Today’s executive landscape demands more than expertise. It requires precision in how you communicate, compete, and position yourself for what’s next. In this issue, we’re sharing insights you can act on right away: a proven communication framework from an expert to elevate your executive presence.

Level-Up Your Leadership Impact with This Verbal Communication Framework

Last week, I sat down with Ari Butler, communication expert and founder of The AB3 Group, to hear his proven framework for elevating your leadership impact through verbal communication. 

As a communication expert, he's honed this framework after years of working with C-level leaders at firms like Goldman Sachs and BlackRock, as well as with presidential candidates, litigators before the Supreme Court, and even our own chief strategy officer, Michelle Merritt. 

Whether you’re interviewing for a new role, presenting to the board, or leading through high-stakes interactions, this framework helps you connect, influence, and lead with greater impact.

Below is a summary of his three-part framework for elevating your verbal impact and building stronger connections.

1. Credibility

Credibility isn’t earned from your title, it’s built through how you show up under pressure. Leaders demonstrate credibility when they look the part (think executive presence), follow through, and stay composed during tough conversations. Ari reminds leaders that your ability to stay calm and handle pushback without defensiveness is often what sets you apart in the room.

2. Substance

Great communicators make complex ideas easy to follow. Substance is about clarity and structure, knowing exactly what point you want to make, and ensuring everyone leaves the conversation with the same takeaway. Ari suggests focusing on the content that truly matters to your audience, framing your ideas around outcomes, and using stories or examples that reinforce your point rather than overwhelm it.

3. Motivation Alignment

The third part of Ari’s framework focuses on aligning your message with what your audience values most. Ari encourages leaders to shift perspective by starting conversations from the other person’s priorities: What problem are they solving? What decision do they need to make? This alignment builds instant trust and keeps your message relevant.

Too often, leaders speak autobiographically (about themselves) rather than biographically (about their audience). Pro tip: This is especially important for interviews.

As Ari puts it, every interaction is a chance to build trust or lose it. So next time you have a high-stakes presentation or interview, don't forget to leverage credibility, substance, and motivation alignment to build trust, communicate with clarity, and ensure your message lands for your audience. 

See the full interview with Ari Butler on our YouTube channel. 

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