Your Number One Secret to Career Success

Research from the Center for Creative Leadership reveals a sobering statistic: 40% of top executives fall short of their potential within the first 18 months of a new role. The #1 reason? Poor interpersonal and communication skills.

Before you think, “That’s not my issue,” think again. We survey those who work with the leaders we coach. Stop and think of how many people in your life truly listen with patience, understand feelings and facts, and respond appropriately to show they care. We are lucky if there are a handful.

After coaching thousands of high-potential leaders across premier global companies, we’ve seen one pattern emerge: most leaders overestimate their communication effectiveness. It’s not about raw intelligence or technical competence—how others experience you determines your success.

And that’s precisely where many go off track. The most common pitfalls?
• Insensitivity to others
• Being cold, aloof, or arrogant
• Defensiveness
• Lack of poise under pressure
• Overreaching ambition

These issues often aren’t visible in the mirror but are crystal clear to everyone else.

At Change Masters, we’ve spent 35+ years coaching high-talent executives one-on-one over 12 to 18 months. Our clients routinely say, “I wish I had done this ten years ago.” Why? Because the process gives them the behavioral maturity of someone 7–10 years more experienced.

We know our individual coaching isn’t for everyone, so we wrote Seeing Yourself as Others Do. It delivers the same insights and techniques we’ve used to change careers and lives.

This blog—and other resources on the Change Masters Academy site—bring that same pragmatic coaching experience to you. You’ll learn how to build authentic executive presence, close the gap between intent and impact, and do more with less friction.

Because here’s the truth: We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our behavior.
And if you don’t know how others see you, your blind spots could cost you more than you think.

My client, who was a global leader, became a world class listener:

1. She eliminated the facial expression that said, “HA! I’m smarter than you are!”

2. She accepted that minimal encouragers let others know what she thought.

3. She became better at showing others she was present and connected.

4. She overcame the tendency to overpower others with her intellect.

Executive Presence Tip – Carol Keers

Celeste Headlee is a radio talk show host and writer. Her TEDx talk has over 16 million views for her talk with the above title. Conversation is critical to all of us in our work and personal lives.

Her recommendations are:

1. Be present. (Don’t multi-task.)
2. Don’t pontificate.
3. Use open ended questions. (What was that like?)
4. Go with the flow.
5. If you don’t know – say so.
6. Don’t equate your feeling with theirs. (All feelings are individual.)
7. Try not to repeat yourself.
8. Stay out of the weeds.
9. Listen. (Most important and takes effort.)
10. Be brief.

I would add that the visual and vocal interaction needs to be supportive to the conversation. Appropriate fills and bridging statements really enhance the flow of a conversation and create a stronger connection. We can all be better.