If leadership is about influence, the first second might be your most powerful — or perilous — moment.

Most leaders know the classic advice for briefing a senior executive: keep it short, start with the bottom line, and stay on point. That’s not wrong—but it’s only half the equation.

You worked hard, and you earned the promotion. But now comes the awkward part: Your former peers are now your direct reports… and no one gave you a guidebook.

You were peers—grabbing coffee before meetings, eye-rolling over policy changes, maybe even venting about management. But now, your coworker is now your boss. And to make things more complicated… now you don’t like them.

Perfectionism feels productive, but it quietly holds you back. Learn how to shift from perfect to powerful progress—and lead with greater confidence and clarity.