Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

494: 7 Over-Thinking Traps Derailing High Performers & How to Restore Your Executive Presence Using the AIR Method

Dec 3, 2025

In this engaging discussion, executive coach John Rosenberg, who has two decades of experience guiding Fortune 500 leaders, reveals the hidden thinking traps that can derail high performers. He introduces the A.I.R. method to help reclaim executive presence amidst overthinking and anxiety. John emphasizes the importance of relational value over mere productivity for career advancement. Explore how understanding cognitive distortions and practicing compassionate questioning can shift leaders from survival mode to thriving, even in challenging times.

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ADVICE

Use AIR To Defuse Overthinking

Notice when your mind jumps into survival mode by naming the feeling and body signals.
Use AIR: Awareness, Inquiry, Reframing to pause, ask curious questions, and choose a constructive response.

INSIGHT

Common Thinking Traps Distort Reality

Thinking traps are cognitive distortions like catastrophizing, mind reading, and all-or-nothing thinking.
Recognizing these traps lets you deconstruct and diffuse the automatic rabbit holes they create.

ANECDOTE

Pebble On Windshield As Catastrophe

John uses the pebble-and-windshield image to illustrate catastrophizing vividly.
The tiny crack example shows how small events get magnified into imagined disaster.

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To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

In today’s episode you’ll discover why your nonstop thoughts and anxiety secretly sabotaging your leadership reputation—while you’re completely unaware.

In this episode, executive coach and author John Rosemberg breaks down the thinking traps that keep high achievers stuck in survival mode—especially when they’re trying to lead, grow, or transition into senior roles. Whether you’re stuck in overthinking, catastrophizing, or trying to read everyone’s mind, this episode is for you.

By the end of today’s conversation with Jon Rosemberg you’ll know:

A simple 3-step method (A.I.R.) to defuse overthinking and reclaim control in high-stakes situations
Why relational value—not just productivity—determines your rise to senior leadership
How to shift from survival mode to thriving, even in the face of personal or professional adversity

If you would like FREE coaching for our episode #500 coming out December 17 send me your question, your first name, role and company to hello@speakupwithlaura.com.

Hit play now to learn how to break free from mental traps and show up with clarity, confidence, and executive presence—especially when it matters most.

So look, if you find yourself stuck constantly overthinking every decision, replaying conversations in your head, and assuming the worst — and it's making you feel anxious, powerless, and totally drained… but you really want to lead with confidence, presence, and calm authority as you rise into senior roles…

That’s exactly why we created the Executive Presence scorecard so you can see exactly if and where this overthinking is holding you back. Simply email me at hello@speakupwithlaura.com and put “score” in the subject line and I will get you that access.

To learn more visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. New Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

Jon Rosemberg has over two decades coaching Fortune 500 executives and global teams through deep transformations, Jon has learned firsthand that growth begins when we courageously reclaim our agency.

His personal journey, forged by immigration, loss, and career reinvention, inspires him to blend hard-won business insight with cutting-edge research to guide others toward greater meaning.

Get his recently-released book, A Guide to Thriving today.

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.