STYLE & STRATEGY WITH SONYA

Sonya Choi La Rosa
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Style & Strategy: The Leadership Presence Podcast for senior women in corporate who are respected for what they deliver and ready to be remembered for who they are. I'm Sonya Choi La Rosa. After 25 years leading in corporate financial services across Technology, Operations, and Transformation, I know what it takes to be experienced at the level you've earned. I've never believed presence is something you either have or you don't. It's built. From the inside out. Through my 3D Impact Method™, I integrate what most approaches fragment: leadership identity, strategic positioning, and style strategy. Because these don't live in separate boxes. They intersect. This is strategic presence for women stepping into bigger rooms.

  1. 2D AGO

    93: Beyond Executive Presence: What Women in Leadership Actually Need (Part 1)

    Executive presence has been the gold standard for decades. Project authority. Dominate the room. Wear the power suit. That model was built for command-and-control hierarchies, and it's costing leaders innovation, talent, and trust. In this episode, I break down what's broken about the traditional executive presence model, why the shift to leadership presence is happening now, and what research says about leading through performance versus leading from identity. Part 1 of a two-part series. Next week, I walk you through the three components of leadership presence and what it looks like in practice. If you've been told to "work on your executive presence" and the advice felt generic or exhausting, this one is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS The traditional executive presence model was built for a different era. It centres on projecting authority, dominating rooms, hiding emotion, and looking the part. That worked for command-and-control hierarchies but it is no longer serving the leaders expected to operate through them. Sylvia Ann Hewlett's framework identified three pillars: gravitas (67%), communication (28%), and appearance (5%). These elements still matter, but the model focuses on projection and performance rather than identity and alignment. Women face a double bind the old model doesn't account for. Expected to exhibit both warmth and assertiveness, women who lean into assertiveness are perceived as abrasive. Those who prioritise warmth are dismissed. The executive presence playbook was never designed for this reality. Current executive presence programs teach tactics without foundation. Persuasion, communication, networking, and visual articulation are important skills, but learning them without understanding how you naturally influence turns presence into performance. Three forces are driving the shift to leadership presence. AI is making human skills (critical thinking, empathy, emotional regulation) more valuable. Hybrid work requires trust over control. Constant change demands resilience built on internal steadiness, not external projection. Leaders with high emotional intelligence outperform earning goals by 20% (McClelland, cited in Goleman 1998). This is profitability, not soft skills. Leadership presence is a dynamic interplay of three components: Presence + Positioning + Perception. If one of these three is off, something feels wrong even if you can't name it. Part 2 goes deeper into each. The traditional executive presence model was built for a different era. It centres on projecting authority, dominating rooms, hiding emotion, and looking the part. That worked for command-and-control hierarchies but it is no longer serving the leaders expected to operate through them. Sylvia Ann Hewlett's framework identified three pillars: gravitas (67%), communication (28%), and appearance (5%). These elements still matter, but the model focuses on projection and performance rather than identity and alignment. Women face a double bind the old model doesn't account for. Expected to exhibit both warmth and assertiveness, women who lean into assertiveness are perceived as abrasive. Those who prioritise warmth are dismissed. The executive presence playbook was never designed for this reality. Current executive presence programs teach tactics without foundation. Persuasion, communication, networking, and visual articulation are important skills, but learning them without understanding how you naturally influence turns presence into performance. Three forces are driving the shift to leadership presence. AI is making human skills (critical thinking, empathy, emotional regulation) more valuable. Hybrid work requires trust over control. Constant change demands resilience built on internal steadiness, not external projection. Leaders with high emotional intelligence outperform earning goals by 20% (McClelland, cited in Goleman 1998). This is profitability, not soft skills. Leadership presence is a dynamic interplay of three components: Presence + Positioning + Perception. If one of these three is off, something feels wrong even if you can't name it. Part 2 goes deeper into each. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction: Executive presence is dead 1:00 - Podcast intro 1:30 - Why this conversation matters now 2:30 - The old executive presence model (projection, performance, polish) 3:45 - The three pillars: Gravitas, Communication, Appearance 4:30 - The problem: You can't sustain performance 5:00 - The cost of command-and-control (40% creativity suppression, 25% higher turnover) 6:15 - The double bind for women leaders 7:00 - What traditional programs are still teaching (and what's missing) 8:30 - Why 2026 requires something different 9:00 - The 2026 landscape (AI, hybrid work, constant change) 10:30 - The empathy dividend (research-backed data) 11:45 - Introducing The Visibility Equation™ 12:30 - Leadership Presence = Presence + Positioning + Perception 13:00 - Teaser for Part 2 + closing   RESEARCH REFERENCED  Hewlett, S. A. (2014). Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success.HarperBusiness. McClelland, D. (1996). Competency assessment methods, cited in Goleman, D. (1998). What Makes a Leader? Harvard Business Review. Double bind research: Catalyst and HBR studies on gender expectations in leadership.   CONNECT WITH SONYA: ➡  Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience is in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment ➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact: Guide ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    14 min

