🧭 Presenting to Leadership? Start With This One Line or Lose Them
Hello Hello!
I don’t know if this is true for most developers, but for a long time, I had this habit: when I explained something, I went all in. I wanted people to understand every single detail — the full picture. Didn’t matter who it was — teammates, clients, my manager — I treated them all the same: deep dive, step-by-step, thorough explanation.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way): Different people care about different parts of the story.
Some want the play-by-play. Others just want the bottom line. And leadership? They often just want to know: “So what?”
Over time, I started to adjust. I began tailoring how I communicated based on who was in front of me. Not in a fake way — but in a focused way.
These days, I still catch myself going too deep. Then I pause and think: Does this person actually need this level of detail? Or am I just trying to explain everything out of habit?
In today’s newsletter, we’re talking about how to shift your mindset when communicating with folks who don’t care much about the technical side — especially when you’re presenting to leadership.
Enjoy,
— Aderson
🧭 Presenting to Leadership? Start With This One Line or Lose Them
You’ve got a big update. You’re presenting to senior leadership — maybe the CTO, maybe a VP, maybe the CEO.
You spent hours polishing your slides. You’re excited. You want to make sure they “get it.”
So you start walking through the background... the sprint history… the data you collected... the approach your team took...
And suddenly, 4 minutes in — they interrupt:
“So… what’s the takeaway?”
“How do I make leadership care about what I’m presenting — right away?”
You don’t need to be flashy. You don’t need fancy slides. You just need to start with the “So what?”
It’s the difference between being heard and being ignored.
3 Reasons to Lead With the “So What?” When Presenting to Leadership
🧠 Leaders Think in Impact, Not Detail
🧭 Clarity Builds Credibility — Fast
🎯 You Control the Narrative (Before Someone Else Does)
🧠 Leaders Think in Impact, Not Detail
Leadership isn’t in the weeds with you. They don’t care about process — they care about outcomes.
What changed?
Why does it matter?
What’s at risk?
What’s the opportunity?
If your presentation starts with a tech deep dive, you lose them. Start with what matters to them.
Example:
Instead of: “Last sprint we refactored the API to improve response time by 60%...” Try: “We reduced dashboard load time by 60%, which means customers will now complete tasks faster — fewer drop-offs, better experience.”
Then go into how it was done (if they ask).
When you start with the “So what?” you immediately connect the dots for them — and they stay with you.
🧭 Clarity Builds Credibility — Fast
Ever seen someone ramble through a presentation, hoping the point becomes clear by slide 6?
Leadership doesn't have time for that.
Opening with the “So what?” shows you're focused, strategic, and self-aware.
It’s like walking into a room and saying:
“Here’s what’s happening. Here’s why it matters. Let me show you how we got there.”
It shows leadership that:
You understand the business
You can filter signal from noise
You respect their time
That’s what builds trust. Not volume. Not detail. Clarity.
🎯 You Control the Narrative (Before Someone Else Does)
If you don’t frame the takeaway clearly, someone else will — and they might miss the point entirely.
Worse, they might:
Assume the impact is smaller than it is
Misinterpret the risk
Focus on the wrong detail
Leading with the “So what?” gives you control.
You decide:
What they remember
What they act on
What story gets repeated
Start strong, and your message sticks.
So What Do You Do Next?
Before your next leadership update, try this 3-step prep:
Write the “So what?” in one sentence. What’s the impact or insight that matters most to them?
Say it first. Out loud. With confidence. Make that your opener — even before your first slide.
Use the rest of your time to support that one key message. Add just enough detail to answer their likely questions — no more.
Final Thoughts
You might be tempted to lead with background, effort, or technical brilliance. But leadership cares most about results — and what comes next.
Open strong. Be clear. Lead with the “So what?”
Personal Updates
😷 I’m a bit under the weather
🤩 I’m excited to go tomorrow Friday 22 to a Q&A at Fan Expo with Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd from Back to the Future. Any fans out there?
“Clarity is the shortcut to influence.” — Brendon Burchard