This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- Stop Saying "Maybe": 6 CEO-Style Communication Hacks
- Master Public Speaking
- Escaping The Burnout Trap
- Stories That Stick
Stop Saying "Maybe": 6 CEO-Style Communication Hacks
As the host and author of Speak Like a CEO, this is one of the most common questions I get:
What does it mean to speak like a CEO?
Great question :)
To cut through the noise for you, here are six actionable tips to speak like a CEO.
1. Give Clear Direction, Not Vague Suggestions
- The Mistake: Fuzzy language that leaves room for interpretation (and inaction). "We should work on this soon."
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The CEO Style: Direct, decisive, and action-oriented.
- "Here's what we need to do: [task]."
- "The priority right now is [goal]. Let's focus on that."
Clarity is kindness. People can't act if they don't know what to do.
2. Provide Constructive Feedback, Not Weak Criticism
- The Mistake: Vague, unhelpful negativity. "This could be better."
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The CEO Style: Specific, actionable, and focused on improvement.
- "I appreciate your effort on [task]. One way to improve is [suggestion]."
- "Good start, but let's adjust by [specific change]."
Feedback is a gift, but only if it's usable.
3. Set Boundaries with Confidence, Not Overcommitment
- The Mistake: Saying "yes" to too many initiatives, leading to burnout and broken promises. “Let’s give this a try!”
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The CEO Style: Assertive, respectful, and focused on what's realistically achievable.
- "It’s not a priority right now, but here's what I can do."
- "I value our time, so let's keep this focused on [agenda]."
Your time is your most valuable asset. Protect it.
4. Handle Difficult Conversations Directly, Not Avoid Them
- The Mistake: Delaying or avoiding tough talks, letting issues fester. "Let's talk later."
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The CEO Style: Proactive, empathetic, and focused on addressing issues head-on.
- "I need to address something important. Is this a good time?"
- "I understand your perspective. I can't do that, but here's what I can do."
Difficult conversations are inevitable. Handle them with courage and respect.
5. Inspire and Motivate Specifically, Not Generically
- The Mistake: Empty praise that lacks meaning. "Great job."
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The CEO Style: Precise, appreciative, and focused on the impact of individual contributions.
- "Your work on [project] made a real impact. Thank you."
- "I believe in your ability to handle this. How can I support you?"
People crave recognition. Make it real.
6. Navigate Conflict with Diplomacy, Not Defensiveness
- The Mistake: Reacting defensively, escalating tension. "That's not what I meant."
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The CEO Style: Calm, solution-oriented, and focused on finding common ground.
- "Let's focus on the issue, not the person."
- "Help me understand your perspective so we can find common ground."
Conflict is an opportunity for growth, if you handle it right.
The Upshot: The way you communicate defines how people perceive your leadership. And these six tips cover 80% of your leadership interactions with your team.
(Get my cheat-sheet on these 6 here).
FREE WEBINAR
Master Public Speaking
I'm hosting a FREE webinar on April 4th at 1 pm CET where I'll share secrets to help you speak with confidence, even when you're nervous!
In this workshop, you'll learn to:
- Plan what you say: Use structure, control your key points, tell a story, and start/end strong.
- Practice how to say it: Control your breathing, move effectively, use body language, and connect with your audience.
- Present with impact: Reframe nervousness, focus on the message, visualize success, and aim for connection, not perfection.
Free to join, seats limited!
PODCAST
Escaping The Burnout Trap
I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator. You should subscribe.
This week on the Speak Like a CEO podcast, we dive into a topic that's silently crippling too many leaders and their teams: burnout.
My guest, Dr. Oliver Degnan, a leading expert on burnout and business innovation, cuts through the noise and delivers the hard truth:
Burnout isn't just stress or exhaustion. It's a dangerous psychological state that demands our urgent attention.
Here's what you'll learn:
- Beyond Tiredness: The crucial difference between stress, exhaustion, and the insidious nature of true burnout.
- The Burnout Spectrum: Understanding where you are on the spectrum and how to reverse course before it's too late.
- The Mistrust Factor: How a breakdown in trust, not just workload, fuels the fight-or-flight response that leads to burnout.
- The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Why burnout often leads to the very outcomes we fear (job loss, failure) and how to break the cycle.
- Reconnecting with Your Tribe: The power of positive connection and why isolating yourself is a recipe for disaster.
- Harmony, Not Balance: Why "work-life balance" is a flawed concept and how to achieve sustainable wellbeing.
- AI: Friend or Foe? How to leverage AI to prevent burnout, not contribute to it.
Dr. Degnan's message is clear: burnout is a defect in our relationship with our environment, and we are in charge of fixing it.
This episode delivers the strategies you need to take control, reclaim your energy, and lead with clarity, not fear.
Listen to the full episode on Spotify and Apple here.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Stories That Stick
Kindra Hall’s Stories That Stick is packed with actionable advice, especially on telling stories aimed at customers. Because “with a story, resistance dissipates.”
She covers the four components of a great story:
- Identifiable Characters (not necessarily a hero)
- Authentic Emotion (it needs to make us feel something)
- A Significant Moment, and (stories need change)
- Specific Details.
And applies these to a simple, 3-act framework:
- Act 1: Normal - things are how they are.
- Act 2: Explosion - something happens.
- Act 3: New Normal - things are different.
If you're looking for a super actionable book to get you going on your storytelling journey, this is the one I would recommend.
Have an inspired weekend!
Oliver
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