  2. FEB 11

    92: Strategic Wardrobe Planning for Leaders: How to Map Your Calendar to Your Closet

    The autumn/winter collections are dropping. And my inbox this week? Full of the same question: "Sonya, what should I be buying for next season?" Here's what I tell my clients: Don't start with what's trending or what's on the rack. Start with what's on your calendar. Smart leaders don't buy reactively. They plan based on what's ahead. In this episode, I'm walking you through strategic wardrobe planning, the process I use with my clients to map their calendar to their closet so their wardrobe works FOR them instead of against them. You'll learn:  → Why decision fatigue reduces cognitive function by 24% (and what that means for your leadership)  → How visual friction impacts your performance in high-stakes moments  → The 3-step framework: Map your calendar, Identify gaps, Refresh strategically  → How to distinguish "everyday meetings" from "high-stakes moments"  → What strategic refresh actually means (it's not buying everything new) The research-backed truth: Every morning you spend deciding what to wear is mental energy you're NOT spending on strategic decisions What you wear changes YOUR cognitive performance by up to 50% We form first impressions in 1/10th of a second based on visual cues This is for you if you're tired of scrambling the night before important presentations, spending 20 minutes in your closet every morning, or feeling like your wardrobe creates visual friction instead of supporting your leadership. KEY TAKEAWAYS THE PROBLEM: REACTIVE BUYING + DECISION FATIGUE Most leaders buy reactively (wait until they need something, scramble the night before) Or they buy based on trends (what's new, what everyone else is wearing) Neither approach is strategic Decision fatigue research: 24% reduction in cognitive function after making consumer choices Judge study: Parole decisions drop from 65% (start of day) to nearly 0% (end of day) due to decision fatigue Every morning spent deciding what to wear = depleted mental energy for strategic decisions THE INTERNAL COST: VISUAL FRICTION Visual friction = wearing something that doesn't feel right (even if it looks professional) You spend mental energy managing what you're wearing instead of focusing on the room Enclothed cognition research: What you wear changes YOUR cognitive performance by 50% When external expression aligns with internal identity = you perform better, make sharper decisions When misaligned = cognitive load reduces performance THE FRAMEWORK: MAP → IDENTIFY → REFRESH Step 1: MAP YOUR CALENDAR (3-6 months ahead) Look for high-stakes moments (not everyday meetings) What qualifies: work travel, conferences, board meetings, client presentations, speaking opportunities Ask: "Do I need to be remembered or just present?" Note: context, formality level, what you want to communicate We form first impressions in 1/10th of a second—your wardrobe speaks before you do Step 2: IDENTIFY GAPS What's working? (pieces that make you feel grounded and confident) What's creating visual friction? (looks fine but feels wrong, physically uncomfortable) Where are your gaps? (missing pieces for high-stakes moments) By the end: clear list of what's working, what's not, what's missing Step 3: REFRESH STRATEGICALLY Fill the gaps (buy for your calendar, not trends) Quality over volume (one great blazer for 5 board meetings > 5 okay blazers) Inject color (one new accent color refreshes entire wardrobe) Edit ruthlessly (if it didn't make the "keep" list, let it go) Result: fewer pieces that work harder for you THE OUTCOME: When you plan strategically, your wardrobe stops being a source of decision fatigue and becomes a strategic asset. You free up mental energy to focus on what actually matters. