My Blog

Following my article Bias towards style over substance is keeping your real talent hidden, I found out from a colleague about an organisation which eliminated introverts from their talent pool after doing some personality profiling of their high potentials. Most of my readers know where I stand on the issue of diversity of leadership style (ie. I believe we need more diversity in leadership style – please see Do you have to be an extrovert to get ahead?). It made me reflect on what organisations and leaders do to keep their diverse talent hidden and under-utilised.Read more...

Have you come across conversations where people comment on others that they are ‘not leadership material’? That they lack executive presence, they don’t have gravitas, they’re too soft, they’re too reserved? Often they are to do with styles, personalities and qualities. Have you ever wondered what they are saying about you and your leadership potential?Read more...

Thank you to the people who responded to my previous article Do you need to be extroverted to get ahead?Read more...

If you want to have a breakthrough in 2017, remember that our minds can be easily tricked. Pause before believing and acting on what you see, hear, read or feel.Read more...

Whether organisations, leaders and individuals are aware or agree with it or not, the collective belief to this question is an overwhelming ‘yes’. Of the 114 people who responded to a survey before attending the Quietly Powerful Women’s (QPW) events, a whopping 92% feel that they have to be extroverted to progress in their careers. Many of these women feel exhausted from having to put on the extroverted persona to get ahead. Even ambivert (mix of introvert and extrovert) and extrovert women have told me that they feel exhausted!Read more...

I hear many of us, including myself, advising people to ‘be yourself’, ‘bring your whole self to work’, ‘be authentic’ etc. It seems like a sensible piece of advice. I mean, who else would you be if you’re not yourself? As leaders, authentic leadership is supposed to be effective in engaging and inspiring people. As an organisation, you get higher engagement and access the best talents when people feel like they can ‘be themselves’ as well.Read more...

At least it’s not the first thing you need.Read more...

Many people in organisations – men and women – get told to speak up more. It seems women get told to more often, and quieter women get told even more often. The Quietly Powerful Women’s survey indicated that out of 97 respondents, 85% said they get told to speak up.Read more...

How often do you notice your inner voice saying “I can’t” or “I can”? How much and how often do you hold yourself back?Read more...

Over 150 women have attended the Quietly Powerful Women’s breakfasts over the last month and a half. Many women have said, “I’m glad I’m not alone” as well as “It’s great to know that my introversion / quietness can be a strength.”Read more...

…Because that doesn’t help me to become confident. In fact, it’s telling me that I’m not confident enough to be good enough, which makes me feel even worse and less confident. I know you mean well, but there are other things you can do instead.Read more...

I have continued to receive messages from women who could relate to The double glazed glass ceiling and Are you ‘covering’ your quieter self?  All five of the Quietly Powerful Women’s Breakfasts are now booked out and more women are interested. So what’s going on?Read more...