To Sound Like a Leader, Think About What You Say, and How and When you Say It

0:08Whether you are an associate manager or a senior executive, what you say, how you say it, when you say it, to whom you say it, and whether you say it within the proper context, are critical components of your strategic leadership. potential. This executive voice is less about your performance and more about your strategic instincts, understanding of context, and awareness of the signals you send in your daily interactions and communications. Developing an executive voice can mean the difference between success and failure in your communication and leadership style. Here are some tips to help you add a more strategic executive voice to your leadership toolkit.

0:48First, understand the context of the call, meeting, or discussion that you're in by finding out in advance what your expected role is. This can help you avoid the dreaded, deer-in-the-headlights feeling that comes with throwing out an uninformed idea or saying something that doesn't fit the agenda. For example, if you are the primary authority on a topic, then it's likely that the context would require you to lead the meeting and make any final decisions. But if you are one of several executives who might have input, then sharing your view and connecting the dots with others, rather than stealing the spotlight with your great ideas, would be your role.

1:25And, if you are in learning mode and are not asked to present at a meeting, then your role when it comes to communication would be to observe and listen. Second, be a visionary by taking an enterprise view that focuses less on your personal role and more on the wider organization. Articulate reasons for change and help guide decisions around individual and corporate actions. And connect the dots for others. Show how your decisions affect those around the table, your staff, and the company as a whole. Next, cultivate strategic relationships by reaching out to at least one person each week who is outside of your immediate team or functional area.

2:06Learn how they fit into the business as a whole, their goals and challenges, and ways you might support them as a strategic business partner. Interacting with senior leaders and executives will give you perspective on the organization's goals, changes, and top priorities, and help you avoid getting caught up in the day-to-day minutiae. And bring solutions, not just problems, to the table. Leading strategically with a strong executive voice involves focusing on problem-solving rather than just finger-pointing at difficult issues. Analyze situations, brainstorm ideas that go beyond the obvious. And, even if you don't have the perfect answer, demonstrate your ability to come up with clever solutions.

2:50And finally, stay calm in the pressure cooker when everyone around you is losing their composure. Stick with facts, no matter how stressed you feel, and you'll provide level-headed leadership with a more powerful executive voice. It can be uncomfortable to recognize and admit personal challenges regarding your executive voice, but by making the necessary adjustments to your approach to participation, you can avoid flying blind and start showing up more strategically in every setting.