
The Look & Sound of Leadership
An ongoing series of Executive Coaching Tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the way you want to be perceived.
Latest episodes

Nov 14, 2019 • 18min
Boundaries
This month’s coaching conversation explores how hard it can be to say ‘no’ sometimes. Together, Tom and his client come up with four strategies for setting better boundaries.This month’s coaching conversation explores how hard it can be to say ‘no’ sometimes. Together, Tom and his client come up with four strategies for setting better boundaries. Tom mentions three books that will help you speak up and set boundaries: Crucial Conversations https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/0071771328/ The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Toltec-Wisdom-Collection/dp/1878424580/ Leadership and Self-Deception https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Self-Deception-Getting-Out-Box/dp/1523097809/ If you want to receive a zip file with Executive Coaching Tips related to assertiveness, reach out to Tom at: info@essentialcomm.com This Tip is in four categories in the archive: Developing New Behaviors Personal Growth & Self-Development Self-Talk For Women Lots to browse through! Five related Coaching Tips you can listen to are Act “As If” The Executive Impostor The Many Parts of You Taming the Wild Child Self-Awareness & Self-Management The archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Get the HTML transcript: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom: https://essentialcomm.com/contact From everyone at “The Look & Sound of Leadership,” thanks! See you next month!

Oct 10, 2019 • 18min
Agreeable Disagreement
This month’s coaching conversation follows an executive’s journey from a bulldozer, rolling over people and their ideas, to a thoughtful seeker of ways to get his ideas heard while also building positive relationships. Related episodes are: Assertion versus Aggression Be Impeccable With Your Word Disagree Agreeably – yes, that was an episode long ago! Don’t Take It Personally The Conflict Conversation Sorting & Labeling This Tip is in four categories in the archive: Communication Skills Executive Presence For Women Relationship Building The archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Get the HTML transcript: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom at: https://essentialcomm.com/contact/ From all of us, thanks! See you next month!

Sep 5, 2019 • 17min
Video Feedback & Executive Presence
This month’s coaching conversation centers on learning how to watch yourself on video. It might be uncomfortable at times, but the benefits are enormous. During the commentary, Tom talks about a checklist for you. It’s here. direct link: https://essentialcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Video-Review-Checklist.pdf Related episodes are Captivate Your Audience Executive Presenting “I Talk Too Fast!” Performing Like a TED Talker The Power of Rehearsal This Tip is in these categories in the archive: Executive Presence Feedback Presentation Skills Perception – How You Perceive Yourself The archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Get the HTML transcript: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Tom is at: info@essentialcomm.com From all of us here, thanks! See you next month!

Aug 8, 2019 • 17min
The Talky Executive
This month’s coaching conversation wrestles with the obstacles that arise when you try listening to people who think out loud – often at great length! Related episodes are: Sorting & Labeling A Breakdown of Listening Leadership & Listening Short Sounds Confident In the archive, this Tip is tagged in four categories Communication Skills Leadership Relationship Building Social Skills The archive of Executive Coaching Tips is available at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Subscribe to the HTML version at: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom at: info@essentialcomm.com See you next month! From all of us on “The Look & Sound of Leadership” team — thanks!

Jul 11, 2019 • 17min
The Focused Executive
This month’s coaching conversation focuses on a leader who finds herself in a storm of heavy seas. To help her find calm, Tom shares a technique from his past. You can grab the PDF that Tom mentions in this episode at: https://essentialcomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MindfulnessResources.pdf In the archive, this episode is tagged in four categories: For Women Managing Yourself Personal Growth & Self-Development Self-Talk Related episodes are: Combating Emotional Hijacks Conquering Fear Eliminating Distractions Choosing Persistence The Mindful Executive The archive of Executive Coaching Tips is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Subscribe to the HTML version and get transcripts of each month’s episode at: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom at: https://essentialcomm.com/contact/ Thanks, all! See you next month! "The Look & Sound of Leadership" team

Jun 6, 2019 • 16min
Fighting Authority
This month’s coaching conversation revolves around a former client’s direct report who is caught up in old wiring which is short-circuiting his effectiveness. This episode is tagged in six categories. Something of a record! For Women Management Skills Managing Yourself Perception – How Your Perceive Yourself Personal Growth & Self-DevelopmentSelf-Talk Here are eight, yes, eight related episodes. Combating Emotional Hijacks Conquering Fear Negative Self-Talk Self-Limiting Beliefs Self-Awareness & Self-Management Taming the Wild Child The Many Parts of You Unmasking a Stand-In The archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Subscribe to the HTML version at: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom at: https://essentialcomm.com/contact/ Thanks for your iTunes reviews!!!

May 2, 2019 • 26min
Ask The Coaches - Readers' Letters
This month’s coaching conversation is between Tom Henschel and Mindy Danna who answer questions from our audience. Tom and Mindy have grown up together professionally. He runs Essential Communications where Mindy is a coach. She also works with the cutting-edge global consulting firm Cultivating Leadership.During the episode, Mindy mentions two books: "Being the Boss" by Linda Hill & Kent Lineback "Thanks for the Feedback" by Douglas Stone & Sheila HeenFive related episodes are: Discussing Difficult Behaviors Giving Powerful Feedback Handling Defensive Behaviors Soliciting Feedback Upward FeedbackIn the archive, this episode is tagged in four categories: Feedback Assertiveness Management Skills Managing UpThe archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/Subscribe to the HTML version at: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/Be in touch with Tom at: https://essentialcomm.com/contact/ or info@essentialcomm.comThanks for your reviews and ratings!

Apr 11, 2019 • 17min
Inviting Dialogue
This months’ coaching conversation is with a leader who genuinely wants open dialogue with his direct reports but finds he may have been unintentionally limiting his conversations. In the archive, this episode is tagged in four categories: Communication Skills Management Skills Relationship Building Social Skills Six related episodes are: Building Rapport Communicating With Clarity Creating New Behaviors Facilitating Open Dialogue Leadership & Listening Questions as Leadership The archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Subscribe to the HTML version at: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom at: https://essentialcomm.com/contact/ Thanks for your iTunes reviews!

Mar 7, 2019 • 18min
Becoming Expert
This month’s coaching conversation focuses on a leader striving to become “more visible.” She and Tom imagine raising her presence by giving her a way to speak about herself as an expert without feeling like she’s bragging. A challenging needle to thread! If you want help on this topic, Tom mentioned a resource he strongly recommends “Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It” by Peggy Klaus. In the archive, this episode is tagged in four categories: For Women Executive Presence Perception - How You're Perceived Self-Talk Five related episodes are: Act “As If” Acting on the Corporate Stage Personal Branding Speaking Your Truth The Look & Sound of Self-Esteem The archive is at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/ Subscribe to the HTML version at: https://essentialcomm.com/subscribe/ Be in touch with Tom at: https://essentialcomm.com/contact/

Feb 7, 2019 • 18min
Managing Former Peers
Internal promotions can be mixed blessings. Managing former peers has the potential to upset everyone. This month’s coaching conversation explores ways to handle this live grenade with aplomb. Two books mentioned during the commentary: Difficult Conversions by Stone, Patton & Heen and Crucial Conversation by Patterson, et al. Lots of related episodes mentioned: Relating to the issue of clarity: Communicating with Clarity Creating Clarity Driving Your Message Home Sorting & Labeling Relating to the issue of managing people who are upset: Combating Emotional Hijacks Building Emotional Intelligence Dealing With Emotional Responses Deep gratitude to those who post reviews. Thanks! Browse the entire archive at: https://essentialcomm.com/podcast Be in touch with us at: info@essentialcomm.com