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What do you find in common between these two quotes from students enrolled in the Impromptu Speakers Academy?

Both want to connect more deeply with their executives when they speak. They want to be polished but not scripted. They want to sound sharp without struggling when put on the spot.

However, the key insight is that sounding "polished" or "sharp" depends on your executive even more than it depends on you.

Why? Not every executive will get what you have to say. You need to understand how they think and communicate, and then adapt your style.

Otherwise, you risk people losing interest in your presentations. All your hard work won't get recognized as it should.

Today, I'll share three key steps to ensure that you message resonates.

Do Your Intelligence Work First

The key to executive communication isn't guesswork - it's research. Here's exactly who to talk to and what to ask:

Direct Reports Of Your Executive (1:1 conversations):

• "What communication formats do they respond best to? Detailed docs, slide decks, financial analyses, or something else?"
• "How do they prefer to receive updates - email, Slack, or live discussions?"
• "What phrases or topics consistently get them energized and engaged?"
• "Can you share an example of a presentation or update that really resonated with them?"

The Executive's Assistant (EA):

• "What's the best time of day for important discussions?"
• "How far in advance should I book time for different types of conversations?"
• "What's their preferred meeting length for various discussion types?"

Real Example: I once switched managers and reported to a Chief Product Officer. I asked several of his direct reports what it was like to work with him. They told me that he loved to "riff." If I ever said the words, "I want to riff with you about ____," he was ready to brainstorm on a whiteboard with me. I either positioned my talking points as "updates" (where I needed quick feedback or approval) or "riff sessions." It helped me get on the same page with him very efficiently.

Adapting to your executive's preferred communication style is crucial to having "executive presence." ​​Here is a more thorough breakdown of the concept in case you're interested. ​​ 

Set Clear Intent Upfront

Why is this crucial? When you don't state your intent aloud, executives often:

• Make incorrect assumptions about what you need from them
• Give feedback when you wanted approval (or vice versa)
• Divert the conversation in unintended directions
• Leave meetings unclear about next steps

Instead, start with: "I'm looking for [specific outcome] today. I'll spend 2 minutes providing context, then would value your [input type] on [specific aspect]."

Example: "I'd like your approval on our Q1 strategy. I'll walk through our three priorities and key metrics in 2 minutes, then would appreciate your guidance on resource allocation. If you think I'm off track or have any questions as I share, please interrupt me. Does that work?"

 

Map Their Superpowers

Ask these specific questions to their peers and direct reports:

• "What's the most valuable type of input you get from [executive]?"
• "When have you seen them at their best? What were they doing?"
• "What problems do people bring to them vs. other leaders?"

Common Executive Superpowers:

• Big Picture Thinking: Connecting dots across initiatives
• Risk Assessment: Spotting potential pitfalls others miss
• People Reading: Understanding stakeholder dynamics
• Pattern Recognition: Drawing insights from past experiences
• Strategic Timing: Knowing when to push vs. wait

Once you know their superpower, frame your interactions to tap into it. If they excel at pattern recognition, try this. "I'd love your perspective on how _____ compares to similar situations you've navigated."

This Week's Action Step:

Schedule three 15-minute conversations with your executive's direct reports using the exact questions above. Map out their communication preferences and superpowers before your next interaction.

As a general rule of thumb, executives prefer when you keep things simple. Only go into the details when they ask for them. ​Here's a framework that I follow to keep my communication high-level and easy to understand.​ 

If you want to master executive communication, join ​The Impromptu Speakers Academy,​ my comprehensive 3-week live bootcamp will teach you my complete playbook for commanding high-stakes conversations - from executive presentations to difficult team discussions. 

 

Talk soon,

Preston