In this milestone 50th episode, Sarah shares a vital episode for ambitious female leaders - how to strengthen your leadership identity. Sarah explores the invisible yet powerful biases that still affect women in leadership and reveals three practical ways to build visibility, voice, and value so you can lead with confidence, authenticity, and impact.

Plus, she announces a special competition to win a 1:1 coaching session in celebration of reaching 50 episodes!

Show Notes

[00:00:00] Welcome & Introduction

[00:02:15] Competition Announcement 🎉

To celebrate, Sarah invites listeners to leave a 5-star review and message her for a chance to win a free 1:1 coaching session.

[00:03:00] Why Leadership Identity Matters

Why this topic is so important for women in leadership roles.

[00:04:00] The Invisible Web of Biases

Four common biases that impact women leaders:

• Affinity bias – promoting people like ourselves
• Performance vs. potential bias – men promoted on potential, women on proof
• Double bind – being both competent and likable
• Prove-it-again bias – women must continually re-prove their competence

[00:08:30] The Impact of These Biases

How these biases drain energy, cause over-preparation, self-doubt, and can make leadership feel like an uphill battle.

[00:09:00] 3 Layers of Leadership Credibility: Visibility, Voice, and Value

A framework for strengthening your leadership identity:

• Visibility – Be strategic about who sees your work and ensure decision-makers know your impact.

Action: Ask yourself, “Do key decision-makers know about my recent wins?”

• Voice – Use your voice intentionally to share ideas, influence, and inspire others.

Action: Reflect on whether you’re contributing meaningfully in meetings and what you want to be known for.

• Value – Demonstrate your strategic thinking and broader business impact.

Action: Take “radical responsibility” for contributing to wider organizational issues.

[00:13:00] 3 Practical Actions to Strengthen Your Leadership Identity

1. Audit your personal leadership brand – Ask three colleagues what strength they associate with you.
2. Seek strategic sponsors – Identify advocates who can champion you when you’re not in the room.
3. Own your leadership narrative – Believe in your story and communicate it with confidence.

“Remember, you’re capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock the extraordinary potential within you. Be unstoppable.”

Useful Links

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Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group

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If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

Lead With Impact Group Coaching Programme

https://www.careertreecoaching.co.uk/lead-with-impact