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In this special listener questions episode of Communicate to Lead, I share my personal journey as a leadership and communication coach. Drawing on my 15 years of coaching experience and South African heritage, I answer your most pressing questions about authentic leadership, effective communication, and finding clarity in challenging moments.

What You'll Learn

• The transformative power of active listening as the cornerstone of leadership communication
• How my South African roots and the philosophy of Ubuntu shape my approach to leadership
• Practical strategies for maintaining mental clarity when feeling overwhelmed
• The unexpected ways hosting a podcast has enhanced my own leadership abilities
• How introverts can leverage their natural strengths to become exceptional leaders

Share your insights, breakthroughs, or questions with me on Instagram or through LinkedIn. Your experience might be featured in an upcoming episode!

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

Send us a text

Book your FREE Leadership Clarity Call HERE.

Are you wearing someone else's leadership voice?

Do you find yourself mimicking the communication styles of other leaders, only to feel drained and ineffective? 

In this essential episode of Communicate to Lead, I reveal why borrowing someone else's leadership voice diminishes your impact and how to develop an authentic communication style that feels natural while commanding respect.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Discover how to uncover and strengthen your authentic leadership voice—one that feels as natural as talking with a trusted friend while carrying the weight your leadership role demands. This episode is especially valuable for women in leadership who often face pressure to communicate in ways that don't align with their true selves.

In this value-packed 20-minute episode, you'll learn:

• What an authentic leadership voice truly is - The sweet spot where your natural communication tendencies meet effective leadership communication
• How to identify your current communication patterns - Recognize when you're putting on a "leadership persona" versus being authentically yourself
• The four essential building blocks of an authentic leadership voice:
  • Your core communication values
  • Your natural communication strengths
  • Your genuine stories and experiences
  • How to adapt to different contexts while remaining authentic
• A practical 30-day development plan to start strengthening your authentic voice immediately

Key Insights

"When we borrow someone else's leadership voice instead of developing our own, we diminish our impact and exhaust ourselves in the process."

I share examples from my coaching practice, including a client who transformed her team's engagement by abandoning her borrowed, data-heavy communication style and embracing her naturally warm, story-driven approach.

You'll learn to recognize your "authenticity alarm bells"—the physical and emotional signals that indicate you're slipping into an inauthentic voice—and how to use them as guideposts toward more genuine communication.

Take Your Leadership Voice to the Next Level

If you're ready to accelerate your journey to finding your authentic leadership voice, I’m offering free 20-minute Leadership Clarity Calls. During these personalized sessions, you'll identify what's holding your authentic voice back and create a roadmap for your growth.

Click the link to schedule your Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/kele-thetailoredapproach/leadership-clarity-call 

Spots are limited this month! Click the link to schedule your call today.

Share your insights, breakthroughs, or questions with Kele on Instagram @thetailoredapproach or through LinkedIn. Your experience might be featured in an upcoming episode!

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

Send us a text

Do you ever feel like a fraud in professional settings despite your accomplishments and expertise? 

In today's episode, I'll explain the psychology behind imposter syndrome and give you practical communication strategies for overcoming it.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The science behind imposter syndrome and why it affects 70% of professionals
• The five distinct types of imposter syndrome and how to identify which one might be affecting you
• How undermining language patterns reinforce negative self-perception
• Four powerful strategies to transform your communication and build authentic confidence
• Practical applications for high-stakes scenarios like meetings, performance reviews, and handling criticism

This Week's Challenge:

Track one specific undermining phrase you use regularly and consciously replace it with a confident alternative. Notice how this small shift impacts how others respond to you and how you feel about yourself. Share your experience with me on social media!

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

Send us a text

Ever notice people's eyes glazing over mid-explanation? In this episode, learn proven strategies to transform rambling into concise, impactful leadership communication that commands attention and respect.

Episode Overview

Concise communication is a critical leadership skill that directly impacts how others perceive your competence and confidence. This episode tackles the common challenge many women leaders face: the tendency to over-explain or ramble when communicating important ideas.

In this value-packed episode, you'll discover:

• The psychology behind why even brilliant leaders fall into the rambling trap
• Self-awareness techniques to recognize your personal rambling triggers
• Three powerful frameworks to organize your thoughts clearly and concisely
• Preparation strategies that give you structure without sounding scripted
• Real-time tactics to refocus your communication when you notice yourself going off track

Key Insights From This Episode

The Psychology Behind Rambling

• How nervousness and uncertainty trigger over-explanation
• Research showing concise speakers are perceived as more authoritative and intelligent
• Four benefits of precise communication in leadership contexts

Self-Awareness Techniques

• Common rambling triggers to identify in your communication patterns
• Verbal cues and phrases that signal you're starting to over-explain
• The "Present Point Pause" (PPP) technique for staying focused during conversations
• Reading body language signals that indicate your listener is disengaging

