Communication isn’t a soft skill—it’s a crucial leadership skill.

In this episode of Let’s Talk, People, Emmy-winning journalist turned executive communications coach, Jane Hanson, joins Emily to unpack what it really takes to communicate with clarity, presence, and influence in today’s distracted, high-stakes world.

They dig into what “executive presence” actually means (and what it doesn’t), why being present is one of the most underrated leadership tools, and how to use storytelling to drive buy-in.

From navigating virtual meetings to inspiring confidence under pressure, Jane offers tactical advice, powerful reminders, and a little tough love for leaders ready to up their communication game.

Timestamps:

• [00:10:51] – Presence Over Performance: Jane explains why true communication starts with presence, and how to train yourself to drop in, cut the noise, and connect in real time.
• [00:18:19] – How to Run a Meeting People Actually Want to Join: Jane shares her formula for virtual team meetings that are clear, concise, and engaging, including her rule for cameras on and how to build real connection in the first five minutes.
• [00:23:12] – Stop the Monologue: Matching Message to Medium: How to know when to use a live meeting versus a written update and why so many managers misuse meeting time.
• [00:29:09] – If You Want to Be Heard, Tell a Story: Jane shares how storytelling, not just data, helps managers communicate upwards in a way that resonates and drives change.
• [00:32:38] – Executive Presence, Redefined: Forget gravitas. Jane unpacks the real components of executive presence from confidence and clarity to calm in a crisis, and how leaders can build it intentionally.

Access the episode transcript.

Join the Conversation: This year, we’re taking audience questions! Send in your toughest people management and leadership challenges, and we’ll anonymize them and tackle them in an upcoming episode. Email Abigail on our Let’s Talk, People team with your situation as a written note or voice memo to [email protected].

Connect with Emily Frieze-Kemeny on LinkedIn and Instagram or explore her work through AROSE Group’s website.

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