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction: AW collections dropping 0:30 - Podcast intro 1:00 - Don't start with trends, start with your calendar 1:30 - The problem: reactive buying 2:30 - Decision fatigue research (24% reduction in cognitive function) 3:30 - Judge study (parole decisions drop throughout day) 4:00 - Visual friction: internal cost 5:00 - Enclothed cognition research (50% performance change) 6:00 - The framework introduction: Map, Identify, Refresh 6:30 - STEP 1: Map your calendar (high-stakes moments) 8:00 - What qualifies as high-stakes? Examples 8:45 - "Be remembered or just present?" 9:30 - First impressions formed in 1/10th of a second 10:00 - STEP 2: Identify gaps (what's working, what's friction, what's missing) 11:30 - Client example: 15 blazers but none worked for new role 12:15 - STEP 3: Refresh strategically 13:00 - Fill gaps (quality over volume) 13:45 - Inject color (refresh without starting over) 14:15 - Edit ruthlessly (strategic wardrobe = less that works better) 15:00 - The Leadership Capsule Intensive (Feb 22) 16:00 - How to join + closing RESEARCH REFERENCED Decision Fatigue: Kathleen Vohs et al., "Making Choices Impairs Subsequent Self-Control" (2008) Finding: 24% reduction in cognitive function after making consumer choices Application: Every morning spent deciding what to wear depletes mental energy for strategic decisions Judge Decision Quality: Shai Danziger, "Extraneous factors in judicial decisions" (2011) Finding: Parole granted 65% at start of day, drops to nearly 0% by end of day Application: If judges make life-changing decisions differently based on decision fatigue, what decisions are YOU making differently after 20 minutes in your closet? Enclothed Cognition: Hajo Adam & Adam Galinsky, "Enclothed Cognition" (2012) Finding: Wearing "doctor's coat" vs "painter's coat" (same coat, different label) = 50% fewer errors on attention-demanding tasks Application: What you wear doesn't just signal to others—it changes how YOU show up cognitively and behaviorally Visual Processing Speed: Princeton University researchers (2006) Finding: We form first impressions in 1/10th of a second based on visual cues Application: Your wardrobe speaks before you do Full Research Citations: Vohs, K. D., et al. (2008). "Making Choices Impairs Subsequent Self-Control: A Limited-Resource Account of Decision Making, Self-Regulation, and Active Initiative." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(5), 883-898. Danziger, S., Levav, J., & Avnaim-Pesso, L. (2011). "Extraneous factors in judicial decisions." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(17), 6889-6892. Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). "Enclothed cognition." Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), 918-925. Willis, J., & Todorov, A. (2006). "First Impressions: Making Up Your Mind After a 100-Ms Exposure to a Face." Psychological Science, 17(7), 592-598. LINKS & RESOURCES THE LEADERSHIP CAPSULE INTENSIVE Date: February 22, 2026 Format: Virtual group intensive Investment: $397 What you get: Map YOUR calendar (actual high-stakes moments for next 3-6 months) Identify YOUR gaps (using your real closet, real calendar) Build your 10-piece strategic wardrobe (foundation pieces for YOUR leadership identity) Clear plan (not just ideas—actionable plan) Know what to keep, what to let go, what to add How to combine 10 pieces into multiple outfits How to refresh seasonally without starting over Who it's for: You have high-stakes moments coming up and your wardrobe isn't ready You're tired of scrambling the night before important presentations You want to reduce decision fatigue and show up more grounded You're ready to think strategically about your wardrobe instead of reactively How to join: Reply to newsletter with "CAPSULE" DM on Instagram or LinkedIn with "CAPSULE" Limited spots (small group for personalised attention)  CONNECT WITH SONYA: ➡  Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience is in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment ➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact: Guide ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    17 min

