Read Time: 3 Minutes

Today, I'm going to teach you how to get noticed by senior leaders — without bragging, self-promoting, or waiting your turn.

When leaders notice you, they trust you with more. More visibility. More responsibility. More impact.

That’s how careers grow. That’s how you become a go-to person. And that’s exactly what we help people do inside​ The Impromptu Speakers Academy.​ 

Unfortunately, most people don’t get noticed. Even the smart, capable ones.

The #1 reason? They’re reactive, not proactive.

They wait for direction instead of taking initiative. They assume leaders know what they’re working on — but they don’t make it clear.

Here are a few other common mistakes:

• They don’t follow through unless reminded
• They ask vague or shallow questions... or don't ask at all
• They ramble instead of getting to the point
• They don’t repeat their priorities enough to make them stick

These mistakes are easy to make. But here’s the good news:

You can fix all of them. Here’s how, step by step:

Step 1: Repeat your team's vision like a broken record

📌 When you say the same thing — clearly, consistently — people remember you as a leader.

Just recently, I asked my Chief Product Officer how I could improve as our Head of Business Development. He said:

“You’ve got a great vision for our partnership strategy. Now repeat it like a broken record — clearly and concisely — in every executive meeting.”

But doesn't repetitiveness bore people?

Actually, no. Repeating your vision at the beginning of every executive interaction helps because:

• Executives are constantly context switching between meetings. Stating your vision at the top of every meeting helps them get up to speed more quickly.
• Executives begin to associate you as the visionary. You remind them how each of your team's work streams ladders up to your broader mission.
• Executives can tweak your vision if it's misaligned with the broader company strategy.

So before every executive meeting now, I start with a 30-second version of our team’s strategy. Just three sentences. No fluff.

That small habit helps every executive stay aligned and helps them see me as someone driving the bigger picture.

Step 2: Ask sharp questions like an executive

Most people either stay quiet or ask “safe” questions. That’s a missed chance.

📌 Leaders notice when you think beyond your task.

Don’t ask: “Do you want me to use Slide 3 or 4?”

Ask instead: “Which message will resonate more with the client’s priorities?”

That shift shows you understand strategy, not just execution.

One rule of thumb: make sure that everything you say ladders up to one of these 3 pillars:

• Profits: Drive up revenues, drive down costs
• Markets: Drive up market share, drive down time-to-market
• Exposure: Drive up exposure to customers (retention), drive down risk exposure

Map out your questions to one of these three core pillars (and 6 subsequent sub-pillars). You'll get executives thinking: "this person gets it."

Step 3: Always follow through — without being chased

This is the trust test. Leaders remember who delivers, and who needs reminders.

📌 Be the person they never have to chase.

After every meeting, summarize your next step. Then follow up when it’s done. It’s a small thing that builds massive trust.

For example, if you follow up within 24 hours (ideally same day) -- particularly with executives, customers, and partners -- you stand out amongst others who don't follow through.

Example: A teammate of mine sends a 1-line message after 1:1

Her manager raves about her. Why? Because she's built a reputation that she has incredible turnaround time.

And how has she built that reputation? She aligns on the objective, over-communicates her progress, and asks for input along the way (not just for a final deliverable).

That's true ownership.

If you want to practice habits like these and learn how to speak clearly when it matters most — we cover it all inside​ The Impromptu Speakers Academy.​ 

You don’t need to be louder. You just need to be clear, intentional, and consistent.

That’s how leaders start noticing.

– Preston