Practical Frameworks for Concise Communication

• The "Three-Point Rule" for organizing any discussion or presentation
• Why the "Headline First" approach immediately establishes your authority
• Using the "What, So What, Now What" structure for making recommendations
• Real examples showing how these frameworks transform complex information

Preparation Strategies

• Creating "structured flexibility" to sound both prepared and authentic
• Intention-setting questions to focus your message before important conversations
• How to use mental anchors and visualization to stay on track without notes
• The "Timer Talk" exercise for practicing concise delivery in just 60 seconds

Real-Time Recovery Tactics

• Four specific phrases for redirecting yourself without undermining your credibility
• The "bookend method" for creating intentionality in your communication
• Strategic questions that shift focus while giving you time to regroup
• The "flag and focus" technique for zooming out to the bigger picture

Weekly Challenge

Identify one recurring situation where you tend to provide more detail than necessary. Apply the headline-first approach by starting with your bottom line up front, followed by supporting points only as needed. Notice how this changes both your delivery and your listener's response.

Connect With Kele

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

New episodes of the Communicate to Lead podcast are released every Thursday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode!

Episode Resources

• Free Communication Assessment Quiz

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"What if the advice to 'just be yourself' is actually setting you up for failure? What if authenticity—the very quality we're told makes us effective leaders—is also the thing that could derail your career?"

In this thought-provoking episode of Communicate to Lead, I tackle a challenge that keeps emerging in my conversations with women leaders across industries: the authenticity paradox. As leadership expectations shift in today's complex environment, many women are caught in a difficult position—told to "be authentic" while simultaneously facing penalties for expressing their true selves.

What happens when showing up as your authentic self feels like putting a target on your back? How do you navigate environments where authenticity seems risky? When does being your true self serve your leadership, and when might it undermine it?

Drawing from my experience coaching women leaders facing these exact tensions, I unpack:

• What true authenticity in leadership actually means (hint: it's not about unfiltered self-expression)
• The unique authenticity challenges women leaders face, including the "double bind" and emotional display rules
• Real-world examples of women navigating these tensions in technology, finance, and corporate settings
• A practical framework for "Strategic Authenticity" that honors your values while maximizing your leadership impact
• Three actionable strategies you can implement immediately to lead more authentically without compromising your effectiveness

Whether you're navigating a conservative corporate culture, a shifting political landscape, or simply trying to reconcile conflicting expectations, this episode offers a nuanced approach to authentic leadership that goes beyond the simplistic "just be yourself" advice.

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity exists on a spectrum—learn to find your sweet spot between unfiltered expression and complete adaptation.
• Discover how to practice "strategic vulnerability" that builds connection without undermining your credibility.
• Create a values-based decision framework for navigating authenticity dilemmas with confidence.
• Build authentic communication habits that express your true leadership style while meeting professional expectations.
• Develop your "personal board of directors" to create space for full authenticity in your leadership journey.

This Episode is Perfect For:

• Women navigating leadership roles in environments where authentic expression feels risky
• Leaders questioning when to adapt their communication style and when to stand firm
• Anyone seeking practical strategies to bring more of their authentic self to their leadership

Call to Action:

Ready to transform how you approach authenticity in your leadership? Here's what to do next:

1. Take the Authenticity Audit Challenge: Set aside 10 minutes this week to identify one situation where you feel you can't fully be yourself. Apply the framework from this episode and share your insights with me.
2. Share this episode with another woman leader in your network who's wrestling with these same challenges. Tag me when you share on social media so I can personally thank you!
3. Book a Strategy Session: Ready for personalized guidance on your authentic leadership journey? Schedule your free Leadership Clarity Call to discuss how I can best support your strategically authentic leadership journey.
4. Subscribe and leave a review: If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other women leaders find this valuable content.

New episodes are release

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Ever heard those dreaded words, "I love your proposal, but with our new strategic direction..."? That sinking feeling when your carefully crafted idea might suddenly become irrelevant can stop you in your tracks.

In this milestone 100th episode, we’re tackling one of the most frustrating challenges for women in leadership: keepin your ideas alive when organizational priorities shift beneath your feet.

Building on the Advocacy Loop concept from Episode 97, I share practical frameworks for repositioning your ideas during times of change without abandoning what matters most. 

You'll discover:

• Why organizational priorities shift and the critical mistakes most professionals make in response
• How to identify new pain points that your existing ideas can solve in different ways
• Specific language patterns that connect your initiatives to emerging priorities
• Strategic visibility techniques that position you as a solution provider rather than a problem-raiser
• A powerful approach to building support across departments during uncertainty

This episode features a compelling story about "Melissa," whose mentorship program was threatened by reorganization but ultimately became a flagship initiative, and opened unexpected doors for her career advancement.

If you've ever felt your hard work might be sidelined by changing organizational directions, this episode provides the tools you need to adapt without compromising your vision.