  3. FEB 4

    91: Strategic Wardrobe Planning for Women in Leadership

    Welcome back! In this first episode of 2026, I'm sharing my annual wardrobe audit process and how I successfully sold 70% of my pre-loved clothing pieces. But this isn't just about decluttering, it's about maintaining alignment between who you're becoming as a leader and how you're showing up. I walk through my strategic approach to keeping a curated wardrobe that reduces decision fatigue and reflects your leadership identity. You'll hear about my experience testing two resale methods (Airrobe online consignment and Venla physical rack rental), plus practical tips on pricing strategy and maximising your return on investment when editing your wardrobe. Key Takeaways Regular wardrobe audits are essential for leadership alignment. Conduct wardrobe reviews multiple times per year to ensure your closet reflects your current leadership identity, lifestyle, and brand direction, not who you were three years ago. Maintenance over replacement. The goal isn't to buy new things constantly. It's to maintain what you have and strategically remove what no longer serves you or aligns with where you're going. Create a boutique experience to reduce decision fatigue. Organize your wardrobe like a clean, curated store. When your closet feels like a boutique, getting dressed becomes effortless instead of exhausting. Use a strategic dual reselling approach. Combine online platforms (like Airrobe) for convenience with physical rack rentals (like Venla) for higher-value pieces to maximise your success rate. Know your selling environment. Research the store demographic and popular items before selecting pieces for rack rental. Understanding your buyer helps you choose what will actually sell. Price strategically for ROI. When rack rentals cost ~$280 AUD, focus on quality pieces that will help you break even quickly rather than filling the rack with volume-based items. Leverage rotation opportunities. When items sell from your rented rack, bring in backup pieces to maximise the rental period and keep fresh inventory available. Approach it as an experiment. Test different methods to discover what works best for your situation. Wardrobe decluttering isn't one-size-fits-all. Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction: Annual wardrobe audit process 0:30 - Podcast intro 1:15 - Welcome back for 2026 2:00 - Why audit your wardrobe regularly (alignment with leadership identity) 3:10 - Maintenance vs. buying new: strategic approach 4:00 - Creating a boutique wardrobe feel to reduce decision fatigue 6:00 - Organizing by color and type for visual clarity 7:00 - Deciding what to keep vs. what to sell 7:40 - Two resale options: Airrobe online consignment & Venla rack rental 8:20 - Top selling tips for maximizing success 10:00 - Understanding store demographics before selecting pieces 10:20 - ROI strategy for $280 rack rental investment 11:30 - Results: Successfully sold 70% of selected pieces 12:00 - Rotating pieces as items sell to maximize rental period 14:00 - Break-even achieved in two days 14:20 - Q&A and audience engagement 15:20 - Closing thoughts Links and Resources: ➡ Airrobe - Online consignment platform for pre-loved clothing ➡ Venla - Physical rack rental for reselling clothing ➡  Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience is in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment ➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact: Guide ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    16 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    90: Grounded Presence: Practical Strategies for Confident Communication

    In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, Sonya, a personal brand and style coach, shares the secrets behind maintaining a grounded presence when speaking in public or on video. Addressing a common question, Sonya explains her framework consisting of physical grounding, vocal grounding, and energetic grounding. She discusses her personal rituals and tactics, such as lighting a candle, using a power pose, and pacing her speech. Drawing from her corporate leadership and presentation coaching experiences, Sonya offers valuable advice for amplifying one's presence and leading with confidence. Listeners are encouraged to practice these techniques and reach out for personalized coaching. The episode wraps up with holiday wishes and a preview of what to expect in 2026. Key Takeaways: Grounded presence is built through practice, not natural confidence. Use three pillars: Physical grounding: Pre-speaking rituals and strong posture. Vocal grounding: Slow down, pause for impact, and speak from your chest. Energetic grounding: Focus on one clear message and be authentic. The more you practice, the more comfortable and powerful you’ll become as a speaker. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Style and Strategy Podcast00:46 Staying Grounded: The Honest Truth01:54 The Three Non-Negotiables for Grounded Presence06:32 Physical Grounding Techniques09:58 Vocal Grounding Strategies13:36 Energetic Grounding: The Internal Work17:28 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes Links and Resources: ➡ Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment   ➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:  Guide ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    20 min

