Want to Communicate Like a Leader? Start With This One Habit
How self-awareness can transform your executive presence and impact
Why Executive Presence Starts With Self-Awareness
If you're leading at a senior level, you already know communication is about far more than just delivering information - it's about impact. Whether you're speaking at a board meeting, addressing your team, or presenting to stakeholders, your presence matters as much as your message.
One of the most overlooked tools for elevating your communication is self-awareness. Great leaders aren’t just skilled speakers - they’re intentional communicators who understand how they come across. And that’s exactly where this simple but transformative technique comes in.
The “Record and Review” Technique:
A Leader’s Mirror
This exercise gives you the chance to experience your communication the way others do. It’s revealing, sometimes uncomfortable - but always constructive.
Step 1: Record Yourself Speaking
Grab your mobile, set a timer and film a five-minute video of yourself speaking, ideally delivering an upcoming presentation.
Step 2: Review in Three Layers
Listen Without Watching
Turn your phone over and play the video without watching. Focus only on your voice. Does your tone convey confidence and warmth? Do you speak clearly? Are there too many filler words? What about the pace? Are you using pauses?Watch Without Listening
Now, turn your phone over, mute the audio and observe your body language. Are you animated and open - or stiff and disengaged? Notice your posture, eye contact, and facial expressions.Read the Transcript
Finally, run the video through a transcriber. Read it. Including every “um,” “ah,” or repeated phrase. Seeing your words in print makes your speech habits visible. This step is often the most surprising—and enlightening.
What You’ll Learn From This Exercise
This method reveals your vocal image, visual image, and verbal habits - the three pillars of powerful executive communication.
You might discover:
That your voice sounds less assured than you imagined
That your body language isn’t reinforcing your message
That filler words are undermining your clarity
Armed with this insight, you can begin to shift from unconscious habits to intentional presence - one of the core skills behind making an impact as a leader.
Try It This Week:
Growth Starts With Awareness
If you're serious about improving your executive presence, don’t just think about how you communicate - see it for yourself. Try the “Record and Review” technique this week. You’ll likely be surprised by what you uncover.
Ready to Lead with Greater Impact?
If you're working on your executive communication style, presence, or influence, I can help. Through one-to-one executive coaching or bespoke leadership development workshops, I support senior leaders to communicate with clarity, credibility, and confidence.
Get in touch to explore how we can work together.
Whether you're preparing for a high-stakes presentation, stepping into a new leadership role, or looking to strengthen your team's impact - I’d love to support your journey.
