Learn the Most Important Aspect of Positioning

Lisa Marie Platske • March 12, 2019

 

Words have always fascinated me for many reasons.


First, when I think about how a thought can be transferred into the spoken word to express an idea, I’m in awe.


Second, when I examine how choosing the precise word to express an individual thought so that your message is communicated and heard carries so much weight, I’m equally in awe.


And, third, when I think about how words can make you less attractive or more attractive, I’m somewhat daunted – and in awe.


It’s a power tool…one that need to be used with great thought, attention and care.


You can be incredibly brilliant.


You can be highly skilled, trained or educated.


You can even be called to do the work you do.


Yet, if you can’t take your thoughts and transfer them into statements that make people sit up and pay attention, you’re going to have a hard time being fully seen for your brilliance.


Words have the power to communicate what you do so that others lean in and take notice.


Many people freeze up when they are asked, “What do you do?”


Or, worse, they answer by offering up some 30-second pitch after spending hours to come up with the “perfect” answer that either makes them sound arrogant or wishy-washy.


This is why the art of positioning, one of the three (3) components of executive presence, is critical to success.


Positioning enables you to choose the right words to communicate the power, value and brilliance you provide.


It is a gentle balance of combining humanity and expertise, vulnerability and credentials so that you’re heard.


Introduced in 1969 by Jack Trout – Positioning is defined as “an organized system for finding a window in the mind…”


When you open your mouth you’re either positioning or de-positioning yourself by the words you choose.


Only about 5% of the population gets this right.


I’ve done 100’s of hours of research on this topic, and it’s not a marketing fad.


It is understanding the science behind how people hire – and why they would want to work with you.


Positioning is different than being visible.


When I had red/white/blue nails and long blond hair, I was visible – and I wasn’t seen for who I was nor what I could do.


And, just because you’re the loudest voice doesn’t mean people hear you.


Brain science and basic physiology have revealed that certain words are virtually unhearable when spoken or put together.


Once I learned how to position myself, I became the fastest promoted officer in my Federal law enforcement agency.


Over the years the art of positioning has also opened countless doors in my business, including my 1st $50,000 contract which I secured within 6 months of opening my business.


Positioning – part of Pillar #5 of my 7 Pillars of Leadership – is a topic we focus on for several hours during my annual Design Your Destiny Live event.


Ultimately, the purpose behind the implementation of positioning is that you want to be fully seen and heard so you can be valued, appreciated, and rewarded for your brilliance.


Action:

The Upside Challenge of the week is pay attention to how you speak about yourself and the work you do. What words and phrases do you use? Can you see how they position or de-position you? Remove language that depositions you, and practice positioning so that you can be seen and heard.


After all, it’s crucial because…


….the world needs you and your brilliance.

