Leading Executive Conversations

Leading conversations with senior executives is a moment of visibility for many managers. And yet, these conversations can be as much of a liability as an opportunity. It's the difference in the manager's perspective and the executive's expectations. This book is focused on closing that gap with insights from over 300 managers and executives. We hope it will add value to both perspectives and help your conversations get to memorable outcomes.

There's no question that executive-level conversations are difficult ones. When we surveyed managers about executive conversations, 90% said these conversations are harder and 20% said that they are significantly harder. Executives are a tough audience. But luckily, they are also a predictable one. Leading Executive Conversations provides a framework for organizing an executive-level conversation to deliver value and to lead an executive to a clear decision. This approach has helped hundreds of managers shift from a survival strategy to an impactful one. And, that's critical because your ability to lead an executive conversation earns you the opportunity to have another one.

Sally Williamson is the president and founder of Sally Williamson & Associates, a communications consulting firm. She is a trusted resource for developing leaders worldwide. For more than three decades Sally has coached C-level executives, taught workshops for mid-level managers, and created leadership development programs for high-potential employees. Her expertise is spoken communications, and her passion is helping leaders at all levels become compelling communicators. Sally is a recognized expert on Executive Presence and published her first book, The Hidden Factor: Executive Presence, in 2011. She has published three other books (Leading Executive Conversations and Storylines & Storytelling: What They Remember and Repeat), with her latest book being Disrupted! How to Reset Your Brand & Your Career that she wrote with her son, Hurst. Sally is also the host of SW&A's podcast, What's Your Story, which features business leaders and industry experts exploring how they use storytelling to influence and connect with their audiences. Sally Williamson & Associates works with Fortune 500 companies to develop leaders at all levels and to strengthen communication influence and impact across an organization. This is done through training programs and coaching that builds on two fundamental components of effective communication – content and style. Sally specializes in personal brand and impressions, executive presence, storyline and message development, executive visibility and conversations, storytelling, building credibility with the media, delivering effective feedback, team influence and motivation, and transition and change management.