Mastering the Art of the Elevator Pitch with Women in Leadership

At work, there are people who help others. And there are people who ask, “Why would I help someone else? Not my job and I’m busy.” Putting morality aside, here are 3 very practical business reasons why helping others is actually strategic: 1️⃣ You build influence without authority Most of us don’t have much formal authority (as a consultant, even though I advise execs, I never have formal authority). But influence? That’s available to everyone. When you help people succeed and they see results, they’re more likely to involve you, listen to you, and trust your judgment. Over time, this builds your professional brand. 2️⃣ You signal capacity Opportunities tend to flow toward people who are perceived to “have room” and capability. Being helpful is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate competence, reliability, and capacity, without having to say it out loud. 3️⃣ You’re seen as an expert If you can teach or support someone else effectively, you’re perceived as an expert. Experts earn trust. Trust leads to collaboration. Collaboration leads to opportunity. Helping others isn’t just kind. It’s smart. #leadership #careerdevelopment #influence #workplaceculture #professionalgrowth #businessthinking #collaboration #personalbrand Credit: Pinterest

The right words unlock your team’s potential. The wrong ones create confusion. Here’s how you Speak Like a CEO. I’ve helped over 300 CEOs become world-class communicators and interviewed hundreds on my show of the same name. They know how to lead with clarity. Not just in keynotes or media interviews, but in the small daily conversations that shape culture and results. Here’s what that looks like in practice: 1/ Give Clear Direction ↳ Don’t say: “We should work on this soon.” ↳ Say:  • “Here’s the next step: [task].”  • “The current priority is [goal]. Let’s focus there.” 2/ Provide Constructive Feedback ↳ Don’t say: “This could be better.” ↳ Say: • “Thanks for your work on [task]. One way to improve it is [suggestion].” • “Good start. Let’s refine it by [specific change].” 3/ Set Boundaries with Confidence ↳ Don’t say:  “I’ll try to squeeze it in.” ↳ Say: • “I can’t commit to that right now, but here’s what I can offer.” • “Let’s stay focused on [topic] to make the most of our time.” 4/ Handle Difficult Conversations ↳ Don’t say: “Let’s talk later.” ↳ Say: • “There’s something important we need to address. Is now a good time?” • “I understand your point. I can’t agree to that, but here’s what I can do.” 5/ Inspire and Motivate Others ↳ Don’t say:  “Great job.” ↳ Say: • “Your work on [project] made a real impact. Thank you.” • “I believe in your ability to lead this. How can I support you?” 6/ Navigate Conflict with Diplomacy ↳ Don’t say: “That’s not what I meant.” ↳ Say: • “Let me clarify what I meant.” • “Help me understand your perspective so we can find common ground.” - - - - ♻️ Repost to help others. And follow Oliver Aust for more. 🗣️ Want to Speak Like a top 1% Leader? My 2026 cohort starts on 26 January: https://lnkd.in/d4rPPD8q 

What is IMPACT — and why does it matter now more than ever? IMPACT is the imprint you leave in the minds of everyone you meet. In business, networking, leadership, and life — it’s how you are seen, heard, perceived, and remembered. We’ve all met those people who walk into a room and command attention without saying a word. They are trusted, respected, and in demand. Opportunities seem to find them more easily. Their presence speaks before they do. For years, I was fascinated by this and asked myself: what do they have that others don’t? Through observation, analysis, and real-world experience, I discovered the difference isn’t luck or personality — it’s confidence, communication, and visual credibility. They look successful, behave successfully, and communicate with clarity. As a result, people believe in them. That insight led me to develop IMPACT — a programme built on years of learning about the power of visual communication and professional presence. IMPACT shows you how to influence and persuade, inspire and motivate, and achieve positive results by aligning what you project with who you truly are. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the IMPACT programmes and how they can help you elevate your presence, strengthen your confidence, and supercharge your career or business. If you’ve ever felt that you’re capable of more — but your presence isn’t fully reflecting it — this is for you. Watch this space.    

Want to be someone people truly want to work with? Here are three things that have always earned me a seat at the table and a real place in the room. 1. Be easy to work with. Approachability, reliability, and a solution-focused mindset make collaboration effortless. Being someone colleagues can count on — without drama or unnecessary friction — is magnetic. 2. Act with integrity. Say what you mean, do what you promise, and build trust through consistency. People naturally gravitate toward those who are reliable and authentic. 3. Have a clear professional brand.Know what you stand for, what you deliver, and how you show up — and make it unmistakable. When your work and your reputation align, people can’t help but notice. These tips aren’t just nice-to-haves. They build influence and visibility, which are critical for career progression. Some people get ahead because they combine strategic visibility, impactful skills (like problem-solving or crisis management), strong networks, leadership qualities, and a proactive mindset. These are often the same people we call workplace influencers — employees who guide colleagues, shape culture, and drive decisions. They might not be managers, but they have impact: mayors who are well-connected, energisers who spark change, or bridges who connect groups. Their influence comes from networks, expertise, and positive energy — and often, they communicate and shape culture more effectively than formal leaders. Others, despite hard work, may be held back by lack of self-promotion, misalignment with company goals, or simply being in the wrong environment. Success often hinges on being seen as valuable and aligned with leadership’s vision, not just competent. Recognising this can shift how you approach your career — from hoping to be noticed to actively shaping how you’re perceived. Coaching can help you reflect on how you show up, strengthen your influence, and implement these tips effectively — so you’re recognised, valued, and genuinely wanted in your workplace. Your presence matters. Make it count. #careercoaching #leadership #gettingahead

