Cultural Communication Confidence: Recent Episodes
Victoria Rennoldson
Culture Cuppa’s podcast, Cultural Communication Confidence, is for global leaders who want practical communication skills and to build their cultural intelligence for impact, performance, business and career growth.
Each episode is hosted by Victoria Rennoldson, CEO and Founder of Culture Cuppa, where she shares communication tools and confidence strategies, plus cultural intelligence insights for working in global teams.
Grow your impact and influence through confident cultural communication.
What happens to human judgement with AI?
Many of you I am sure are being encouraged to use AI more, embed it fully and become even more productive. Yet there is a deeper question sitting underneath the flurry of activity and hype: are we simply outsourcing the very human skills that make us so valuable?
In this conversation with Rahim Hirji, author of 'SuperSkills: The Seven Human Skills for the Age of AI' and keynote speaker on AI and human capability, we explore the specific skills to focus on as AI becomes increasingly enmeshed in our work and lives.
He shares a powerful leadership tension that AI can help us move faster, but it can also quietly, and without us even noticing, weaken our judgement as we forget where our own thinking begins and ends in 'algorithmic drift', those moments when we slowly hand over our agency.
This conversation is not anti-AI, in fact, Rahim talks clearly about being both pro-human and pro-AI, and argues that the real opportunity is to develop an augmented mindset, knowing when to use AI, when not to use it, and where the human needs to remain firmly in the process.
Rahim co-founded the skills platform EtonX, led international growth at Quizlet across more than 60 countries, and his SuperSkills research spans more than 200 organisations in over 30 countries. He also writes 'Box of Amazing', a weekly briefing on AI, technology and human capability read by more than 25,000 leaders.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why judgement has become one of the most important human skills in the age of AI
- How we are sleepwalking into 'algorithmic drift', unconsciously handing over decision-making
- Where humans belong in AI-enabled processes
- How leadership can help their people to focus on their agency and human capabilities
- The power of real curiosity
- The opportunity of the augmented mindset - the power of both AI and humans together
- Why global adaptability still matters
- The inherent cultural values and biases in AI
- A message of hope
Where in your work are you already outsourcing more judgement to AI than you realise?
How often do you pause to consider how to answer your questions, and if AI is the right channel?
Resources:
- Find out more about Rahim Hirji's book 'SuperSkills': https://www.thesuperskills.com/book
- Learn more about Rahim's work: https://www.thesuperskills.com/
- Connect with Rahim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahimhirji/
- Connect with Rahim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahimhirji/
- Find out more about Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes:https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
Read this Episode's Blog post here:
- AI: from algorithmic drift to human agency: https://culturecuppa.com/ai-from-algorithmic-drift-to-human-agency/
What if the reason your assignment is stuck is that there is a lack of alignment on the issue?
I speak regularly with professionals who are under constant pressure to move at pace, demonstrate progress and deliver tangible and visible solutions. Yet in that rush to act, teams can easily jump into solutions before they have properly aligned on the problem they are trying to solve.
In this podcast episode, I explore why better answers start with better questions, and why problem alignment is often skipped in the move to create momentum. I look at what happens when key decision-makers appear to be discussing the same mission, but are actually working from very different assumptions about its purpose and measure of success.
And this is not just a delivery issue because when stakeholders are not aligned on the problem, time is wasted, frustration builds and the team can feel as if they are looping backwards to initial phases which they thought they had completed.
This becomes even more complex in global and diverse teams, where different behavioural preferences, communication styles and cultural norms can influence how people define problems in the first place, express disagreement, manage risk, and their bias for action.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why teams often jump into solutions before agreeing on the real problem
- The individual and team impact of misalignment
- The aligning challenge - defining the problem
- The culturally driven behavioural preferences that influence how people approach projects
- Which cultural factors can create the greatest resistance, friction and misalignment
- How uncertainty avoidance can shape how people respond to risk
- The clarity questions you can use before moving into implementation
Where might you be jumping into solutions before agreeing on the problem?
How could cultural intelligence help you notice the hidden misalignment before it becomes an issue?
Resources:
- The topics from today's podcast feature in Pillar 2 Clarity and Pillar 4 Cultural Intelligence from Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader. Explore deeper, get your copy: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more global leadership, strategic communication and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Talk to Victoria about your team's communication and cultural challenges : https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
Read this Episode's Blog post here:
- Are you solving the wrong problem? https://culturecuppa.com/are-you-solving-the-wrong-problem/
What happens when encouragement becomes a leadership capability, not just a nice thing to do? According to Helen Gibson MBE, encouragement is not soft or superficial, it is where we get our courage from.
Many leaders and ambitious professionals are navigating what Helen calls 'the porridge (oatmeal) of life', those thick, heavy moments where progress feels slow, energy is low, you're losing momentum, and the way forward is not always clear. In complex organisations and uncertain times, this can show up as pressure, decision fatigue, or simply feeling stuck.
This is when encouragement is needed, as something we can practise, notice, capture and offer to others, not just receive.
In this conversation with Helen Gibson MBE, award-winning global entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, coach, international business leadership expert and author of 'Go for Goosebumps', we explore how encouragement can help individuals, teams and organisations move forward through difficult moments.
Helen's leadership experience spans complex transformation programmes for governments around the world, including counter-terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, health crises and justice reform. As the former CEO of her family business, she led values-driven frontline change across nearly 30 countries for clients including the UK Government, the NHS, the EU and the United Nations. Recognised with an MBE for services to international trade, Helen brings deep experience in resilience, international business, women in leadership and meaningful change.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why encouragement matters in leadership, especially now
- How experiencing goosebumps (shivers of excitement) can signal momentum
- What happens when we get stuck in the 'porridge (oatmeal) of life'
- Her traffic light model to help you know where to move forward
- Showing people you care before trying to prove what you know
- How stories and legacy questions help people reconnect with what matters
- What to do if you have no time for the perfect pause
- 'Victories folders' to help build your evidence for confidence
- How leaders can best encourage themselves and others
Where are you currently walking through 'the porridge of life'?
What signs of encouragement might you be missing?
How could you encourage someone else this week?
Resources:
- Connect with Helen Gibson on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helengibsonmbe
- Visit Helen Gibson's website: https://www.helengibsonmbe.com
- Find Helen Gibson's book 'Go for Goosebumps!': https://www.waterstones.com/book/go-for-goosebumps/helen-gibson/9781806340316
- Listen to Helen Gibson's TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtbMDM33q2s
- Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals /
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Read this Episode's Blog post here:
- Why Encouragement is a Leadership Capability: https://culturecuppa.com/why-encouragement-is-a-leadership-capability/
What happens when senior leaders have the conversations they rarely get to have?
Many senior leaders carry questions, pressures and responsibilities that are not always visible from the outside. They may be managing organisational change, complex teams, at the same time as personal and family commitments and challenges. While they juggle difficult decisions, there is the pressure to appear composed, even when they are working things out themselves.
In this podcast episode, I share my reflections and observations from my first senior leader dinner, a confidential and intimate evening for women leaders to come together, put job titles and organisations aside, and have a different kind of conversation about the realities of leadership today.
This was not a networking evening, a general catch up, or even a formal leadership event. It was a space for honest conversation, good food, peer connection and deeper thinking in a very special experience.
Respecting the confidentiality of the room, I draw on the broad themes that emerged from the dinner, exploring why leadership and life are not separate conversations, why senior leaders need trusted spaces to share, and how behaviours, language and signalling can shape the culture experienced by the people they lead.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why senior leaders need spaces for honest conversations beyond the usual networking places
- The human realities of leadership that are often hidden beneath visible exteriors
- Why leadership and life are not separate conversations
- How the work-life blend can be a more useful idea than work-life balance
- The opportunity to 'give permission' through signalling behaviour
- How language can reveal hidden assumptions about women in leadership
- The value of confidential peer spaces where leaders can share honestly
Where do you currently go to have open conversations about the realities of your leadership?
What are you carrying as a leader that is invisible to others?
Resources:
- Who do you know who would value Victoria's next senior leader dinner for women? DM Victoria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more global leadership, strategic communication and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Talk to Victoria about global leadership coaching:https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
Read this Episode's Blog post here:
- The Conversations Senior Leaders Rarely Have: https://culturecuppa.com/the-conversations-senior-leaders-rarely-have/
What does it take to grow into leadership?
Leadership can look impressive from the title, but the reality is often far more complex. It can mean making decisions without having all the insight, shouldering responsibility without certainty, holding competing stakeholder needs, and recognising when the path you once wanted is no longer the right one.
In this conversation with Helen Brocklebank, Chief Executive of Walpole, the sector body for the UK's leading luxury brands, we explore leadership as an evolving apprenticeship rather than the end goal or title you finally achieve.
Since becoming Chief Executive in 2017, Helen has led significant growth and transformation, strengthening Walpole's advocacy, sustainability leadership and industry influence. She spearheaded the British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto, and serves on the Board of the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Women in Business Committee.
Helen shares openly how a long-held ambition to run her own business ultimately taught her that success on paper does not always mean alignment in practice. That experience became a pivotal moment in understanding her values, strengths and the kind of leadership role in which she could make her greatest contribution.
Together, we explore why leadership starts with knowing yourself, why physical strength, creativity and cultural curiosity can support better decision-making, and why listening is the essential first step in communication, storytelling and stakeholder influence.
