Communication In Executive Coaching

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲? Of all the topics people ask me about, executive presence is near the top of the list. The challenge with executive presence is that it’s hard to define. It’s not a checklist you can tick off. It’s more like taste or intuition. Some people develop it early. Others build it over time. More often, it’s a lack of context, coaching, or exposure to what “good” looks like. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years, both from getting it wrong and from watching others get it right. 1. 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 People early in their careers often feel the need to prove they know the details. But executive presence isn’t about detail. It’s about clarity. If your message would sound the same to a peer, your manager, and your CEO, you’re not tailoring it enough. Meet your audience where they are. 2. 𝐔𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Executives care about outcomes, strategy, and alignment. One of my teammates once struggled with this. Brilliant at the work, but too deep in the weeds to communicate its impact. With coaching, she learned to reframe her updates, and her influence grew exponentially. 3. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 Every meeting has an undercurrent: past dynamics, relationships, history. Navigating this well often requires a trusted guide who can explain what’s going on behind the scenes. 4. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 Just because something is your entire world doesn’t mean others know about it. I’ve had conversations where I assumed someone knew what I was talking about, but they didn't. Context is a gift. Give it freely. 5. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Early in my career, I brought problems to my manager. Now, I appreciate the people who bring potential paths forward. It’s not about having the perfect solution. It’s about showing you’re engaged in solving the problem. 6. 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 Every leader is solving a different set of problems. Step into their shoes. Show how your work connects to what’s top of mind for them. This is how you build alignment and earn trust. 7. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Years ago, a founder cold emailed me. We didn’t know each other, but we were both Duke alums. That one point of connection turned a cold outreach into a real conversation. 8. 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 Before you walk into a meeting, ask yourself what outcome you’re trying to drive. Wandering conversations erode credibility. Precision matters. So does preparation. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 Executive presence isn’t about dominating a room or having all the answers. It’s about clarity, connection, and conviction. And like any muscle, it gets stronger with intentional practice.

Be careful what you tell people. Not because you should be paranoid—because you should be wise. Words don’t come with an “undo” button. And relationships can change: roles shift, priorities evolve, and today’s comfort can become tomorrow’s risk. Trust is built slowly, but it can break instantly. For leaders, this is a key skill: balancing openness with discretion. Transparency builds culture—but unfiltered transparency can create avoidable problems. Not everyone who listens is aligned with your growth. Not everyone who smiles supports your success. And information travels faster than intention. This isn’t about shutting people out. It’s about sharing with purpose: ✅ Choose what to share ✅ Choose whom to trust ✅ Choose when to speak—and when to stay silent Great leaders don’t speak the most. They listen deeply, observe carefully, and communicate intentionally. In a world of instant expression, restraint is a rare strength. Protect your vision. Share with clarity. Speak with intention. Because wisdom isn’t only knowing what to say— It’s knowing what not to say… and to whom. #Leadership #Trust #EmotionalIntelligence #Communication #Wisdom #StrategicThinking #ProfessionalGrowth

30 day Challenge Communication skills for Professionals! Day 1 Art of Listening Active listening is crucial for effective communication. Here are various techniques along with tips, tricks, and a step-by-step framework: 1. Maintain Eye Contact: Tips: Maintain natural eye contact without staring. Tricks: Look at the speaker's eyes intermittently to show interest and attentiveness. 2. Provide Non-verbal Cues: Tips: Nod occasionally to show understanding and agreement. Tricks: Use facial expressions such as smiling or furrowing your brow to reflect the speaker's emotions. 3. Paraphrase and Summarize: Tips: Repeat the speaker's main points in your own words. Tricks: Use phrases like "So what you're saying is..." or "If I understand correctly..." 4. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Tips: Encourage the speaker to elaborate by asking questions that can't be answered with a simple yes or no. Tricks: Start questions with words like "how," "what," or "why" to delve deeper into the topic. 5. Avoid Interrupting: Tips: Resist the urge to interject or finish the speaker's sentences. Tricks: Take a breath and mentally count to three before responding to ensure the speaker has finished. 6. Reflect Feelings: Tips: Acknowledge the speaker's emotions and validate their feelings. Tricks: Use phrases like "It sounds like you're feeling..." or "I can see why that would make you..." 7. Practice Mindfulness: Tips: Stay fully present in the conversation, avoiding distractions. Tricks: Focus on your breathing or anchor your attention on the speaker's voice to stay engaged. Step-by-Step Framework: Prepare Mentally: Clear your mind of distractions and focus solely on the speaker. Show Interest: Use verbal and non-verbal cues to demonstrate that you're engaged. Listen Actively: Pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues, absorbing the speaker's message. Paraphrase and Summarize: Repeat key points back to the speaker in your own words to confirm understanding. Ask Clarifying Questions: Seek clarification on any points that are unclear or ambiguous. Reflect Emotions: Validate the speaker's emotions and show empathy for their experiences. Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback or guidance if appropriate, based on what you've heard. Follow-Up: Summarize the conversation and confirm any action steps or agreements made. By following these techniques, tips, tricks, and framework, you can enhance your active listening skills and improve your overall communication effectiveness. #communicationskills Dr.Shivani Sharma

