From Engineer to Executive: Master Executive Presence, Own Your Space, and Scale Your Career

In a world where success often feels like a race to the top, true leadership is a journey built on vision, resilience, and connection. Today, we're joined by Camille Batiste, an executive who redefined what it means to lead. From her roots as a chemical engineer in Jamaica to becoming a Senior Vice President at a global corporation, Camille's story isn't just about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about building one for others. Most leaders talk about resilience, Camille lives it. Through every pivot, challenge, and major transformation, she has a proven framework for growth without burnout. We dive into her non-negotiable mantra for success, and why showing up with intention is the key to unlocking your true potential. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Power of Observation: Why the smartest or hardest working person isn't always the one who gets promoted. Learn the surprising behaviors that high-impact leaders are modeling and how to apply them to your own career. The Mindset of a Leader: The pivotal shift from being an individual contributor to an enabler of others. Camille shares what she had to unlearn to lead a multibillion-dollar transformation and how to get out of the weeds and into a position of influence. Owning Your Space: How to demonstrate executive presence and find your voice in male-dominated rooms. Camille shares the life-changing moment that ignited her trajectory from manager to Vice President, and why a single conversation can be a catalyst for your entire career. The Unspoken Rules of Leadership: The critical importance of seeking honest feedback and strategically building a network of sponsors who will advocate for you when you're not in the room. This is the hidden "extra work" that separates those who get seen from those who remain invisible. The 5-Step Framework for Getting Ahead: A practical, proven approach to leadership development that goes beyond the "how-to" and focuses on the "how to get there." We break down the philosophy of Grow Up, Step Up, Show Up, Speak Up, and Level Up and why these actions are non-negotiable for lasting success. Key Takeaways from Camille: The Job Changes as You Go Up: As a leader, your role is not to be the expert in the details, but to enable and advocate for your team. Believe the Story: As a leader, you must have full buy-in to the vision you're selling. If you don't believe it, your team won't either. Find Your Truth-Tellers: Seek out people who will provide honest, constructive feedback—not just praise. This is the fastest way to grow. Behave Like the Thing You Want: Start acting, talking, and thinking like an enterprise leader before you are one. This mental and physical shift is what makes your next opportunity possible. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Networking and Strategic Relationships 01:01 Meet Camille Batiste: From Engineer to Executive 02:56 Early Career and Educational Choices 05:22 Transitioning from Technical Expertise to Leadership 08:42 Redefining Procurement at Archer Daniels Midland 13:13 Unlearning and Adapting to New Leadership Roles 19:15 Building Confidence and Embracing Leadership Potential 24:35 Observing and Emulating Leadership 26:30 Advice for Leaders Feeling Invisible 27:52 Setting Aspirations and Seeking Feedback 28:38 The Importance of Networking and Visibility 30:21 Mindset Shifts for Emerging Leaders 31:57 The Five-Step Leadership Framework 37:01 Case Studies and Coaching Insights 45:53 Conclusion and Resources Connect with Camille Batiste: Website: https://www.camillebatiste.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-batiste/ Special Offer for Listeners: Download Camille's free ebook, "The Five Reasons You Aren't Getting Promoted," to unleash your potential and transform your career. https://www.camillebatiste.com/services Connect With Tonya Gossage: Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/little-rock... LinkedIn: / tonyagossage Gossage Consulting Website: https://www.gossageconsulting.com/ Subscribe to My Newsletter: Influence & Growth Weekly: / influence-growth-weekly-7339697604038967296 Join The Power Connectors (Free Executive Plan): https://www.thepowerconnectors.org/join #Leadership #ExecutivePresence #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #Mindset #CEOLife #CareerAdvice #Networking #WomenInLeadership #EngineerToExecutive #CorporateCareer #CareerTransition #PersonalGrowth #ShowUpSpeakUpLevelUp #ExecutiveCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerProgression #HowToGetPromoted #HowToGetNoticedAtWork #LeadershipSkills #LeadershipMindset