  5. 12/10/2025

    89: Strategic Personal Planning for Your Leadership Presence in 2026

    In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, Sonya, a personal brand and style coach, emphasizes the importance of planning for personal growth and leadership presence before the New Year chaos begins. She discusses the tendency to prioritize others' needs over personal evolution and shares two diagnostic exercises to help listeners align their brand and style with their future goals. Sonya's exercises aim to identify key areas for improvement and establish a clear vision for 2026. The episode encourages listeners to take proactive steps in December to start the new year with a solid, personalized plan for success.   Key Takeaways: Don’t try to overhaul everything, focus on strategic refinement in the areas that matter most. Identify your two to three lowest-scoring areas and make them your focus for 2026. Define three to five words that describe the leadership presence you want to embody in 2026. Choose one concrete action you can take in the next seven days to align your style and brand with your vision. Take time to plan now, before the new year and holiday rush, so you enter 2026 with clarity and momentum. Your brand, style, and leadership identity should evolve with you, intentional planning and action are key to meaningful change.    Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and December Reflections00:34 The Importance of Personal Planning02:09 Welcome to the Style and Strategy Podcast02:56 Why January Planning Fails04:07 Diagnostic Exercises for 202606:43 The Brand and Style Life Wheel13:19 Vision Exercise for 202616:53 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Links and Resources: ➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen, so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do. Own The Room ➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:Checklist ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    20 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    88: Unlocking Leadership Presence: The 3% Style Refinement

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, personal brand and style coach Sonya explores how leadership and personal evolution demand not just career proficiency, but also an aligned personal style. Sonya introduces her concept of the 'Ladder of Elevation' to make small yet impactful wardrobe refinements that reflect your current leadership presence. From understanding why your go-to outfit might feel 'off' to making targeted adjustments without overhauling your closet, learn how to ensure your style aligns with who you are now and the rooms you want to lead. Discover strategies for tailoring, upgrading finishing touches, and embodying your signature style to amplify your presence and impact. Key Takeaways: Your wardrobe reflects your personal and leadership evolution - when it feels "off," it's a sign you've grown beyond your old self. You don't need a complete overhaul; small, strategic refinements can make a big impact. Focus on tailoring, upgraded accessories, and intentional finishing touches to elevate your style. These 3% changes help align your appearance with who you are becoming, boosting confidence and presence. The right style choices ensure you're experienced as the leader you are in the rooms that matter most. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Style and Strategy Podcast00:46 The Power of Your Go-To Outfit02:15 Understanding the Wardrobe Shift02:40 The 3% Change: Small Refinements, Big Impact05:25 The Ladder of Elevation Framework09:20 Foundation Fit: Ensuring Your Clothes Fit Today10:27 Finishing Touches: The 3% Upgrades12:14 Signature Style Embodiment14:00 Practical Steps to Elevate Your Wardrobe17:16 Conclusion and Next Steps Links and Resources:   ➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen, so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do. Own The Room ➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:Checklist ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    19 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    87: Why Your Ideas Aren’t Landing — And What to Do About It