A core thought that emerged from this conversation- every role, relationship and difficult experience can become part of your leadership apprenticeship if you are willing to notice what it is teaching you.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to recognise when career ambitions no longer align with your strengths, values or wellbeing
- Why self-leadership is the foundation for leading others effectively
- The role strength, energy and personal habits play in sustaining leadership performance
- How your learning can strengthen empathy, problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Storytelling is fundamental to leadership
- How listening helps leaders unlock challenging situations
- The role of candid, uncomfortable conversations
- Why leadership is a behaviour, not a job title
What is your current role teaching you as part of your 'leadership apprenticeship'?
Resources:
- Connect with Helen Brocklebank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbrocklebank/
- Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes:https://culturecuppa.com/individuals /
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Read this episode's Blog post: Leadership: the Journey, not the Job Title
What happens when leaders can no longer offer certainty?
Many professionals I speak to are navigating continuous waves of change with organisational restructures, constantly shifting priorities, AI changing ways of working, economic uncertainty and changing customer expectations all part of everyday working life. For many, it feels less like steering towards a destination on the high waves, constantly adjusting course, with no chance of calm seas.
In this podcast episode, I explore one of the biggest questions that I hear emerging: how do leaders create certainty for their teams when nobody can confidently predict what comes next?
As teams adapt to permanent change, leadership itself is changing too. The old expectation that leaders should always have the answers is not realistic.
Drawing on reflections from the recent CIPD Festival of Work conference, conversations with senior leaders and my own coaching work, I explore why your clarity has become one of the most important leadership skills in uncertain times.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why uncertainty means leaders have to be like Wimbledon tennis players
- The difference between creating certainty and creating clarity
- How leaders can communicate direction honestly, while acknowledging what is still unknown
- Experimentation - a more effective leadership mindset than forecasting
- The importance of alignment, communication consistency and transparency when priorities are changing
- What your team need most from you
- The questions you can answer to create clarity
- How the 4 Pillars of Global Leader Communication can help you through uncertainty
How can you create greater clarity for your team this week?
Resources:
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more leadership communication, confidence and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Talk to Victoria about leadership coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
What does it mean to find your voice?
Your ability to communicate confidently, influence others and share your perspective has never been more important, yet finding your voice is far more than about being a confident public speaker. It is about recognising the value of your contribution and having the confidence to share it.
In this empowering conversation with Gill McKay, award-winning TEDx speaker, author and speaker coach, we explore what it means to find your voice and why so many people struggle to do so, and end up 'staying small'.
With a background in neuroscience, Gill has helped hundreds of people overcome their imposter syndrome to share their ideas and stories with greater impact. She is passionate about helping people recognise that their views and messages matter, and that they can create an impetus for change through sharing their voice.
Together, we explore the internal narratives that cause people to play small, the impact of dominant voices in teams, and why curiosity, confidence and a reframe on service can help people move beyond fear and self-doubt.
Gill's message rings clear- your voice matters.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why capable professionals hold themselves back from speaking
- How organisational culture can influence who speaks and who stays silent
- Confidence is built through action, rather than waiting until you feel ready
- The mindset shift that can move you forward
- How curiosity can help you overcome fear, self-doubt and limiting beliefs
- The role of silence, listening and thoughtful contribution in effective communication
Where might you be holding back a perspective that could add value?
Resources:
- Connect with Gill McKay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillmckay/
- Watch Gill McKay's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewwAAYxPfRQ
- Join Gill McKay's Speak and Shine Summit: https://kieradair.com/speak-and-shine-summit/
- Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals /
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
What if being heard was not about speaking more?
Many professionals I work with tell me they want to be more vocal in meetings, contribute with greater confidence, and ensure their ideas are recognised.
Yet beneath those goals often sits a deeper challenge. It is not a lack of expertise, experience or valuable ideas. It is the hesitation, the overthinking and the fear of judgement, and even the question of whether their perspective is good enough to share.
This is the uncertainty that comes before your contribution ever surfaces. Maybe you recognise this too?
In this podcast episode, I explore why being heard starts long before you enter the meeting room. We look at what creates the opportunity for others to listen to you, and why waiting for permission, certainty, or the perfect moment may be holding you back more than you realise.
This is a simple but powerful shift- being heard is not about speaking more. It is about recognising the value of your contribution, trusting yourself to make it, and crafting your own conditions for your voice to have impact.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why the challenge isn't your communication
- How fear, overthinking and perfectionism can quietly stop you from contributing
- A practical way to deal with the doubts before important conversations
- How clarity creates confidence
- The hidden cost of staying silent
- How to tap into leadership presence
- Strengthen your presence and influence in meetings
One of the strongest themes throughout this episode is that many professionals are already capable, experienced and knowledgeable enough to credibly share their ideas.
The challenge is not capability, but permission, specifically the permission we do or do not give ourselves.
Ultimately, being heard is not about waiting for the perfect moment, it is about trusting yourself enough to create it.
What valuable perspective, idea or challenge might your team be missing if you remain silent?
Resources:
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more leadership communication, confidence and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Talk to Victoria about leadership coaching:https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
What does resilience really look like?
I meet many professionals today who are navigating wave after wave of change: Reorganisations, shifting priorities, business uncertainty, technological disruption and growing pressure to do more with less have become familiar features of organisational life.
Yet while resilience is frequently talked about, it is often misunderstood.
In this conversation with Julian Roberts, executive coach, author and host of the Helping Organisations Thrive podcast, we explore what resilience really means for leaders and teams operating in increasingly fragmented environments.
After a 20-year career in senior roles at global organisations including Heinz, Yoplait and Johnson & Johnson, Julian founded Julian Roberts Consulting, specialising in helping leaders and teams thrive under pressure. He is the creator of the Team Resilience Diagnostic Tool and author of Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams.
Together, we discuss why resilience is not about simply pushing through adversity, why 'grit' can sometimes become counterproductive, and how leaders can create the conditions for individuals and teams to navigate uncertainty more effectively.
At the heart of this conversation is an important shift in perspective. Resilience is not a fixed trait that some people possess and others lack. It is a capability that can be developed, strengthened and intentionally cultivated, both individually and collectively.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why uncertainty and constant change are creating new leadership challenges for teams
- The difference between healthy resilience and what Julian describes as 'toxic resilience'
- Why resilience is not about simply working harder or pushing through difficulty
- Practical habits that help strengthen personal resilience, including gratitude, mindfulness and community
- How leaders can create greater resilience through purpose, meaning and clarity
- Why understanding the psychology of change helps leaders support people more effectively
- How diversity of thought strengthens a team's ability to navigate uncertainty and solve complex problems
- Why healthy challenge and critical thinking are essential leadership capabilities in today's workplace
One of the strongest themes throughout this conversation is that resilience is not about individual toughness.
Many organisations focus on helping individuals become more resilient, but resilient teams are created through something different. Purpose, trust, psychological safety, challenge, diverse perspectives and strong relationships all play a role in helping teams perform well under pressure.
Ultimately, resilience is not about avoiding storms, it is about developing the capability to navigate them with greater clarity, adaptability and confidence.
When faced with uncertainty, do you tend to push through harder, or create space to learn, reflect and adapt?
What practices could help you strengthen your own resilience and support the resilience of those around you?
Resources:
- Connect with Julian Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesroberts/
- Learn more about Julian's book, 'Weathering the Storm': https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2
- Listen to Julian Roberts' podcast: https://www.julianrobertsconsulting.com/podcast-1
- Find out more about Victoria's leadership and Cultural Intelligence programmes: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration:https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
When people talk about challenging conversations, most assume the difficulty lies in what needs to be said.
Yet in my experience, whether working with senior leaders, high-potential professionals or global teams, the real challenge often begins long before the conversation starts.
Recently, while leading a workshop for a women's leadership network, I was struck by the types of conversations participants described as challenging. They were not primarily about conflict, disagreement or confrontation, instead, they centred on accountability, role clarity, priorities, influence and managing without authority.
This episode explores a powerful reframe: what if challenging conversations are not fundamentally a communication problem, but a confidence, clarity and self-leadership challenge?
We explore what sits beneath difficult workplace conversations and why planning how you will engage in them often matters more than the words themselves.
At the heart of this episode is a simple but important insight- challenging conversations become easier when we stop focusing solely on what we want to say and start paying greater attention to how we lead ourselves before we enter the room.
What you will learn in this episode: * Why many challenging conversations are actually clarity and confidence challenges rather than about communication * How to prepare for challenging conversations before they happen * Why intention matters more than simply trying to 'win' the conversation * A practical framework to help you prepare for the discussion * How to reduce tension and create better outcomes * Understanding the source of disagreements and how to create solutions to move forward * A practical approach to building commitment without forcing agreement
What challenging conversation are you currently avoiding, and what might be sitting underneath that hesitation?
Are you entering difficult conversations focused on your position, or focused on understanding the broader goal?
What would change if you approached your next challenging conversation with greater curiosity rather than certainty?
Resources * Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ * Message Victoria to book a 30-minute clarity call to talk through a challenge you're facing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson * Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
How can you communicate, collaborate and build trust across generations at work? This episode addresses this leadership challenge that many organisations are quietly navigating, but not always naming clearly.
As workplaces become more complex, AI accelerates change, and expectations around leadership evolve, generational differences can easily become a source of misunderstanding, frustration or missed opportunity.
Yet beneath the stereotypes about Gen Z, Millennials or Gen X, there is a much more nuanced conversation to have about identity, experience, communication and human connection.