Ready to become a more effective advocate for your ideas? 

Schedule your free Leadership Clarity Call to develop a personalized strategy for navigating your specific organizational challenges. 

Send us a text

Leadership Clarity Call: Schedule your free consultation with Kele

Are you trying to lead confidently while everything around you feels uncertain? 

In a world where layoffs loom, initiatives get scaled back, and the job market shifts like quicksand beneath our feet, women leaders face unprecedented challenges. But what if uncertainty could become your leadership superpower instead of your kryptonite?

In this essential episode of Communicate to Lead, I’m sharing battle-tested communication frameworks that transform how you navigate uncertainty—both for yourself and those looking to you for guidance. 

Discover why acknowledging reality isn't a weakness but the foundation of authentic leadership, and learn exactly how to communicate with impact when everyone is operating with reduced cognitive bandwidth.

What You'll Learn:

• The Reality Check Communication Model for acknowledging challenges without resorting to toxic positivity or doom
• The 3R Communication Framework: Regular, Relevant, and Relatable Communication Strategies
• How to balance empathy with necessary boundaries using the Compassionate Clarity approach
• Practical resilience-building techniques for yourself and your team
• The Control Circles exercise to focus energy where it can have the most impact

Share your insights, breakthroughs, or questions with Kele on Instagram @thetailoredapproach or through LinkedIn. Your experience might be featured in an upcoming episode!

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

Send us a text

Have you ever watched a woman leader walk into a room and instantly command attention—without saying a single word? That magnetic quality isn't magic or luck—it's presence, and it can be learned.

In today’s episode, I reveal how your physical presence communicates your power, authority, and confidence—sometimes much louder than your words ever could. Discover why even the most carefully crafted personal brand can be undermined in the first seven seconds of walking into a room and how to ensure your nonverbal communication aligns with your leadership identity.

What You'll Learn

• Why your body language can undermine your leadership brand in just seven seconds
• The neurobiological basis of presence and the "double bind" women leaders face
• Five common "presence leaks" that diminish your authority (and how to fix them)
• The S.T.A.R. framework for conducting a quick presence audit before important interactions
• Five actionable techniques to immediately enhance your leadership presence

Your Call to Action: 

Conduct a daily S.T.A.R. presence audit for a week and implement at least one of the five techniques we discussed in this episode. Notice how small changes in your physical presence impact your leadership effectiveness and others' responses to you.

Share your insights, breakthroughs, or questions with Kele on Instagram @thetailoredapproach or through LinkedIn. Your experience might be featured in an upcoming episode!

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

Send us a text

🎉 Sign up for the Spring Cohort of the Ignite Your Leadership Power Incubator! 🔥

The most powerful career opportunities rarely come from raising your hand—they come from having the right people raise their hand on your behalf.

In this strategic episode, I introduce "The Advocacy Loop"—a relationship-building framework that inspires others to champion your professional growth. Through real client examples and practical communication strategies, I demonstrate how to create a network of advocates who will open doors for your career advancement.

What You'll Learn

• Why career advancement happens in conversations you're not part of (and how to influence those conversations)
• The three essential elements that create powerful advocacy relationships
• Specific communication strategies that inspire others to champion your growth
• Common mistakes that prevent people from advocating for you
• A step-by-step blueprint for building your own advocacy network

Resources Mentioned

• The Advocacy Blueprint Framework (exclusive to Ignite Your Leadership Power Incubator)
• Spring enrollment for the Ignite Your Leadership Power Incubator (open until March 13)

If you're ready to build relationships that champion your career growth, follow Communicate to Lead wherever you get your podcasts.

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com 

Send us a text

In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton breaks down how to intentionally craft and communicate your authentic leadership brand to advance your career and increase your impact.

Episode Summary

Your personal brand as a leader speaks before you do. But how do you ensure that it says exactly what you want it to?

In this value-packed episode, communication and leadership consultant Kele Belton explores how women leaders can intentionally communicate their personal brand to elevate their leadership presence and create new opportunities. You'll discover the critical difference between "marketing yourself" and clearly communicating your authentic value, along with practical strategies to align how you're perceived with how you want to be known.

What You'll Learn

• Why your leadership brand is about consistently communicating your authentic value, not creating a perfect image
• The three essential pillars that form the foundation of a powerful leadership brand: Clarity, Consistency, and Credibility
• How to identify your unique leadership "sweet spot" where your strengths align with organizational needs
• Practical ways to demonstrate your brand through meetings, written communication, and project leadership
• Strategic steps to audit, refine, and intentionally communicate your leadership brand

Resource Mentioned

• FREE MASTERCLASS: "Ready to Break Free from Middle Management? Discover the 4 Mistakes Holding You Back from Senior Leadership" - https://thetailoredapproach.com/middle-management/ 

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Connect with Kele for more leadership insights: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/ 
• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com