Interview - Alexa Chilcutt - Executive Communication and Public Speaking Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Alexa Chilcutt (www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-chilcutt-phd/) discusses the importance of executive communication and public speaking skills. She explains that anxiety around public speaking stems from the fear of being judged and evaluated. However, she emphasises that with practice and a clear process, individuals can become more confident and effective communicators. Dr. Chilcutt also provides tips for structuring a message, including identifying the purpose, understanding the audience, and breaking the information into three main points. Additionally, she highlights the significance of executive presence in career advancement and outlines the 10 characteristics of executive presence, which include confidence, communication ability, appearance, and values in action. In this conversation, Alexa Chilcutt and Andrew Beveridge discuss various aspects of leadership and communication. They explore topics such as executive presence, effective communication for technical professionals, and the challenges faced by women in leadership roles. Alexa emphasises the importance of intention and preparation in developing executive presence and highlights the need for technical professionals to simplify complex information for their audience. She also discusses the significance of leaders communicating directly with their teams and the broader organization. Finally, she addresses the challenges faced by women in leadership and the importance of empowering women to overcome imposter syndrome and advocate for themselves.
 
Takeaways
Anxiety around public speaking is common and stems from the fear of being judged and evaluated. However, with practice and a clear process, individuals can become more confident and effective communicators.
When structuring a message, it is important to identify the purpose, understand the audience, and break the information into three main points. This helps to captivate the audience and increase memory retention.
Executive presence is crucial for career advancement. It encompasses characteristics such as confidence, communication ability, appearance, and values in action. Building executive presence involves being self-aware, authentic, and aligning actions with values.
To improve executive presence, individuals can ask for feedback, record themselves presenting, and focus on creating meaningful connections with the audience. Developing executive presence requires intention and preparation.
Technical professionals should simplify complex information for their audience and use relatable language.
Leaders should communicate directly with their teams and the broader organization to ensure effective communication.
Women in leadership face challenges such as imposter syndrome and should be empowered to advocate for themselves.
 
Chapters
00:10 Introduction and Background
01:19 Interest in Executive Communication
05:09 Structuring a Message
09:01 Finding Your Authentic Style
11:38 Understanding the Audience
14:21 Avoiding Imitation and Finding Your Own Style
23:24 Characteristics of Executive Presence
25:11 Self-Reflection Exercise
27:10 Shifting Perceptions and Elevating Adjectives
29:12 Communicating Complex Technical Information
33:41 Effective Communication in Leadership
36:28 Building Connections and Getting Accurate Information
43:48 Challenges and Empowerment for Women in Leadership
49:21 Creating a Supportive and Diverse Organisational Culture
51:18 Connecting with Alexa Chilcutt
 
References and Resources
Dagley, G. R., & Gaskin, C. J. (2014). Understanding executive presence: Perspectives of business professionals. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 66(3), 197–211. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpb0000011
Body Language Expert Explains How to Show Confidence | WIRED - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRJzvJ5XPQI
 
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