Leadership Communication in Action | Women Leaders Speaking Up in Meetings, Getting Women Promoted to Leadership

Liz Boswell | Leadership Communication Coach, Executive Presence, Career Transitions for Women in Professional Services
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Are you being told to "step up" but no one can tell you what that actually means?Are you performing well, hitting your targets, yet still second-guessing yourself in senior conversations?Are you navigating leadership communication and executive presence but something still feels off?If that sounds like you, you're in exactly the right place.Leadership Communication in Action is the weekly podcast for high performing women ready to close the leadership communication gap so you're seen as credible, trusted, and ready for senior leadership.  Each episode gives you the practical communication skills, executive presence and female professional growth strategies that partners and senior leaders are actually looking for. No jargon, no fluff — just clear, actionable guidance in under 20 minutes.Hi, I'm Liz Boswell - a leadership communication coach who spent years telling herself she wasn't a leader.For a long time, that voice in my head was relentless. Someone else knew more, someone else had more authority, I didn't deserve to take up space. So I stayed silent, sat on the sidelines, and watched others speak up in rooms where I had just as much right to be heard.Until I finally realised - that voice was lying.The shift didn't come from working harder or knowing more. It came from changing how I showed up and how I communicated. Once I understood that, everything changed and I walked away from a corporate training career to build my own coaching business focused on the one thing most leadership development programmes completely ignore: how women communicate at senior level.Since then I've helped clients achieve real measurable results including supporting a supply chain manager to overcome imposter syndrome and step up to become a director,In this podcast you'll learn how to:*Speak effortlessly in high stakes meetings without over preparing or second guessing *Understand different communication styles and adapt without losing your unique strengths*Build presence and trust with senior stakeholders and partners*Give and receive executive feedback with clarity and authority *Navigate career transitions from technical expert to strategic leader*Handle high stakes meetings, presentations and promotion conversations with confidence*Strengthen your confidence at work without relying on external validation This is not about adding more to your workload. It's about making small, intentional shifts in your leadership communication that change how you're seen, trusted and heard at senior level.New episodes drop every week, short enough for your commute or morning walk. Hit subscribe so you never miss one.Ready to go deeper? When you're ready to turn your potential into promotion, join me inside Practically Promoted, my leadership communication programme designed specifically for ambitious women like you who are preparing for senior leadership.

Episodes

  1. 1h ago

    Leadership Communication: If Speaking Up About Your Success Feels Awkward, Listen to This

    Why do so many talented leaders find it easier to talk about their team’s success than their own? If the thought of sharing your achievements makes you uncomfortable, this conversation may explain why. Communication becomes challenging when you've been taught that being visible looks like bragging, even when your contribution deserves recognition. Many professionals, especially women leaders, grow up with the belief that hard work will always be noticed. Keep your head down, deliver results, and opportunities will follow. But leadership doesn’t always work that way. Strong results matter, yet leadership visibility often depends on whether others understand the role you played in creating those outcomes. This discussion explores a common challenge in leadership communication: knowing your value but struggling to articulate it. You’ll hear why highly capable people often hesitate when it comes to self-promotion, how confidence and competence are not the same thing, and why waiting to feel fully ready can hold back career growth. A key insight is that your work may create evidence, but leaders still need context. Senior stakeholders rarely see every decision, conversation, or obstacle you navigate. Effective communication helps connect those dots. It allows others to understand the impact behind the outcomes rather than simply seeing the end result. You’ll also discover a practical framework for talking about your achievements without feeling inauthentic. Instead of making broad claims, learn how to use facts, outcomes, and measurable results as evidence of your capability. This approach strengthens executive presence, supports speaking up in meetings, and helps your voice at work be heard with greater confidence. Because it’s not about becoming louder. It’s about becoming clearer. Strong communication in leadership meetings helps others recognise the value you already bring and supports more intentional career progression. If this resonated with you, subscribe to the podcast, share it with a colleague, and leave a review. Your support helps more leaders build confidence, visibility, and impact through better communication. Tags: communication, leadership communication, executive presence, leadership visibility, speaking up in meetings  Podcast intro with music  End of episode - follow for more Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    20 min