Basic Etiquette for Working in Cybersecurity Technical skills matter in cybersecurity, but how you communicate, collaborate, and conduct yourself professionally can make or break your career and reputation. Here are essential etiquette tips to keep in mind: 🔹 Email & Communication Matters. * Use proper spelling and grammar—this isn’t a WhatsApp group. “ur,” “thx,” and “pls advise” don’t belong in professional emails. * Subject lines should be clear (not just "Help!!" or "Urgent!!"). * Write clearly & concisely. Don’t send long, unreadable paragraphs—get to the point and proofread before hitting send. * Reply promptly, even if it’s just to acknowledge receipt. Don’t ghost emails. * Address people professionally with appropriate salutations—start with “Hi [Name]” instead of “Yo” or “Hey.” * Avoid unnecessary jargon—clear, simple language ensures non-technical stakeholders understand your points. 🔹 Respect People's Names, Titles & Pronouns * Write names correctly and capitalize the first letter. It is “Jonathan Ayodele,” not “jonathan ayodele” or “JONATHAN AYOLEDE.” * Use appropriate titles where needed. Some people prefer being addressed as Dr., Prof., or Engr. etc—when in doubt, ask. * If you're unsure, double-check—it’s a sign of respect. 🔹 Be Direct—Don't Ask to Ask 
Instead of: "Who knows AWS IAM here?"
Say: "I need help with setting up AWS IAM role permissions. How do you attach a policy?" 
Being specific saves time and gets you the help you need faster. 🔹 Know When & How to Report Issues * Security alerts? Follow escalation protocols. Don't just slack it away * Phishing email? Report it properly, don’t just forward it without context. * Found a vulnerability? Document it clearly—avoid vague messages like "This is not working". 🔹 Meetings & Slack Etiquette * If you're going to be late, communicate ahead and don’t ask for a recap immediately—check meeting notes or recordings first. * Don’t flood Slack/Teams with “Good morning” messages—go straight to the point. This also applies to LinkedIn. When you DM people, go straight to the point Others; * If you share knowledge from someone else, credit them. Don’t pass off someone’s research or insight as your own. * If a junior colleague makes a mistake, correct them privately—not in front of the whole team. * When receiving feedback, listen first, respond second. Cybersecurity is a fast-paced field. How you communicate and interact professionally can impact your reputation as much as your technical skills. #CybersecurityCareers #WorkplaceEtiquette #CybersecurityCareerGrowth #Cybersecurity

Most leaders think they’re good listeners. But listening isn’t just about words. It’s how someone walks into a room. How quickly they respond. What happens after the meeting ends. These signals are easy to miss or worse, misread. Non-verbal cues aren’t universal. What feels open in one context can feel guarded in another. The risk isn’t confusion. It’s assuming you’re right. Strong leaders don’t decode every gesture. They pay attention to patterns. They notice shifts. They ask. They stay curious. That’s what it means to listen with your eyes. When leaders tune into more than just language, they catch hesitation earlier, avoid missteps that erode trust, and notice how their own behavior lands. It’s not about mind-reading. It’s about staying present long enough to see what’s really being said. That’s how trust is built…one observation at a time.

Neuroinclusive email etiquette ensures our digital communications are accessible to everyone, including neurodivergent colleagues 😊. Confusion can lead to waste effort.. e.g. doing the wrong work without the intent to do so.. By crafting clear, concise emails, we not only share information effectively but also create a more inclusive work environment. Start with a descriptive subject line and use simple, direct language. Break your content into short paragraphs or bullet points to help guide the reader’s eye 👀. A brief summary at the beginning can also provide clarity and reduce cognitive load. Also try these and more.... • Use clear, jargon‐free language. • Structure your message with bullet points or numbered lists. • Keep sentences short and to the point. • Allow for extra time when expecting responses, recognising diverse processing speeds 🤝. Adopting these practices makes our communication friendlier and more effective for everyone. Let’s lead by example and foster a workplace where digital correspondence is both respectful and accessible 😊.

