Speaking at Work

Would you choose the be stressed for no reason? In today’s volatile world, leadership is no longer about making the present bearable—it’s about shaping a future that aligns with your highest values and aspirations; Otherwise the volatility just = stress for no purpose! But how do you lead with purpose when you feel like your hard work is overlooked, your ideas are dismissed in meetings, or your voice goes unheard? If this resonates with you, know you’re not alone. Many of the women I work with are in leadership roles, doing incredible work but not getting the recognition they deserve. It’s stressful, frustrating, and exhausting, but through coaching, they begin to see that their impact is real, even if it hasn’t always been acknowledged at the moment. As they align their message and communication style, they start to become more visible in their organisations. The key to their (and your) success is staying aligned with your personal purpose while bravely and clearly communicating your ideas for the business. Start by setting an intention for your next meeting: speak boldly, and own your physical, vocal and verbal space, so that your credibility shines through. Will you speak up in that difficult meeting?  Or give feedback to your boss? Or, you can stand up for your boundaries and say no to that piece of additional work that is going to push you over the edge! If you want some accountability? Why not drop your intention in the comments? P.S. Ready to amplify your leadership voice? Let’s discuss how I can support you. Book a call now to start leading and communicating with purpose https://lnkd.in/gM8KfRht

It has been bugging me for ages. They shouldn't work - they should never even get off the ground and yet they are ridiculously successful. Who am I talking about? Johnson and Trump; are two politicians who break all the rules when it comes to leadership communication. It came up again in a workshop last week and I needed to get to the bottom of it. Here's my theory; They leverage easy emotions: They are both good a leveraging gut reactions in their listeners. Their rhetoric often leverages anger, fear, pride, or nationalism, which can be highly motivating and energising for certain audiences. Anti-Elitism and relatability Despite their privileged backgrounds, both have positioned themselves as anti-establishment figures, standing apart from “the political elite.” Their non-polished style, with its rough edges and occasional gaffes, can come across as more relatable and human. Charisma and Entertainment Value Trump and Johnson both have a flair for drama and spectacle, which can be captivating. Their larger-than-life personalities and unpredictable communication styles create a sense of entertainment. They manage to hold attention, often a key to popularity in media-driven environments Polarisation as a Strategy Both figures thrive on polarisation, where their bold, sometimes combative, style creates strong divisions. By taking extreme positions or making controversial statements, they galvanise their base, reinforcing loyalty among their supporters, even if it alienates others. Simplified Messaging Their communication style often involves oversimplifying complex issues into soundbites or slogans. It makes their messages easy to remember and repeat which is ideal in a fast-paced, media-saturated world where attention spans are short. Challenging Norms as Strength By openly breaking communication and leadership norms, they can appear to be “rule-breakers” or “mavericks,” which some perceive as strength. People often admire leaders who dare to challenge the status quo Manipulation of Media Both Trump and Johnson have an acute sense of how to manipulate the media to their advantage. This constant visibility makes them hard to ignore, and visibility often translates to influence and popularity, regardless of the content of their message. Trump and Johnson's ability to evoke emotion, command attention, and position themselves as relatable outsiders helps them resonate with a wide audience. Their approach aligns with the current media landscape, where simplicity, spectacle, and emotional appeal often matter more than transparency or consistency. And it sucks.

Working with exceptional clients such as KA has been an absolute privilege, and I am incredibly appreciative. Their gracious feedback and outstanding testimonial have deeply touched me and once again I'm having a bit of blub! P.S. If you want to feel what KA is feeling then I'd love to invite you for a chat. We still have slots for this year, 2024, and if you are ready to up-level your Leadership communication or deliver your TEDx then we should talk sooner rather than later. You can grab a virtual coffee chat by booking it here : https://lnkd.in/gM8KfRht

Are you a woman in leadership whose hard work goes unseen? You’ve proven your capability, yet your efforts remain unrecognised. What if you could lead with more integrity and purpose? Align your vision, actions, and communication to make a lasting impact and finally be seen as the leader you are. There are three things that you need to make that happen: 1. Vision that inspires and grabs senior leadership’s attention 2. Bravery to have the tough conversations that drive change 3. Speaking with confidence to empower your team Ready to be a more intentional, visible leader? Read on to find out how... --- Book A Call: https://lnkd.in/gM8KfRht