In this conversation with Alastair Greener, generational communication expert, founder of Present Yourself communications training, event MC, moderator, and current President of the Professional Speaking Association, we explore what really shapes generational behaviours. We examine why curiosity, not judgement, may be one of the most important leadership capabilities for the future.
Alastair has worked in communications for over 30 years, with a background in TV presenting and performance, and helps organisations create stronger relationships and more cohesive workplaces through effective generational communication. His recently published book, Generationally Speaking, explores how generations communicate and what organisations need to understand to bridge differences more effectively.
At the heart of this conversation is an important reminder: generational tensions are rarely only about age. They are often about expectations, upbringing, context, communication styles and the environments leaders create around people.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why generational stereotypes can create more barriers than understanding
- How communication gaps between generations can quietly impact productivity, engagement and retention
- Curiosity as one of the most powerful leadership skills when working across generations
- The role onboarding, expectations and workplace culture play in building trust with younger generations entering organisations
- Practical ways leaders can create stronger cross-generational relationships and more inclusive team dynamics
- Designing conversations and environments for social connection, learning and team
- Why future-focused leaders will need to embrace continual adaptation
One of the strongest themes throughout this conversation is the tension between stereotypes and understanding.
It is easy to describe generations with labels, but these don't help us build stronger relationships. Instead, understanding comes from asking better questions and recognising the wider influences shaping how people communicate and behave.
Where might assumptions about generations be influencing how you communicate with your team?
Resources:
- Connect with Alastair Greener on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairgreener
- Connect with Alastair Greener on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ag.generationallyspeaking
- Connect with Alastair Greener on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GenerationallySpeaking
- Find out about Victoria's Cultural Intelligence programmes for your leaders and teams:https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
What happens when you are already doing great work, but the right people still are not fully seeing it?
In this episode, I explore a challenge that I am seeing come up repeatedly when working with ambitious professionals and established leaders alike- the visibility gap.
Some professionals I meet are high performers, consistently exceeding expectations and aiming for promotion, yet others continue to make progress ahead of them.
Some are already operating strategically behind the scenes- influencing decisions, connecting the dots and adding real value, but are still being perceived as support, rather than leadership.
At the heart of both situations is the same challenge- strategic visibility.
This episode explores why visibility matters, even if you are already high performing, and how to move from being overlooked to being intentionally recognised for the value you bring- clearly communicating your positioning, impact and contribution so others understand the difference you make.
What you will learn:
- How high performers can be overlooked for promotion
- Why visibility starts with positioning, not self-promotion
- Articulate your value clearly and strategically
- The importance of building your own reputation and impact awareness
- My practical 3-part visibility framework
- Identify the key people who need to see more of your work
- Why visibility can feel emotionally difficult, and how to move through it
One of the most important ideas in this episode is that visibility is not about doing more work. In fact, many professionals I meet are already delivering at an exceptionally high level. The challenge is that their impact is not always fully understood or communicated.
If you do not intentionally position yourself, others will do it for you- your reputation already exists, whether you actively shape it or not.
Are you currently experiencing a visibility gap?
Who are the key people who need to better understand your value and impact?
What is one action you could take this week to make your contribution more visible?
Resources:
- If Leadership Breakfasts sound like the kind of space you would value, send Victoria a message to learn more and be part of the invitation list: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
What does it really take to lead effectively across difference?
In this conversation with Trisha Carter, organisational psychologist, CQ Fellow and host of The Shift podcast, we explore why Cultural Intelligence has become such an essential leadership capability in today's global and complex world.
As we discussed, many workplace frustrations are universal- teams experience friction around communication styles, hierarchy, decision-making, risk, belonging and leadership expectations. These tensions can create misunderstanding, emotional strain and disconnection if they are not navigated effectively.
Trisha shares a practical and human perspective on Cultural Intelligence, explaining why it is not about memorising cultural rules or stereotypes, but instead developing the capability to work effectively with people who are different to you.
At the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder that Cultural Intelligence is not fixed. It is a capability that can be developed through curiosity, reflection, awareness and adaptability.
What you will learn:
- Why Cultural Intelligence matters even more in leadership today
- Why workplace friction can emerge around communication, power and risk
- The emotional impact of exclusion and cultural disconnect
- The growing need for leaders to create belonging and connection in increasingly fragmented environments
- How reflection and perspective-taking strengthen Cultural Intelligence
- How leaders and organisations can adapt systems and leadership approaches across cultures
This conversation is ultimately one of optimism. Despite growing division in many parts of society, there are also more leaders, organisations and practitioners actively working to build understanding, connection and inclusion.
How comfortable are you working with people who think, communicate or lead differently to you?
Are you relying too heavily on historical cultural knowledge and experience, rather than ongoing curiosity and reflection?
Resources:
- Connect with Trisha Carter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishacarter/
- Listen to Trisha's podcast, The Shift: https://substack.com/@trishacarter
- Find out about Victoria's Cultural Intelligence programmes for your leaders and teams: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Networking is something many people feel they should be doing more of.
Whether it is for career progression, business growth, or visibility, it often comes with a sense of obligation. And when it feels like that, it becomes transactional, uncomfortable, and ultimately ineffective.
In this episode, I share insights and explore how to shift your approach, from short-term, transactional networking to something more meaningful, relational, and genuinely impactful, because in today's interconnected, global environment, your ability to connect is not only useful, it is a leadership capability.
What You Will Learn:
- Networking is not about quantity, it is about depth and trust
- Why intention matters more than simply having a goal for networking
- Practical strategies to create stronger connections in the moment- start with curiosity
- Framework for before, during, and after networking
- Generosity changes the networking dynamic for long-term collaboration
- People remember how you make them feel
- How to follow up in a way that builds long-term relationships
- Why connection is a critical leadership skill in today's world
What intention could you set before your next networking conversation?
How do you want people to experience you when you connect?
What is one action you can take after your next interaction to build the relationship further?
Next Steps:
If you want to deepen your ability to build meaningful connection as a leader, this is a core part of my work helping professionals with Global Leadership Communication.
You can explore this further in my book, Become a Global Leader, where in the Connection pillar, I share practical strategies to build trust and relationships.
And as always, I would love to hear from you- what is one shift you are going to make in your networking approach? Reach out and continue the conversation with me on LinkedIn.
Resources:
- If Leadership Breakfasts sound like the kind of space you would value, send Victoria a message to learn more and be part of the invitation list: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
What does it really mean to communicate with impact?
In this conversation with Andrea Wojnicki, executive communication coach and Harvard Business School PhD, we look at a topic that sits at the heart of leadership- how you communicate in a way that influences others, builds credibility and ultimately drives results.
As we explored, impact is not about speaking more, but helping others think differently or take action. Whether that is contributing in a meeting, influencing a decision, or progressing your career, your communication is a critical lever.
Andrea shares a clear and practical framework to understand how impact is built, and importantly, where most leaders get stuck.
At the centre of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea- impact is not the starting point, it is the outcome of building strong foundations.
What you will learn:
- What impactful communication means and how it shows up in leadership
- Andrea's leadership presence framework
- Why early career professionals focus on speaking up, while senior leaders elevate their brevity and precision
- The shift from executive presence to leadership presence, and why language matters
- How to think about personal branding as your professional identity
- Andrea's simple three-step framework to introduce yourself with confidence
- Why clarity is becoming increasingly important
One of the most important takeaways from this episode is that many leaders are trying to jump straight to impact, without strengthening the layers beneath it.
Strong communication foundations build confidence. Confidence strengthens how others perceive your credibility. Credibility then enables you to have real impact.
Another important shift is moving away from trying to be a 'better' communicator and instead focusing on being 'distinct'. Your accent, your background and your experiences are not limitations, they are part of your value.
And finally, effective communication is not about saying more. In fact, at senior levels, it is often about saying less, but with greater clarity and precision.
Are you trying to sound like someone else, or are you leaning into what makes you unique?
How confident do you feel introducing yourself?
What is one way you could simplify and sharpen your communication this week?
Resources:
- Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki
- Connect with Andrea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingabouttalk
- Visit Andrea's website: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/
- Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Confidence is the number one challenge I am hearing from leaders right now.
Whether you are stepping into your next role, leading in complexity, or already operating at a senior level, there are moments where self-doubt creeps in. And in today's environment, with constant change, pressure and uncertainty, that challenge is only increasing.
In this episode, I share a practical and honest perspective on leadership confidence. Not as something you either have or do not have, but as something you build through action.
I explore the misconceptions that hold leaders back, why confidence often feels elusive, and what you can actually control. Most importantly, I introduce a simple framework to help you strengthen your confidence in a way that is grounded, practical and sustainable.
This is about moving forward despite the doubt, not waiting for confidence to appear first.
What you will learn:
- Why confidence is not a fixed trait, but something you build over time
- The common misconceptions that undermine leadership confidence
- The difference between external challenges and internal control
- Why confidence comes from action, not the other way around
- How to challenge self-doubt
- A practical framework to build confidence through identity, clarity and action
- How to define your own version of leadership energy
Are you waiting to feel confident before taking action, or moving forward despite the doubt?
How clearly have you defined your leadership identity and strengths?
What actions are you taking to build your confidence?
If this resonates, start with one part of the framework. Focus on your leadership identity, your clarity of direction, or your leadership energy and actions. Choose one and begin there.
