Personal Connections
This month’s coaching conversation follows a leader who worries that he’s not very adept when it comes to creating personal connections. He and Tom explore two skills and one mindset that will help ease his way. Related…
The Look & Sound of Leadership
Ever wonder why some people just seem to command a room, their ideas landing with clarity and respect, while others with equal talent struggle to be heard? That gap between capability and perception is exactly where The Look & Sound of Leadership lives. Hosted by Tom Henschel of Essential Communications, this isn't a theoretical lecture; it's a practical, ongoing conversation rooted in real executive coaching. Each episode feels like a private session, breaking down the subtle, often overlooked behaviors that shape how you're seen by colleagues, boards, and teams. You'll hear specific language shifts, physical presence adjustments, and communication frameworks that translate intention into impact. Whether navigating a difficult feedback conversation, leading a hybrid meeting, or simply wanting your contributions to carry more weight, this podcast provides actionable tools. It’s for anyone in the business world who believes leadership is a skill you hone, not just a title you hold. Tune in for thoughtful, nuanced discussions that move beyond generic advice, helping you align your professional presence with your ambitions.
Episodes
Psychological Safety
This month’s coaching conversation explores how leaders can foster psychological safety. Teams high in both safety and accountability enter a “Learning Zone” where high performance follows naturally. In this month’s conv…
Giving Upward Feedback
This month’s coaching conversation explores whether feedback should be given upwards in the first place. If so, are there ways to deliver upward feedback effectively? In the commentary, Tom tells a story about the famous…
Learnings From Video
This month’s coaching conversation follows a client exploring a surprising use for video, plus a game of imagination. The Marshmallow Test is explained in “Self-Awareness & Self-Management” Core Concepts in this episode:…
The Intentional Leader
This month’s coaching conversation wrestles with the obstacles that arise when you try listening to people who think out loud – often at great length! This month’s coaching conversation is wide-ranging. It includes a lea…
Connecting Over Video
SHOWNOTES: This month’s coaching conversation is with a leader who wants to keep strong connections despite the quarantine. She and Tom explore the barriers that make connecting over video so difficult. Four essentials t…
Branding Yourself
This month’s coaching conversation explores how to project your personal brand into the workplace. When done well it can seem like a Jedi mind trick – but it’s really just personal branding. Here are the five links Tom m…
Pursuing A Promotion 2020
This month’s coaching conversation is with a high-performer who was passed over for a promotion. Together, she and Tom identify tools to make sure she doesn’t get passed over again. Core Concepts in this episode: > Aisha…
Coaching Under Attack
This month’s coaching conversation isn’t so much a conversation as a fencing match. A newly installed president grills Tom about the coaching he’s been delivering at her company for years. There are two different strands…
Thinking Errors
This month’s coaching conversation examines phrases we use that lead us into self-deception. Tom and his client explore why thinking errors so often remain invisible and, once revealed, what other words might be possible…
