When you land an executive role, everything changes. One week in the big chair, and suddenly even a casual “hmm” sends the team SLACK channel into DEFCON 2.
What is this phenomenon?
Well, the job didn’t change much, but your mic got “TURNT,” friend. Unfortunately, this makes it easy for anxiety, confusion, and misalignment to spread.
Executive/Communication Paradox
The interesting thing about achieving greater heights in leadership is that more meaning is attached to almost everything you say. (Even what you don’t say!)
A quick quip like, “Hey, maybe we should partner up with Company X!” can send your team scrambling to put together a proposal, even if you weren’t that serious.
In executive-level leadership, your words aren’t just heard. They’re analyzed, interpreted, and acted upon. Casual comments or hints about the future suddenly become official directives. But don’t worry, there are ways to mitigate this.
5 Tips That Make You Sound Like an Executive Leader on Purpose
Learn the Art of Deliberate Communication
Say less but mean more. Get intentional about what you share, when, and how you share. Try tagging your talk with signals, like “Just thinking out loud here…” vs. “Decision–let’s do this…”
If you aren’t sure whether to say something, lean toward restraint. Sharing your thoughts later when you have more clarity is simple, but you can’t un-ring the bell if you speak too soon.
Know Who You’re Talking To
Anything you need to communicate that’s significant should pass the 3-question litmus test:
- Who is my audience—team, leaders, board, or all-hands?
- What matters to them most?
- What do I want them to think, feel, and do after?
Your message should be grounded in these answers, and then you can reframe depending on who you share it with.
Muzzle Your Mouth!
To be a strong leader means you display exceptional impulse control. So that new idea you got mid-meeting? Park it and write it down. Ask: “Does this move the agenda for today forward, or am I creating a side quest?”
Besides, give it a little time to percolate, and you can share a tighter, cleaner version with context. This doesn’t mean you’re any less authentic or creative; you’re just stewarding your ideas well and being thoughtful about when and how you share them.
Become a Master Framer
How you introduce an idea or info shapes how folks receive it, process it, and ultimately what they do with it. Even if the situation is complex or evolving fast, clear structure and context are key.
Effective framing can sound like:
- “Here’s what we know for sure, and this is what’s unclear.”
- “We’re choosing A over B because X/Y/Z.”
- “We don’t have all the answers yet, so let’s do this to find them.”
Wind Tunnel That Message
Before sharing something in a high-stakes situation, run it by someone you trust. Ask:
- “What’s crystal clear, here?”
- “Is there anything that’s muddy?”
- “Am I making any assumptions that might not be shared?”
Then cut 20% once you’ve got your feedback. Tight and clear beats clever, every time.
Thoughtful Silence Holds Power
Knowing when to speak and when not to is important as an executive. Strategic silence is a tool that:
- Allows room for your team to think and contribute
- Prevents accidentally blessing half-baked ideas
- Signals confidence and thoughtfulness as a leader.
Model Communication Culture
Your communication style sets the tone for everyone else under you. They don’t copy their office mate. They copy you. When you’re disciplined, aware of your audience, and precise, the rest of your leadership will be too. But go around spraying ideas like confetti, and guess what the rest of the team will start doing?
Remember that executive communication isn’t about saying less because you care less. It’s about choosing the right words for the moment, said in the right way, to the right folks. Say less, signal more, and watch the magic happen! And if you really must think out loud, try doing it on paper first.
