A powerful lesson of top executive communication

Great executive communication isn’t about saying more—it’s about knowing what to say and when to stop. Today’s post breaks down a critical mindset shift for high-impact client conversations.

I made an embarrassing mistake in front of a CEO.

And I learned a powerful lesson about executive communication.

Here's what happened...

I was a manager on a strategy project.

During our final readout, the CEO asked if I was sure about our calculations.

I panicked and launched into a technical monologue explaining the logic behind our calculations, the data we used, and our alignment process with clients.

Then the partner calmly cut me off:

“Yes, we are sure,” she confidently said to the CEO.

And we just moved on, like nothing happened.

Later, she told me,

“Sometimes, we just need to answer the question.”

Then I realized my mistake. I didn't read the room. I assumed it was an attack. I was in a defensive mindset.

I failed to consider my client's perspective. I didn't appreciate how this information was overwhelming for the CEO, especially since he was about to make a big strategic decision. He just needed a little bit of reassurance.

This is a classic mistake.

Consultants often view problems from their own perspective. They get bogged down in details, losing sight of the forest for the trees.

This moment changed how I show up in meetings. Since then, I have spent more time thinking about what my clients think, feel, and need.

That one mindset shift radically improved the quality of my executive communication.

If you're an MBB consultant who feels stuck, overworked, or ineffective, I want to speak with you.

Book a Free 1-1 Consultation to discuss whether I can help you through my coaching program. There is no commitment, and you can ask any burning questions in a risk-free environment.

Read this post to learn more about the Hero’s Journey coaching program.

---