  2. 6d ago

    Executive Presence Tips | 3 Communication Mistakes that are Weakening Authority for Women Leaders

    Executive presence isn't something you're born with. It's not about being the loudest person in the room, having the perfect personality, or pretending to be someone you're not. In this episode, Liz explores one of the most overlooked factors in career progression: your leadership communication. Drawing on her own experience, she shares how habits like over-explaining, softening recommendations, and apologising unnecessarily were quietly undermining her leadership presence, despite delivering strong results and being highly capable in her role. You'll discover why confidence is communicated through clarity rather than volume, how small language shifts can change how others perceive your leadership, and practical executive presence techniques you can start using immediately. In this episode you'll learn: • Why unnecessary apologies can weaken your authority without you realising it  • How over-explaining dilutes your message and reduces your impact  • Why executive presence is more about clarity than confidence  • Simple communication habits that help women leaders be taken more seriously  • Practical techniques to strengthen your leadership communication style in meetings, presentations and everyday conversations If you've ever left a meeting wishing you'd spoken up, found yourself second-guessing your contribution, or wondered why others seem to have more influence despite similar experience, this episode is for you. Connect with Liz on LinkedIn and share the communication habit you're working on changing this week. https://www.linkedin.com/in/boldmovescoach/ #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipCommunication #WomenInLeadership #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #CareerProgression #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutivePresenceTips #WomenLeaders #PersonalBrand #ProfessionalDevelopment  Podcast intro with music  End of episode - follow for more Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    20 min

  3. Jun 2

    5 Reasons why speaking up in meetings is the secret to getting women promoted

    Most women assume promotions come from working harder, staying reliable, and quietly delivering results. But when it comes to senior leadership, speaking up in meetings is often the difference between being seen as dependable… and being seen as promotable. Because leadership is not built in silence. This conversation challenges the belief that confidence has to come before visibility. The women getting promoted are rarely the people with perfect answers. They’re the people whose thinking becomes visible during decision making conversations, stakeholder discussions, and high-pressure moments where leadership presence matters most. And this is where so many capable women hold themselves back. Years of second-guessing, overthinking, and trying not to “say the wrong thing” can quietly damage confidence at work, even when the capability is already there. But staying silent doesn’t protect your career the way many women think it does. In leadership environments, silence is often interpreted as uncertainty, hesitation, or lack of strategic input. That’s why speaking up in meetings matters far beyond confidence alone. You’ll hear why visibility shapes opportunity, how communication influences trust with senior stakeholders, and why executive presence has less to do with personality and far more to do with clarity, intention, and consistency. There’s also an honest conversation about imposter syndrome, shrinking language, and the subtle habits that weaken authority without women even realising it. Because leadership communication is a skill - and skills can be learned. If you’re ready to stop waiting until you feel “confident enough” and start communicating like someone who already belongs in the room, this episode will shift the way you think about speaking up in meetings forever. Follow the podcast for more honest conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, and career growth for women ready to step into bigger opportunities without losing themselves in the process. If you are tired of being overlooked and want to turn your potential into a promotion, check out my 12 week coaching programme Practically Promoted https://www.boldmovescoach.co.uk/practically-promoted Tags: speaking up in meetings, women getting promoted, executive presence, leadership communication, confidence at work  Podcast intro with music  End of episode - follow for more Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    19 min

  4. Feb 24

    Leadership Pressure: Speaking Up Without Taking Criticism Personally

    If you’ve ever felt your judgement questioned at work, struggled to stay calm under pressure, or found yourself over-explaining decisions in senior conversations, this episode will resonate. As you move into more senior roles, leadership pressure changes. Visibility increases, expectations rise, and decisions carry more weight. In this episode, Liz Boswell explores why experienced professionals (especially women) often feel greater scrutiny as responsibility increases, and how to handle pressure at work without losing your authority. We explore:  • Why your judgement is questioned more at senior level • How pressure and risk change how people listen • The difference between healthy challenge and persistent doubt • Why high-performing women can over-explain or become defensive • How to stay calm and maintain authority under pressure If you’re navigating leadership transition, stepping into a more senior role, or making high-stakes decisions at work, this conversation will help you think clearly and respond with confidence. If you are tired of being overlooked and want to turn your potential into a promotion, check out my 12 week coaching programme Practically Promoted https://www.boldmovescoach.co.uk/practically-promoted Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    15 min

