If you've ever wondered how to speak like a leader at work, this episode delivers the answer—through practical, tactical language shifts that instantly elevate your presence. Whether you're leading a team, presenting to executives, or looking to grow in your role, the way you speak plays a powerful role in how others perceive your leadership.
In this episode, discover how confident leaders use intentional language to project authority, clarity, and calm—even under pressure. These are communication skills you can put to work immediately to sound like a leader and develop the executive presence that drives real impact.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why confidence is often confused with competence—and how to use that to your advantage
- The communication habits that quietly undermine your leadership skills
- Why hedging language like “I think” and “I’m trying” weakens your message
- 10 powerful shifts to speak like a leader and sound more assertive, clear, and credible
- How your language influences both your personal development and how others view your leadership
- A client story that shows how small changes in communication can lead to stronger executive presence
- The connection between confident action and belief—and how to stop reinforcing self-doubt
Listen if you want to:
- Build the communication skills that help you sound like a leader
- Strengthen your leadership skills through everyday language choices
- Develop your executive presence without changing who you are
- Use personal development tools to show up with more clarity and confidence
Ready to speak like a confident leader?
Resourcers
Download the free worksheet with all 10 language upgrades—perfect for professionals working on their executive presence and leadership growth.
More Strategic Decisions in 3 Steps - includes the 7 factors that make you stupid at work
Increasing Your Executive Present in Meetings - addresses the fear of speaking up
Rusty Gaillard is an executive coach, helping mid-level corporate leaders create more career success while working less and enjoying it more. That's real freedom.
Get more leadership tips to grow your skillset and mindset at rustygaillard.com, and follow Rusty on LinkedIn.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.