And if confidence is something you want to explore more deeply, this is the theme of the next Leadership Breakfast I am hosting in London. This is a confidential space for leaders to reflect, share and gain clarity together on confidence actions.
If you would like to be part of that invitation list, message me on LinkedIn and I will share more details: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Resources:
- If Leadership Breakfasts sound like the kind of space you would value, send Victoria a message to learn more and be part of the invitation list: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Why aren't your meetings working?
I know so many professionals I meet feel stuck in too many meetings that take too much time, that create debate and frustration, and still don't get to action and move things forward.
In this latest podcast episode, I'm joined by Mamie Kanfer Stewart, host of The Modern Manager podcast, author, executive coach and trainer who helps professionals successfully manage themselves and their teams, so everyone can be their best selves and do their best work.
Mamie brings a clear and practical perspective on why meetings often don't work, and what to do differently, including defining the meeting purpose, one of the biggest mistakes leaders make in meetings, and how to reset the meeting culture.
Mamie is passionate about helping people thrive at work, and this highly practical conversation is for anyone who wants meetings to feel less draining and far more productive.
What you will learn:
- Why meetings so often feel frustrating, slow and unproductive
- The difference between meeting activities and meeting outcomes
- Why information sharing is usually a poor reason to hold a meeting
- The key reasons meetings are genuinely useful, including planning, decision-making and relationship building
- How to think about meetings as a cycle- before, during and after- rather than as a one-off event
- Why clear team expectations around meetings reduce friction
- How to close meetings to get to decisions, actions and accountability
Are you clear on the desired outcome for each of your meetings?
What expectations around meetings are assumed in your team rather than made explicit?
How often do your meetings end with genuine clarity on who is doing what by when?
Resources:
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Connect with Mamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamiekanferstewart/
- Connect with Mamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie
- Visit Mamie's website: https://www.mamieks.com
- Join Mamie's podcast: https://www.themodernmanager.com
In this episode, I explore a question that comes up repeatedly in my work with global, cross-cultural teams and leaders- who should adapt?
It is a deceptively simple question, but one that sits at the heart of how teams collaborate, communicate and ultimately perform. When this is unclear, it creates friction, slows progress and can even stop teams from doing their best work.
Some assume that the new person should adapt, or that everyone should adapt equally, or that people should simply be authentically themselves. In reality, none of these approaches fully work.
The shift is not about deciding who adapts, it is about asking a better question: How do we work smarter together?
This requires moving from assumptions to intentions. It means making the invisible visible, being explicit about how you want to work, communicate and collaborate as a team to create momentum.
In this latest episode, I share a practical framework based on cultural intelligence to help you do exactly that, from understanding why it matters, to diagnosing differences, to creating clear ways of working and putting them into action.
Because the most effective teams do not leave this to chance, they design it intentionally.
What you will learn:
- Why the question of who should adapt often leads to frustration and misalignment
- The three common assumptions about adaptation, and why they do not work
- Why shifting to focusing on how you work smarter together creates better outcomes
- How to use cultural intelligence to understand differences in behaviour and communication
- How to create clear, explicit ways of working as a team
- Why small, intentional actions are key to building effective collaboration
- How to create a new way of working
When have you felt expected to adapt in a new environment, and how did that feel?
Where might assumptions about adaptation be creating friction in your team today?
Have you explicitly discussed how your team works together, or are you relying on assumptions?
If this is a challenge you are navigating right now, do not leave it to chance. Start the conversation with your team and define how you want to work together. Test it, refine it, and make it part of how you operate.
If you would like support in applying this through a cultural intelligence lens, I would love to explore this with you and your team- message me on LinkedIn or book a clarity call via the link below.
Resources:
- Learn more about Victoria's Cultural Intelligence support- book a time to meet and discuss how she can support you and your team: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- If Leadership Breakfasts sound like the kind of space you would value, send Victoria a message to be added to the invitation list for future events: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
In this episode, I'm joined by Yarona Boster to explore a topic many leaders ask about- how to speak in a way that truly engages and connects.
We often think it is about saying more, adding more detail, or sharing all that we know. In reality, it is the opposite. The most effective communicators are not focused on what they want to say, but on what their audience needs to hear.
We explore why storytelling is such a powerful leadership tool to create connection, clarity and understanding. From one-to-one conversations to large presentations, the principle remains the same. Start with the listener, not yourself.
Yarona shares her perspectives on how to use storytelling in a way that feels natural and relevant. This includes using simple examples, universal experiences and metaphors, rather than long personal stories.
Yarona Boster is an Advanced Certified Life Coach, Certified Speaker Coach, TEDx speaker, TEDx event moderator, and 2x international best-selling author with nearly 2 decades in human development, psychology and coaching. She helps people craft emotionally resonant messages for world stages, and empowers people to lead and connect with empathy, resilience, and purpose through transformative communication.
What you'll learn
- Why storytelling is about connection, not performance or volume
- How to focus on what your audience needs to hear, not what you want to say
- The difference between stories, examples and metaphors, and when to use each
- How to open with curiosity to immediately engage your audience
- Why strong endings create clarity, direction and hope
- How to communicate with confidence, even when you do not have all the answers
- Why letting go of perfectionism unlocks greater leadership impact
When you communicate, are you focusing more on your message or your audience?
Where could you use curiosity to engage your audience more effectively?
Resources:
- Yarona's website: https://yaronaboster.com
- Follow Yarona's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YaronaBoster
- Connect with Yarona on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarona-boster/
- Connect with Yarona on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yarona.boster/
- Connect with Yarona on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yarona.eyal.boster
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Michael Noonan, a technology leader with deep experience in developing high-performing teams, and scaling global teams across organisations, including Microsoft, Visa, Capita and IBM.
Michael shares practical lessons from a leadership journey that has spanned continents, cultures and thousands of team members. We explore what it truly takes to lead across cultures, build trust and belonging in large organisations, and develop the human leadership needed in a world that is changing rapidly through technology, AI and global uncertainty.
One of the key themes in our conversation is trust, creating the conditions where people can thrive. Michael describes trust as the true currency of leadership, and explains why leaders must focus on creating environments where people feel safe, heard and able to do their best work.
We also explore how leaders can remove friction from the workplace, support individuals as whole people, and encourage curiosity and adaptability as organisations navigate the evolving world of work.
What you will learn:
- Practical ways leaders can build connection across cultures, from language to shared human experiences
- How simple leadership codes can help align large teams around shared behaviours and values
- Why listening groups can unlock powerful ideas and strengthen psychological safety in organisations
- How leaders can remove friction from work so people can perform at their best
- Why curiosity, adaptability and continuous learning are essential leadership capabilities in the age of AI
- How technology and AI agents can free leaders to focus on creativity and strategic thinking
- Why trust, belonging and psychological safety remain fundamental leadership foundations
What practical steps could you take to create more belonging in your team?
Where might there be friction in your team that is preventing people from doing their best work?
How are you encouraging curiosity, learning and adaptability in yourself and others?
Resources:
- Connect with Michael Noonan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-noonan-0b67185/
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
As I approach my 11-year anniversary in business, I find myself pausing to reflect. Not only on the milestones, but also on what I am hearing consistently across my conversations with aspiring and current leaders.
The reality is that leadership can feel lonely. There are questions you cannot easily share in your organisation with peers or a line manager, and situations that feel too complex or personal to navigate alone. It is challenging to find the space and time to gain true clarity by yourself.
This reflection was brought to life in my first Leadership Breakfast in London last week. Nine leaders from different industries and cultures came together around a table, not for networking or presentations, but for something far more valuable- space to think and shared conversation to connect and inspire.
What stood out most is that clarity is not easy to find when you are constantly in delivery mode. Most leaders are moving from meeting to meeting, making decisions under pressure, often reacting rather than responding thoughtfully.
And yet, when given the space, something shifts. Clarity rarely comes from thinking alone. It comes through conversation- through testing ideas, hearing different perspectives and ideas.
This is why I created the Leadership Breakfast. A space for quality conversation, collective thinking and real clarity.
What you will learn:
- Why clarity is difficult to access when you are constantly in operational delivery
- The different types of clarity leaders need- thinking, communication and in relationships
- Why it's easier to reach clarity through shared conversation than thinking alone
- The value of a sparring partner to challenge and sharpen your thinking
- How to process the emotional demands of leadership through trusted conversations
- Why small, practical actions are the most effective way to create clarity
Where is clarity currently missing in your leadership?
Who are you having honest, high-quality conversations with?
How are you creating space to reflect, rather than constantly reacting to your to-do list?
If this resonates, I invite you to take action. I am creating the next Leadership Breakfasts in London- small, confidential spaces designed to help leaders to have honest conversations about leadership challenges and realities, and have conversations to connect and inspire. If you would like to be part of the invite list, or explore bringing this idea to your country and city, message me on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Resources:
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Confidence is one of the most important, and often misunderstood, drivers of performance in leadership and organisations.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, certified mental performance coach, keynote speaker and author, who works with elite athletes and business leaders. Drawing on her new research study on confidence, she shares why confidence is not a fixed trait, but a skill that can be developed, and why it matters far more to organisational performance than many leaders realise.
The research reveals that employee confidence directly affects productivity, innovation, culture and even revenue. When confidence is low, organisations experience higher stress, greater turnover and reduced performance. Yet when confidence is actively developed, leaders see stronger decision making, better collaboration, higher retention and improved results.
