Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

420: Why Your Sincere Bluntness Is Killing Your VP Leadership Dreams & 3 Tips to Fix That Now

Jun 13, 2025

Explore how being labeled "too blunt" can hinder your shot at a VP role. Discover A-list charisma tips from leaders like Elon Musk and Satya Nadella to communicate directly while remaining likable. Learn the hidden implications of your bluntness and how to reframe it without sacrificing authenticity. Gain a 4-step framework for delivering impactful feedback that builds trust among senior colleagues. Harness your communication style to turn bluntness into a leadership advantage and accelerate your career.

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INSIGHT

Bluntness Often Means Missing Context

Being labeled "too blunt" often means you're missing context in your communication, not that you're being harsh.
This label can silently sabotage your leadership potential by making you appear abrasive without explicit feedback.

INSIGHT

Bluntness Can Block Promotions

At senior levels, likability and influence often matter as much as results for promotion.
Being perceived as abrasive due to bluntness can push you out of consideration for VP roles without direct feedback.

INSIGHT

Perceived Abrasiveness Hurts Promotions

Perceived abrasiveness decreases promotion chances by 30% at senior levels even if the bluntness is not truly harsh.
Sensitivity to blunt communication impacts career advancement significantly.

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In today’s episode, you’ll discover why being told you’re “too blunt” is silently sabotaging your shot at the VP role —and three A-list charisma tips from leaders to be direct, stay authentic, and still win people over.

For high-performing introverts, blunt communication isn’t just natural—it feels efficient and honest. But in corporate environments, especially when eyeing VP-level roles, this directness can get misread as abrasiveness. This episode uncovers what that feedback really means and how to reframe it without losing your voice.

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

🔑 The hidden meaning behind the “too blunt” label and how it impacts your executive presence

💰Three charisma-backed techniques from Elon Musk and Satya Nadella to be direct and magnetic

🎯A 4-step framework to give impactful feedback that builds trust and credibility at senior levels

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Listen now to turn your bluntness into a leadership superpower that accelerates your path to executive roles.

Knowing your own signature communication orientation is essential for authentic and confident executive presence. Discover here your own signature communication style (free assessment) so your voice can begin to be heard and respected in meetings, you gain more influence, and understand better how to reach key stakeholders.

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.