You've earned your place at the leadership table. You have the experience, expertise and track record. So why do you sometimes find yourself holding back from saying what you really think?

Perhaps you rehearse your contribution in your head, wait for the right moment, then start questioning whether it's worth saying. And before you know it, someone else has made exactly the point you were going to make.

In this episode, Sarah explores why successful female leaders can still struggle to own their voice, the five traps that can keep us silent, and the career cost of not speaking up.

She shares three practical ways to start contributing more confidently, influencing conversations and making sure your expertise is heard.

Because you've spent years earning your place at the table. You don't need to keep waiting for permission to use your voice.

• Why having the experience and expertise doesn't always translate into speaking with confidence.
• The five traps that can hold women back: perfectionism, credibility, likability, comparison and permission.
• How organisational culture and psychological safety can influence your willingness to contribute.
• The impact of staying quiet on your visibility, influence and career progression.
• Three practical ways to own your voice and contribute more confidently.
• How to challenge the story you're telling yourself about your right to speak.

TimeStamps

00:00 Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable

01:35 You've earned your seat at the table. So why are you holding back?

02:40 The familiar meeting scenario and why I understand it

04:00 Five traps that stop women speaking up

04:00 The perfectionism trap

05:00 The credibility trap

05:40 The likability trap

06:40 The comparison trap

07:30 The permission trap

08:00 The role of organisational culture and psychological safety

08:45 The career cost of staying quiet

11:30 Three practical ways to own your voice

11:45 1. Stop waiting for the perfect contribution

13:20 2. Prepare before you enter the room

14:20 3. Practise taking up space

15:20 The deeper shift: stop waiting for permission

16:20 Your challenge for the next leadership meeting

17:00 Your experience, perspective and voice matter

Useful Links

Listen to Episode 101 The Career Tax: What Your Success Is Costing You

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Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

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Rate & Review the Podcast

If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk