ACT: How to Show Up Like an Executive in Meetings 

ACT: How to Show Up Like an Executive in Leadership Meetings 

This Is Still Hard for Me Today 

Even after years of sitting in leadership meetings, I still find this challenging. My natural instinct is to absorb, reflect, and then offer well-considered responses. But in executive conversations, there’s rarely time for that. People want quick insights, fast decisions, and immediate reactions.

If I don’t prepare, I don’t add much value in the moment. I need time to think through what’s on the table. That’s why, before every important meeting, I make sure I get pre-work done. I ask for the agenda, review the data we’ll discuss, and think through potential questions or challenges in advance. This way, I’m not just sitting back and observing—I’m ready to act.

Over time, I realized I needed a simple framework to remind myself of how to engage like an executive in the room. That’s where ACT comes in:

✔ Add Value

✔ Challenge Constructively

✔ Think Strategically

I keep this in my head (or even on a post-it) during meetings to ensure I’m showing up in the right way. 

A – Add Value 💡

Executives don’t speak just to be heard. They contribute in ways that move the conversation forward. If you’re just agreeing with everyone or repeating what’s been said, you’re wasting space.

Before you speak, ask yourself:

✅ Am I adding something new to the discussion?

✅ Am I clarifying, deepening, or expanding on the current topic?

✅ Am I bringing a different perspective or a real solution?

🚫 What NOT to do:

• Saying “I agree” without adding anything new.

• Nodding along and waiting to be called on.

• Rambling without making a clear point.

🎤 Instead, try this:

🔹 “That’s a great point. One thing we should also consider is…”

🔹 “Here’s a different way we might approach this…”

🔹 “If we go in this direction, what are the risks we’re not thinking about?”

Being prepared ahead of time makes this easier. If you’ve reviewed the agenda, you’ll already have ideas and questions ready to go.

C – Challenge Constructively 🎯

Executives don’t just go along with the plan—they pressure-test ideas to make sure the best decision is made. But challenging something doesn’t mean being difficult or negative. It means asking the right questions and looking for potential blind spots. 

This is where new leaders tend to go wrong. 

One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was getting stuck in my area of ownership. I was leading a project team, and every time a big idea came up, I thought about how it impacted our projects, roadmap, and next steps. 

So when the CEO threw out a bold new idea, my immediate response was:

❌ “That’s not going to work because...”

❌ “We don’t have the bandwidth to do that.”

❌ “Here’s why this is unrealistic.”

Even if I was right, nobody wanted to hear it. 

Executives think beyond their own lane. They don’t just see roadblocks—they look for ways around them. Instead of shutting an idea down, they explore possibilities and help shape solutions.

🔥 Instead, try this:

🔹 “I see the vision here—what would need to be true for this to work?”

🔹 “That’s an exciting idea. What are the biggest risks we need to solve for?”

🔹 “What’s the minimum viable way we could test this?”

Before you challenge, ask yourself:

✅ Am I thinking about the business as a whole, not just my area?

✅ Am I helping the idea evolve instead of blocking it?

✅ Am I offering a solution, not just pointing out problems? 

Executives don’t just say ‘no.’ They say, ‘how?’ 

T – Think Strategically 🔭

Executives aren’t just focused on today’s meeting—they’re thinking about how decisions impact the business months or years down the line. In every discussion, they are connecting the dots between what’s happening now and what’s coming next.

Before you contribute, ask yourself:

✅ How does this decision impact the company in the next 6-12 months?

✅ Is this solving a short-term issue, or does it align with long-term strategy?

✅ Are we thinking big enough, or are we stuck in execution mode?

🚫 What NOT to do:

• Getting lost in the details without stepping back.

• Only thinking about your department instead of the business as a whole.

• Assuming someone else will bring up the long-term perspective.

🧠 Instead, try this:

🔹 “How does this decision align with our broader company goals?”

🔹 “Is this solving the real problem, or just a symptom of a bigger issue?”

🔹 “If we say yes to this, what are we saying no to?”

Thinking strategically in meetings makes you stand out. It shows that you’re not just working in the business—you’re working on the business.

How to Use ACT in Every Meeting

If you’re like me and need time to process, this framework helps you stay engaged, proactive, and valuable—even in fast-paced discussions.

💡 Before the meeting:

✅ Ask for the agenda and review any materials ahead of time.

✅ Think about questions or risks you want to raise.

✅ Have at least one key point you want to contribute.

💡 During the meeting:

✅ Add value by speaking up with insights, not just reactions.

✅ Challenge ideas constructively to help shape better decisions.

✅ Think strategically and connect today’s conversation to the bigger picture.

💡 After the meeting:

✅ Follow up on key takeaways to show leadership and accountability.

✅ Reflect on how you showed up—did you add value? Did you challenge? Did you think strategically?

Final Thought: ACT Like an Executive , 

I still have to remind myself of this in every meeting. My instinct is to take things in, process, and respond later—but that doesn’t always work in leadership settings. Executives don’t just observe. They engage, challenge, and think ahead—and that’s exactly what ACT helps you do. 

So, before your next meeting, write it down. ACT. Put it on a sticky note. Stick it to your screen. Then show up like an executive. 🚀