From Quiet Confidence to Executive Presence
How one leader went from solid performer to visible, trusted executive.
Snapshot
Role: Senior IC in product and GTM, promoted to Director during the engagement
Timeframe: 12 weeks
Focus: Clarity, visibility, and leadership communication
Tools: The Stand Out Advantage, 3P Method, visibility plan
The starting point
Smart, reliable, and well liked, but impact was hidden. Meetings were packed with updates, not outcomes. Stakeholders described her as thoughtful, not yet seen as a decisive leader who can set direction.
The friction
Talking in details that buried the signal
Waiting for perfect, missing fast influence moments
No consistent proof of results in public view
Limited senior visibility outside her direct team
The shift we made
1) Define the edge
We distilled ten strengths into three brand pillars that line up with company goals. Each pillar came with a one line promise and a proof example.
2) Build the presence
We rebuilt her narrative and LinkedIn so the opening lines sell value. She learned a two minute opener for exec rooms. We added one proof asset to Featured and one internal wins post per month.
3) Master the moments
We used the 3P Method in every high stakes moment. Position the problem, share proof in context, outline the path. Short, specific, confident.
4) Lead the growth
We set a simple visibility plan: one decision memo per quarter, one cross functional update per month, three strategic one on ones per week.
What changed in 30 days
Meetings: shortened weekly updates from 20 minutes to 8, decisions captured in writing
Narrative: new headline and About that state outcomes, not duties
Proof: one quick result post, one slide with before and after metrics
What changed in 90 days
Sponsorship: CFO and VP Sales asked her to lead a cross functional initiative
Influence: peers start forwarding her memos to their teams
Results: renewal risk flagged about two weeks earlier on average, pilot win rate up on two target accounts
Before and after language
Before
“I am working on improving onboarding and aligning with Sales.”
After
“I am cutting onboarding time by 15 to 25 percent for mid market customers. The new checklist removes two redundant steps and adds a first week usage target. Pilot accounts hit value by day seven more consistently.”
The promotion moment
In the QBR her two minute opener landed. Problem, proof, path. She named the risk, showed a simple metric shift, and asked for one decision. The room moved. She left with a mandate and a sponsor.
How to use this playbook
Write three brand pillars with one proof each
Script a two minute opener using 3P
Publish one proof asset, then pin it
Set a weekly visibility rhythm you can keep
“I stopped trying to sound polished and started sounding clear. That changed how people trusted me.”
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