We also explore why many high achievers struggle with overthinking and self-doubt, and how leaders can avoid common confidence killers such as micromanagement, lack of recognition and cultures driven by fear rather than psychological safety.
Cindra shares a practical tool used with elite athletes and executives alike, the' Learn, Burn, Return' method, which helps individuals move quickly beyond mistakes, protect their confidence and refocus on the present moment where performance actually happens.
Confidence is not simply a personal development topic, it is a leadership responsibility and a competitive advantage. This episode will help you rethink how confidence is built, protected and encouraged, both for yourself and the people around you.
Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is an award-winning keynote speaker and certified mental performance coach for leaders, athletes, and championship teams. She speaks on the topic of peak performance and how to be your best even more often. She is the author of an Amazon bestseller, Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High Performance Edge and the corresponding workbook.
What You Will Learn: * The 4 elements of confidence- Feeling, Decision, Skill and Self-Belief * Why employee confidence has a direct impact on organisational performance * The leadership behaviours that build or destroy confidence in teams * The Confidence Crisis Among Gen Z * How to use Cindra's 'Learn, Burn, Return' method to move on from mistakes and challenges
Resources:
- Cindra's website: https://cindrakamphoff.com/
- If you would like to explore Cindra's research in more depth, you can download the full study at: confidencestudy.com
- Connect with Cindra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindra-kamphoff/
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
What are women already giving in leadership, often invisibly, and what do organisations gain as a result?
Give to Gain- as we approach International Women's Day 2026, with this theme, I wanted to bring a slightly different perspective.
Rather than focusing only on how we give more support to women, this episode reframes the conversation.
I want to shine a light on what women already give every single day through their human capabilities, and what teams and organisations gain when those contributions are made visible, acknowledged and valued.
In a world accelerating through AI, technological change and performance pressure, the real differentiator is not purely technical- it is human.
These are not soft skills- they are commercial and leadership skills, which many women are already strong in, often without the recognition they deserve.
This episode explores how making these capabilities visible can shift narratives around leadership, gender and performance, and why acknowledging what women already give is essential for teams and organisations to truly gain.
What You Will Learn:
- What women are already giving with their human capabilities, which is not always visible or fully acknowledged
- What teams can gain from women giving in cohesion, collaboration and trust
- What organisations can gain from women giving in speed, results and future financial performance
- Why naming these contributions increases confidence, visibility and influence for women
- Why making women's strengths visible benefits everyone, not just women
Acknowledge the human capabilities already present in your team- make them visible, celebrate them publicly, speak about them as performance drivers, not personality traits.
If you are a leader, ask yourself how you are recognising and valuing confidence, clarity, connection and emotional intelligence.
And if you would like to explore these human capabilities in more depth, you can find them at the heart of my book, 'Become a Global Leader', link below.
Give to Gain is not about asking women to give more.
It is about recognising what is already being given, and understanding just how much we gain as a result.
Resources:
- Buy the book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
You might look at other people and see them as confident, but despite your experience and successes, you still doubt yourself at times.
In this conversation with Tara LaFon Gooch, 2X bestselling author and TEDx speaker, she shares her perspective - confidence is not a personality trait, it is a practice. It is not something you are born with, it is something you build.
We explore why so many capable leaders chase success, when in fact, success is the byproduct of confidence. When confidence increases, competence is perceived to increase, trust strengthens and opportunities follow.
This is not about projecting arrogance. It is about building self-trust. If confidence has ever felt elusive to you, this episode will give you practical ways to start.
What You Will Learn:
- Why confidence is learnable, not innate
- Tara's GRASP framework for sustainable confidence
- How gratitude strengthens self-belief and leadership presence
- The link between confidence, trust and perceived competence
- Why small compounded action creates sustainable change
- How environment and purpose influence your level of confidence
Confidence is not for everyone else. It is available for you too.
Tara LaFon Gooch, MBA, is the CEO of Best Branding Solutions, a 2X bestselling author, international TEDx speaker, and host of the GRASP Confidence podcast, a top-ranked personal development show for leaders and high performers. Known for her GRASP Method (Gratitude, Responsibility, Action, Sight, Purpose), Tara helps leaders, speakers, and entrepreneurs build authentic confidence, expand their influence, and step boldly into their purpose.
Resources:
- Find all links to connect with Tara LaFon Gooch here: https://tr.ee/ppB6xE9Q-m
- Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Conflict happens. What matters is how we interpret it and how we respond.
In this podcast episode, I share a powerful tool I experienced recently in training with Chloe O'Sullivan from War to Peace, that completely shifted how I think about disagreement, tension and challenging conversations.
The Spiral of Disempowerment™ offers a clear, practical framework to separate observable facts from assumptions, and to recognise the role we can play in maintaining conflict.
In global teams, where cultural dynamics shape how we interpret behaviour, this distinction becomes even more critical. We often move from facts to meaning at speed, and that interpretation drives our reactions. Those reactions then influence how others perceive us, creating a loop that is hard to break.
This episode walks you step by step through the four stages of The Spiral of Disempowerment™ and invites you to apply it to a real situation you are currently facing.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How to distinguish between observable behaviour and personal interpretation
- Why we so quickly move from fact to meaning in conflict
- How your reactions influence how others perceive you
- Why conflict escalates when we try to control what we cannot
- What is genuinely within your sphere of control
- How to pause and choose a different response
When we focus only on what others are doing and how they are acting, the spiral continues as we continue to react. When we focus on what we can control, our perception and our response, the dynamic shifts.
Reflection questions
- Where are you currently looping in a conflict situation?
- What assumptions are you treating as facts?
Download the The Spiral of Disempowerment™ tool below and apply it to a live situation.
If this episode resonates, I would genuinely love to hear what you discover. Message me on LinkedIn and share your reflections.
Resources:
- Download a template of the The Spiral of Disempowerment™ : https://halcyonglobal.co.uk/spiral-of-disempowerment/
- Learn more about Chloe O'Sullivan's work, War to Peace: https://halcyonglobal.co.uk/
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Lucy Butters, a Master Facilitator with the Cultural Intelligence Centre, a CQ Fellow- an elite CQ certification, and the author of the recently published 'Cultural Intelligence in Practi
Lucy shares why adaptation and self-awareness matter as much as what you know. We talk about listening as a core leadership skill, how identity and culture shape who gets heard, and why silence, pace and the way we respond all carry meaning. Plus, why the rapid growth of AI makes Cultural Intelligence more important, not less.
Lucy Butters has been working to support organisations to be more inclusive and internationally effective since founding her training and coaching company Elembee Ltd in 2010. A CIPD qualified trainer, one of Lucy's passions is working with trainers and facilitators to develop and enhance their training CQ capability. Lucy lives in Glasgow with her husband and as parents of triplet sons, they are frequently reminded of the need to adjust thinking, actions and expectations.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What Cultural Intelligence really means and how it differs from cultural awareness
- Why knowledge alone does not lead to effective cross-cultural working
- The four capabilities of Cultural Intelligence and how they work together as a core leadership skill
- Why listening is culturally shaped
- How communication styles, silence and pace affect understanding
- Why AI requires stronger human judgement and Cultural Intelligence
- How Cultural Intelligence supports leadership in times of uncertainty
If you want to deepen your understanding, Lucy's book offers practical insights from experts around the world.
Resources:
- Connect with Lucy Butters on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lucybutters
- Visit Lucy Butters' website: https://lucybutters.com/
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Hidden influence - why it is often the missing piece when projects stall, decisions loop and stakeholder meetings go nowhere.
This latest podcast episode was prompted by real conversations with clients who were doing all the right things in theory- scheduling update meetings, sharing information, seeking decisions, yet progress kept slowing down.
What sat underneath was a lack of strategic influence beyond the meeting room. Hidden influence is not about doing things covertly or politically. At its core, it is about connection, trust and understanding what really drives decision-making before you ever ask for a 'yes'.
I break down how to identify who truly influences outcomes, how to build the right relationships early, and how slowing down at the start can help you move faster later on.
You'll learn:
- What hidden influence is, and what it is not
- Why your meetings alone rarely unlock decisions
- How to map your Influence Matrix
- Who your hidden influencers are beyond the organisation chart
- The key questions to ask yourself before alignment meetings
- How risk preferences shape decisions- tapping into Cultural Intelligence
- Developing a tailored communication plan to tap into hidden influence
Key reflection questions:
- Who sits in your Influence Matrix beyond your direct stakeholders?
- Where are your hidden influence opportunities right now?
- Which relationships need more intentional attention?
If you want to go deeper into the topic of influence, this is explored in more detail in my book Become a Global Leader, including the Influence Matrix and my Six Frames of Influence.
Resources:
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Many capable, successful professionals are delivering results, staying busy and doing what is expected of them, yet quietly running on autopilot. Everything looks fine on the surface, but something feels misaligned.
In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Amy Rowlinson, purpose and fulfilment coach, and author of Focus on Why, to explore why purpose is not something you discover one day, but something you actively create through your values, choices and priorities.
We talk about how easily leaders slip into momentum mode, responding to obligations rather than intention, and what happens when that way of working starts to break down. Amy shares her own turning point and why burnout became a catalyst for reassessing what really mattered, not from crisis, but from clarity.
Amy helps individuals and organisations live and work with purpose, clarity and deeper meaning, guiding people to align their values with their actions to create living legacies.
