Whenever I’m dealing with people leaders and c-suite executives, I try and remember that they’re human too. They have their own anxieties and stressors too. I also remind myself that everyone is on the same team, trying to do what’s best for the business. You’re being invited into the room for a reason. You have valuable expertise that they may be lacking, and your unique perspectives can help them to see situations differently. Stand in your power, and show up confidently.

I would remind myself that they’re human, too. The foundations of communication don´t change whether you are talking to a C-level executive or a junior assistant. Everyone has their own anxieties, stressors, and things they value or find interesting. So, it is not a good idea to generalize. I would also remind myself that I am invited into the room for a reason, whether it is my expertise, experience, or network. So, I would try to bring that to life in some way. If any unexpected emotions show up when dealing with these people, I would write it down and then bring it up in my session with my coach! ;-)

I start by connecting with the leader as a human. I get to know who they are as a person, what drives them and inspires them and what they care about in their life outside of work. By starting with a more personal and human connection I then build on that by understanding their business objectives, their biggest aspirations and their greatest fears and concerns. From that place, I go into a co-creation dialogue by taking all that I heard from them and positioning myself as someone who understands and cares and is there in service to come up with the best path forward that will most effectively achieve the results we want, in a way that will make us feel proud at the end of the day.

Navigating senior executives with strong personalities starts with self-awareness. As a Behavioral SuperPowers Coach, I leverage my Communication SuperPowers to engage confidently, communicate clearly, and create an environment of psychological safety. By understanding my own strengths and decoding others' behaviors, I can flex my leadership style in real time. This allows me to remain grounded and behaviorally authentic while guiding strong personalities toward shared goals. Leadership presence is ultimately about knowing yourself, understanding others, and staying aligned with your behavioral identity, allowing you to lead with confidence and influence. #BehaviorMatters

When navigating senior executives with strong personalities, it's important to maintain your leadership presence by sticking to the facts and being clear in your communication. If you offer a suggestion, clearly state that it's according to your understanding or opinion. Don’t hesitate to speak up when you have a valid point, but remember that how you say something often matters more than what you say. Keep your thoughts simple, direct, and focused, ensuring that your message is conveyed with respect and confidence.