bias about competence and control. Vocal authority research shows that measured pacing increases perceived expertise by up to 35%. When you rush, you inadvertently signal nervousness or lack of mastery.

The fix: Start meetings with a deliberate pause. Take a breath before responding to questions. Your measured pace becomes a power move that commands attention.

Your Lunch Choices Matter More Than You Think

The leader who orders a messy sandwich during a working lunch sends a different signal than the one who chooses a protein bowl they can eat with a fork. It's not about food snobbery—it's about maintaining presence and control even in casual settings.

Fwiw, I’ve never seen a woman C-suite executive eat anything other than a salad. It could be the DMV or the world I live in, but my flabbers were gasted when I started taking notes. I’ve never eaten a burger in a public workplace setting again🤣. Please take some notes and report back on this.

The fix: Choose power foods during professional meals. Opt for dishes that are easy to eat while talking and won't compromise your ability to engage fully in conversation.

Your Digital Presence Speaks Volumes

All-lowercase Slack messages, frequent personal calls in open workspaces, and disappearing for extended periods without communication create invisible credibility gaps. Each digital interaction either reinforces or undermines your leadership brand.

The fix: Use proper capitalization in professional channels, set clear boundaries around personal calls, and communicate your availability proactively. Your digital discipline reflects your leadership discipline.

These details matter because they operate below conscious awareness, shaping perceptions before rational evaluation kicks in. Master them, and you eliminate friction in how people receive your ideas. Ignore them, and you're fighting an uphill battle for credibility that you may not even realize you're losing.

The bottom line: These unconscious perception shortcuts influence budget approvals and promotions more than we'd like. Master the details to eliminate friction in how people receive your ideas—ignore them and you're fighting an uphill credibility battle you may not realize you're losing.

PS. Trust me. I’ve made so many mistakes on this topic alone that I could write a novel. Lmk if you guys want more tips.

How I can Help

Wanna chat IRL? Connect with me on LinkedIn and we can set up some time.

Free Career Guide Coming Soon!

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Until next time,

The Business of Delivery

Quiet moves. Bold Careers.