By Lisa Marie Platske October 20, 2025
Divine impatience. This is what my spiritual mentor and I have been talking about quite a bit. It's when you understand that lurking around the corner is the birthing of your new idea or new chapter, and God's timing is a little different than your own. You feel you're ready and it's time, yet nothing seems to be moving. This is very different than being stuck. I've discovered that all leaders go through this season. Some will put up a heck of a fight, and try to muscle their way forward. And I can promise you that never works. Others will throw up their hands and abdicate personal responsibility, excusing their lack of initiative and giving themselves a reason to sit back and do nothing. Divine Right Timing is truly "a thing" and no amount of force will have a door open when it's not to be opened yet. Yet that doesn't mean you step out of your life and wait. Growth happens moment by moment over time, not in a flash or an instant. You have a duty to keep moving forward while recognizing that your clock and God's may be set on different planes in the time and space continuum. I've learned to see the Divine perfection in everything... ...even when I hope what I want would show up a little faster. So much of leadership is learning to move in rhythm with Divine Right Timing. It’s listening, trusting and leaning in even when you don’t see the full picture yet. You begin to discern when to act and when to wait; when to take the next faithful step and when to let the path rise up to meet you. That’s not something you master overnight. It’s something you practice, in the pauses, in the tension, in the stretch between what is and what’s to come. So if you're in that space right now, where you feel the stirring, the readiness, the knowing and yet, nothing seems to be shifting, take heart . You're not doing anything wrong. You're not being ignored by God. You're being prepared. And when the door does open, you'll walk through it with the clarity, strength, and grace you gained in the waiting. That’s the Divine right on time. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to take inventory of what you’ve been striving to control. Where are you trying to open a door that isn’t yours to open yet? Is there a situation where you’ve confused momentum with force? Write down three things you’re being called to trust, not fix. Then choose one aligned step that keeps you in motion without pushing against Divine Timing. Sometimes the wisest move is to walk in faith while the door gets ready for you.
By Lisa Marie Platske October 13, 2025
Jason struggled for years, trying everything he knew to do. First, he rebuilt his website. Then, he spent money getting people to listen to his podcast. Next, he mapped out a social media strategy with a digital marketing agency. Lastly, he went all in on paid advertising. He was working long hours and missing out on time with his family. And Jason’s bank account kept shrinking. He couldn’t figure out why nothing seemed to be working. That’s when we met. Jason was the older brother of a friend of mine, and she thought I could help him see the missing piece. I agreed to meet with him over Zoom. He was direct and told me he wasn’t sure why his sister wanted us to talk. I was direct with him, too, and shared that she had been watching him struggle in business, and believed the work I do could help jumpstart new opportunities. I shared my desire to listen and be of service — if he was open. Still a bit bristly in his demeanor, he said he wanted to hear what I had to say. After I asked a few questions, in about 30 minutes, he softened and started to open up about what was really going on behind closed doors in his business. I began putting the pieces together and could see that Jason thought he had to do business like everyone else — and it was killing him. He had spent the last 24 months trying to grow the business with very little to show for it, and his confidence had taken a hit. I saw through his bravado with a whole lot of tenderness — because I’ve been there. When you don’t stack the wins, everything around you starts to feel like a loss. You begin doubting your worth and value. And when that happens … ~ it’s hard to build a great website ... ~ it’s hard to write on social media ... ~ and it’s hard to attract the people you’re called to serve. Sometimes you can’t see what you need to shift, so you start chasing tactics trying to fix the problem. Rarely are tactics the issue behind a stunted career or a stalled business venture. If you don’t first figure out who you are, what you want, and why it matters, none of those other things will work for you. Then, you’ve got to get clear on your mission, values, and vision. From there, I look at the patterns that have been showing up. No one can see their own. When you get that all dialed in, bigger opportunities start to show up. Why? Because you’re contributing to the world unencumbered. And if you could see your own blocks, you’d already have removed them. Jason realized he couldn’t walk this journey alone any longer. The best leaders get that. So to get the greatest ROI, focus on leadership. Focusing on tactics, technology, AI, or other shiny objects won’t bring in the big paycheck. Jason and I worked together one-on-one and got his leadership IQ dialed in. Once he had clarity, I helped him write new marketing materials… …and the results were astounding — a 23% increase in gross sales. Today, he’s making a mark on the world. Jason didn’t need another strategy. He needed to remember who he was. And when he did, everything changed. This isn’t just Jason’s story. It’s the story of so many leaders who are gifted yet weighed down by things that aren’t theirs to carry. The world will always offer you another formula, another shortcut, or another distraction dressed up as the answer. None of it works if you’re disconnected from your mission and you’ve lost sight of your value. Leadership begins within. And real, soul-deep success is built on purpose, not performance. So if you’ve been chasing tactics and still feel like something’s missing, maybe it’s time to stop running and come home to yourself. That’s where your greatest work begins. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to assess what’s driving your actions. Are you doing this because it’s aligned — or because you think you should? For this week, write down the top 3 things you’re doing right now to grow your business or leadership. For each one, ask: Is this aligned with my mission or driven by pressure or expectation? Circle the one that feels most out of alignment, and then pause it for the next 7 days and notice what shifts. You don’t need to do more; you need to move with clarity.
By Lisa Marie Platske October 6, 2025
Each person’s life force is different. Some people move through life full throttle, operating at a level 10 every day and moving around at Mach speed. Others max out at five—or even one or two reps per minute. On any given day, you wake up with a certain amount of energy to work with. And you get to make decisions about what to do with that energy. Of all the actions you could possibly take, do you focus on what matters most to you? As the day unfolds, your life force begins to decrease. And when you’re not clear about what you say yes to, or what you say no to, you may discover there’s nothing left for what matters most. How you arrange your days, rhythm, and relationships determines whether your life and business will be sustainable over time. Most people move through life as if they’ve got an endless supply of energy to pull from. And when they don’t get everything done on their never-ending task list, they look around and assume they must be doing something wrong. Playing the comparison game will never lead you to health, happiness, success, or meaning. It won’t get you to peace or ease, either. What it will do is drain you ... quietly and consistently. Until you’re moving through your days exhausted, wondering why everything feels off. You weren’t made to run on empty. You wake up each day with a limited amount of life force. And where you invest it determines what grows. That’s the shift I help leaders make—honoring their capacity, aligning with what matters, and choosing to lead from a place of deep integrity and ease. Because the world doesn’t need a burnt-out version of you. It needs you and the brilliance only you carry. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to track your energy. Grab a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. Label one side “ Life-Giving ” and the other “ Draining .” As you go through your day, notice what energizes you and what depletes you. Write it down. Then, choose one draining item to shift, delegate, delay, or delete this week. Your energy is sacred and make sure to protect it.
By Lisa Marie Platske September 29, 2025
Everyone has seeds of excellence inside them. When those seeds are planted in rich and fertile soil, they grow into something magnificent, something life-giving. I see it as your brilliance coming to life. When those seeds are thrown on rocky soil with the hopes of producing fruit, its chances of surviving are slim. No matter what you're journey has been or what heartaches you may be experiencing now, you can always cultivate new soil. Yet I'm clear that to do that takes effort, purpose, and intention. Whenever I have conversations with folks who aren't happy with how they're life is going, they often bypass the little actions that produce big results over time . The key words are over time . Most folks want results yesterday ... and feel to see all of the ways that their current actions have gotten them right where they are. Looking in the mirror with 100% honesty isn't all that easy to do. I used to want to be the best or I didn't want to play. I remember this clearly when I was on the cross country team when I was in high school. It wasn't that others were more talented. God had given me a runners' build, and I enjoyed running. Yet I wasn't all that committed to practicing, and so when it was race time, I did poorly. Today I'm clear that if I can't be consistent, it isn't something I really want. Imperfect action is better than no action at all. Stay the course. The seeds you plant today may not bear fruit tomorrow. That doesn’t mean the work is wasted. What matters is that they’re sown with intention. Keep tending to what matters most. Keep showing up with courage and care. The world needs what only you can grow. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to choose one part of your leadership that truly matters and pursue excellence in it. Pick a task or responsibility that holds weight in your role. Something that influences your business direction or shapes how your people grow. Then, take time to explore the latest trends or shifts in that space. Staying informed keeps your leadership relevant. Staying intentional keeps it aligned.
More Posts
