In this exclusive virtual conversation with StartupTalky, Samira Gupta, Executive Presence, Leadership Communication & Life Coach, shares her personal and professional journey. She discusses the life lessons that enabled her career pivots, the essentials of executive presence, transformative practical strategies, and why leadership goes beyond titles. Gupta also elaborates on actionable advice for women and men, the realities of boardroom dynamics, and her approach to developing inner confidence and clarity.
From Zoology to Leadership Coaching
Samira Gupta’s career began with a science degree in zoology, but soon evolved. Her journey spanned several industries, including apparel, hospitality, insurance, and real estate, showing early on her entrepreneurial mindset and resilience. The turning point came after 24 years in corporate roles when she shifted towards helping others discover purpose and self-mastery, blending image consulting, NLP, and executive coaching.
Executive Presence: More Than Appearances
According to Gupta, executive presence is about how leaders make others feel. “Executive presence is equal to clarity, credibility, trust, calmness, maturity,” Gupta explained. She shared, “Are you conscious and careful of how you show up, your demeanour, dressing, grooming, manners, and empathy?” Effectiveness comes through intentionality and care, creating a sense of safety, being heard, and feeling valued in every interaction.
Samira Gupta, Executive Presence, Leadership Communication & Life Coach in Conversation with StartupTalky
The Key Pillars: Clarity, Empathy, and Communication
Gupta emphasised that executive presence is not about being the loudest in the room or holding a title. “The loudest people in the room are not strong on executive presence,” she stated. The real leaders, including introverts, command respect through gravitas—a blend of knowledge, authenticity, and stillness. “It is the ‘how’ of everything that you do. The magic is in the how.”
Emotional intelligence and curiosity, rather than mere empathy, are highlighted as critical. “If I say I have a high EP or an elevated EP, that means I have to make you feel heard, safe, understood,” she remarked.
Groundwork: Self-Reflection and Inner Clarity
Gupta advocates regular self-reflection and values work to avoid internal conflict and external stress. She cited the importance of knowing one’s core values: “Unless we know what our core values are, we will always operate in conflict with ourselves or with others.” Responsible self-work, she believes, leads to harmonious professional and personal relationships.
Practical Strategies: Boardrooms, Balance, and Appearance
On making an impact in boardrooms, she stressed preparation, punctuality, and attentive conduct over showy behaviour: “Come on time, greet everyone nicely, sit straight, and be prepared.”
She addresses the challenges women face in voicing opinions and the pressures on men to appear confident, both caused by ingrained beliefs that can be unlearned or let go.
In terms of personal appearance, Gupta addresses the misconception that dressing professionally is superficial: “Intelligent people also need to set an example. Others observe how we present ourselves.”
She advises balanced, conservative dressing that aligns with the organisational environment, stating that appearances are part of communicating respect and professionalism.
Tools for Growth: Book and Professional Development
Gupta’s book, Elevate Executive Presence, focuses on enhancing executive presence through poise, power, and performance.
“Poise is about calmness, emotional maturity, power spans physical to emotional influences, and performance is about how you do things,” she described. The book includes practical exercises, case studies, and reflection tools that readers can apply to their professional and personal growth.
Leadership programs include activities such as grounding meditation, breathwork, and skills workshops to help participants rejuvenate, re-centre, and strengthen their professional presence, providing actionable techniques to enhance confidence, communication, and influence in the workplace.
Advice to Entrepreneurs and Leaders
Gupta’s advice is straightforward: “Stop and smell the roses. Don’t keep running. Slow down, pause, reflect.” She stresses the importance of meaningful self-development, urging leaders to invest in health, skills, and self-awareness alongside material pursuits. “Work on self-belief and confidence, because that allows you to navigate challenges with ease,” she concluded.
🎥 Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omp6ZEtXbAs
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