“Leading from the front.” I can’t take credit for the phrase. But I will say that I know the importance of it.
You can outsource your marketing.
You can delegate operations.
But when it comes to telling your company’s story? That should start with you.
Here’s the truth most leaders miss:
If you’re not the best presenter of your brand, your people won’t be either.
Because leadership isn’t just about making decisions behind closed doors—it’s about owning the message in the spotlight.
Whether you’re in the boardroom, on a keynote stage, or speaking to a team of five, your ability to present with clarity, conviction, and connection sets the tone for everything else.
So, the question becomes: Do you just run the company or do you represent it?
I’ve worked with countless executives across industries, and here’s what I’ve seen over and over again: The most effective leaders aren’t just great at vision. They’re great at voice. And another thing, they invest in becoming better.
One that comes to mind for me is Kent Skornia. Kent is the Founder, President and CEO of Krilogy – a financial services firm in St. Louis, MO. Kent brought me in to lead an Elevate Workshop for his entire company. More impressive that just allowing his people to learn the value of executive presence, presentation and storytelling, is that Kent, himself, took on the Kann Advisory Group “Brand New You” program with his partner John McArthur.
Kent wanted to become a better presenter of the company vision, the company mission and be a better storyteller who could truly influence with his message.
In sharing his goals, Kent made it clear that he wanted to have the same impact as top leaders he had seen on stages around the country.
They know how to command a room, simplify the message, and connect their story to the audience in front of them.
Because when the leader shows up with presence, the whole brand does too.
Too often, I meet CEOs and founders who are brilliant in strategy meetings but uncomfortable in front of an audience. Their slide deck does the talking. Their PR team handles the interviews. But that distance creates a gap.
And in today’s world—a gap in communication is a gap in trust.
Your people want to hear from you.
Your clients want to believe in you.
The market wants to understand you.
And none of that happens through memos or mission statements. It happens in moments. When the spotlight hits. When the room is watching. When the message matters most.
That’s why presentation skills aren’t just a “nice-to-have” for senior leaders. They’re mission critical.
Because your brand has a face. And it’s yours.
We put Kent and John through real world presentation situations, giving them our workbook to help create their own custom message blueprint for speaking success.
Inside our Elevate Workshops and A Brand New You coaching sessions, we work with top leaders to refine their message, strengthen their presence, and build a delivery style that brings the brand to life.
We don’t turn executives into speakers.
We help leaders step into the speaker they already are.
Because whether you’re rallying a team, pitching to investors, or shaping culture from the top—you’ve got to lead from the front.
Final thought:
You can’t expect your people to carry the message if you’re not delivering it first.
So, step forward. Find your voice.
And make sure your brand starts at the top.
Remember This: The most impactful leaders don’t just speak for the brand. They are the brand.
Want to build a leadership team that owns the message and elevates the mission?
Let’s get started: schedule@kannadvisory.com
Own your story. Deliver your message. Elevate your voice.