How to Speak Like an Executive: Strategic Communication That Gets You Promoted
Read time: 5 minutes
You may be doing excellent work, but if your communication is overly tactical or buried in detail, it could be holding you back from the next level.
Many high-performing leaders unknowingly undercut their influence by reporting updates instead of delivering insight.
Here’s the shift: To get promoted, you must speak in a way that signals strategic thinking, not just execution.
Why Strategic Communication Is a Game Changer
Executives are short on time and long on priorities. They aren’t looking for a technical walkthrough. They’re asking:
What did you achieve?
Why does it matter?
What should we do next?
If you can’t clearly articulate how your work advances the business, you’ll be seen as capable, but not promotable.
To rise, your communication must reflect clarity, relevance, and enterprise-level thinking.
The STORY Framework: How Strategic Leaders Speak
The STORY framework is a simple tool to organize your thinking and deliver high-impact communication, whether you’re in a hallway with your CEO or delivering a boardroom presentation.
Here’s how it works:
S = Situation – What’s happening now? Define the business context.
T = Target – What are we trying to achieve? Name the goal.
O = Obstacles – What’s in the way? Surface the risks or constraints.
R = Recommendation – What do you propose? What action is needed?
Y = Yes Request – What support, approval, or decision are you asking for?
When you apply this model, your communication becomes sharper, more influential, and executive-ready.
Applying STORY: 8 Examples That Elevate Your Voice
1. Strategic Vision & Alignment
Don’t just report tasks, tie them to enterprise strategy.
“We’re preparing for global expansion. Our infrastructure limits scale and agility. I recommend we move to a unified cloud platform and begin vendor evaluations next quarter with your approval.”
2. Performance & Results
Executives care about outcomes, not effort.
“The customer portal launched in Q2. Desktop engagement is strong, but mobile is lagging. I propose a $250K optimization sprint in Q4 focused on mobile UX.”
3. Risk & Mitigation
Show you can anticipate problems and act.
“Phishing attacks targeting Finance are rising. Our legacy systems can’t respond effectively. I recommend accelerating our M365 migration and request expedited funding to complete it by year-end.”
4. Innovation & Emerging Tech
Position innovation as business advantage.
“AI adoption is surging in our sector. We’re falling behind in supply chain forecasting. Let’s launch a 90-day pilot using internal data science resources. I’m requesting $100K and access approval.”
5. Budget & Resource Justification
Reframe your ask as a business investment.
“To avoid derailing high-impact initiatives during budget cuts, I propose reallocating $1.2M from low-value tools to infrastructure transformation.”
6. Leadership & Talent Strategy
Frame talent initiatives as leadership growth.
“Senior engineer attrition is up. I propose launching a Tech Leadership Academy with internal mentors. With Q1 funding and your sponsorship, we can improve retention and leadership bench strength.”
7. Change Management & Communication
Speak to how people experience change.
“ERP rollout is stalling due to communication gaps. I recommend phased training and a change champion network. Requesting comms support and department access to implement.”
8. Asks & Executive Decisions
Make bold, focused requests.
“We completed the unified data platform analysis. I recommend piloting implementation across 3 business units. Requesting $3M investment and your sponsorship of an executive steering committee.”
Practical Exercise: Reframe Your Update Using STORY
Choose a project or initiative you’re currently reporting on.
Write your usual update.
Rewrite it using the STORY framework.
Compare the two. Which one signals strategic leadership?
Reflection Questions
When I speak to execs, do I share details, or deliver insights?
Do I connect my work to business outcomes clearly?
What do I need to stop saying, or start saying, to be perceived as a strategic leader?
Actions to Gain Your Human Edge
In your next leadership meeting or update, commit to using the STORY framework.
Frame your contribution through a business lens. Make your ask clear.
Show that you're not just completing work, you're driving impact.
P.S.
If you're ready to refine your communication style and elevate how you're perceived, I offer 30-minute clarity calls. No pitch—just insight and practical direction.
Book yours here:
https://go.oncehub.com/30MinDiscuss
Bill Tingle
Founder & CEO, Tingle Leadership
bill@tingleleadership.com
