

The Look & Sound of Leadership
Essential Communications - Tom Henschel
An ongoing series of Executive Coaching Tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the way you want to be perceived.
Episodes
Mentioned books

109 snips
Mar 6, 2025 • 23min
How to Answer Questions Powerfully
A leader learns to enhance his questioning skills, realizing it's crucial both at work and home. The discussion breaks down two essential scripts: one for closed-ended and another for open-ended questions. Key strategies include answering directly, matching response length, and checking for understanding. Emphasis is placed on starting responses with a number to convey expertise and clarity. This insightful approach to communication helps listeners master the art of powerful responses in any setting.

35 snips
Feb 6, 2025 • 24min
How to Build Self-Esteem
Discover the journey of a leader as she learns to speak kindly to herself. Dive into powerful strategies for building self-esteem, including self-acceptance and embracing reality. Practical tools like the Feeling Words Grid help identify emotions. Explore four key practices to live in reality, emphasizing respect for facts and the difference between feelings and interpretations. This insightful discussion highlights the importance of positivity and assertive communication in both personal and professional growth.

46 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 26min
How to Build an Executive
Discover the essential qualities that make an effective executive leader, including resilience and quick thinking. Delve into the transformative power of perseverance and emotional strength. Uncover the value of personal growth through impactful readings that enhance self-reflection and communication skills. Explore engaging opportunities in executive coaching, emphasizing self-directed learning and diverse perspectives. This insightful dialogue offers practical takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their leadership presence.

70 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 21min
How to Answer “Tell Us About Yourself”
A senior leader shares her experience of stumbling through a critical interview question: 'Tell us about yourself.' She learns the importance of crafting and rehearsing compelling personal stories. Key tools for self-introduction are explored, including self-reflection techniques and a unique three-word exercise to highlight strengths. Insights from a television producer emphasize the role of community and effective storytelling. This engaging discussion offers practical tips for making a memorable impression in any interview.

66 snips
Nov 7, 2024 • 22min
How to Tackle Overtalking
A chief officer discovers he's an over-talker after his CEO assigns him a coach. They discuss the importance of having a clear point and focusing on the audience's interests. Practical tips are shared for reducing unnecessary chatter. The conversation highlights self-awareness as crucial for effective communication. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their speaking habits and to prioritize clarity in conversations. Tools for enhancing communication skills are also suggested, promoting development in this essential area.

24 snips
Oct 3, 2024 • 23min
Building Listening
In this engaging discussion, a dedicated coach shares valuable insights on enhancing listening skills, essential for effective leadership. They explore three key listening mindsets: listening to learn, embracing feelings, and maintaining separateness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in communication and presents a fun listening exercise called 'parroting' to boost retention. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own listening habits and consider how they may improve their professional relationships.

31 snips
Sep 5, 2024 • 19min
Mastering Anxiety
Tom, a leader who bravely shares his personal battle with anxiety, delves into how perfectionism can fuel mental health challenges. He reflects on a near career-ending moment of nervousness and discusses the importance of self-compassion and understanding one's inner self. The conversation highlights using empathy to manage intense emotions and the transformative power of tools like MindShift CBT. With insights on nurturing our inner child, Tom empowers listeners to embark on their own journeys of healing and resilience.

13 snips
Aug 8, 2024 • 23min
Coaching versus Therapy
In this discussion, Tom, a seasoned coach, and a leader candidly explore the distinctions and overlaps between coaching and therapy. The leader bravely shares her battle with impostor syndrome, revealing her intense feelings of being a fraud. Tom offers three insightful resources for managing these feelings, emphasizing the importance of active listening and long-term relationships in both fields. They also highlight the roles of curiosity and courage as essential tools for personal growth, encouraging listeners to embrace their own development.

23 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 22min
Giving Upward Feedback
Learn about the three-step model for giving upward feedback effectively to bosses. Dive into the challenges of providing feedback in a virtual work environment and reflections on privilege. Discover how to turn feedback into a learning conversation for better communication and collaboration in the workplace.

8 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 24min
Networking Conversations – Part Two
This podcast explores the importance of networking for career development, focusing on genuine and meaningful conversations over elevator pitches. It provides tips for effective networking, emphasizing mutual respect and curiosity. Strategies for improving networking skills, such as being concise and curious, are discussed, along with the transformational impact of networking on leadership.