The blue sign said POLICE SLOW. It pricked my attention after a long and boring drive. I had a little shot of adrenaline and woke up. I drove carefully around the corner expecting to see some kind of obstruction or problem and there was...nothing Ok. Round the next bend then again nothing. Hmm... So I drove on and gradually forgot about the blue sign. About 10 miles later there was another sign; 30 mph in 3/4 of a mile. In 3/4's of a mile there, it was the 30 mph restriction. The blue POLICE SLOW sign was high context and high inference communication - I had to figure out if the message related to me, and what I might need to do about it. The second sign was low context and low inference. I knew what to do and when to do it. I knew it related to me as well as everyone else on the road. Often in leadership conversations and communications, there is way too much POLICE SLOW content like; We all need to be pulling in the same direction; 🔸 What's the direction? 🔸 What's the speed? 🔸 What is the method of propulsion? 🔸 What's my specific role in all this? 🔸 How will we know when to stop, start, or change direction? 🔸 How will know when we've got there? And the list goes on.  But that kind of business talk is seductive because it helps us feel like we are part of the tribe. But it is exactly this kind of communication that leads to 'meh' results and underperformance in teams. It's fuel to the fire of crisis. If you were to intuitively guess what the percentage split in your leadership communication in your organisation is between the blue 'POLICE SLOW' comms and '30 mph in 3/4 mile' comms. How can you start dismantling the blue signs?

"It's a complex and ongoing horror show. This is what I've decided to do..." They went on to outline their plan. With their head tilted to one side arms open wide and palms facing forward. Which turns the plan from a clear unequivocal statement into a question or a negotiation. It could even be seen as seeking approval. Leadership isn't just about making decisions and communicating them when things are easy. It’s about showing up with bravery, even when the path ahead is difficult. I will often see female leaders hesitate to assert their opinions or avoid conflict for fear of being perceived as "difficult." But this holds them back from making a meaningful impact. Bravery means standing up for your values, making tough decisions, and then communicating them with confidence. If you're already leading with courage and making those tough calls how can you make sure your body is on board with the message?

Imagine you are a gardener tending to a large garden.  Your vision is the blueprint for how the garden should look—where the roses, oak trees and pathways will go.  If the blueprint is unclear or not shared with the gardeners (your team), they might plant the roses in the wrong places, trim the camellia and not the wisteria bushes, or fail to water the most important plants.  The garden might still grow, but it will be chaotic and not as beautiful or productive as it could be. With a clear and shared blueprint, everyone knows where to focus their efforts, and the garden can flourish. So what small steps can you take to ensure that you are being as bold and ambitious as you can possibly be and what could you do to ensure that your team is 100% clear on your shared vision of what's next?

If you are struggling to motivate your team Or are you struggling to have your potential recognised It could be that you making one of these mistakes when selling your vision. Book A Call: https://lnkd.in/gM8KfRht

Oh gosh! I feel really nervous! This is so weird because I know you all! Said a client during an in-house workshop recently. Here's the thing... Nerves can strike at any time. They can strike any of us regardless of experience, age or preparedness. They are a pain in the derriere because you are suddenly all up inside your own head which means you are not present to the room. You forget what you want to say You potentially lose an opportunity to influence You end up giving yourself a really hard time about it, so feel bad for way longer than you want or need to! So what can you do about it? All the things that feel counterintuitive; 1. Slow down your speech; both the rate as well as the amount and length of pauses you use. 2. Slow down your breathing; the slower you breathe the more calm your body will feel because you will be producing fewer stress hormones 3. Slow down your movements; the calmer, smoother and slower your movements the calmer both you and your audience will feel. Think about this type of speaking as graceful communication. I know it is easily said, harder done! If you practice being in the state of graceful communication and what it feels like in your body regularly you'll have quicker access to it when you really want or need it.

Have you ever felt like your ideas go unheard, despite how hard you work? Many female leaders hold back, fearing they'll be seen as too bold or demanding. But when you downplay your voice and body language, it leads to being misunderstood or, worse, ignored. You don’t have to stay quiet.  Be intentional with your voice and body language—let them reflect your confidence and leadership. Over-explaining or qualifying your statements can dilute your message. You don’t need to add disclaimers.  Speak clearly and with conviction—your voice matters. When you speak with purpose, your leadership stands out for all the right reasons.  Where can you be more intentional with your communication today? P.S. Ready to be heard? Book a call today to learn how I can help you do that with ease and authenticity