This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- 7 Things Destroying Your Authority
- Seth Godin: The World’s Racing to the Bottom – Do This Instead
- What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future?
7 Things Destroying Your Authority
You can have the best ideas.
But still sabotage your authority.
Having coached 300+ CEOs and founders, I see brilliant people unknowingly sabotage their presence.
Like the founder I spoke to last week. He knew something was off, because he couldn’t get through to people anymore.
His team, partners and investors started to look at him in a certain way.
It worried him. But he didn’t know what the problem was, so he asked me to identify his blind spots.
The kicker is: The way you speak, carry yourself, and structure your message sends powerful cues.
Here are 7 silent killers of authority – and how to fix them fast.
#1 – Weak Self-Introduction
“Hi, my name is Oliver and I, uh, kind of do communications, I guess…”
→ Never wing an introduction. Introduce yourself with clarity and intent. Say who you are, what you do, and why it matters – in one confident sentence.
#2 – Worrying What Others Think
“Like, maybe it's nothing but ….”
Don’t play it safe, over-explain, or apologizing for your opinion.
→ Respect your audience by being decisive. Clarity > approval.
#3 – Filler Words & Sounds
“Uh, um, like, you know...”
→ Pause. Breathe. Let silence do the work.
#4 – Hiding Behind Slides or Notes
Read the room, not your script.
And don’t get me started on teleprompters, that instant killer of credibility.
→ Know your message. Use slides as backup – not a crutch.
#5 – Your Body Says “I Don’t Believe in Myself”
Slouched posture, crossed arms, awkward hands.
→ Stand tall. Use your hands. Hold eye contact. People believe your body more than your words.
#6 – Passive Language
“The decision was made that …” or “Someone should…”
→ Use direct, active language. You’re not suggesting – you’re leading.
#7 – Talking Too Fast
Rushing signals nervousness or lack of control.
→ Slow down. Use strategic pauses to show you’re in command.
Leaders don’t hope for authority — they communicate it. With words, body language and confidence.
The founder I mentioned above had a different issue – serious but easily fixable.
He had developed a habit of widening his eyes when speaking. He had heard that it would make him look alert and interested.
But it had the opposite effect.
To his team and investors he looked like he was scared or in shock. So they started to worry about the business and discounted his words.
Once I pointed out his blind spot, he could fix it immediately.
It starts with small shifts like these.
Which small shift to enhance your authority do you want to work on next?
PODCAST
Seth Godin: The World’s Racing to the Bottom – Do This Instead.
I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator. Please subscribe.
What's the difference between a leader and a manager? Why should we avoid the industrial age-style race to the bottom?
This week we are sharing a brief moment of my conversation with Seth Godin, 21-time best-selling author and one of the leading business thinkers in the world.
His POV is so timely: much of the business world seems to be rushing to the bottom, in part fuelled by AI, instead of using AI to race to the top.
As Seth says: The problem with a race to the bottom is that you may win. And then you are stuck at the bottom.
Listen to the full episode here:
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future?
What if every child on the planet suddenly has access to an AI tutor that is as smart as Leonardo da Vinci and as empathetic as Big Bird?
What if billions of people around the world suddenly have a highly knowledgeable and reliable healthcare advisor in their pocket at all times?
“Superagency” by LinkedIn founder Reed Hoffman and technology writer Greg Beato is a call to reframe how we think about AI – not as a looming threat, but as a force for expanding human agency.
Their key insight is that most concerns about AI are concerns about human agency.
Think job losses, misinformation, and credit applications decided by algorithms.
They argue that, used wisely, AI can give each of us Superagency. Because AI helps you to take actions designed to lead to outcomes you desire.
If we harness AI correctly, they argue, we can achieve a new state of superagency.
My take: AI will produce winners and losers.
The losers (understandably) get discouraged by the loss of agency, status and income they experience.
The winners focus on the opportunities AI gives them: more time, more impact, and yes, more agency.
You can still register for my free workshop on how to 10X Your Leadership Impact with AI later today here.)
On that note, have an inspired weekend!
Oliver
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