Leadership Now Means Speaking Up

There was a time when leaders could stay behind the scenes and let their comms team do the talking.

That world is largely gone.

Unless you run a massive Fortune 500 company, the spotlight is now personal. Wherever you are, people want to hear from you - not a spokesperson or a statement.

This may feel pressurising - but it’s also an opportunity. Because when you show up clearly and consistently, you become the message rather than just the messenger.

Here’s why this matters - and how to start doing it well.

🎯 Why You Can’t Delegate the Mic

People trust people, not press releases - so when a CEO disappears behind talking points or sends a PR proxy, credibility fades.

Visibility builds trust. Leaders who speak directly - with clarity, calm, and character - stand out and win influence.

💡Three Habits of Leaders Who Speak with Real Influence

1. They prepare for visibility before it’s urgent.
   Waiting for a crisis is too late. Strong communicators rehearse their key ideas regularly - not reactively.

2. They speak like people, not like PowerPoints
   No one remembers the fourth bullet of your framework - but they’ll remember the one sentence you meant.

3. They treat media as a strategic skill.
   Visibility is leverage - when done right.

🛠️ How to Prepare Your Core Messages

Every leader needs a personal message bank - short, powerful ideas you can use in any context. Start with:

• Your Purpose: Why you lead

• Your Vision: Where you’re going

• Your Position: What you stand for (and won’t stand for)

Write them down. Refine them and say them aloud until they feel natural.

🎤 Takeaway

You can outsource a lot of things - but you can’t outsource presence. In a crisis, in a pitch, or on camera - your words carry more weight than any campaign. Be your own best spokesperson.

Until next time,
🌠 Hannah