Do you ever over-prepare for big meetings, only to freeze when it's time to speak up?

If you're a high performer who suddenly loses confidence in front of senior leaders or high-stakes audiences, you're not alone. This episode unpacks why intelligence and preparation aren't always enough—and how your mindset may be the real barrier to owning the room.

By the end of today’s episode with guest Whitney Faires you’ll know:

🔥Why your over-preparation habit might be sabotaging your leadership presence.

🚀How to identify your personal “power zone” and use it to perform under pressure.

🧲The exact mindset shifts and conversational strategies to handle executive pushback with confidence.

If you're ready to finally show up with clarity and command in your biggest meetings, hit play and learn how to bet on yourself—without needing all the answers.

If you’re feeling stuck — like you might actually be your biggest obstacle — constantly battling the inner critic that drives you to overperform but also second-guess yourself… and yet what you really want is to feel in command, clear, and confident no matter who’s in the room.

That’s why we created the Executive Presence Scorecard — to help high-achieving professionals like you identify your unique “Power Zone” so you can lead from strength instead of fear. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And it starts with awareness…

Email me at hello@speakupwithlaura.com and I will send it to you personally.

To get more scoop visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Whitney Faires is an internationally recognized executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership advisor with 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Formerly Chief of Staff to the CFO at Intuitive Surgical, she led high-impact organizational health initiatives, launched global leadership development programs, and coached rising professionals into senior roles. Her multifaceted career spans sales, finance, and commercial operations, where she spearheaded the creation of a $2 billion international leasing portfolio.

As the founder of Whitney Faires Coaching, she developed the Courageous Leader Roadmap - a practical approach for leaders to show up authentically, navigate adversity, and drive meaningful results.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To see if my Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

What if the reason less qualified people get promoted while you—someone who delivers miracles—stay overlooked… isn’t because they’re louder, but because they’re adding value in ways you don’t even see?

If you're a high-performing introvert who's tired of watching others get the credit and advancement you’ve earned, this episode reveals the missing piece most people overlook: you're not just under-visible—you’re under-valued in the eyes of leadership. This episode shows you how to bridge that gap without faking confidence or turning into someone you're not.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

• Why trying harder at self-promotion will probably backfire
• Three ways your executive presence adds visible value to any conversation
• Simple, low-stakes ways to advocate for yourself without feeling fake

Hit play now to learn how to turn your results into recognition—and finally get the leadership opportunities you deserve.

If you've ever said, “I practically run this place, but I’m still not the one they promote,”—listen, you're not alone. But you're also not stuck.

The truth is: promotions don’t go to the loudest voice—they go to the most trusted presence. And if leadership doesn’t see you as the person who can lead 300 people without breaking a sweat, it’s time to show them.

That’s why I built the Executive Presence Mastery System—a 90-day intensive that gives you the tools to build visible value, speak with energy, and lead with meaning—without selling out your personality.

👉 If you’re done waiting and ready to rise, look up in these show notes and click the first link—or head to speakupwithlaura.com to book your strategy call now. Let’s make your next move your biggest yet.

Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your credibility by being too authentic at work?

If you're a high-performing introvert or senior leader aiming to strengthen your executive presence, today's episode is your wake-up call. We’re breaking down brand-new Harvard Business Review research that reveals how the "bring your whole self to work" movement may be quietly undermining your authority, your team’s stability, and your career progression.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

😭Why unfiltered authenticity can backfire—especially in leadership roles

🔥How power impacts your personality (in ways you might not notice)

🪝5 practical strategies to be authentic without oversharing or weakening your influence

Press play to discover how to lead with purpose, boundaries, and presence—without losing your authenticity or your edge.

So if you’re a high performer with your eye on that next-level leadership role, but you’re not sure where the line is between “being real” and “being reckless” — and maybe that uncertainty is holding you back — but you still want to lead with impact and empathy without slipping into overexposure... that’s exactly why we built the Executive Presence Scorecard.

It helps you assess your current strengths and gaps across the four pillars of executive presence — so you can start showing up like a leader who gets noticed and respected. If that sounds like what you need, email me at hello@speakupwithlaura.com with the word “score” in the subject line. I’ll send it to you personally!

The HBR article by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Why Leaders Should Bring Their Best Self—Not Their Whole Self—to Work.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Does your communication to the executive leadership team feel like information overload—yet still fall flat? You might be doing everything "right" and still boring everyone to tears.

In this powerful episode, Laura interviews Mobeen Tahir, a finance and economics strategist who once buried audiences in data… until he learned the mindset and techniques that turned everything around.

Whether you’re a technical expert, finance pro, or just tired of getting glazed-over stares in meetings, this episode gives you the communication clarity you didn’t know you needed.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

😱Why your intelligence might be hurting your executive communication—and how to fix it

🔥 The simple storytelling shift that makes any technical presentation instantly more relatable

🧲 How to tailor your message without “dumbing it down”—and get your ideas heard and respected

If you're ready to stop overwhelming people with data and start engaging them with impact, hit play now and transform how you present—starting today.

To get your complimentary access to the Executive Presence scorecard simply email me with “score” in the subject line at hello@speakupwithlaura.com.