This is a practical conversation about purpose as a core part of self-leadership, and how reconnecting with it changes how you decide, prioritise and lead.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why so many capable leaders drift into autopilot
- Why purpose is created, not found
- How to recognise when momentum replaces intention
- The Personal Audit exercise
- Why purpose is not a solo endeavour
Reflection questions
- Where might you be operating on autopilot?
- What feels out of sync right now?
- How aligned is your time with what matters most?
Resources:
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Connect with Amy Rowlinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyrowlinson/
- Visit Amy Rowlinson's website: https://www.amyrowlinson.com/services
- Buy Amy Rowlinson's book, Focus on Why: https://linktr.ee/amyrowlinson
What are the five most common cultural mistakes that leaders often make when managing diverse, multicultural teams?
Drawing from my experience working with organisations and teams in Cultural Intelligence, I share the common cultural mistakes, and how these can lead to miscommunication, frustration, and even project failures.
I go on to explore how to reframe these to be successful in your ways of working globally, highlighting the need to adapt for better collaboration and innovation within your teams.
Learn in this episode:
- The 5 most common cultural mistakes that leaders make when managing multicultural teams
- Why cultural awareness is not enough
- Cultural intelligence beyond national culture
- Why Cultural Intelligence is needed, even in strong organisational cultures
- The pressures to get it right culturally as a leader
- The Platinum rule
Resources:
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Executive Leadership Coach, and author Mary Gregory, who specialises in human-centred leadership, confidence and gender equity.
Together, we explore ego as a human defence system rather than a flaw, and how fear often sits behind leadership behaviours such as people pleasing, control and self-doubt. We look at how ego shows up differently for women, why many capable leaders hold themselves back, and what it takes to speak up and be heard without losing authenticity or falling into performative confidence.
Our conversation also examines how culture, conditioning and gender dynamics shape behaviour at work, why curiosity matters more than judgement in global and diverse teams, and why confidence is not fixed but something that ebbs and flows. We reflect on why leadership grounded in self-awareness, inclusion and humanity will be increasingly essential.
Mary's purpose is to create workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute their talent fully. Her work integrates deep psychological insight with practical leadership tools, enabling her clients to expand their thinking, navigate ego and conditioning, and take courageous, positive action.
What you'll learn
- How ego unconsciously shapes leadership behaviour
- When ego gets in the way of leadership
- How women can move beyond ego patterns that hold them back
- How culture and conditioning intersect with judgement and curiosity
- What authentic confidence looks like in practice
Resources:
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Connect with Mary Gregory on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygregory/
- Visit Mary Gregory's website: https://www.marygregory.com
- Buy Mary Gregory's book 'Ego – Get Over Yourself and Lead': https://www.marygregory.com/book
Welcome to the first podcast episode of 2026, and we are starting with how we mean to continue with bold action. This episode is about momentum, clarity and creating a fast, intentional start to the year.
This is your invitation to move from thinking to actively working and delivering on your leadership goals. Drawing on chapter one of my bestselling book, Become a Global Leader, I guide you through a series of practical exercises designed to help you think bigger, get clearer on what you want, and move from reflection into bold action.
If you want to have greater impact this year, this episode will help you move beyond safe, short-term goals and reconnect you with the leadership future you dream of.
We cover:
- How to shift from achievable, short-term goals to defining the bigger vision
- How to define what becoming a global leader really means to you
- Why understanding your motivation is critical when the journey gets challenging
- How to translate this into powerful leadership goals for 2026 without staying in your comfort zone
- Practical ways to make your leadership goals visible, front of mind and build momentum throughout the year
Your next steps
If you want support turning this reflection into action, I am offering a limited number of 2026 Clarity Action calls.
These are 20-minute focused conversations designed to help you gain perspective, identify your next steps and move forward with intention to make your goals a reality.
Book by 23rd January 2026 by messaging me directly on LinkedIn, Victoria Rennoldson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Resources:
- Listen to Episode 159 'Reflecting on 2025: Your Leadership Review': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/reflecting-on-2025-your-leadership-review/
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
Leadership trends, advocating for women leaders and raising your personal profile.
As we approach the start of 2026, in this podcast episode, I'm joined by Vanessa Dal Busco, Chair of the Institute of Directors Glass Ceiling Group, and a passionate advocate for women in leadership.
Vanessa shares her insights on the challenges female leaders face, the importance of personal branding, and practical strategies to raise your profile, exploring how engagement, purpose, and authenticity can transform your professional presence.
Plus, Vanessa also shares her perspectives on leadership trends, the role of AI and cybersecurity in shaping the future of business.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- How the Institute of Directors and the Glass Ceiling Group are driving change and creating opportunities for female leaders
- The importance of raising your personal profile and practical ways to do it
- How to use LinkedIn effectively to engage authentically and amplify your influence
- The power of networking, speaking engagements, and media exposure to grow your personal brand
- Emerging leadership trends she sees for 2026
Vanessa encourages anyone looking to raise their personal or company profile to take that first step and experiment, whether through LinkedIn, networking, speaking engagements, or media opportunities.
How visible is your professional profile right now, and how could increasing it open up new opportunities in 2026?
Resources:
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Connect with Vanessa Dal Busco on LinkedIn to explore how she can help you or your organisation to elevate your profile and impact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessadalbusco
In this latest podcast episode, I'm joined by Julia Bend, Executive Career Transition Coach and founder of Premier Coaching, and we focus on the emotional reality of organisational change, why it so often can feel personal even when it isn't, and what it truly takes to manage yourself well through transition.
Julia also shares her SPEAR Framework, a clear and human approach that guides you from self-awareness through to purposeful action and thoughtful review.
After 27 years in the transport and IT sector, Julia shifted into retraining and rebuilding her career. She now supports professionals to realign their work with their values and strengths, whether they are stepping into leadership or rethinking their next chapter.
This is a grounded, energising and practical discussion for anyone navigating uncertainty or sensing that change is calling.
What you will learn
- Why organisational change can feel personal, even when it's driven by business needs
- How to recognise the early signals that your role or environment is no longer a fit
- When and how to create clarity in bitesize chunks
- How Julia's SPEAR Framework supports career transition
- How to manage change when it's thrust upon you
- Why the right support network makes all the difference
Resources:
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Connect with Julia Bend on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliabend
- Follow Julia Bend on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_premier_coaching/
- Visit Julia Bend's website: https://premier-coaching.co.uk/
- Tune in to her podcast, The Secrets of Learning and Development, which she co-hosts with Valerie Merrill.
As we edge towards the end of 2025, this podcast episode is your invitation to pause, reflect and look back at the year that was. Whether you've experienced exciting progress, tough challenges or a sense of being in limbo in your career, this reflection is critical to acknowledging and accepting it all, helping you close out the year and get ready for what's next.
I share practical clarity exercises to support your leadership review, including insights and activations inside the first chapter of my new book, Become a Global Leader.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
- Why reviewing your year helps you enter 2026 with clarity, confidence and self-belief.
- How to recognise meaningful progress, even when the year didn't go as planned.
- Why understanding your talent and strengths is essential for your leadership growth.
- How reconnecting with your unique value builds the foundations for the year ahead.
Today marks part 1 of a 2-part series, with January's episode focused on giving you the momentum you need for a strong start to 2026.
Your Next Steps
If you're ready to step into 2026 with intention and momentum, now is the perfect time to get clarity on your leadership and career strategies and actions. Here's how I can help you with that:
- Get your copy of my bestselling book, Become a Global Leader, and fully explore the 4 pillars to develop and grow your global leadership communication.
- Share this episode with somebody who is also committed to growing their leadership in 2026.
- Connect with me on LinkedIn and share what was most valuable from this episode.
Thank you for listening, for connecting and for being part of this community.
Resources:
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
In today's episode, I'm joined by Enfys Maloney, business expert, speaker, and seven-time award-winning sales trainer, trusted by hundreds of ambitious businesses.
At the heart of this episode is the idea that strong communication and leadership are built by design and intention, not by accident. Quality conversations happen when you approach them with curiosity, intention and a readiness to move beyond the predictable.
Enfys talks honestly about what leaders need, whether they are running a business, heading up a team or building their influence.
Enfys also shares why leadership can feel lonely at times, and how dedicated CEO spaces offer a vital environment for problem-solving, perspective and mutual support.
Finally, we dive into visibility, a topic that resonates across every industry. Enfys talks candidly about the fear of being seen, and why visibility becomes far easier once you're anchored in your purpose.
Enfys is a dynamic speaker and trusted mentor, recognised for her high-impact, confidence-led approach that helps individuals radically improve their sales, comfortably, confidently, and on repeat.
What you will learn:
- Why so many business conversations feel shallow
- How to move from polite exchanges to genuinely engaging dialogue
- What transforms a conversation from surface-level small talk into something genuinely useful and engaging
- How curiosity, thoughtful questions and a willingness to be bold improve the quality of your interactions
- Why leaders at every level need confidential, high-calibre spaces to think, reflect and share challenges
- How leaning into visibility supports your impact and why starting small creates long-term confidence
Resources:
- Buy Victoria Rennoldson's new book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find our more about Enfys Maloney here: https://www.salestrainingwithenfys.co.uk/
- Connect with Enfys on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/withenfys
- Connect with Enfys on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salestraining_with_enfys/
- Sample Enfys' sales training for yourself: grab her free mini-training Money Left on the Table, a 15-minute exercise to help you uncover hidden sales opportunities in your business and start turning conversations into clients fast. http://salestrainingwithenfys.co.uk/Money-Left-On-The-Table
In this podcast episode, I'm celebrating a very special moment: my book, Become a Global Leader, launched last week and has already become a best-seller in Career Advancement and Professional Development! This episode focuses on the final and, in my view, most important pillar of my book: Connecting across Cultures with Cultural Intelligence.
