As a Communications Strategist with over six decades of experience and Founder of the Vocal Awareness Institute, I’ve had the privilege of guiding champions from all walks of life—from the boardroom to the playing field, and from the theatrical stage to the broadcast studio. I’ve worked with Olympic Gold Medalists, Hall of Famers, Tony and Academy Award winners, and Chairmen of Boards. No matter the platform, the common thread among those who achieve leadership excellence is 'A Champion Does It Differently'.

The following are five Vocal Awareness axioms and tips that are woven throughout the character and practice of each individual who has fulfilled and maximized his/her vision and ability and achieved leadership excellence:

1. Never Simply 'Go Through the Motions'

Routine is never just routine. To achieve leadership excellence, each practice and repetition should be done with intention. In sports or the arts, this is easy to grasp because the work is measurable—performance can be reviewed through videos or with the guidance of a coach. In business, however, how can you refine your practice without daily coaching? One method is becoming your own teacher. Record yourself during business meetings or presentations, then review to see how you can improve. Tools like video rehearsals or even practicing in front of a mirror can help you develop the discipline essential for leadership excellence.

2. Have a Clear Vision and Purpose

In Vocal Awareness, we emphasize that excellence is both ethical and integral. To achieve leadership excellence, you must be clear on who you are and what you want to achieve, both in the short and long term. Start by creating a Persona Statement—your personal brand—how you want to be known. In business, you write a business plan. Similarly, in Vocal Awareness, we encourage leaders to craft a Vision Statement with specific goals and a timeline of one and five years. These benchmarks will help you stay focused on your path to leadership excellence.

3. Establish Structure

Every leader who excels has structure in place. In Vocal Awareness, we use an exercise called "168 hours" (7x24) to help individuals evaluate how they spend their time weekly. Understanding how your time is spent allows you to create a system that leads to leadership excellence. Remember, Structure does not impinge; it liberates. Freedom without direction is chaos.

4. BE in Mastery

To be a leader who embodies leadership excellence, you must integrate mind, body, and spirit into everything you do. In Vocal Awareness, we call this "being in Stature." This is not merely about good posture but rather embodying your true essence. Practice affirmations like, "I am an extraordinary person, and I do extraordinary things." Although it might feel unnatural at first, it’s a step toward personal mastery—one of the core tenets of leadership excellence.

5. Believe in Who You Are

True leadership excellence comes from unwavering belief in yourself. This requires perseverance, discipline, and the willingness to confront doubt and fear. Champions in any field never let fear stop them—they do whatever it takes to excel, even when others doubt them. As you work on your path to leadership excellence, embrace incremental progress rather than striving for perfection. The journey toward excellence is about consistent effort and growth, not giant leaps.

The legendary football coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant once said, “If you believe in yourself, have dedication and pride, and never quit, you will be a Champion. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.” The same holds true for those seeking leadership excellence.

Want to take your leadership to the next level? Join the Vocal Awareness Leadership Academy.