6 Ways To Show You're Executive Ready

Maya Grossman
May 29
3 min read

A few years ago, I had a conversation with someone who was stuck at Director for over five years.

She was working hard, delivering results, and doing everything she thought she was supposed to do. But when she asked her manager why she hadn’t been considered for VP, the answer was frustrating:

"You’re doing a great job, but I’m not sure you’re ready for the next level."

She was stunned. She had the results, the experience, and the drive—so what was missing?

Here’s the truth: getting to VP isn’t just about working hard or being good at your job.

At senior levels, you’re evaluated on how you think, how you lead, and how others perceive your potential—not just on the results you deliver.

If you want to be seen as VP-ready, it’s not just about doing the work—it’s about how you show up.

Here are six strategies to position yourself as the obvious choice for promotion:

1. Show Up with Confidence

Here’s the thing: confidence is contagious. If you don’t believe in your ability to lead at the next level, how can you expect others to?

But confidence isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about trusting yourself to figure things out. It’s showing up like someone who belongs in the room, even when the stakes are high.

Think of it like this: confidence is expected from executives. If you want to be VP, you have to believe you’re ready.

2. Build Strong Relationships with Leaders

You can’t rise to VP in a vacuum. Leaders at this level don’t just need to see your work—they need to know you, trust you, and feel confident in your ability to deliver.

That means:

Building relationships with decision-makers and skip-level leaders.
Finding opportunities to collaborate on high-impact projects.
Asking for feedback and showing that you value their input.

These relationships aren’t just about visibility—they’re about creating a network of advocates who will support you when the time comes.

3. Advocate for Yourself—All the Time

Self-promotion isn’t optional at the VP level. If you’re not talking about your wins, how will anyone know what you’ve accomplished?

But here’s the key: self-promotion doesn’t have to feel icky or awkward. It’s about connecting the dots between what you’re doing and how it impacts the company’s goals.

For example:

Instead of: “We completed X project,”
Try: “Completing X project ahead of schedule freed up resources for Y, which aligns with our goal to Z.”

This subtle shift ties your contributions to the bigger picture—and positions you as a strategic leader. (Grab my 12 page guide for easy self promotion)

4. Tie Your Wins to Company Goals

Executives don’t just care about individual achievements—they care about how those achievements drive the company forward.

If you want to position yourself as VP-ready, you need to connect your work to the company’s priorities.

Ask yourself:

How does this project align with our strategic goals?
How can I measure and communicate the impact of my work in a way that resonates with leadership?

When you start framing your wins in terms of business outcomes, you’ll stand out in the right way.

5. Develop Executive Presence

At the VP level, how you’re perceived matters as much as what you deliver.

Executive presence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room or faking confidence—it’s about showing up in a way that inspires trust and credibility.

This includes:

Communicating clearly and concisely.
Staying calm under pressure.
Making decisions with confidence and owning the outcomes.

Real executive presence isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not—it’s about amplifying your strengths and showing up authentically.

6. Deliver Results That Drive Impact

Let’s be clear: while strategy and leadership are critical, you still need to deliver results.

At the VP level, it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing the right work. Focus on high-impact projects that solve critical problems, drive revenue, or align with the company’s priorities.

This isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them in a way that positions you as indispensable.