579: How to Pitch Your Manager, with Tom Henschel

In this episode of Coaching for Leaders, Dave Stachowiak interviews executive coach Tom Henschel on how to effectively pitch ideas to one's manager. They discuss three key areas: purpose (understanding the manager's perspective and the business case), preference (matching the manager's communication style), and protocol (gathering intel and framing the pitch as a recommendation or options discussion). Tom introduces the concept of altitude, seeing things from a higher level, and a three-step guide for telling a business story: want, obstacle, and resolution. The conversation emphasizes adaptability, understanding the manager's priorities, and presenting ideas in a way that resonates with their decision-making style, while also acknowledging that even a well-crafted pitch may not always guarantee immediate success.