By Lisa Marie Platske October 20, 2025
Divine impatience. This is what my spiritual mentor and I have been talking about quite a bit. It's when you understand that lurking around the corner is the birthing of your new idea or new chapter, and God's timing is a little different than your own. You feel you're ready and it's time, yet nothing seems to be moving. This is very different than being stuck. I've discovered that all leaders go through this season. Some will put up a heck of a fight, and try to muscle their way forward. And I can promise you that never works. Others will throw up their hands and abdicate personal responsibility, excusing their lack of initiative and giving themselves a reason to sit back and do nothing. Divine Right Timing is truly "a thing" and no amount of force will have a door open when it's not to be opened yet. Yet that doesn't mean you step out of your life and wait. Growth happens moment by moment over time, not in a flash or an instant. You have a duty to keep moving forward while recognizing that your clock and God's may be set on different planes in the time and space continuum. I've learned to see the Divine perfection in everything... ...even when I hope what I want would show up a little faster. So much of leadership is learning to move in rhythm with Divine Right Timing. It’s listening, trusting and leaning in even when you don’t see the full picture yet. You begin to discern when to act and when to wait; when to take the next faithful step and when to let the path rise up to meet you. That’s not something you master overnight. It’s something you practice, in the pauses, in the tension, in the stretch between what is and what’s to come. So if you're in that space right now, where you feel the stirring, the readiness, the knowing and yet, nothing seems to be shifting, take heart . You're not doing anything wrong. You're not being ignored by God. You're being prepared. And when the door does open, you'll walk through it with the clarity, strength, and grace you gained in the waiting. That’s the Divine right on time. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to take inventory of what you’ve been striving to control. Where are you trying to open a door that isn’t yours to open yet? Is there a situation where you’ve confused momentum with force? Write down three things you’re being called to trust, not fix. Then choose one aligned step that keeps you in motion without pushing against Divine Timing. Sometimes the wisest move is to walk in faith while the door gets ready for you.
By Lisa Marie Platske October 13, 2025
Jason struggled for years, trying everything he knew to do. First, he rebuilt his website. Then, he spent money getting people to listen to his podcast. Next, he mapped out a social media strategy with a digital marketing agency. Lastly, he went all in on paid advertising. He was working long hours and missing out on time with his family. And Jason’s bank account kept shrinking. He couldn’t figure out why nothing seemed to be working. That’s when we met. Jason was the older brother of a friend of mine, and she thought I could help him see the missing piece. I agreed to meet with him over Zoom. He was direct and told me he wasn’t sure why his sister wanted us to talk. I was direct with him, too, and shared that she had been watching him struggle in business, and believed the work I do could help jumpstart new opportunities. I shared my desire to listen and be of service — if he was open. Still a bit bristly in his demeanor, he said he wanted to hear what I had to say. After I asked a few questions, in about 30 minutes, he softened and started to open up about what was really going on behind closed doors in his business. I began putting the pieces together and could see that Jason thought he had to do business like everyone else — and it was killing him. He had spent the last 24 months trying to grow the business with very little to show for it, and his confidence had taken a hit. I saw through his bravado with a whole lot of tenderness — because I’ve been there. When you don’t stack the wins, everything around you starts to feel like a loss. You begin doubting your worth and value. And when that happens … ~ it’s hard to build a great website ... ~ it’s hard to write on social media ... ~ and it’s hard to attract the people you’re called to serve. Sometimes you can’t see what you need to shift, so you start chasing tactics trying to fix the problem. Rarely are tactics the issue behind a stunted career or a stalled business venture. If you don’t first figure out who you are, what you want, and why it matters, none of those other things will work for you. Then, you’ve got to get clear on your mission, values, and vision. From there, I look at the patterns that have been showing up. No one can see their own. When you get that all dialed in, bigger opportunities start to show up. Why? Because you’re contributing to the world unencumbered. And if you could see your own blocks, you’d already have removed them. Jason realized he couldn’t walk this journey alone any longer. The best leaders get that. So to get the greatest ROI, focus on leadership. Focusing on tactics, technology, AI, or other shiny objects won’t bring in the big paycheck. Jason and I worked together one-on-one and got his leadership IQ dialed in. Once he had clarity, I helped him write new marketing materials… …and the results were astounding — a 23% increase in gross sales. Today, he’s making a mark on the world. Jason didn’t need another strategy. He needed to remember who he was. And when he did, everything changed. This isn’t just Jason’s story. It’s the story of so many leaders who are gifted yet weighed down by things that aren’t theirs to carry. The world will always offer you another formula, another shortcut, or another distraction dressed up as the answer. None of it works if you’re disconnected from your mission and you’ve lost sight of your value. Leadership begins within. And real, soul-deep success is built on purpose, not performance. So if you’ve been chasing tactics and still feel like something’s missing, maybe it’s time to stop running and come home to yourself. That’s where your greatest work begins. