Making a Lasting Impression on Your Executive Leader During First Meetings
- Priya Venkatesan
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
You receive a calendar invite for a one-o-one meeting with your top boss.
You cannot think of anything else after that.
Your mind chatter does not end - what should I say? What should I not say? How to leave a lasting impression? How not to leave a bad impression....the questions are endless.
You want to be prepared. This is an important meeting.
What to keep in mind as you do so?
What would you like the outcome of the meeting to be?
How much time you have got?
What is the most important thing you want to say?
Once you have clarity, here are a few pointers that could help you case
Elevator pitch
Since it's the first meeting, a short elevator pitch needs to be prepared well and presented succinctly. You may want to craft it according to your role, the impactful work that you (quote recent achievements), your strengths, passion areas etc. A little titbit about you that is not well know can also help in remembering you. Executive attention span is low. So play accordingly.
Listening to the other
If you are going to sit in the meeting all the time wondering about you, you lost the plot. Listen to what your executive is saying - their vision, the strategy, how they want you to contribute, a bit about their style and what they value. This requires you top be present and not in your head.
Aspirations & Support
Share your aspiration and what you need their support on. Make it in line with the strengths and passion you talked about in elevator pitch. Pull support Vs Push support.
How can you help?
The executive would have shared their vision/ agenda. Tell them how you can help further their cause. Ask them how they would like to touch base on progress. Ask them - whats the one thing they would feel happy about accompling in the next 1 year. What does success mean to them?
Be a human first
Inside every role, there is a human. Talk to the human and not just the role. Acknowledge, Respond, Reciprocate, Respect. Make your knowledge and experience flow in the service of the person in front of you.
What works for you when you meet your executive the first time?
