Avoiding common pitfalls

In my many years as a senior executive, I’ve navigated boardrooms, led large teams, and shaped business strategies—experiences that taught me one thing: communicating effectively with senior leaders is tough. They expect clarity, strategic insight, and action all at once.

Now, as a women’s career expert, executive coach, and speaker, I regularly hear from women asking, “How do I elevate my conversations with senior leaders?”

It can feel like an elusive skill that no one really teaches you, leaving you unsure about how to connect with those at the top. But here’s the good news: it’s not as complicated as it seems.

I’m breaking it down for you with practical strategies and real-world examples, so you know exactly how to make your voice heard and your contributions valued.

1. Know the context and your role in the room

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that senior leaders want you to know exactly why you’re in the room. Are you there to provide insights, make a recommendation, or raise a concern? Be crystal clear about your purpose, because they won’t have the patience to guess.

This lesson hit me hard when I was once asked to present quarterly performance data to the board. I walked in confidently with every metric at my fingertips, but I lost them because I didn’t connect those numbers to the company’s pressing objective—improving customer retention. The data I presented was accurate, but it didn’t answer the “so what?” I missed the opportunity to frame it around how these metrics were driving down customer churn and contributing to the company’s goal of reducing it by 15%. The meeting felt flat because I hadn’t made that connection clear.

After that experience, I realised it’s not just about presenting the numbers; it’s about translating them into actionable insights that tie into what the business cares about most.

Tip: Always think about how your message links to the business’s priorities, and be clear on your role before stepping into any leadership conversation.

Always link your ideas to the bigger picture

Executives don’t just care about your department’s success—they care about the company’s long-term goals. When you present ideas, always tie them back to the business’s larger strategy. It’s about showing that your work contributes to the bigger picture.

I remember working with a client who was pitching a new initiative to her leadership team. Her initial presentation was too focused on the marketing tactics and the short-term execution. After we reworked it, she framed her proposal to show how it supported the company’s larger sustainability goal—positioning the brand as a market leader in environmentally responsible practices. That reframing was a game changer. Instead of seeing her project as just another marketing campaign, the leaders now saw how it aligned with the company’s 5-year sustainability plan, and that’s what got her the green light.

Tip: When speaking to senior leaders, always highlight how your ideas move the needle toward the company's long-term goals. It’s not about the details; it’s about the strategy.

3. Focus on solutions, not just problems

It’s easy to get stuck on the problems you face, but what senior leaders want to hear are solutions. If you bring up an issue, come prepared with ways to solve it. Even if you don’t have the perfect answer, presenting potential options shows that you’re thinking strategically.

I worked with a participant in my RISE Accelerate program who kept feeling like her updates were falling flat in leadership meetings. She was focused on highlighting issues—team performance, budget constraints, you name it—but it wasn’t landing well. Together, we shifted her approach. Instead of just reporting the problems, she came prepared with two possible solutions for each issue, along with data to back up her recommendations. In her next meeting, the leaders immediately took notice. They saw her not just as someone who could identify problems but as a proactive problem-solver, and it transformed how they perceived her.

Tip: When addressing challenges, always offer potential solutions. It shows initiative and that you’re forward-thinking.

We’ve all been there—the stakes are high, you’re facing a room full of senior leaders, and nerves kick in. But staying calm and collected in these moments is crucial. Leaders respect people who can handle pressure with grace.

One of the best ways to maintain composure is to reframe your thoughts. If you’re in a meeting and hit with a tough question you didn’t anticipate, instead of panicking, take a deep breath and think, “I know my material, I can handle this”. Shifting your mindset this way keeps you from spiraling into doubt. I once coached a senior manager who froze during executive meetings when faced with unexpected questions. By practicing cognitive reframing, she learned to stay present and answer with confidence. This change had a huge impact on how she was perceived in those high-pressure moments.

Tip: When you’re under pressure, reframe your mindset. Trust that you’ve prepared and can handle the unexpected with confidence.

4. Keep your cool under pressure