You’ve probably heard people say, “Act like an executive.” But no one ever explains what that actually means, especially on a Tuesday at 3 p.m. when you’re buried in Slack messages and fighting to hit deadlines. During my 20 years in corporate and across two VP roles, I’ve managed dozens of high performers. I’ve helped people move from Senior Manager to Director, from Director to Senior Director. I’ve also had moments when I couldn’t confidently put someone forward for promot

If you’re a Director in tech aiming for VP, this scenario may feel uncomfortably familiar. Six months from now, someone with less experience and fewer deliverables lands the promotion you wanted. Not because they worked harder, but because they did the emotionally uncomfortable work you avoided. This post breaks down why working harder doesn’t lead to VP promotions, what actually creates executive leverage, and how Directors get promoted to VP by building visibility, influenc

Can you remember how you felt walking into your first meeting with senior leadership? I can. I was scared. My palms were sweaty. I rehearsed my slides over and over… And still, I felt like a nervous intern pretending to be ready. My inner monologue was on fire: “What if I can’t answer their questions?" “What if I sound like I don’t belong in the room?” “What if this is the moment they realize I’m not ‘VP material’ after all?” It wasn’t that I didn’t know what I was talking ab

Let me tell you a secret about executive promotions. They don’t happen during performance reviews. They happen in conversations you’re not in. Backchannel chats. Executive team meetings. If this sounds familiar, read this breakdown of why you are being overlooked for VP. Moments where someone says: “What about Maya?” “She’s sharp. I’d bet on her.” That’s how people get promoted behind closed doors. And most of your peers aren’t doing anything to influence those conversations.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most important, yet often misunderstood, aspects of leadership: Executive Presence—the skill that separates good managers from great executives. I've been promoted 10 times in 15 years, and I can say the most critical skill I needed to become a VP was not what I thought it would be. Your results matter, of course. But this is what few people realize: executive leaders aren’t just evaluated on what they do—they’re evaluated on how they do

If you are a Director or senior leader aiming for VP, the hidden key is not working harder, it is strategic visibility with the people who decide promotions. In this guide, you will learn how to build relationships with senior leaders, earn executive sponsors, and make sure decision makers actually see your impact. If networking feels uncomfortable or if you’ve ever hesitated to speak up in front of senior stakeholders, keep reading. The Pitfall: Avoiding Senior Stakeholders