Executive Presence & Decision-Making
Strategies for Impact & Influence
Unlocking Your Leadership Potential in a Dynamic World
Presented by: Dr. Oliver Degnan
For: Career Professionals
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The Executive Edge
Why Executive Presence Matters
26%
Promotion Factor
Executive presence accounts for getting promoted
77%
Perception Gap
Professionals project different image than perceived
Not just skills or knowledge - how others perceive your leadership capacity
True influence comes from consistently delivering value
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The Perception Gap
How You're Seen vs. How You See Yourself
The Problem
- Gap between self-perception and reality
- Brilliant professionals overlooked
- Seen as "technician" not "strategic thinker"
The Solution
- Seek honest feedback on perception
- Identify your leadership brand
- Strategically reshape that brand
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Executive Communication 101
Beyond Informing – Communicating to Influence
Most Professionals
Communicate to inform
Executives
Communicate to influence
Executive brain prioritizes: pattern recognition, big-picture thinking, strategic implications
Communicate like an executive before you have the title
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Speaking Like a CEO
The Headline First Approach
Lead with Headline
Start with conclusions, support as needed
Instead of: "We've analyzed market data..."
Try: "Our analysis shows we should pivot..."
Embrace Brevity
8-second executive attention span
Reduce word count by 30%
Speak with Conviction
Replace "I think maybe..." with "I recommend..."
Authoritative speech = perceived leadership
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Mastering Strategic Silence
& Elevating Language
Strategic Silence
Powerful communicators know when not to speak
Pauses give weight to words
Resist urge to fill silence
Elevate Language
- Remove filler words
- Replace problem-focused with opportunity-focused
- Activate positive brain regions
Example: "We have a problem with timeline" → "This presents an opportunity to reprioritize our most strategic initiatives"
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Virtual Presence
Curating Authenticity & Trust
01
Curate Authentic Background
Simple, professional space with good lighting
02
Position for Trust
Camera at eye level, hands visible, open palm wave
03
Practice Presence
Eye contact with camera, natural gestures, active listening
Blurred backgrounds signal distrust. Hidden hands trigger primal distrust response.
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The Ripple Effect
Every Executive Decision Matters
Decisions create ripples extending far beyond initial impact
Trust, capability, and profitability deeply intertwined
Communicate Big Decisions with Smaller Rocks: Break down impacts into digestible communications
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Your Brain & Details
The Executive Brain Fog
Construal Level Theory
Power encourages abstract thinking
Missing concrete details
Cognitive Load
Task-switching impairs detail processing
Increases mistake likelihood
Personal Example: Dr. Degnan nearly ended career quoting $320K instead of $3.2 million to board
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The ZOOM Protocol
Re-engaging with Critical Details
Zero Distractions
15-30 minutes for critical reviews
Phone off, Slack closed
One Thing at Time
Block time for single tasks
Avoid multitasking illusion
Outsource Verification
Team checks your work
You check first, then review theirs
Methodical Checklists
Simple checklists for high-stakes tasks
Like fighter pilots and surgeons
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Decision Architecture
Systems, Not Just Tasks
Beyond Task Management
Focus on systems for decision-making
Automate or streamline decisions
Reduce direct input on minor issues
Strategic Approach
- Delegation by Design
- AI agents for task distribution
- Always two options, never three, never one
Proactively manage expectations with data and options
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The "Priority Paradox"
Everything's Urgent, Nothing's Important
Priority Paradox
🚨 Everything becomes urgent → Nothing truly important
Constant Urgency
Decision Fatigue
Reactive Firefighting
Dull Strategic Thinking
Solution: Explain the "why" behind every request
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Strategic Prioritization
Eisenhower Matrix & North Star
Identify Your North Star: One thing that makes everything else easier
Urgent & Important
Do immediately
Do immediately
Important, Not Urgent
Schedule deep thinking
Schedule deep thinking
Urgent, Not Important
Delegate
Delegate
Neither
Eliminate or defer
Eliminate or defer
👉 Schedule three 90-minute "deep thinking blocks" weekly
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Time Optimization
The 30% Margin
30%
Strategic Buffer
Margin for unexpected challenges
100%
Capacity Trap
Operating at full capacity delivers worse results
Morning Focus
Creative/strategic work
Align with circadian rhythm
Afternoon Engagement
Meetings and collaboration
Batch process communication
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Meeting Mastery
Focus & Purpose
Two Purposes Only
Decision-making or strategic brainstorming
All In or Get Out
Camera on, notifications off, full presence
⚠️ 23 minutes to refocus after multitasking
Optimize Lengths
15, 25, 45, or 90-minute blocks
👉 Avoid default 60-minute meetings
Keep it Small
Five participants or fewer
Clear decision agenda in subject line
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Navigating Corporate Dynamics
Upward Influence & Authenticity
Upward influence is a science - reproducible patterns
Social Astuteness
Reading the room effectively
Interpersonal Influence
Adapting your communication style
Networking Ability
Creating genuine value exchanges
- Lead with Value: Never ask, always offer insights
- Consistency Beats Intensity: Repeated positive interactions
- Strategic Self-Promotion: Highlight organizational value
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Building Resilience
Protecting Your Greatest Asset
Your greatest business asset: psychological well-being and creative capacity
Purpose as Buffer
Clear purpose = "burnout-proof"
Acts as stress buffer
Strategic Recovery
- 5-minute breaks between meetings
- 15-20 minute mid-afternoon recovery
- One day monthly for big-picture thinking
Energy Management
Align schedule with natural rhythms
Information Boundaries
Limit checking metrics to designated times
Truth Council
2-3 trusted advisors for hard truths
Work-Life Harmony
Align activities with overarching purpose
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The Executive Trick
Don't Just Manage Time, Master Energy & Availability
True executive efficiency comes not from rigid timekeeping, but from understanding and leveraging your natural rhythms.
Energy Mapping
Identify your peak performance times for creative and strategic work.
Schedule demanding tasks when your cognitive energy is highest.
Availability Zoning
Define clear blocks for deep work, collaborative sessions, and reactive tasks.
Communicate these boundaries to your team to minimize interruptions.
Strategic Recovery
Integrate micro-breaks and intentional recovery periods throughout your day.
Ensure adequate rest and disconnect to recharge mental and emotional reserves.
By optimizing your energy and availability, you unlock a sustainable path to higher impact without burnout.
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Your Path to Unshakeable Executive Leadership
Embrace Strategic Thinking
Prioritize relentlessly, optimize time, data-driven decisions
Master Influence
Communicate with impact, build relationships, political skill with integrity
Prioritize Well-being
Prevent burnout, protect energy, foster resilience
Leverage AI Strategically
Smarter decisions, enhanced productivity, human judgment first
Ready to Level Up?
Learn about Dr. Degnan's LevelUP System® or Never Burnout Again® Method
Book Your 1:1 Call:
https://book.DrDegnan.com
https://book.DrDegnan.com
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