    If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “I literally said that 20 minutes ago… why did it only land when someone else repeated it?”, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, Sonya breaks down one of the most overlooked elements of leadership presence: communication design — the bridge between how you naturally express yourself and how your audience actually processes information. You’ll learn why capability isn’t your barrier, why confidence isn’t the real gap, and why even highly experienced leaders still feel unheard despite delivering results. Sonya explains the four primary communication processing channels (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, auditory-digital), how they influence perception in high-stakes rooms, and how to translate your message so it lands every time — without changing who you are. This episode is essential listening for leaders transitioning from expert to executive, from execution to strategy, or anyone tired of feeling overlooked in meetings, boardrooms, and strategic presentations. Key Takeaways The real gap isn’t your capability — it’s how you're being experienced. Leaders often get dismissed because their delivery doesn’t match the way their audience processes information. People absorb information through four channels: Visual: needs structure, mental imagery, “picture this” Auditory: tuned to tone, pacing, resonance Kinesthetic: needs to feel, notice, experience Auditory-Digital: needs logic, sequence, step-by-step reasoning You have a natural communication blueprint. It can be precision, storytelling, emotional resonance, vision, simplicity, or real-time insight — and forcing yourself into someone else’s pattern creates disconnect. The goal isn’t to change who you are. It’s to translate your natural design into the channel your audience is prioritizing — especially in high-stakes moments. When you don’t translate your message, you risk: being labeled too in the weeds being seen as not strategic enough getting overlooked in critical conversations walking out feeling unheard Timestamps 00:00 — Why capability isn’t the gap 01:00 — The experience vs. delivery problem 02:00 — Visual communication vs. verbal communication 03:00 — The 4 communication processing channels 06:00 — Why mismatches cause brilliant ideas to fall flat 09:00 — Why “be more concise” advice fails 10:00 — Your natural communication blueprint 13:00 — Why the expert → executive transition feels uncomfortable 14:00 — How to translate your design into your audience’s channel 17:00 — What happens when the gap is unaddressed 18:00 — Why you’re making yourself smaller in meetings 19:00 — The real definition of leadership presence 20:00 — How to work with Sonya to map your communication design Links & Resources ➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do. Own The Room ➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:Checklist ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    21 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    86: Invisible in the Room? 5 Leadership Patterns Quietly Costing You (and How to Shift Them)

    This isn’t a teaching episode—it’s a coaching session. Sonya guides you through a live inquiry to surface the hidden patterns that make high-achieving women feel invisible in high-stakes rooms. You’ll identify your dominant pattern, see where it once served you, quantify what it’s costing you now, and choose one concrete action to shift it this week. You’ll learn The five most common leadership patterns behind “I felt invisible”: Strategic restraint (waiting for the perfect moment) Room calibration (shapeshifting your energy) Invisible influence (doing the work, missing the visibility) Preparation as protection (over-prepping, under-trusting) The recognition gap (excellent work, under-positioned) Why these patterns worked earlier in your career—and why they stall you now The specific costs: missed influence, diluted presence, and stalled advancement A simple, one-step assignment to break the loop this week Coaching prompts from the episode “What story did you tell yourself in that moment?” “When did this pattern serve you?” “What is this pattern costing you now—specifically?” “If you weren’t running this pattern, what would you do instead?” Action menu (pick one this week) Speak once in the first 10 minutes of a meeting (end the “perfect timing” myth) Decide your baseline energy before 3 meetings and bring that energy When praised, don’t deflect: “Thank you—here’s what I focused on.” Prepare enough, then trust yourself to navigate live Make one win visible (DM/email/post walking through your thinking) Who this is for Senior female leaders and founders who are deeply capable, yet feel under-seen in high-stakes rooms—and are ready to align identity, expression, and positioning.   LINKS & RESOURCES ➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do. Own The Room ➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:Checklist ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook

    21 min
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About

Style & Strategy: The Leadership Presence Podcast for senior women in corporate who are respected for what they deliver and ready to be remembered for who they are. I'm Sonya Choi La Rosa. After 25 years leading in corporate financial services across Technology, Operations, and Transformation, I know what it takes to be experienced at the level you've earned. I've never believed presence is something you either have or you don't. It's built. From the inside out. Through my 3D Impact Method™, I integrate what most approaches fragment: leadership identity, strategic positioning, and style strategy. Because these don't live in separate boxes. They intersect. This is strategic presence for women stepping into bigger rooms.

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