Executive communication isn’t about talking louder and more often. It’s about listening with intention and speaking with clarity. After years inside Microsoft and Gartner, and now as a business owner helping execs intentionally craft their online voice, I’ve seen one pattern over and over: Executives that mindfully communicate create the biggest impact because when they speak, people listen and act.    Executive communication isn’t just what you say with words, it’s how you show up. Here’s what you can do to amp up your exec communication skills:   💜 Simplify your message   Clarity is a leadership skill. It’s the ability to distill complexity into a single, powerful idea. Before any communication, email, post, keynote, I ask: What do I want them to think, feel, and do? That one question turns a scattered message into a strategic move. The best execs don’t speak more, they say less with greater impact.    💜 Align your voice to your vision   Your personal brand is built one sentence at a time. Every LinkedIn post, all-hands meeting or hallway chat, are moments for you to show who you are. When you speak, are you reinforcing your values? Are you aligning your voice with your vision? Are you listening and asking questions? Exceptional leaders use communication to share ideas, yes, but more importantly, to transmit belief.     💜 Consistently Stay Visible   When you show up with intention, week in, week out, people don’t just see you, they trust you. The most influential execs don’t go quiet between product launches or quarterly reports. They maintain steady visibility and model strong communication through transparency, humility and direction.    In a world where 71% of employees disengage from traditional internal communication, according to Ving, your consistent presence is your competitive edge. When you show up with intention weekly, sharing your POV, insights, even behind-the-scenes moments, people begin to see you not just as a leader, but as a voice they trust.     Any other ways to enhance your exec communication skills? LMK in the comments!     #ExecutiveCommunication #Branding #LinkedIn #Leadership 

Many of you know I coach leaders to be inspirational, and part of that formula is understanding this: some of the most impactful moments come from the conversations we’d rather avoid. I remember early on in my career a situation where I had to tell a General Manager that he needed to address a poor-performing Executive Committee member who wasn’t aligned with our core values. It was uncomfortable, especially because the GM was hesitant to act, fearing it might disrupt team dynamics. But core values aren’t negotiable—they’re the foundation of trust and integrity within any organization. By leaning into the discomfort, I explained why accountability was essential, not just for the individual’s growth but for the entire team’s success. After a series of honest and transparent discussions, the GM took the necessary steps to address the issue. The outcome? The team felt a renewed sense of clarity and alignment, and the organization as a whole benefited from reinforcing our commitment to living our values. As leaders, our greatest impact often comes not only from what we say but from our willingness to address challenges directly. The courage to have these difficult conversations isn’t optional—it’s essential for growth, both individually and collectively. #difficultconversations #Leadership #Hospitality #Growth #ServantLeadership

Leaders rarely lose trust because of bad intentions. They lose it because of inconsistency. In my research across more than 200 organizations, one pattern shows up again and again: when leaders’ words don’t match their actions, employees notice—and behavior changes. In fact, perceived say–do gaps make people three times more likely to lie, cheat, or behave unfairly. That’s not because teams are unethical. It’s because mixed signals create uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds self-protection. Every unacknowledged mistake. Every promise that quietly expires. Every time leaders explain away behavior instead of owning it. None of these feel catastrophic in the moment. But together, they drain trust. Closing the gap isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being accountable—welcoming feedback, correcting course publicly, and treating alignment as a daily discipline, not a slogan. When leaders do this well, trust becomes a competitive advantage. And trust is what enables performance, loyalty, courage, and innovation. I unpack this further—and share practical ways to reduce the say–do gap—in my Fast Company article: https://lnkd.in/eDu-7G-9 #Leadership #Trust #OrganizationalCulture #EthicalLeadership

This week’s soft skill is often ignored, but always powerful: Reading non-verbal cues with empathy, not assumption. Most of us notice body language. Few of us truly understand it. A colleague goes quiet in a meeting, Are they disinterested, or simply overwhelmed? A manager folds their arms, Are they angry, or just thinking? An employee avoids eye contact, Are they shy, or do they not feel safe yet? Here’s the truth: Body language is not a fact, it’s a signal. And signals need empathy, not judgment. When you read cues with empathy: – Conversations feel safer – Conflicts de-escalate – Trust deepens A simple practice to try: Notice the cue. Name it without labeling. Nudge gently with curiosity. Because workplaces don’t just run on words. They run on pauses, silences, and tone. P.S. Next time you see a cue, don’t conclude. Check in, and choose empathy. #SoftSkillsMatter #NonVerbalCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpathyAtWork