Executive Presence and Communication Coaching Flashcards

When coaching an executive on non-verbal communication, a CELC coach would note that body language accounts for what approximate percentage of overall communication impact (per Mehrabian's research in emotional communication)?

Answer: 55%

Mehrabian's research found that in emotional/attitude communication, 55% of impact comes from body language, 38% from vocal tone, and only 7% from words.

A CELC coach observes an executive who avoids eye contact when delivering difficult messages to their team. The MOST likely coaching impact of this behavior is:

Answer: It undermines perceived confidence and can erode team trust

Avoiding eye contact during difficult conversations signals lack of confidence or discomfort, which undermines the leader's credibility and can reduce team trust in their message.

Which coaching approach is MOST effective for helping an executive develop authentic executive presence rather than a performative façade?

Answer: Identifying and amplifying the executive's own strengths and natural presence signals

Authentic executive presence is built by identifying and consciously leveraging the leader's natural strengths rather than imposing a generic, imitated style.

An executive coaching client consistently over-explains their decisions to peers, diluting their message. A CELC coach would MOST likely use which technique to address this?

Answer: Practice the 'headline first' discipline—state the decision, then pause before elaborating

Practicing 'headline first' delivery trains the executive to lead with the core message and pause, allowing the audience to engage before adding context only if needed.

In stakeholder communication coaching for CELC, 'message architecture' refers to:

Answer: Strategically tailoring core messages to different audience needs and frames of reference

Message architecture is the strategic design of communication that adapts core narratives to resonate with specific stakeholder groups' priorities and perspectives.

A CELC coach working with an introverted executive who finds large presentations draining should FIRST:

Answer: Help them identify their natural strengths and build presence strategies that honor their introversion

Effective CELC coaching recognizes introversion as a valid leadership style and builds presence strategies—like thorough preparation, one-on-one strengths, and deliberate pacing—that leverage rather than fight it.