  5. Feb 17

    Decision Making for Senior Leaders: The Power of the Pause

    In this episode we explore the power of the pause and why it's a bold move for women in business. Pausing to think could be seen as procrastination by those around you, yet moving too quickly can sometimes lead to mistakes and at senior level that can damage your reputation. It's time to challenge the belief that pausing is procrastination, and show how taking time to think can improve decisions, strengthen trust, and protect long-term credibility. This conversation is for capable female leaders who are dealing with pressure, and questioning whether they are making decisions at the right pace. Preparing for Partnership? If you are a senior woman in professional services navigating the transition to partner-level responsibility, learn more about private leadership transition coaching here  https://www.boldmovescoach.co.uk/practically-promoted Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    15 min

  6. Feb 10

    Speaking Up Without Self-Doubt | Managing Your Inner Critic

    If that voice inside your head gets louder as responsibility increases, this episode is for you. In this episode of Making Bold Moves, Liz Boswell explores Bold Move 6: Quiet the Inner Critic - Liz explains why the inner critic often gets louder not quieter as you progress as a leader. Drawing on leadership experience and insights from neuroscience, she reframes the inner critic as a stress response, not the truth. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why senior leaders still struggle with self-doubt (even when they “should know better”)How the brain’s protective response shows up as overthinking and second-guessingThe difference between anxiety and uncertainty in leadership decisionsHow to stop arguing with your inner critic and start managing itThree practical ways to quiet the inner critic without ignoring riskThis episode is especially relevant if you replay decisions in your head long after they’re made. This is the final episode in Stage 2 of the Bold Moves Roadmap: Managing the Inner Load — where leaders learn to protect their energy, trust their judgement, and lead with clarity under pressure. 🎧 Listen if you want calmer decision-making, stronger self-trust, and a healthier relationship with the voice in your head. Preparing for Partnership? If you are a senior woman in professional services navigating the transition to partner-level responsibility, learn more about my 12 week coaching programme here https://www.boldmovescoach.co.uk/practically-promoted Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    18 min

  7. Feb 3

    How Speaking Up about Workload Builds Influence for Women Leaders

    Many high-performing professional women are dealing with leadership pressure every day because they avoid speaking up about workload.  In this episode, Liz Boswell explores how strategic delegation is a leadership communication skill that protects both your executive presence and your boundaries.  Discover why the real barrier to delegation isn't capability, it's protection - and how speaking up about workload builds influence, not weakness. Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    15 min

  8. Jan 27

    Setting Boundaries with Confidence at Work to Avoid Burnout

    Protecting your boundaries doesn’t mean caring less, it means leading more strategically. In this episode of Making Bold Moves, Liz Boswell explores Bold Move 4: Protect Your Boundaries a practical conversation for senior leaders who feel constantly needed, pulled into last-minute meetings, and quietly carrying more than they should. We explore why boundary problems happen, how unspoken expectations drain your energy, and how small, intentional changes can protect your capacity to lead well without damaging relationships or your reputation. Liz shares real client examples and simple language you can use to: Set clear expectations without sounding awkward or selfishStop absorbing other people’s urgency and stressSlow down reactive “yes” responses and respond with intentionBuild team capability instead of rescuing everyoneProtect your energy while maintaining high standardsThis episode is especially relevant if you feel exhausted because your diary fills up constantly without your permission. You’ll come away with three practical boundary strategies you can use immediately, plus a reframing that makes boundary-setting feel strategic, not selfish. This is part of Stage 2 of the Bold Moves Roadmap — Managing the Inner Load, where responsibility increases and protecting your energy becomes essential to sustainable leadership. 🎧 Listen if you want to lead with clarity, authority, and calm — without burning out. Preparing for Partnership? If you are a senior woman in professional services navigating the transition to partner-level responsibility, learn more about private leadership transition coaching here  https://www.boldmovescoach.co.uk/leadership-transitions Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    12 min

