Leadership & Management
1:1 agendas, performance reviews, team building, and delegation
Develop Executive Presence as a Senior Leader
You are an executive presence and leadership brand coach. I am a [CURRENT_LEVEL] professional aspiring to operate at [TARGET_LEVEL]. Feedback I have received about my executive presence includes [PRESENCE_FEEDBACK] (e.g. too quiet in senior meetings, lacks gravitas, interrupts, over-explains). Design an executive presence development plan covering: what executive presence actually consists of (beyond just speaking confidently), the 3 highest-impact behavioural changes based on my feedback, how to project authority in large meetings without dominating, how to handle being challenged or dismissed by more senior peers, and the daily practice that most accelerates executive presence development.
Influence Senior Stakeholders Without Direct Authority
You are an influence and stakeholder management coach. I need to influence [STAKEHOLDER_NAME] who is a [STAKEHOLDER_LEVEL] to support [WHAT_I_NEED_SUPPORT_FOR]. I do not have direct authority over them and my previous attempts to influence have resulted in [PREVIOUS_OUTCOME]. Design an influence strategy covering: how to understand their priorities and motivations before making any ask, the framing that connects my request to their goals, how to build informal credibility before the formal ask, how to navigate their likely objections, and a follow-up strategy if the first conversation does not land.
Present a Business Case to the Board or Executive Team
Act as an executive presentation and board communication coach. I need to present a business case for [INITIATIVE] to [AUDIENCE_TYPE] (board, executive committee, or C-suite). The investment required is [INVESTMENT_REQUIRED] and the expected return is [EXPECTED_RETURN]. Previous business case presentations I have made have resulted in [PREVIOUS_OUTCOME]. Design a board-level business case presentation covering: the executive summary structure (BLUF — Bottom Line Up Front), the financial and strategic case in language that resonates with this audience, how to address the 3 most likely board objections, the appendix materials to prepare but not present, and how to handle hostile questioning.
Give an Inspiring All-Hands or Town Hall Presentation
You are an all-hands and leadership communication coach. I need to give a [DURATION]-minute all-hands or town hall presentation to [AUDIENCE_SIZE] people about [PRESENTATION_TOPIC]. The audience's current mood is [AUDIENCE_MOOD] (e.g. anxious about change, disengaged, energised). Design an all-hands presentation structure covering: how to open with presence and energy that shifts the room's mood, a narrative arc that connects business results to people's work, how to handle live Q&A including hostile questions, how to close in a way that generates genuine energy not forced positivity, and the one communication choice that most separates inspiring leader presentations from forgettable ones.
Prepare for a Senior Leadership Job Interview
You are a senior leadership interview preparation coach. I am preparing for a [TARGET_ROLE] interview at [COMPANY_TYPE]. The interview will likely cover [EXPECTED_INTERVIEW_THEMES] and my strongest leadership experiences are [TOP_LEADERSHIP_EXPERIENCES]. Prepare me for this interview covering: the 5 most common senior leadership interview questions with STAR-format answer frameworks personalised to my experiences, how to demonstrate strategic thinking rather than operational detail, how to answer the 'what is your leadership style?' question without sounding generic, how to handle a question about a leadership failure honestly and impressively, and the 3 questions I should ask the panel that signal executive-level thinking.
Build a Crisis Communication Response as a Leader
Act as a crisis communication and leadership coach. My organisation or team is facing a crisis: [CRISIS_DESCRIPTION]. The stakeholders affected are [AFFECTED_STAKEHOLDERS] and the public or internal perception risk is [PERCEPTION_RISK]. Design a crisis communication response plan covering: the immediate communication actions in the first 24 hours, the core messages to convey (acknowledge, explain, resolve), how to communicate with internal teams versus external stakeholders, how to avoid the most common crisis communication mistakes (denial, over-promise, silence), and the follow-up communication rhythm until the crisis is resolved.
Write a Leadership Communication for an Organisational Announcement
Act as a leadership communications specialist. I need to write a communication from me as [MY_LEADERSHIP_ROLE] to [AUDIENCE] about [ANNOUNCEMENT_TOPIC] (e.g. a restructure, a new strategy, a leadership change, a policy update). The audience is likely to feel [ANTICIPATED_REACTION] and my key messages are [KEY_MESSAGES]. Write a leadership communication covering: an opening that acknowledges the significance of the news, the announcement stated clearly without jargon, the rationale explained honestly, the impact on people addressed directly, the next steps communicated clearly, and a closing that is warm and forward-looking without being artificially positive.
Write a Leadership Case Study for a Business School Application
Act as a business school application and leadership storytelling coach. I am applying to [PROGRAMME_TYPE] (MBA, Executive MBA, or leadership programme) at [SCHOOL_TYPE]. I need to write a leadership essay or case study about [LEADERSHIP_EXPERIENCE]. The word limit is [WORD_LIMIT]. Write a leadership case study that: opens with a compelling scene-setting moment, clearly describes the leadership challenge and stakes, shows my decision-making and leadership approach with nuance, honestly acknowledges what I learned including from any mistakes, and closes with a forward-looking insight that signals the leader I am becoming. Demonstrate strategic thinking — not just good management.
Communicate Bad News From Leadership to the Front Line
Act as a leadership communication cascade coach. I have received difficult news from senior leadership — [BAD_NEWS_SUMMARY] — and I need to communicate this to my team of [TEAM_SIZE]. I may not agree with the decision and I have limited information. Design a front-line leadership communication approach covering: how to communicate with honesty without undermining senior leadership, how to answer 'what do you think about this?' honestly but professionally, how to handle team anger that is really directed at the organisation but lands on you, how to maintain your own credibility and integrity in the process, and the communication follow-up ritual for the two weeks after a difficult announcement.
Write a Compelling Case for a Team Resource Request
Act as a leadership advocacy and business case coach. I need to make a case to [DECISION_MAKER] for additional resources: [RESOURCE_REQUEST] (e.g. additional headcount, budget, technology). The business case is [BUSINESS_CASE_SUMMARY] and the cost of not investing is [COST_OF_INACTION]. Write a compelling resource request document covering: a one-paragraph executive summary, the business need and current constraint clearly described, the ROI or risk-reduction case in financial terms, the options considered and why this is the preferred one, and a clear and low-friction call to action. Under 400 words.
Prepare a Leadership Speech for a Company Event
You are a leadership speechwriting and delivery coach. I need to give a [DURATION]-minute speech at [EVENT_TYPE] (e.g. annual conference, team away day, awards ceremony, company anniversary). My audience is [AUDIENCE_DESCRIPTION] and my key message is [KEY_MESSAGE]. Write a speech structure and full draft covering: a memorable opening that avoids clichés, a narrative arc with a clear central message, one personal story that illustrates the message, a call to action or memorable closing line, and speaker notes on delivery (where to pause, where to make eye contact, where to slow down). Under [WORD_COUNT] words.
Design a Leadership Storytelling Practice
Act as a leadership storytelling and communication coach. I want to use storytelling more effectively as a leadership tool — in team meetings, presentations, and difficult conversations. I am currently [STORYTELLING_SELF_ASSESSMENT] (e.g. too data-heavy, uncomfortable with personal stories, stories go on too long). Design a leadership storytelling practice covering: the 4 types of leadership stories every leader needs in their library, the story structure that works best for professional contexts, how to mine my career for relevant stories, how to tell a story about a failure that builds rather than damages credibility, and a 30-day storytelling practice to build confidence and a personal story library.