To learn more visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Mobeen Tahir is an investment strategist based in London, working in the asset management industry. His role involves synthesizing insights on financial markets and investment products to help his firm’s clients make informed decisions.

Public speaking is central to Mobin’s work. He hosts two podcasts, frequently appears on live television, and regularly speaks at conferences. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive style to captivate audiences. The lessons he has learned—and continues to learn—from these experiences can be applied across industries to enhance communication and engagement.

Mobin holds a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Financial Management from Loughborough University and an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is also a CFA Charterholder.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

Struggling to think on your feet under pressure? In today’s episode you’ll discover how to break free from the “I need time to process” trap and boost your executive presence.

If speaking off the cuff feels impossible, you’re not alone. Many high-performing introverts lose opportunities because they hesitate or stumble in the spotlight. This episode reveals why your brain shuts down under pressure—and how you can retrain it to respond with confidence, clarity, and impact.

In today’s episode you’ll learn:

🪝The real reason your mind goes blank in unscripted moments.

💰The hidden costs of not speaking up—and how they affect your career trajectory.

3️⃣Three practical tools to start building your “speak on your feet” muscle today.

Press play now to learn how to turn nerve-wracking moments into powerful opportunities that boost your confidence and visibility at work.

So look—if you find yourself stuck in high-stakes meetings where your mind goes blank and you walk out kicking yourself for not speaking up, and it’s been like that for months or even years, but you really want to show up with clarity, confidence, and influence in the rooms that matter... that’s exactly why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System, a 90-day coaching intensive to prepare high performers for senior leadership roles. I can show you the way to speak off the cuff with ease—without the constant anxiety, self-doubt, or fear of being judged.

👉 If that sounds like what you need, head to the show notes, click the first link in these show notes, or visit speakupwithlaura.com and book a strategy call. I’d love to help you unlock the presence and voice you already have inside you.

Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

​​Are your compliments building your leadership brand—or quietly sabotaging it?

If you're an introvert trying to lead, influence, or rise into executive roles, you may already have a powerful tool at your disposal—and you're likely underusing it. Today’s episode explores how the right kind of compliments can become your secret weapon for commanding respect, building trust, and boosting your executive presence.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🔥Three types of high-impact compliments that instantly increase your charisma and authority.

😥Two common compliment types to avoid—they’re doing you more harm than good.

🧲How to use your natural introvert superpower—deep observation—to influence without being the loudest in the room.

Press play to learn how one small shift in how you compliment others can dramatically elevate your executive presence and leadership influence.

AND.. To see how you score in all the skills you need to reach that next step at work see my Executive Presence scorecard. It’s based on the 4 pillars in my Executive Presence Mastery System, designed to help you pinpoint what’s holding you back and what to focus on next to communicate with calm authority and charm everyone in the room.

Email me at hello@speakupwithlaura.com with “score” in the subject line and I’ll get that to you asap.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

Are you great at what you do but still struggling to be heard, respected, or promoted on the global stage? Maybe your communication instincts are outdated.

If you’ve ever been overlooked in meetings, misunderstood by international colleagues, or unsure how to handle cultural differences in communication, this episode is your wake-up call.

High performers often assume excellence speaks for itself—but in today’s multicultural business world, influence demands more than results. It requires strategic, culturally aware communication.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

⁉️Why even top talent can be held back by outdated communication instincts

😅 How cultural missteps—like eye contact, tone, or “saying no”—can quietly derail your leadership presence

💰The power of pre-engagement, storytelling, and even strategic confession to earn trust and influence across cultures

If you're ready to become the kind of leader who gets heard, respected, and remembered—anywhere in the world—hit play and start mastering the global influence game.

For more information and or to get on our insiders email list visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

Matthew Hill discusses leadership and communication, crucial for global leaders amid challenges of remote and cross-cultural team dynamics.

Effective communication is critical for leaders managing global teams amid increasing remote work and international expansion. A recent McKinsey report showed that effective communication can improve team performance by 25%. Matthew expands on unwritten leadership rules by providing practical insights into effective communication strategies for senior leaders.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

What if the very skills that made you a high-performing rockstar are exactly what’s keeping you from the executive table?

You’ve mastered the art of problem-solving, deliver exceptional results, and your team swears by your leadership. But despite glowing performance reviews, you’re constantly told to “be more strategic” — without being shown how. If you’re a high-performing introvert stuck in the same role while others leap ahead, this episode unpacks exactly why.

In today’s episode you’ll learn:

🐝 The top 3 behaviors that keep brilliant introverts stuck in “worker bee” roles, even with elite-level performance.

😱 Why your instinct to fix problems may be your biggest leadership liability — and what to do instead.

🔑 How to scale your influence and show executive presence authentically, without pretending to be an extrovert.

If you’re ready to stop being overlooked and start being seen as executive material, hit play and learn how to shift from doing to leading — without losing your introvert edge.

If you want to stop being the doer and finally be seen as the executive leader, go up these show notes, click the first link you find, or visit speakupwithlaura.com to book a call. I’d love to show you how this program helps high-performing introverts break the worker-bee trap—for good.

To get on our insiders email list please visit speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.