Leadership,The Promotion Paradox: New Title, New Rules, New Language

Getting bumped from VP to SVP makes you feel like you’ve ‘made it.’  Then you stroll into your first senior-team meeting and - boom - your trusty speak-truth-to-power style suddenly lands like a karaoke machine at a silent retreat. The language that earned you the seat - calling out roadblocks, poking holes, pitching bold pitches - can now come off as defensive, momentum-killing, or just disrespectful to peers juggling enterprise-wide agendas.

Executive conversations are about strategically knowing when to listen and when to speak. Here’s a quick reboot for aligning and supporting your senior leaders:

• Acknowledge (no fixing yet.)

• “That sounds brutal.”  

• “I’d feel the same in your shoes.”  

• “It’s clear you’ve put serious thought into this.”

• Reflect (to align). 

• “The point that sticks with me is …” 

• “You’ve given me a deeper lens on the risk.”  

• “Totally agree timing is key here.”

• Inquire (to expand).:

• “I’m noticing ___; how do you see it playing out?”  

• “What obstacles might pop up if we launch Q3?”  

• “Could you walk me through the upside for Ops?”  

• “Would you be open to exploring an external partner?”

Use this rhythm - listen, mirror, then explore - and you’ll surface hidden risks without sounding like Eeyore, invite broader perspectives while strengthening alliances, and keep the meeting humming instead of derailing. Quick gut‑check: Do peers lean in or lean back when you speak? If the answer stings, good. A language tweak beats a reputation rehab. Upgrade your conversation style and the room won’t just let you stay - they’ll look to you to set the tone.