Last week, I sat across from a senior director at a Fortune 500 company who couldn't understand why she kept getting passed over for executive roles. Her technical skills were impeccable, her results consistently exceeded expectations, and she had built strong relationships throughout the organization.

"What am I missing?" she asked, visibly frustrated.

After observing her in several meetings, the answer became clear: it wasn't her capabilities that were holding her back—it was how she communicated them.

The truth is, speaking like a leader requires a specific communication style that many high-performers never develop. Let me break down what I've learned about transforming your communication style to match your executive ambitions.

Check out my latest podcast episode where I speak with best-selling author and communications expert, Oliver Aust. And get his book:

The Communication Gap That's Holding You Back

Most professionals communicate to inform. Executives communicate to influence (Aust, 2021).

This fundamental difference creates a significant gap between how senior leaders and mid-level managers approach communication. While managers focus on details and processes, executives emphasize vision, strategy, and outcomes.

The problem? Many talented professionals get stuck in "manager speak"—detailed, technical, and process-oriented—even when they're ready for executive roles. They continue communicating at their current level rather than at the level they aspire to reach.

Here's what I've noticed: The way you communicate often matters more than the content of your message. Your delivery shapes how others perceive your leadership capacity and executive presence.

Assessing Your Current Communication Style

Before you can transform your communication style, you need to understand where you currently stand. Here's a quick self-assessment:

1. Do you lead with details or with impact?
2. How many words do you typically use to make your point?
3. Do you regularly use qualifiers ("I think," "maybe," "possibly")?
4. How comfortable are you with silence in conversations?
5. Do you speak with a consistent pace and tone, or do you vary them strategically?

Record yourself in your next few meetings. Listen for patterns in how you structure your thoughts, the words you choose, and even the pace and tone of your delivery.

Beyond self-assessment, seek feedback from trusted colleagues about how you come across when you communicate. Ask specifically: "When I speak in meetings, what impression do I create?"

The Executive Communication Framework

Transforming your communication style isn't about changing who you are—it's about amplifying your impact. Here's a framework that can help:

1. Lead with the headline

Executives start with conclusions, then provide supporting details only as needed. This "bottom line up front" approach signals confidence and respects others' time (Aust, 2021).

Instead of: "We've been analyzing the market data for the past three months, looking at customer behavior patterns and competitor responses, and we've found that..."

Try: "Our analysis shows we should pivot our strategy toward the enterprise segment. Here's why..."

2. Embrace precision and brevity

Research shows the average executive attention span for new information is about 8 seconds. Make those seconds count by being precise and concise.

Reduce your word count by at least 30%. Challenge yourself to make your point in half the time you normally would. Remember that brevity signals confidence.

3. Speak with conviction

Eliminate qualifiers and hedging language from your vocabulary. Replace phrases like "I think maybe we should consider..." with "I recommend we..."

This simple shift dramatically changes how others perceive your confidence and competence.

4. Master strategic silence

Truly powerful communicators know when not to speak. Become comfortable with pauses—they give weight to your words and demonstrate composure.

After making an important point, resist the urge to fill the silence. Let your words land and give others time to absorb them.

5. Elevate your vocabulary

Remove filler words ("um," "like," "you know") and replace problem-focused language with opportunity-focused language (Aust, 2021).

Instead of: "We have a problem with the timeline." Try: "This presents an opportunity to reprioritize our most strategic initiatives."

Gradual Transformation: The 30-Day Plan

Changing your communication style overnight isn't realistic. Instead, follow this 30-day plan for gradual, sustainable transformation:

Days 1-10: Observe and Record

• Record your communication in various settings
• Identify your three most common communication patterns
• Select one pattern to modify first

Days 11-20: Implement and Practice

• Apply the executive communication framework to one meeting per day
• Ask a trusted colleague to give you immediate feedback
• Refine your approach based on what works

Days 21-30: Expand and Integrate

• Gradually extend your new communication style to more interactions
• Practice your executive communication in low-stakes situations
• Create pre-meeting talking points using the new framework

The key is consistency and patience. You're not just changing words—you're transforming perceptions that have developed over years.

Make This Work for You

The most successful executives I've worked with didn't start out speaking like CEOs. They deliberately developed this skill through consistent practice and refinement.

Here are three steps you can take immediately:

1. Identify your communication blind spots by soliciting specific feedback
2. Practice the "headline first" approach in your next three meetings
3. Record yourself delivering an important message, then edit it down to half its original length

Remember, the goal isn't to sound like someone else. Authenticity remains essential. The best executive communicators maintain their unique voice while adapting how they structure and deliver their message.

The difference between a director and a VP—or a VP and a C-suite executive—often comes down to how they communicate. Master this skill, and you'll find doors opening that previously remained closed.

If you're ready to transform your communication style and accelerate your leadership journey, I'd be honored to help. Visit https://meet.drdegnan.com to schedule a conversation about how we can work together to elevate your communication to the executive level.

References

Aust, O. (2021). Speak like a CEO: How to command a room, get attention & communicate with influence. Practical Inspiration Publishing.

Dr. Oliver Degnan

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