Mary Lou Andre, founder and CEO of Dressing Well, joins Elizabeth to explore the often-overlooked power of executive image. Drawing from decades of experience coaching senior leaders, Mary Lou shares how clothing, grooming, and etiquette are not just surface-level details, they’re strategic communication tools that support leadership performance and presence.

Together, they unpack what executive image really means today, why “fit, fabric, function, and flair” still hold up, and how to handle situations where appearance gets in the way of performance or perception.

You’ll explore:

• Why executive image is a communication tool, not a vanity project
• The subtle signals leaders send with poor fit or “anything goes” looks
• The three words that should guide how you dress: appropriateness, boundaries, and respect
• How to eliminate decision fatigue and show up ready, every time
• The real reason image impacts confidence, trust, and credibility

To learn more about Mary Lou’s insights visit dressingwell.com. And for more strategies and tools to lead with greater impact, visit Elizabeth’s website, take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment, and subscribe to Executiveland!

Mary Lou’s Links:
www.dressingwell.com
IG @marylouandrestyle
Linked In | Mary Lou Andre

Grow Your Executive Impact: Learn the Effortless Executive Influence System
Registration Now Open: Program for E-Suite Impact: Next Cohort Starts January 22 (early bird thru 2025)
Enroll today: https://esuiteleader.com/impact-program

• Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment
• Website: https://esuiteleader.com/
• Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman
• Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader

Everyone says they want IT to be strategic. But what happens when the business doesn’t know what it actually needs and the CIO can’t get in the room? Kevin Dushney has led IT across nine biotech companies. He knows what it takes to drive value as CIO when your seat at the table isn’t guaranteed, the business moves fast, and the tech budget comes with scrutiny.

In this episode, Kevin Dushney joins Elizabeth Freedman to talk straight about what works and what backfires when it comes to earning trust, building influence, and delivering outcomes that actually stick.

You’ll explore:

• What to do when you've delivered, but the business isn’t satisfied
• How CIOs earn trust and drive business results without the title
• The hidden cost of “solving problems on your own” across functions
• A better way to define success, and avoid the “post-mortem letdown”

Looking for more? Visit Elizabeth’s website for free resources, take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment, and subscribe to Executive Land so you’re always one step ahead of the unwritten playbook!å

Grow Your Executive Impact: Learn the Effortless Executive Influence System
Registration Now Open: Program for E-Suite Impact: Next Cohort Starts January 22 (early bird thru 2025)
Enroll today: https://esuiteleader.com/impact-program

• Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment
• Website: https://esuiteleader.com/
• Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman
• Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader

Influence is the #1 topic that comes up in the coaching room, and not just for aspiring leaders. Even experienced senior executives often say the same thing: influencing at the highest levels feels harder than it should. In this episode, Elizabeth Freedman breaks down why that is, and what leaders can do to shift the effort they’re putting in, without overexplaining, overpreparing, or overthinking.

You’ll learn:

• Why influence at the executive level is multi-dimensional
• The subtle mistake of communicating to roles instead of people
• The hidden cost of compensation strategies like overpreparing, escalating and too much detail
• Three simple, practical shifts leaders can make today to increase executive influence

For those looking to sharpen their executive presence and increase impact across stakeholders, this episode offers a clear, actionable roadmap. Learn more about E-Suite Impact, Elizabeth’s advanced leadership program for senior leaders at the website!

Grow Your Executive Impact: Learn the Effortless Executive Influence System
Registration Now Open: Program for E-Suite Impact: Next Cohort Starts January 22 (early bird thru 2025)
Enroll today: https://esuiteleader.com/impact-program

• Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment
• Website: https://esuiteleader.com/
• Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman
• Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader