Jim Rohn once said, “Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.”

For many technology leaders, this quote hits home. You’ve mastered the technical side of your role—whether it’s IT, AI, or cybersecurity—but when it comes to speaking in meetings, presenting to executives, or explaining complex projects to non-technical audiences, it’s tempting to wish communication came as naturally as coding or system design.

But wishing doesn’t move the needle. Work does.

The leaders who stand out in today’s fast-moving, high-stakes tech environment aren’t always the most brilliant engineers in the room. They’re the ones who’ve done the work to make their message clear, their presence strong, and their voice heard.

Why Speaking Matters More Than Ever for Leaders

Technology is driving every industry forward. As a leader, you’re tasked not only with understanding complex systems but also with helping others understand their impact.

That means you need to:

• Present updates to senior leadership or the board.

• Lead meetings where you align technical and non-technical teams.

• Calmly communicate during high-pressure situations, like outages or security incidents.

In these moments, your technical brilliance isn’t enough. If your team doesn’t understand your direction—or if executives can’t follow your reasoning—you lose influence, momentum, and credibility. Speaking effectively isn’t a “soft skill.” It’s a leadership skill.

The Cost of Wishing vs. the Reward of Working

Think about two leaders in the same company:

• One wings every presentation. They speed through slides, rely on jargon, and hope their title carries the weight. Their message gets lost, and so does their influence.

• The other leader prepares intentionally. They know their audience, simplify complex concepts, and communicate with calm confidence. Their team feels aligned. Their executives feel confident in their leadership.

Both have the same technical expertise. The difference isn’t talent—it’s effort. The second leader didn’t wish they were a better communicator. They did the work.

Three Shifts to Become the Leader People Listen To

Here are three ways you can stop wishing and start working on your communication skills:

1. Trade Complexity for Clarity

Your team already knows you’re smart. Your executives already trust you with technical depth. What they need is clarity. Strip out jargon and explain your ideas in a way that makes sense to your audience.

Clarity doesn’t mean “dumbing down.” It means respecting your listener’s perspective enough to do the hard work of simplifying without losing meaning.

2. Practice Like You Mean It

Most leaders wouldn’t dream of walking into a high-stakes technical demo without preparation. Yet they walk into leadership meetings hoping their communication “just works.”

Practice isn’t just for big keynotes or conferences. It’s for your Monday team meeting, your quarterly updates, your one-on-ones. Rehearse the key points. Say them out loud. Record yourself. The calm confidence you’re looking for doesn’t come from wishing—it comes from repetition.

3. Seek Feedback and Apply It

No system gets better without testing. The same is true of speaking. Ask a trusted colleague for feedback. Notice when people look confused. Watch recordings of your own meetings. Then, make adjustments.

Growth comes from iteration. Just like you would with any technical project, use feedback to improve your performance over time.

From Good to Great Leadership Presence

Jim Rohn’s wisdom is simple but transformative: wishing won’t change anything. Doing the work will.

The best tech leaders know their job isn’t just to manage systems—it’s to lead people. And leadership is amplified by communication.

So don’t wish you were a better communicator. Become one.

Ready to Put This Into Practice?

If you’re ready to trade wishing for working, join me for my upcoming webinar:

Prime Your Presence: How to Show Up with Confidence, Clarity & Calm
📅 Tuesday, August 27, 2025
🕓 4:00 PM Eastern

In just 45 minutes, you’ll discover practical ways to elevate your speaking presence, build calm confidence before any meeting, and make your message resonate—whether you’re presenting to your team or the C-suite.

👉 Click here to save your seat

Don’t wish it was easier. Step into the leader your voice allows you to be.