Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

518: What to Do When You’re Expected To Show Up ‘A Step Higher’ Every Day and No One Tells You What That Actually Means.

Jan 12, 2026

Reaching executive levels often leads to unexpected stress and self-doubt, even after years of hard work. Discover how overthinking and overpreparing can weigh down new leaders. The key to overcoming this pressure? Shift from 'carrying the weight' to 'setting the frame.' Learn to define direction and maintain clarity to lead confidently. A simple pre-meeting prompt can help guide your mindset and protect your energy, allowing you to embody true leadership without burning out.

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INSIGHT

Promotion Brings Hidden Pressure

Reaching the executive level often brings unexpected pressure and self-doubt despite visible success.
Laura Camacho highlights that promotion can feel like a heavy burden because expectations are vague and stakes are higher.

INSIGHT

Carrying The Weight Versus Setting The Frame

New senior leaders often default to 'carrying the weight' by feeling everything is their sole responsibility.
Laura contrasts this with the alternative of 'setting the frame' as the start of executive presence.

ADVICE

Shift From Absorbing Pressure To Framing

Stop absorbing all pressure and start defining direction for your team and organization.
Use the mindset shift from control to framing to begin practicing executive presence.

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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.

Discover why your biggest career win can quietly become your greatest source of stress.

If you’ve made it to the executive level but feel more overwhelmed than empowered, you’re not alone. This episode breaks down the hidden emotional and strategic pressures that come after the big promotion — and why most high-achievers silently struggle in roles they’ve worked years to earn.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

😳Why your biggest career win may be quietly draining your energy

🏆How to shift from over-functioning to leading with clarity and calm

🚀The mindset change required to sustain influence and protect your executive presence

Listen now to learn the exact leadership shift that helps you own your executive role without burning out.

If you're carrying the silent pressure of executive leadership — and you know you're ready to lead with more clarity, confidence, and calm — that’s exactly why I created the Executive Presence Mastery Program.

If you're ready to stop overfunctioning and start leading with ease, head to the top of these show notes and book a clarity call with me. (Or visit www.speakupwithlaura.com/speakup).

To learn more about my work, visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. New 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.