In today's world, AI and technical skills and fluency are of course vital, but what truly sets great global leaders apart is the ability to connect with others, communicate genuinely in conversations that show their human side, and connect in meaningful relationships across cultural boundaries. This episode explores why human connection is a superpower, the challenge in communication overload and collaboration tools, and highlights the key skills that make a real impact in connection.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why connecting with others, human to human, is a fundamental leadership superpower.
- How Cultural Intelligence can help you go beyond awareness to action.
- The reason why non-verbal communication can amplify your communication and impact, even virtually.
- Why genuine conversations are not only good for people, but also drive results.
How intentional are you with the way you connect with people?
Where could cultural intelligence help you connect better with your team?
If you haven't got your copy of my book, Become a Global Leader, now is the time. It's packed with practical strategies and activation exercises designed to elevate your visibility, influence, impact and connection globally. Get your copy here https://culturecuppa.com/book/
I'd also love to hear how this episode and the book resonate with you. Reach out to me on LinkedIn at Victoria Rennoldson, or leave a review on Amazon to help others discover the book.
Resources:
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
In this podcast, we continue our series exploring the pillars of my new book, Become a Global Leader. Today we focus on a capability that every global leader should master if they want real impact in their career and leadership growth: bridge challenging conversations.
Challenging conversations appear in every organisation, every industry and every team. What distinguishes a global leader with strong communication skills and cultural intelligence is how to navigate these situations.
In this episode, I guide you through the foundations you need before stepping onto the challenging conversation bridge, my framework to resolve conflict, including designing purposeful conversations, understanding the cultural angles in disagreements and turning up your empathy radar so you can move away from division and towards solutions.
You'll also hear why openness must come first in any difficult dialogue, how to ladder up to a common goal to reduce friction and create alignment and why adopting an innovation mindset helps you move from conflict to future-focused collaboration. We then explore Listening 101, a practical approach to intelligent listening that supports better leader communication, how to refocus when you're distracted and how to get others' attention when they are not listening to you. Finally, we look at communicating boundaries, why saying no is hard and how to say it clearly and assertively without damaging relationships, especially in culturally diverse settings.
In this episode:
- The elements needed to bridge challenging conversations
- Designing conversations with cultural intelligence
- Why empathy is a foundation for productive dialogue
- Establish openness to dialogue to reduce resistance
- Ways to align around a shared objective
- The innovation mindset that unlocks solutions
- Intelligent listening strategies for stronger communication
Reflection Questions:
- Where could the challenging conversation bridge help you right now in your interactions?
- Which situation could benefit from intelligent listening strategies?
I always enjoy hearing what resonates with you, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and share your reflections!
If you haven't yet got your copy of my new book, Become a Global Leader, you can find it at http://www.culturecuppa.com/book - plus access the free book resources that accompany the book.
And if you're already reading it and finding it valuable, I would love for you to share your Amazon review- thank you!
https://mybook.to/GlobalLeader
Resources:
- Buy my new book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
There are moments in every leader's journey when reflection meets action, and for me, that moment is now.
Today, on publication day for my book, Become a Global Leader, I sit down with my friend, Enfys Maloney, to talk about the leadership stories and learnings behind the book, the lessons I've learned along the way, and what true leadership really looks like behind the scenes.
In this podcast episode, the tables are turned, and Enfys interviews me, exploring not only the themes of the book, but also what it means to lead, to grow, and to find your voice as a global leader.
We look at the skills, mindset, and strategies required to step confidently into leadership, wherever you are in your career, and what comes next after the book!
What you will learn in this episode:
- Behind the scenes of the book
- Why this book, and why now
- What does it mean to be a Global Leader today
- My personal highs and lows while writing
- How this book will help you
- What's next!
Your next steps:
Buy your copy today, Become a Global Leader. Kindle edition at the SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE of £1.99 for TODAY, Monday only: https://mybook.to/GlobalLeader
Resources:
- Buy the book: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- A huge thank you to Enfys Maloney for interviewing me for this episode, find more about her and her services here: https://www.salestrainingwithenfys.co.uk/
In this podcast episode, I'm continuing my special mini-series in the lead-up to the launch of my book, Become a Global Leader. With only one week to go until release day on 17th November, I'm diving into the 2nd of the 4 key pillars from my book: Mastering Your Clarity to Elevate Your Influence.
Clarity is one of the most powerful and often underestimated skills for aspiring global leaders. In my work, I've seen that it's not only your specialist knowledge or expertise that drives your career growth and leadership impact, but how clearly and confidently you can communicate your ideas. Whether you're presenting to senior stakeholders, leading global teams, or managing complex cultural dynamics, your ability to communicate with clarity defines how others perceive your leadership.
In this episode, I share insights into why clear communication can feel so challenging, to the power of structuring your thoughts under pressure, so you can elevate your influence, manage those mental blocks and communicate like a leader.
What You Will Learn:
- Why mastering clarity is fundamental to your leadership development and global career success.
- The common reasons clarity feels challenging, particularly when working across cultures.
- Structure your thoughts to sound more articulate, concise and confident.
- My key principle: slow down your communication to help speed up the action.
- Influence with confidence by creating ideas that inspire action and alignment.
- When your mind goes blank and you need to quickly regain your clarity.
Reflection Questions
- How could sharpening your communication clarity help you achieve your leadership goals?
- How are you positioning your ideas and recommendations in a way that lands with your key stakeholders?
I'd really love to hear your thoughts. Connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me what resonated most from this episode and how you're applying it in your own leadership communication.
We're only a week away from the global launch of my book, Become a Global Leader on Monday 17th November 2025 at 6pm GMT (London time), and I'd love for you to join me to celebrate.
This online launch event is completely free and open to everyone around the world. During the session, I'll be running a masterclass on Identifying Your Unique Leadership Signature, hosting a live Q&A where you can ask me anything about leadership, cultural intelligence and communication, and of course, we'll celebrate with some fun competitions and giveaways.
Get your free ticket here: https://culturecuppa.com/book-launch
Resources:
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Website:https://culturecuppa.com
Today is a very special episode as we mark the launch of my first book: Become a Global Leader, out to buy on 17th November 2025. It's been an incredible journey bringing this book to life, and I cannot wait for you to read it.
Over the next four weeks, we'll be diving into the four core pillars of the book, the foundations for any ambitious global leader who wants to grow their influence, leadership presence and impact.
Today, we begin with Pillar One: Empower Your Confidence.
Whether you're stepping into new leadership spaces, aiming for your next promotion, or navigating a global career move, confidence isn't a "nice-to-have", it's essential. But let's be honest, it's not always easy. In fact, confidence is one of the most misunderstood elements of leadership development.
In this episode, I break down the steps to sustainable confidence, and how to build it in a way that aligns with who you truly are.
What You Will Learn:
- Why confidence is not constant, and how to work with its natural fluctuations
- Identifying your unique leadership value and communicating it with impact
- The key mindset habit to move from self-doubt to self-belief
- What could be holding you back and keeping you stuck
- Why visibility is critical to building your personal brand
- Practical ways to signal leadership with your presence and energy
Reflection Questions:
Take a few minutes after listening to reflect on these questions:
- On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you rate your confidence today?
- What strengths have you possibly overlooked that you should be doubling down on right now?
- What does your leadership identity say about you today, and is it aligned with where you're heading?
Join me for the LIVE virtual book launch of Become a Global Leader on Monday, 17th November 2025 at 6PM GMT London.
This event includes a live masterclass on identifying your unique leadership signature, Q&A, giveaways, and your chance to ask me your questions about leadership, career growth, and developing your communication.
Register for your free ticket here: https://culturecuppa.com/book-launch/
Resources:
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Website:https://culturecuppa.com
In this latest podcast episode, I'm joined by the straight-talking Laura Barber, founder of Ripple Impact, brand storyteller and experienced brand and insight strategist with 22+ years of experience in global multibillion-dollar businesses.
We explore confidence, the evolving nature of leadership across multinational corporations and entrepreneurial ventures, and why authenticity and cultural intelligence are your greatest assets in developing meaningful communication.
Laura shares practical, down-to-earth advice on pushing beyond your comfort zone, mastering the physicality of confidence, and stepping into leadership without waiting for titles or validation. We also explore the power of storytelling in leadership and the importance of empathy and connection in today's global business landscape.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- Why confidence is a practice, not an automatic state, and how to build it deliberately
- How to use body language and physical presence to project and cultivate confidence
- The myth that extroversion defines leadership, and how authenticity is your unique leadership superpower
- The critical role of storytelling and empathy in communication
- How to stop waiting for permission and start leading now
Reflection Questions:
- In what ways are you currently stepping outside your comfort zone to grow your confidence?
- What physical practices might you incorporate to help project confidence in challenging situations?
- Where in your leadership journey are you waiting for permission, and how can you shift that into action?
Laura Barber is the founder of The Ripple Impact, advising businesses on brand strategy and insights taken from her 22+ years of experience in global multibillion-dollar businesses, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Walgreens Boots and General Mills.
