Today's episode, you're going to discover three specific... things you need to start doing right now if you want to move up in leadership. in 2026.
Welcome back to Speak Up, the podcast for high performing introverts, including you social introverts. where we reveal the charisma and communication secrets of A-listers so that you get the recognition and the opportunities you have earned.
I am your host, Laura Camacho, your magical executive presence coach, godmother, and strategist.
And by the end of today's episode, you're going to know a simple two word phrase. that makes you sound like a CEO already. the one conversation you need to be having with your boss right now to put you on the promotion path And how to use wit in a new way to project charisma in your executive presence. even when it's a high pressure moment.
Okay, so before we dive in, I wanna tell you, quick story from a client to help you see what is possible when you do build your executive presence.
I have an executive presence mastery client who is Kenyon.
Shout out to everyone who's from Kenya listening.
And she's a scientist, highly conscientious. introvert, super smart, that's my typical client And she works for a nonprofit that is about the environment.
And we had a call scheduled for earlier this week.
And she didn't show up. And that never happens.
And I was so worried. emailed her And I got this auto response saying, oh, I'm no longer with this organization, blah, blah, blah.
And I'm like, whoa, I'm so freaking out because she had been with that organization like.
I don't know, nine or ten years, and she had never mentioned wanting to leave.
Like that was never part of the conversation.
And then I, all my clients, I get their email and their phone number you know for emergencies like this one and in her case it was at what's up Because she's not working in Kenya.
She's working in another African country.
And so I find her on WhatsApp and I'm like, are you okay?
Like, tell me, I'm so concerned. And she writes me back and says, Oh!
I'm sorry, I was just named Minister of the Environment for my country.
So, how about that? That was not on her radar and yet She started thinking bigger, talking bigger, connecting to the big vision.
And now she is a government minister of the environment where she's going to have such an impact. on the country and the world like more than she was having even in this international nonprofit.
So big things can happen when you Work on your executive presence.
And as I'm recording this, it's still summer.
People are still on vacation. But I want you to think about 2026 a little bit, not in an anxious way.
But I want you to take these three very specific tips that I'm giving you. that are going to act like force multipliers. for your impact and your influence.
All right. The first thing you need to do is what this client started doing very effectively, which was connecting the day-to-day work to the big picture right and and probably you've heard that before And you're thinking, well that's easy to say Laura, but how do you do that?
And some people are definitely good at the visioning part.
They may not be good at the nuts and bolts of making it happen. but those of you listening like you need to be able to Speak at the in the weeds level and then all the way up to the vision level But I'm going to give you a tool that's going to help you with that.
The tool is to use these two words and it is so that. so that automatically forces you to connect to the why, the why you should do whatever you're saying.
So it's not just like, oh, how does this project tied to my company goals.
Well, if you use the word so that it will come to you automatically.
So let's say that you're working on an integration and you can say, This integration delivers intelligent job scheduling and automated resource management so that our machine learning scientists can focus more on model development and less time on infrastructure coordination, which is going to increase productivity and decrease costs.
Two words, so that. Here's another example.
I want you to practice this handy phrase so that... so that you get comfortable sounding like a CEO or the minister of something.
It's an easy way to get visionary. And so the very next meeting.
I want you to start using the phrase so that.
All right, so that's your tip number one.
That's going to help you connect the big picture to the why. which is what everybody wants to know.
Why should I be listening to you? All right, so now we're going to thing two and this is your wit.
You know, I love to talk about humor. But don't worry, I'm not asking you to sound like a stand-up comedian.
And even better, I'm giving you again a very specific tool. to bring a level of humor, wit, ridiculousness.
It just helps everybody relax. Okay. you know that your day involves a lot of tough conversations unexpected questions people don't Right now we're worried about tariffs and the economy.
We're always worried about the economy. We're always worried. something, right?
So humor is very effective leadership tool.
And this is very specific. It's the three things.
Now, if you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I often recommend that you keep your comments organized to three things and you number them.
So this is a variation of the everyday three things.
So with your three things, two, number one and number two are serious.
And number three is ridiculous. So I'm gonna give you some examples.
There's a tornado warning tonight for here in Charleston, so I'm running out to buy bread, milk, and a trampoline.
Like what is a trampoline? Maybe you could tie that into working off stress, but it's kind of silly.
To be a great speaker, you need confidence, preparation, and Xanax.
You could say to your team, let's say you want everybody to focus on keeping the cost Stay on and doing more with less.
So you say, okay, everybody. From now to the end of the year, I need everyone to focus on these three things.
Number one, keeping costs down. Number two, doing more with less and number three, replacing your office chair with a unicycle. to boost efficiency and core strength.
Or number three could be, and starting tomorrow, you'll be bringing your own desk to the office. or I plan to ban all printing and require you to memorize all important documents which will save us on paper and toner while improving your memory. obviously those are silly.
This is not about being, you know, a famous comedian.
It's pulling yourself to the silly side, to the ridiculous side.
It's just about being real. And when you are real, and even if you say a third thing and people are like, what? that's still a win because you are showing your human side.
All right, for number three, which could be the most impactful, but number one and number two are gonna help you succeed. seed with this third one, which is to start building real relationships with people that you don't know at this moment.
And this is not about doing some kind of speed networking and starting to go to events every single evening nope this is what i want you to do this is about specific i want you to identify one person that seems interesting to you.
Could be in your company, in your industry, Think of one person.
And then your smart cookie, you're going to figure out how to get to know this person.
Now, My default ways to do this, I've done this many times, is to find out that they're going to be at some event.
And even if the event is in another city like I go to that event and I've managed to meet that person and introduce myself and then carry on the conversation.
Another way would be to think of somebody that you know who knows that person and ask them hey could you get me in front of this person could you make an e-introduction something like that.
So imagine your assignment is to add one person to your imaginary holiday card list.
Let me know how it goes. You can email me always at hello at speakupwithlaura.com.
So building relationships is not about being flashy, loud. being the chatty Cathy, it's just being your smart, quirky authentic self and that's what makes people trust you as a leader Now, here's a side note.
If you... have not started talking to your boss about your next career move.
I mean, this is assuming that you were not promoted yesterday.
But that's a conversation that you always want to keep light and breezy.
You do not wait for annual performance reviews to have that conversation.
All right, to recap. Three specific things connect your work to the big picture using the words connect.
So that. Number two, use your wit to project confidence and stay relaxed.
By using the three things, two are serious, one is ridiculous, and build a... sincere relationship with one person That's going to multiply your trust and opportunities.
As high performing introverts, you already have the skills to lead.
You just need to show it. You need to get out of your own way.
I want you to do all of these because they're very specific and they're very doable.
And if you would like to keep your mojo up. and get email tips similar to this very short very you know to the point and interesting try to be a little bit funny pop on over to www.speakupwithlaura.com and pop that email.
In the pop up that's going to you're going to see and you'll start getting these tips.
I think you'll like them. And in any case, have a fantastic day and I will catch you on the next episode.
