15 Jan • Practice in front of a

JWI505 Business Communications

Assignment 1

Your Leadership Values, Executive Presence, and Winning

JWMI is the place where leaders are made. You’re here to transform your life, lead teams to success, and grow

your organization. As a leader, speaking your leadership values while being present and authentic will help you

to build connections and establish trust with candor.

For this assignment, you will apply the key concepts from Weeks 1- 3 to deliver a video message on your

leadership values, executive presence, and what winning means to you. The video message will provide an

opportunity for you to practice your executive presence and strategic communication skills. This should be a

video of you. No PowerPoint or other props are needed. Your communication should be clear, main points are

simple and easy to recall, the tone is professional, and reflects your leadership values and passionate purpose.

Instructions:

Create a short video, using Zoom. Your video should last 2 to 3 minutes, but no longer than 3 minutes.

1. Identify 1-3 leadership values that are most important to you. Explain the reasons for their importance,

using the below questions as a guide:

a. Why are these values important to you?

b. As a leader, why are these values essential for effective communication?

c. How do these values impact/support your executive presence?

2. Discuss a business leader (other than Jack Welch) who exhibits executive presence.

a. In what ways does this leader exhibit executive presence?

b. What aspects of his or her executive presence appeal to you? Why?

c. How does your leadership style compare to this leader’s?

3. Jack defines winning as, “Growing yourself, your organization, and your teams.” Describe what winning means for you.

a. What does winning look like for you?

b. Why is it important to you?

c. How do your leadership values support winning for you?

4. Present your video using strategic communication skills and with Executive Presence. See the Best

Practices below to guide you in achieving this.

Executive Presence and Strategic Communication Best Practices:

Remember to focus on utilizing and exhibiting the following:

ü State your intent and purpose at the onset

ü Speak confidently, expressively, with passionate purpose and energy

ü Be authentic and fully present in an engaging manner

ü Build connection with your audience

ü Exude your Executive Presence by looking professional (business casual or business attire)

ü Make sure your background is free from clutter (you do not want to distract your audience)

ü Make sure your surroundings are quiet (i.e. no children, animals, cars, or other extraneous noise in

the background)

ü Communication is organized, logically flows, uses “beginnings and endings,” and other appropriate

strategies to deliver strong, clear communication

Suggestions:

• Practice in front of a trusted colleague, friend, or family member, asking for feedback on your vocal

and physical presence, and the effect your message had on them

• To get the best results with Zoom, please work on a computer rather than a mobile device or iPad

Optional Professor Coaching:

Schedule time with your professor to watch your video together and discuss its elements. You will explore intent

vs. impact and receive growth-focused feedback. You should use this feedback to continue honing your

communication skills and Executive Presence.