Do you ever over-prepare for big meetings, only to freeze when it's time to speak up? If you're a high performer who suddenly loses confidence in front of senior leaders or high-stakes audiences, you're not alone. This episode unpacks why intelligence and preparation aren't always enough—and how your mindset may be the real barrier to owning the room.By the end of today’s episode with guest Whitney Faires you’ll know:🔥Why your over-preparation habit might be sabotaging your leadership presence.🚀How to identify your personal “power zone” and use it to perform under pressure.🧲The exact mindset shifts and conversational strategies to handle executive pushback with confidence.If you're ready to finally show up with clarity and command in your biggest meetings, hit play and learn how to bet on yourself—without needing all the answers.If you’re feeling stuck — like you might actually be your biggest obstacle — constantly battling the inner critic that drives you to overperform but also second-guess yourself… and yet what you really want is to feel in command, clear, and confident no matter who’s in the room.That’s why we created the Executive Presence Scorecard — to help high-achieving professionals like you identify your unique “Power Zone” so you can lead from strength instead of fear. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And it starts with awareness…Email me at [email protected] and I will send it to you personally.To get more scoop visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morningAbout our guest:Whitney Faires is an internationally recognized executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership advisor with 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Formerly Chief of Staff to the CFO at Intuitive Surgical, she led high-impact organizational health initiatives, launched global leadership development programs, and coached rising professionals into senior roles. Her multifaceted career spans sales, finance, and commercial operations, where she spearheaded the creation of a $2 billion international leasing portfolio. As the founder of Whitney Faires Coaching, she developed the Courageous Leader Roadmap - a practical approach for leaders to show up authentically, navigate adversity, and drive meaningful results. In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

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