Hot take: You’ve been taught leadership backwards. “Build trust first. Then have the hard conversation.” That isn't always possible. This assumed rule keeps more leaders stuck than almost anything else I hear. In our latest blog, I dive into what the work keeps showing us: You don’t need trust to start the conversation. You need presence, skill, and a willingness to stay in it. https://lnkd.in/giigSkbE Trust doesn’t have to start the process. Trust can emerge from the process. That shift alone is a game-changer for leaders navigating fractured relationships, stalled decisions, or teams hiding behind silence. In the full piece, I unpack: - Why waiting for trust often prevents traction - What actually comes first when trust is thin or broken - The one non-negotiable move that keeps low-trust conversations from blowing up This is the heart of the ARTiculateRC approach—and the core of Fruitful Friction®. If you’re avoiding a conversation because “the trust isn’t there yet,” this might be exactly what you need to read next. Ring the bell at the top of my profile to follow for more!

This is one article that you aren't going to want to miss. What if you have been taught something that doesn't provide the complete picture. Trust is one of those things that leadership gets instructed to have and yet, we aren't always taught how to build it with our teams or leadership. And, as the article states - what if you've lost trust as a leader and realize that it needs to be rebuilt - yet, in the midst of that process, you need to have conversations? Thirdly, what if you could show your team that your approach has shifted because you begin to understand more about Fruitful Friction®? And you're able to demonstrate this so that they can learn from you. Take one minute and give yourself a gift. #fruitfulfriction #conversation #trust #leadershipdevelopment #hilaryblairspeaks

An effective Executive Brand requires your awareness and demonstration of ever-present authenticity and consistency -  Authenticity is at the heart of executive relationships - Your reputation with top leaders is built in every interaction, not just when you're in the spotlight, writes executive coach Kristen Hendrix, who offers a five-step road map you can use to create your own authentic style. Look for ways to engage on a level of personal connection, ask about their views and listen with genuine interest and follow through on your commitments to show your value and competency, Hendrix suggests. - Full Story: Leadership Vitae (2/5) - https://lnkd.in/esYDDkvA - #leadership #authenticity #consistency

Terri Lonowski - we appreciate you sharing on Business RadioX® with host Joshua Kornitsky. In this episode of High Velocity Radio, host Joshua Kornitsky welcomes Terri Lonowski, creator of the Soulful Listening Methodology, to explore how deeper listening transforms leadership, culture, and business performance. Terri shares the five elements of soulful listening and explains how empathy, presence, and intentional communication can reduce disengagement, spark innovation, and strengthen trust across organizations. They discuss the real business cost of miscommunication and practical ways leaders can create environments where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute their best ideas. #SupportandCelebrate #SoulfulListening #TransformingLeadership

You're Too Talented & Gifted To Live Below What You've Been Called To Do!👇🏽 It's a shame how all that wisdom is just sitting there... not being cultivated or utilized to its highest capacity. You are literally resting on gold that many companies need to help them get to the next level within their business or maybe (just maybe)... you're sitting on ideas you're supposed to be implementing for yourself to spearhead. For over a decade (and yes that timeframe sounds crazy but it's true) I've been showing women how to utilize their talents & skills to create the life they seek to have both personally and professionally. You want to start your own business? I've done it for 9 years... so I show them how to from ideation, registration, funding, marketing and daily operations. You want to become a respected leader within your company that's highly paid & well positioned for promotion? I've shown them how to do just that as well. 🔑It's all perception and Your Perceived Value! How you position your talent, services and authority in the marketplace or workforce is key. Others need to know you can deliver and quickly! So displaying truth of how you make results happen is essential. Below I left a few nuggets on how you can start doing just that: 💡Look The Part! Humans are extremely visual creatures and we need to see that someone exudes executive leadership. You can do this by looking well put together. Ensuring your clothing compliments your body type sends a message of intentionality and care. A polished appearance subconsciously creates a uniform in others minds regarding you. 💡Speak With Authority! Clear, precise and come with straight facts. A long winded speaker can lose their audience quickly as well as someone who fumbles over their words and fails to present confidence. Ensure you are well versed in what you are saying and speak with clarity. This naturally demands the attention of your audience. 💡Know Your Stuff! There's nothing that screams EXECUTIVE more than a person who is skilled in their industry. Everyone always knows the exact person to go to when they are seeking high level answers about a particular topic. Let that known person be YOU by being decisive, a proactive thinker, empowering your team, leading with confidence & emotional intelligence while always driving high results! You have all the components to make yourself successful. You just have to put all those gems into action by getting around the right people who are seeking the value that you offer. This Year... Kick Things Into HIGH GEAR & Leave No Crumbs!💪🏽 <><><><><><><><> Join my women's group Edify The Soul to receive our weekly newsletter (filled with confidence building & mindset coaching gems): https://lnkd.in/e-bv-7Ad #confidence #coach #mindset #leadership #executiveleadership