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to assess what’s driving your actions. Are you doing this because it’s aligned — or because you think you should? For this week, write down the top 3 things you’re doing right now to grow your business or leadership. For each one, ask: Is this aligned with my mission or driven by pressure or expectation? Circle the one that feels most out of alignment, and then pause it for the next 7 days and notice what shifts. You don’t need to do more; you need to move with clarity.
By Lisa Marie Platske October 6, 2025
Each person’s life force is different. Some people move through life full throttle, operating at a level 10 every day and moving around at Mach speed. Others max out at five—or even one or two reps per minute. On any given day, you wake up with a certain amount of energy to work with. And you get to make decisions about what to do with that energy. Of all the actions you could possibly take, do you focus on what matters most to you? As the day unfolds, your life force begins to decrease. And when you’re not clear about what you say yes to, or what you say no to, you may discover there’s nothing left for what matters most. How you arrange your days, rhythm, and relationships determines whether your life and business will be sustainable over time. Most people move through life as if they’ve got an endless supply of energy to pull from. And when they don’t get everything done on their never-ending task list, they look around and assume they must be doing something wrong. Playing the comparison game will never lead you to health, happiness, success, or meaning. It won’t get you to peace or ease, either. What it will do is drain you ... quietly and consistently. Until you’re moving through your days exhausted, wondering why everything feels off. You weren’t made to run on empty. You wake up each day with a limited amount of life force. And where you invest it determines what grows. That’s the shift I help leaders make—honoring their capacity, aligning with what matters, and choosing to lead from a place of deep integrity and ease. Because the world doesn’t need a burnt-out version of you. It needs you and the brilliance only you carry. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to track your energy. Grab a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. Label one side “ Life-Giving ” and the other “ Draining .” As you go through your day, notice what energizes you and what depletes you. Write it down. Then, choose one draining item to shift, delegate, delay, or delete this week. Your energy is sacred and make sure to protect it.
By Lisa Marie Platske September 29, 2025
Everyone has seeds of excellence inside them. When those seeds are planted in rich and fertile soil, they grow into something magnificent, something life-giving. I see it as your brilliance coming to life. When those seeds are thrown on rocky soil with the hopes of producing fruit, its chances of surviving are slim. No matter what you're journey has been or what heartaches you may be experiencing now, you can always cultivate new soil. Yet I'm clear that to do that takes effort, purpose, and intention. Whenever I have conversations with folks who aren't happy with how they're life is going, they often bypass the little actions that produce big results over time . The key words are over time . Most folks want results yesterday ... and feel to see all of the ways that their current actions have gotten them right where they are. Looking in the mirror with 100% honesty isn't all that easy to do. I used to want to be the best or I didn't want to play. I remember this clearly when I was on the cross country team when I was in high school. It wasn't that others were more talented. God had given me a runners' build, and I enjoyed running. Yet I wasn't all that committed to practicing, and so when it was race time, I did poorly. Today I'm clear that if I can't be consistent, it isn't something I really want. Imperfect action is better than no action at all. Stay the course. The seeds you plant today may not bear fruit tomorrow. That doesn’t mean the work is wasted. What matters is that they’re sown with intention. Keep tending to what matters most. Keep showing up with courage and care. The world needs what only you can grow. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to choose one part of your leadership that truly matters and pursue excellence in it. Pick a task or responsibility that holds weight in your role. Something that influences your business direction or shapes how your people grow. Then, take time to explore the latest trends or shifts in that space. Staying informed keeps your leadership relevant. Staying intentional keeps it aligned.
More Posts