Generating Leadership Connection and Presence with Gregory Derelian and Peter Katona

With the pandemic has come a new reality: having to lead, virtually, through Zoom. And then the inevitable happens: ‘Zoom fatigue’… skewing any real sense of connection. 

Understanding (and applying) executive presence helps create the deep and lasting connections that are so needed in these times.   

Gregory Derelian and Peter Katona are co-founders of ADVOgroup, a boutique communications consultancy based in Los Angeles, that focuses on authentic connection and developing behavioral changes in their clients that last.  

In this episode, Greg and Peter share their expertise in tackling communication challenges that prevent leaders from truly engaging and connecting with their people. They have translated the most effective principles of performance into a methodology designed to tackle the greatest communication challenges in the world beyond the stage. 

What you will learn from this episode: 

Learn how to move people on a deeper human level as a purposeful leader  Discover an actionable understanding of Kinection Address how ‘Zoom Fatigue’ is affecting engagement and connection in this ‘new normal’ set-up

“As a leader, set your intention to connect.”  

– Peter Katona

Topics Covered:

01:53 – What is ADVO Group all about and what do they to as executive coaches? 

03:13 – What is Kinesthetic Awareness and how does it lead to a greater and deeper level of connection with who they’re speaking with? 

06:27 – Addressing ‘Zoom Fatigue’ with engagement and connection 

08:23 – Where often do leaders fail in leading their team members? 

10:13 – Why lead from a strategic lens and not just from an operational lens angle 

11:44 – Actionable tip for leaders to improve their ability to connect, influence, be authentic: Elevate someone’s sense of your own belief system, your own value set, and we call it the Think, Believe and Know method. 

14:19 – Set your intention to connection 

15:40 – An important idea that they make their client understand and encourage to imbibe 

16:44 – Should we all be seeing executive presence in a different light given the pandemic and the cultural shift, at least that you’re seeing in the US when it comes to Black Lives Matter, and there is a huge cultural shift happening here? 

17:44 – How to exude an authentic executive presence? 

18:58 – Watch TED talk: Lead Like The Great Conductors

Key Takeaways:

“Our body and spaces come from our world of performance, our body and space, and the impact it has on those around us through the choices we’re making, either consciously or unconsciously. And so we believe that if we can tune their awareness to that we can begin to work with them from an inside out approach.” 

“Let’s find the way that’s authentic to you. Because for us, so much of it is about authenticity. And we don’t want to just offer tips and tricks that can be layered or lacquered on top of someone’s existing ethos.” 

“What we’re finding over and over again, is, leaders who are leading these Zoom meetings or virtual meetings, they don’t necessarily have the skill set to be able to connect with the audience that they’re speaking with. And so it is so important, especially today to really be really intentional about your ethos.” 

“Connection to us is the key to successful communication, I believe, successful communication and the best people who can do that tend to be the best leaders.” 

“Very clear boundaries and expectations, it makes a huge difference for the people who attend those meetings, and for the people who lead them.”

Connect with Greg Derelian and Peter Katona:

Website: http://www.advogroupinc.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advogroup-inc. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advogroupinc Twitter: https://twitter.com/advogroupinc