CORPORATE AMERICA EA NS GHTS I I BEHIND THE WALLS OF
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situational awareness continued
When an executive starts an email with “How are you” and then follows it with something sharp or unexpected, it can compound the reader’s mental load. It disrupts the peace they were trying to create for their week. Leaders must be intentional. Their words matter. How, when, and where they show up makes all the difference. Here’s how situational awareness breaks down when it isn’t embedded in everyday leadership. failure to read the room Executive visibility and the impact of behavior is often underestimated. Optics cannot be ignored. They send signals and blur boundaries. Everything a leader does sends a message. People watch more than they listen. lack of role awareness Situational awareness means knowing how you show up and how others experience you. When you lead a team or organization, especially in people-centered roles, your actions shape the culture you say you value. Modeling clarity, trust, and professionalism is not optional. It is the baseline. ally presence Strategic allies [i.e. EAs, chiefs of staff, or senior communicators] help shape how leaders show up and support presence. EAs trained in situational awareness serve as early warning systems. They notice patterns. They catch missteps. When something needs attention, they flag it with grace. They signal quietly, with intention, to protect the executive’s message and reputation.
EAs pick up signals, surface patterns, and protect time for dynamic thinking. We know when to ask, direct delegation or hit pause. That’s how velocity works. It’s not rushing. It’s moving with intention.
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