EP35: Will You Let Me Finish?

2025-05-06

Controlling a room full of senior leaders starts with knowing your mission and refusing to let interruptions derail it. So what happens when you walk into a meeting ready to present and the executives start cutting you off before you even reach slide two? Karin Reed knows the feeling, and she offers a smarter way to handle it without losing control or losing your nerve. In this episode, Karin breaks down five practical strategies for staying in charge when senior leaders steer the conversation off course. She shares why setting ...

In this episode, Karin breaks down five practical strategies for staying in charge when senior leaders steer the conversation off course. She shares why setting expectations early can help you hold the room, how trimming your content down to what matters most can work in your favor, and why you should never make a busy executive wait for the point you’re trying to make. Would your presentation land differently if you led with the ‘ask’ instead of saving it for the end? Karin explains why it would and how it changes the way people listen. You’ll also hear smart ways to handle interruptions without giving away control and how to design your slides to flex with the conversation instead of boxing you in.

Karin drives home a simple truth: your voice matters, no matter where you sit on the org chart. When you stay intentional, respectful, and focused, you help leaders make better decisions. And that is exactly why you are in the room.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Mission and Importance of Presentation

02:32 Understanding Senior Leaders’ Intent

04:51 Five Strategies Overview

05:03 Strategy 1: Setting Expectations

07:10 Strategy 2: Be Realistic with Content

10:18 Strategy 3: Don’t Bury the Lead

14:00 Strategy 4: Handling Questions

18:46 Strategy 5: Be Flexible

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