Mike Acker | Speaking Authentically

“If you feel like you're stuck in your communication, if you feel like you’ve got a barrier in front of you, if you feel like people have said that you can't do it or you're not that good, whatever it is, three components will get you from where you are to where you want to go,” shares Mike Acker, executive communication coach and author of 10 books, including bestsellers Speak With No Fear and Speak with Confidence. Today, Mike explains how speaking authentically can create executive presence.

There can be many types of barriers to success. Some of these barriers may be external and less under your control, such as location or a speech impediment. However, if it is doubt in yourself or a victim mindset that is holding you back, improving your communication can help to remove those obstacles. In the end, poor communication reduces a person’s executive presence. And a great leader who communicates poorly will be interpreted as a worse leader than someone who has fantastic communication and mediocre leadership skills.

If you are unsure where to start, Miike shares three different aspects of communication seen in those with high executive presence. These are a basic awareness of your starting point, knowledge of what needs to be changed, and lots of practice to build confidence.

• “Sometimes it's the doubt that it's even possible. Sometimes it's a lack of desire. Sometimes it's this mindset of, well, not me, I couldn't do that. And it's this victim mentality, and sometimes it's the external obstacles.” (9:08-9:23 | Mike A.)
• “Your poor communication actually causes people to see you as less than what your leadership presence does.” (14:01-14:10 | Mike A.)
• “If you feel like you're stuck in your communication, if you feel like you’ve got a barrier in front of you, if you feel like people have said that you can't do it or you're not that good, whatever it is, three components will get you from where you are to where you want to go.” (30:06-30:20 | Mike A.)