Yesterday I delivered a talk to the VA Society of Human Resource Management annual conference.  The topic was

Multiplying Your Strategic Impact–Trust+ Expertise.  I explained that you can design the most impressive strategies ever known and if the senior leaders can not “hear” what you are saying, it does not matter how good they are.  You will not be able to get your point across unless you have developed the type of relationship with the c-suite where they know:
* the work you do will help the company create breakout performance
* you understand them, have their backs, and care about their success as people –not just how the company is doing

The first bullet requires your experience, wisdom and skill (your expertise).  The second bullet requires you to build a trusted advisor relationship

The bulk of the seminar showed how to produce both these ingredients.

I think it was a big hit.  So, if anyone knows of a group that could use a speaker to the opportunity to review this, let me know.  I would love to share the learning