I had this conversation over a coaching call with a client. She’s in my Executive Presence Program. We were brainstorming together:
What else can you say in a call besides “Is everybody with me?” to see if people are … still with you?
It’s critical to STOP & engage. You earn credibility points when you run calls well and have command, but read the room, too. This is a key aspect of Executive Presence.
5 New Ways to Check in with Your Audience
- “Let’s take a quick pause ~ Who has a question I can answer?”
- “Did that section land with you, or what are we missing?”
- “Are there pieces we should add? Take out? … And what else?”
- “Can I provide any clarity around anything before we go on?”
- [Insert client’s name] “Joe, based on what you shared in our last meeting, do these align with the new direction?”
Do you lead teams that run a lot of strategy meetings? Offer webinars? Hold status updates with your team? Don’t talk the entire time. Build-in breaks. Get feedback to see if you’re leading them well.
Why Do This? Because Audiences have Universal Needs:
To feel seen, heard, understood, and – this is a big one – taken care of. Take good care of your audience as the leader of that call. Own and have command, but *take care of them* too.
What would you add to the list of statements here?
