College - Author 1
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
Date
8-2026
Primary Advisor
Darrian Carroll, College of Liberal Arts, Communication Studies Department
Additional Advisors
Anuraj Dhillon, College of Liberal Arts, Communication Studies Department
Abstract/Summary
Women in executive leadership often face a gendered double bind, expected to be warm and approachable, while also appearing competent and confident. This qualitative study examines how women executives develop executive presence and navigate these workplace expectations. Drawing on Warmth-Competence Theory and Impression Management Theory, the study explores how women leaders adapt their communication, manage self-presentation, and balance perceptions of warmth and competence in professional settings. This study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with four women in corporate executive-level roles. Thematic analysis of participant responses revealed five key themes: adaptive communication, varied experiences with gendered workplace expectations, the importance of credibility and trust, executive presence as a learned practice, and relationship-centered leadership. Participants described executive presence as a skill developed throughout their careers through years of experience, observation, preparation, and situational awareness. Despite participants reporting varied experiences with gender bias, all described gendered expectations within professional settings. Results suggest that warmth and competence may not be explicitly contradictory, but rather may be complementary elements of effective leadership. Future research may include a broader focus on diverse women leaders across different career stages.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/288