Leadership is often judged long before results are visible, long before decisions are explained, long before authority is exercised and it is judged in presence.
Zig Diaries Feature
Date: Sunday, 25 January 2026
Time: 17:40 WAT
Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria
That central idea framed the Executive Presence Session was organised by a, Scholar, Transformational Leader and a Strategic Thinker, Dr. Kunle Olufemi Babaremu also know as Dr. Kobs was held in Abuja, Nigeria's Capital on Saturday, 24 January, 2026.
The pilot edition of the Executive Presence Session with the themed “Bridge and Barriers.” was anchored on the desire to see to the emergence of men and women of excellence with a reflective and practical conversation on how leaders project credibility, command respect and build influence in rooms that matter.
At the heart of the session was a simple but confronting question, when people see you, what comes to mind?
Dr. Kobs who is a graduate of Landmark University with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa emphasized that Executive Presence is not noise but clarity, not volume or charisma, but the ability to think clearly and communicate with conviction.
Full citation on Dr. Kunle Olufemi Babaremu Profile of Dr. Kunle Olufemi Babaremu
Dr. Babaremu also the Resident Pastor of Light Nation Kubwa said leaders with presence know exactly what they stand for, and when they speak, there is no confusion about their position. Participants at the session were reminded that clarity is the highest form of respect for an audience.
"At senior levels of leadership, confusion is costly, if people cannot repeat what a leader has said, clarity is missing. Depth matters, but understanding matters more"
"Leaders are often judged first by how they speak, not by how much they know. Communication, is the most visible sign of competence and how a leader speaks pretty much reveals how they think"
Posture, Poise And The Power Of First Impressions
According to Dr. Babaremu, presence also shows physically while highlighting posture, poise and eye contact as non negotiables for leaders stressing that 'timidity erodes authority before words are spoken'.
He therefore encouraged leaders to walk into rooms with confidence, as though they have been there before, to imagine success repeatedly so that when they arrive, they look like they already belong as conviction is felt before it is heard.
"Even subtle details such as grooming, fragrance and overall personal care are not vanity, but form perception. They form part of the executive package, they do not replace substance, but they shape how substance is received"
Appearance Aligning With The Message
Speaking further on commanding presence, Dr. Kobs pointed out that appearance is part of alignment, not competition, stressing that dressing appropriately for an occasion signals awareness, discipline and respect for context. He however causioned that while appearance can never replace a strong message, it can weaken one, if poorly managed.
Leaders in the room were reminded that investors, partners and stakeholders often assess signals quickly, these include what you carry, how you present yourself, and how you manage details, therefore it is important to look like what you want to attract.
"Every outfit is appropriate only to the extent that it aligns with the moment" stated Dr. Kobs.
Emotional Regulation Under Pressure
Speaking on this sub theme, the converter of Executive Presence said true executive presence, is tested under pressure because leaders must speak with composure, regulate tone and remain calm even in difficult situations. This he said reinforces authority when control is visible.
He further identified the four elements leaders must master to sustain presence over time and these include character, competence, communication and appearance.
In public speaking Dr. Kobs highlighted, is different from eloquence and authority. He stressed, "it is not enough to speak well, a leader must command attention, hold an audience and project confidence in what is being said".
"If your personal or professional brand is weak, invest in it. Branding, done intentionally, brings returns. Leaders were reminded that they are the most powerful brand ambassadors of what they do"
Social Capital, The Currency Of Influence
The second session shifted focus to relationships and social capital. Social capital according to Dr. Kobs is the value that flows from long lasting, well nurtured relationships.
He structured networking, as simply meeting people and exchanging contacts while relationships are deeper because they are built when people check up on one another, spend time and invest emotionally on others.
To sustained relationship however, Dr. Babaremu said requires time, effort and intentionality and when well nurtured, they become social capital. He pointed out a key principle of contribution before extraction.
This he said with reference to when engaging high impact individuals stressing that the question should always be, what can I add rather than extract? Because leaders who only extract rarely build durable relationships.
He listed gifts, acts of service and gratitude as practical tools for relationship building because everyone has something to offer.
"Emotional intelligence was, particularly when dealing with high profile individuals is important. The ability to persist respectfully and build contact into relationship is part of strategic leadership"
The sessions closed on a sobering reflection. Leadership is not only about titles, expertise or authority. It is lived in how leaders think, speak, present themselves and relate with others.
Executive presence and social capital are not add ons. They are foundations. In rooms where decisions are shaped, influence is often decided before anyone speaks.
🏷️ Tags: Executive Presence, Leadership Development, Public Speaking, Personal Branding, Social Capital, Strategic Relationships Dr. Kobs
#Leadership #ExecutivePresence #PersonalBranding #PublicSpeaking Social Capital Dr. Kobs #ZigDiaries
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