  9. Jan 14

    Leadership Influence: Why Your Reputation Matters More Than Your Track Record

    Why does leadership get harder as you climb? Because after capability, influence becomes the currency that matters. In this episode, Liz Boswell reveals how senior female leaders build trust through everyday moments like the way you listen, pause, respond, and follow up—and why these small behaviors compound into reputation and real advancement.  Perfect for women in leadership who are hitting their targets but still invisible to decision-makers. Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    16 min

  10. Jan 7

    Asking for Promotion & Pay Without Sounding Pushy | Female Leadership

    If asking for what you want feels uncomfortable or risky, this episode is for you. Many capable people hold back from asking for a pay rise or a promotion because they might look pushy or desperate. In this episode, Liz explores why holding back shows up as frustration, self-doubt, or disappointment later on.  Using a real client example, she looks at what’s really happening when people hint instead of ask, and how that quietly affects authority and trust. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of what stops you from being direct, and how to ask in a way that feels grounded, honest, and aligned with who you are. Especially useful if you want progress and fairness, but notice yourself holding back in conversations that matter. Preparing for Partnership? If you are a senior woman in professional services navigating the transition to partner-level responsibility, learn more about private leadership transition coaching here  https://www.boldmovescoach.co.uk/leadership-transitions Leadership Communication in Action is a podcast for women who are capable, thoughtful, and quietly questioning how they’re showing up at work and in life. I’m Liz Boswell. I work with professional women who don’t need more advice, but do need space to think clearly, especially when the pressure is on. Each episode is a calm, mentoring-style conversation grounded in real client moments. We look at the stories people carry, the behaviours those stories create, and the small, practical shifts that change how things land day to day. You’ll hear honest reflections, psychologically precise questions, and simple actions you can try immediately, without overhauling your life or becoming someone else. If you’re stepping into more responsibility, more visibility, or simply feeling the weight of decisions that matter, this podcast is here to help you slow things down, think more clearly, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and real. A quiet companion for people who want to make better moves, not louder ones.

    15 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Are you being told to "step up" but no one can tell you what that actually means?Are you performing well, hitting your targets, yet still second-guessing yourself in senior conversations?Are you navigating leadership communication and executive presence but something still feels off?If that sounds like you, you're in exactly the right place.Leadership Communication in Action is the weekly podcast for high performing women ready to close the leadership communication gap so you're seen as credible, trusted, and ready for senior leadership.  Each episode gives you the practical communication skills, executive presence and female professional growth strategies that partners and senior leaders are actually looking for. No jargon, no fluff — just clear, actionable guidance in under 20 minutes.Hi, I'm Liz Boswell - a leadership communication coach who spent years telling herself she wasn't a leader.For a long time, that voice in my head was relentless. Someone else knew more, someone else had more authority, I didn't deserve to take up space. So I stayed silent, sat on the sidelines, and watched others speak up in rooms where I had just as much right to be heard.Until I finally realised - that voice was lying.The shift didn't come from working harder or knowing more. It came from changing how I showed up and how I communicated. Once I understood that, everything changed and I walked away from a corporate training career to build my own coaching business focused on the one thing most leadership development programmes completely ignore: how women communicate at senior level.Since then I've helped clients achieve real measurable results including supporting a supply chain manager to overcome imposter syndrome and step up to become a director,In this podcast you'll learn how to:*Speak effortlessly in high stakes meetings without over preparing or second guessing *Understand different communication styles and adapt without losing your unique strengths*Build presence and trust with senior stakeholders and partners*Give and receive executive feedback with clarity and authority *Navigate career transitions from technical expert to strategic leader*Handle high stakes meetings, presentations and promotion conversations with confidence*Strengthen your confidence at work without relying on external validation This is not about adding more to your workload. It's about making small, intentional shifts in your leadership communication that change how you're seen, trusted and heard at senior level.New episodes drop every week, short enough for your commute or morning walk. Hit subscribe so you never miss one.Ready to go deeper? When you're ready to turn your potential into promotion, join me inside Practically Promoted, my leadership communication programme designed specifically for ambitious women like you who are preparing for senior leadership.

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