(It starts with empathy.) By Austin Shaw Ask 10 people to define executive presence and you’ll hear the usual suspects: → Confidence  → Charisma  → Gravitas  → Poise But here’s the truth: Executive presence isn’t a surface skill — it’s an emotional one. It’s about showing up in a way that inspires trust, connection, and composure — especially under pressure. As Forbes  puts it, executive presence is “the ability to project confidence, authority, and credibility in interactions with others.”...

By Austin Shaw Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like quiet resentment. Like snapping at a teammate. Or...

By Austin Shaw The move from VP to Principal is one of the most misunderstood transitions in private equity. At VP, you’re expected to run deals. At Principal, you’re expected to lead—internally and externally. That leap isn’t about doing more. It’s about showing the firm you’re already operating at the next level. Here’s where most smart VPs get stuck: Focusing on the work instead of the outcomes Not mentoring or managing the team below them Expecting recognition to come automatically...