Click here if you’re a senior leader who’s ready to recalibrate how you’re perceived at the executive level — in the next 90–120 days. The Executive Presence Mastery System may be your logical next step.

Click here to pinpoint the specific area in your executive presence that’s keeping you invisible to senior leadership and guarantees you stay working hard as a pack mule who never gets promoted. Download the Executive Presence Scorecard assessment.

What if people aren’t investing in your idea… but in you? Discover how to prepare for that in today’s episode.

Whether you're pitching a project, leading a team, or trying to gain buy-in at work, most professionals focus too much on the idea itself—and not enough on the psychology behind decision-making. This episode breaks down what truly drives investors, leaders, and stakeholders to say “yes.”

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know from legendary Broadway investor Ken Davenport:

🔥Why passion is the most powerful (and overlooked) driver in persuasion and leadership

🧮How top investors evaluate opportunities—and why people matter more than ideas

🏆Practical ways to influence others by aligning with what they actually care about

Hit play now to learn how to turn your passion into influence and finally get people to believe in—and back—what you’re building.

Remember the 6-Day Executive Presence Reset starts May 4, 2026.

To learn more visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. New Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

Ken Davenport, is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and entrepreneur who has raised over $100 million for the arts and built one of the fastest-growing theatrical companies in the U.S. (Inc. 5000).

His credits include A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (Broadway, North American Tour, Australia), Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway – Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), The Visit (Tony nomination), Mothers and Sons (Tony nomination), The Bridges of Madison County (National Tour), Allegiance, Chinglish, Oleanna starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles, Speed-the-Plow, Will Ferrell’s You’re Welcome America (Tony nomination), Blithe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury (Broadway, West End and National Tour), and 13.

Off-Broadway, Ken has produced JOY: A New True Musical (Book Writer), Daddy Long Legs, Altar Boyz (Co-Conceiver), My First Time (Author), The Awesome 80’s Prom (Creator), That Bachelorette Show! (Creator), and Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage (Author). Ken’s productions have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

564: What Actually Drives Investors, Leaders, And Stakeholders To Say “Yes” So You Can Finally Build True Executive Presence

Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style