In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman explores two subtle leadership styles that quietly undermine trust at the senior executive level. She unpacks patterns that often come from a place of integrity and commitment, yet can stall followership and enterprise impact: the Debate Gladiator and the Deflector.

Drawing on real executive coaching insights, Elizabeth explains why some senior leaders win arguments but lose influence, and why others unintentionally weaken credibility by avoiding ownership of tough decisions. This episode challenges aspiring C-suite leaders to rethink how they show up when stakes are high and trade-offs are real.

You’ll learn:

• The “Debate Gladiator” trap, why fighting every battle signals limited enterprise thinking
• The critical shift from “no, here’s why it won’t work” to “if it could work, what would that look like?”
• The Deflector pattern, how sidestepping ownership erodes trust and accountability

At the highest levels, leaders are paid to build the whole puzzle, not just defend their piece of it. This offers a clear lens into the internal mindset shift required to move from strong functional leader to trusted enterprise executive.

For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website, take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment, and subscribe to Executiveland on so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook!

Past Episode Mentioned: Ep 10 - The Executive Impact Formula: Master Effortless Executive Influence

Grow Your Executive Impact: Registration for Spring 2026 E-Suite Impact is now open – register before March 31 for preferred early rates. For details and to sign up, please visit 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

In this episode of Welcome to Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman is joined by Mark Berthiaume, former CIO and Chief Admin Officer at Hanover Insurance. With a career spanning over four decades, Mark has a unique perspective on the evolution of leadership. He shares his journey from early days as a computer programmer to navigating executive roles, and his ultimate transition from an IT-focused leader to a business executive with IT within his purview. Today, he leverages this hard-won perspective in his roles across multiple private and nonprofit boards.

You’ll explore:

• The critical evolution from IT leadership to broader business leadership
• Why aligning business strategy with IT is essential for organizational success
• The indispensable role of mentorship, leadership development, and succession planning
• How Mark’s personal leadership evolution and mentoring shaped his path
• The value of learning from mistakes on the way to the C-suite

This episode offers a grounded roadmap for elevating your leadership, whether you’re leading a team or navigating your own path to the C-suite.

For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website, take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment, and subscribe to Executiveland on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook!

Grow Your Executive Impact: Registration for Spring 2026 E-Suite Impact is now open – register before March 31 for preferred early rates. For details and to sign up, please visit 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

Too many smart, capable executives find themselves blindsided when change hits, whether it's a reorg, a new CEO, or a shift in market strategy. Suddenly, their roles are vulnerable. In this episode, Elizabeth Freedman explains why even top-performing leaders need to invest in their careers before they need to, and what high-impact executives do differently to stay ready, relevant, and in control.

This is a candid episode for any senior leader navigating change, considering their next move, or looking to stay one step ahead of the unexpected.

You will learn:

• Why waiting for the "right time" to focus on your career is a risk, not a strategy
• What strong career infrastructure looks like at the executive level
• How to pressure-test your story, your value, and your visibility outside your company
• The critical difference between performance feedback and reputation feedback
• How to manage the "inner game" of executive transition and decision-making

Whether you are actively in transition or simply thinking ahead, this episode offers a grounded approach to protecting your most valuable asset: your career.

For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website, take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment, and subscribe to Executiveland on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook!

Grow Your Executive Impact: Registration for Spring 2026 E-Suite Impact is now open – register before March 31 for preferred early rates. For details and to sign up, please visit 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