Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

409: The REAL Reason You Don’t Sound Like Vice President Material & The 3 Traps Making You Look Amateur

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May 19, 2025

Are you missing out on senior leadership roles due to poor communication? Discover the three common pitfalls that may be sabotaging your success. Learn how execs think differently and why aligning your messaging is crucial. Find out what happens in real-time when you fall into these traps. Gain practical strategies to enhance your clarity, confidence, and credibility, allowing you to present your ideas effectively in high-stakes meetings. Upgrade your communication to finally be recognized as C-suite material!

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INSIGHT

Communication Undermines Authority

Communication that signals uncertainty or insecurity undermines your authority instantly.
Executives sense this and it creates a painful spiral of nervousness and lost attention.

ADVICE

Get to the Point Quickly

Avoid taking too long to get to your main point when speaking to executives.
Use techniques like "bottom line up front" to state your main message quickly and clearly.

ADVICE

Connect Data to Impact

Always connect data to its big-picture impact when presenting to senior leaders.
Use phrases like "this is important because" to provide necessary context and avoid confusion.

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Are you unknowingly sabotaging your shot at senior leadership every time you speak in meetings?

Even the most brilliant directors and senior managers can miss out on promotions because their communication doesn't match executive expectations. In this episode, Laura Camacho breaks down how subtle messaging missteps can be perceived as insecurity or inexperience by VPs and C-Suite leaders—without anyone ever telling you what went wrong.

Want personalized help to elevate your communication? Click here to book a chat about our Executive Presence Mastery System.

By the end of this short episode you’ll know:

3️⃣The three most common communication traps that derail high performers from advancing.

🛠️ How executives think differently—and how your messaging needs to align.

😳What is happening to you in real time when you get caught in these traps.

If you're ready to start sounding like the senior leader you truly are, listen to this episode and upgrade how you communicate in high-stakes rooms.

If you’re stuck sharing smart ideas but not being heard, questioning your VP readiness. If you’re stuck at the director or senior director level — even though you’ve done the work, led the teams, and have the ideas — but somehow your message just isn’t landing with execs — that’s why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System.

We help smart, strategic people like you cut the fluff, speak with credibility, and finally get seen as C-suite material. Sound like what you need? Look to the top of these show notes, click that first link or head over to www.speakupwithlaura.com and find a time that works. Let’s make sure your ideas actually get you the seat you deserve.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.