It saddens me that so many people with valuable and useful things to say don’t get heard. And yet their colleagues speak up and speak out with no problem at all – sometimes eloquently and succinctly, at other times…. well, you know the rest!

Here are 5 possible reasons your voice is not being heard – and what to do about it:

1. Problem: You’re not speaking in meetings! So many talented people tell me they don’t want to speak up ‘for fear of looking stupid’ or something similar. Solution: Find a way to say something – just one thing to start with. How about: ‘This is new ground for me, so I’d like to understand this a bit more’; or ‘I’ll be able to give a more well-thought-out response when I’ve done xyz’ or ‘I’d love to know a bit more about that’ and so on. Once you’ve opened your mouth once, it’s easier to do it another time.

2. Problem: You’re waffling on – many of us waffle when we are nervous – but it’s hard for others to listen so they switch off and our valuable input is lost. Bein...

Is lack of leadership confidence holding you back?

If so you are not alone.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

I want you to know this.

Firstly - Confidence is made not born.

Secondly - we can ALL grow our confidence with integrity and without undergoing a personality transplant or becoming a clone or an arrogant, entitled idiot. 

Thirdly - We’re making a BIG mistake when we say ‘I’ll do that (whatever ‘that’ is) when I’ve got more confidence’.

NO, NO, NO!!

The way we become MORE confident is by taking on those new challenges one small step at a time.

Taking action effects change. 

If you want this to be the year you REALLY step up and find that confident you (and help those around you find THEIR confidence too) then keep watching and keep reading.

I’ve got a ton of things to share with you over the coming weeks.

And an online programme starting soon. 

If you’re interested in knowing more, let me know. You’ll be the first to get details .

Confidence starts here.

I’ve been conducting a poll in my Effortless Leader Revolution Facebook Group on the topic of Leadership Confidence.

The NUMBER ONE area where people want to find more confidence is in the area of Difficult Conversations.

Now, I could give you a whole load of ‘tips and techniques’ but it would only go part way to helping you get to grips with this.

And because this is something I struggled with myself for such a long time I feel ‘called’ to share what I’ve learned about this all-too-common topic.

Not to mention some of the other topics that kill our confidence.

I’d love to hear your questions about leadership confidence. Email them to me here [email protected]

I promise to answer every question I get. 

Over to you!

If confidence is the thing that holds you back and you want to change this in 2020 I’m your gal.

I’ve had to work on this stuff so much myself over the years and I’ve supported dozens of leaders like you to build their confidence so that they’re happier, more focused and ultimately better leaders.

If I can do it and they can do it then you can do it too. (No magic wands, elves or unicorns required).

I wish you a very happy Christmas and a confident 2020.

P.S. My Lead with Confidence programme launches early in the New Year. The price?  About the same as a quality one day training course but with focused content, ongoing support and accountability.  +++ PLUS no need to venture out into the freezing cold, sit in an airless corporate box or drink stewed tea. Intrigued?  Email me at [email protected] and I’ll let you know when we’re launching.

It’s probably way too early to be thinking of New Year resolutions when there are presents to buy, turkeys to cook and trees to decorate.

But just imagine for a minute that one year has passed – it’s December 2020. 

If you had a time machine what would you love to be saying this time next year?

Maybe it’s:

• I’m in a new job that I love
• I got that promotion
• My team is motivated, happy and getting results
• I’m making decisions and getting the right things done
• I’m speaking up and getting noticed for the right reasons
• I’ve stepped up and I’m loving it!

Or something else (I’d love to know…..!)

Who can make this happen? 

You can.

As the saying goes, focus on what YOU can influence and change. 

It’s easy (but lazy) to blame others or make excuses when we’re struggling, unhappy or unsure. But pointing the finger never gets you anywhere - apart from deeper into misery, despair and victimhood. 

Start by taking the Five Keys to Confidence Quiz (it takes 5 minutes and gives you some simple str...

If confidence is something you’d love more of – because it would open up so many more opportunities for you and those around you - here’s something that will help you make a start.

My Five Keys to Leadership Confidence quiz. It takes five minutes AND gives you some simple strategies or ideas to implement straight away.

Santa can’t give you confidence. In fact, no-one can GIVE you confidence. You’ve got to take responsibility for changing whatever it is that’s getting in your way.

And you CAN do it one step at a time.

Start with the Quiz.

PS: In early 2020 I launch my Lead with Confidence programme . The price? About the same as a quality one day leadership course but with focused, actionable content and ongoing support (+++ no need to travel, find a parking space, do cringey role plays, put up with the pompous prat in the corner or drink lukewarm coffee). Intrigued? Email me at [email protected] and I’ll let you know when we’re launching.

I’ve learned over the years that the first step to making something happen is to simply declare your intention – to make a public commitment.

Yes it can be uncomfortable.

But public accountability is powerful.

So if there’s something you want, start by ‘putting it out there’.

And, importantly, ‘put it out there’ to people who are on your side. Who’ve got your back. Who will support you in whatever way you need (and call you out on any BS.)

My big commitment for January 2020 is to launch my online and group coaching programme.

I’ve been planning it for a while but ….. (Yep, my avoidance is linked not only to the volume of work involved but to a bit of ‘inner critic’ a bit of ‘what if….’(insert ridiculous catastrophic phrase here….)

All the usual stuff that I am sure you will recognise in your own life. (Fear of rejection is one of the most powerful fears of all).

But we have a choice. To hide and stay ‘safe’ or to come out where it feels a bit less safe.

I’m going with the latt...

Lack of leadership confidence is holding too many people back.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

I want you to know this.

Firstly - Confidence is made not born.

Secondly - we can ALL grow our confidence with integrity and without undergoing a personality transplant or becoming a clone or an arrogant, entitled idiot. 

Thirdly - We’re making a BIG mistake when we say ‘I’ll do that (whatever ‘that’ is) when I’ve got more confidence’.

NO, NO, NO!!

The way we become MORE confident is by taking on those new challenges one step at a time.

Taking action effects change. 

If you want 2020 to be the year you REALLY step up and find that confident you (and help those around you find THEIR confidence too) then keep watching and keep reading.

I’ve got a ton of things to share with you.

P.S. If you’re in my Effortless Leader Revolution Facebook Group I’m doing a 30 minute live broadcast today at 1pm UK time (1st November) on: Four Ways to Grow Your Leadership Confidence. You’ll need to join the group to get...