Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

530: Why You’re Still Operating One Level Below After the Promotion & How to Successfully Adapt Your Executive Presence

8 snips
Feb 9, 2026
A discussion about why over-preparing can undermine visibility after a promotion. Topics include shifting from technical mastery to strategic communication and the confidence drop leaders face. The three behaviors that signal executive presence are highlighted. Guidance on moving from proving competence to shaping the narrative is explored.
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INSIGHT

Promotion Changes What You’re Judged On

  • Promotions often shift evaluation from technical skill to communication, judgment, and presence.
  • Research shows over 70% of senior evaluations hinge on these non-technical factors.
ANECDOTE

Rewarded For Accuracy Since Childhood

  • Laura explains many high performers were rewarded for accuracy since childhood and now struggle to change.
  • She frames this as a brain optimization that treats senior moments like pop quizzes requiring 100% certainty.
INSIGHT

Over-Preparing Becomes A Liability

  • Over-preparing is a learned survival strategy that becomes counterproductive at senior levels.
  • Waiting for 100% certainty makes you miss chances to shape conversations and erodes confidence.
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