At The Ripple Impact, she helps ambitious brands unlock the power of their story and strategy so they can make waves in their industry. They partner with visionary founders, leaders and teams to uncover the deep insights, bold thinking, and human truths that shape how brands show up in the world. Whether you're scaling a startup, evolving your positioning, or launching something new, they help you connect the dots and create impact that lasts.
She is also the host of The Ripple Impact podcast, where she goes under the surface of the human stories, those ripple moments that have created waves in business and in life.
Resources:
- Find out about my new book publication and get your exclusive invitation to the launch event: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Linktree for Laura Barber: http://linktr.ee/therippleimpact
- 🎧 Spotify for Laura Barber: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rsTk2Jr69lHFq0bCrc9kG?si=0d1b0e1c31e5423e
- ▶️ YouTube for Laura Barber: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRippleImpact
- 📸 Instagram for Laura Barber: https://www.instagram.com/the.ripple.impact/
- 🔗 Linkedin for Laura Barber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurambarber/ and
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/therippleimpact/
Evolving your leadership today isn't only about what you achieve, it's about how you grow, how you connect, and how you show up as a whole person, both at work and in your life.
In this episode, I'm joined by the dynamic and deeply insightful Sarah Perugia, Executive Leadership Master Coach, women in leadership advocate, and whole-person leadership transformation specialist. With a background in professional acting and a passion for communication, Sarah brings a bold and empowering perspective to how we develop women in leadership in a global world and create more gender equality.
Together, we explore what it means to lead with your whole self, how women can overcome outdated success metrics, and how to unlock true leadership impact.
Sarah shares her practical and thought-provoking ideas around redefining success, setting boundaries, and what male allies actually need to be doing to support female leadership development.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- Why whole-person leadership matters more than ever
- The power of redefining success on your own terms
- How to spot the invisible blockers holding women back in their careers
- How to assert boundaries without the push back
- What male allies can do to support female leadership meaningfully
- Why intention setting transforms your communication impact instantly
Reflection Questions:
- What does success look and feel like for you?
- Where are you saying "yes", and what would it take to say "no"?
- How do you want to show up in your next conversation, meeting or presentation?
Sarah Perugia is a whole-person leadership transformation specialist and passionate Women in Leadership Master Coach, driven by the belief that true leadership encompasses more than professional success - it involves nurturing the whole person. It's about understanding and supporting the values, passions, and overall happiness of leaders so they can create incredible career success and build strong high-achieving teams.
Drawing on her unique blend of professional acting and expertise in neuro-linguistic programming, Strengths and Positive Psychology, she brings a fresh approach to leadership development. She helps leaders and their teams explore what matters to them, what they are great at, and the unique value they bring with them into the room. This enables them to lead with a clear mission and result in a more profound and impactful leadership style.
Resources:
- Find out about my new book publication and get your exclusive invitation to the launch event: https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Learn more about Sarah Perugia: https://sarahperugia.com/
- Connect with Sarah Perugia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-perugia-leadership-coaching/
- Connect with Sarah Perugia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahperugialeadershipcoaching
Welcome to episode 150 of Cultural Communication Confidence! It's a milestone we're celebrating- thank you so much for listening, whether this is your 1st episode or your 150th!
Today's topic is something timely, relevant, and let's be honest, a little bit uncomfortable: How do you lead yourself, and others, when you feel out of control?
Whether you're currently navigating uncertainty, restructures, redundancies, economic or political instability, or you're supporting others through it. Whether it's happening to you directly or to someone in your circle, this conversation is about how to take practical steps forward, have agency and create movement, even when so much feels out of your hands.
We talk about how to stay resilient, visible, and effective in moments that challenge your confidence and identity.
What You Will Learn:
- Why control is an illusion, and what to focus on instead
- How to manage your mindset and emotional response during rapid change
- Practical ways to move from resistance to agency in uncertain times
- Shift your self-narrative
- Key strategies and foundations to establish
- What to accept and let go
Reflection Questions:
Take a moment after the episode to reflect on these questions, or journal on them if you prefer:
- Which of the strategies could help you start moving forward again?
- How are you supporting others while keeping your own emotional energy?
Message me on LinkedIn for your free gift, a resource to strengthen your global leadership communication skills.
And in celebration of 150 episodes- if this episode resonated with you, please do take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, it really helps more global leaders like you find these conversations.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact:https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released:https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website:https://culturecuppa.com
What’s holding you back in your leadership communication?
This week’s podcast episode is a deeply personal one, as we continue the celebration of the podcast’s third birthday and approach our 150th episode. Today I’m sharing not only the common blocks that I see hold people back from stepping into their leadership, but also my own story of how I overcame some of these same obstacles.
If you’re ambitious, experienced, and ready to grow your career and impact as a leader, but you’re still holding back when it comes to being more visible, speaking up, or communicating with confidence, then this episode is for you.
We’ll explore the blocks such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, the impact of cultural preferences on how you communicate, and the fears. More importantly, I’ll guide you through the mindset shifts and practical reframes that can help you start to unlock your voice and show up as the leader you truly are.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why imposter syndrome is far more common than you think, and how to shift your mindset about it
- The perfectionism-imposter syndrome cycle, and how it sabotages your visibility and impact
- The critical difference between communication and performance
- Why ‘Said is better than perfect’- stop letting fear quieten your voice
- Cultural intelligence to help you communicate authentically, without feeling like you need to be louder or more extroverted
- The truth about confidence vs. arrogance
Reflection Questions:
- Which of these areas is holding you back the most in your leadership communication?
- Is there something else that’s stopping you from becoming visible, confident, and impactful?
To celebrate the podcast’s third birthday, I have a free gift just for you, a powerful resource to help you grow your global leader communication skills. Message me directly on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson) and I’ll send it your way. Let’s make sure your voice is heard and your leadership is seen.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact:https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released:https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website:https://culturecuppa.com
Celebrating 3 Years of the Podcast: Leadership Lessons from Behind the Mic
Today marks a major milestone, 3 years of my podcast, Cultural Communication Confidence, in the same week as International Podcast Day. In this special celebratory episode, I’m going behind the mic to reflect on the real lessons I’ve learned from creating nearly 150 episodes. And, more importantly, I’m sharing what those lessons mean for you as a current or future global leader.
This isn’t only about podcasting. It’s about what I’ve learnt along the way about global leadership, communication, cultural intelligence and growth. What does it take to stay visible, relevant and connected? What does it mean to take action before you’re ‘ready’? And how do you keep leading with confidence, especially when it’s not perfect?
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why your personal purpose is a non-negotiable, and how to get clearer on it
- How imperfect action builds real confidence and momentum
- Why broadcasting isn’t communication, and how to invite true conversation
- What it means to show up with energy and presence, especially in virtual spaces
- Why celebration matters, and how to keep evolving and growing
Reflection Questions:
- What is your personal purpose? Why do you do the work you do?
- Where are you waiting for “perfect” circumstances before taking action? What would change if you just started?
- How are you encouraging conversation in your team, not broadcasting?
To say thank you for listening, whether it’s your first episode or you’ve been with me from the start, I have a free gift to mark the podcast’s 3rd birthday. Message me directly on LinkedIn and I’ll send it over to you.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact:https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released:https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website:https://culturecuppa.com
Evolving your leadership today isn’t only about strategy, goals and performance, it’s about people, being real and growing through change, with all its highs and lows.
In this episode, I’m joined by Sri Sharma, serial technology entrepreneur, who has founded 2 companies that have both sold to private equity, and is now a strategic advisor to B2B software and agency scale-ups.
In our conversation we explore what it means to be a leader with authenticity, how to build global teams, and stay resilient and strong in moments of uncertainty and business pressure.
Sri shares about how leadership is different from management, the power of truthful communication, and how to lead high-performing remote and multicultural teams. He offers brilliant insights on empathy, mentoring, and how to keep learning and evolving your leadership style.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why authentic leadership creates trust and stronger teams.
- How to communicate truthfully during challenging moments.
- Growth through doing, not only thinking.
- Building high-performing, culturally diverse remote teams.
- The 2 types of empathy and how they support better leadership and mentoring.
Reflection Questions:
- What does leading authentically look like for you
- What leadership habits support your growth?
Boost your leadership communication skills with my free training resource to accompany the podcast, Global Leader Impact. Download it now at https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader and strengthen the key communication skills you need.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Connect with Sri Sharma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srisharma
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
If you’re leading global or cross-functional teams and finding your meetings fall flat, with cameras off, periods of silence and little interaction, this episode is for you.
In today’s podcast, I look at the culturally-driven behavioural preferences that could be silently shaping the level of your meeting engagement. Whether you're hearing from only one or two dominant voices, or struggling to encourage participation at all, this isn’t only a communication issue, it’s a cultural one.
I share how understanding and applying your Cultural Intelligence (CQ) can transform your meetings from disengaged to dynamic.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why silence in meetings doesn’t always mean disinterest.
- Which behavioural preferences shape who speaks up in the meeting.
- The impact of power distance and hierarchy on meeting dynamics.
- The behavioural preferences that can cause friction or frustration.
- Practical ways to design more engaging meetings to encourage contribution and participation.
- How to use Cultural Intelligence to build team connection and collaboration.
Reflection Questions:
- Which of the behavioural preferences do you recognise in yourself?
- What preferences might be influencing your team’s meeting dynamic?
To go further and explore more of the communication skills every global leader needs, download my free resource: Global Leader Impact. It’s designed to help you lead with clarity and cultural intelligence: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In this podcast episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest time drains for global leaders: ineffective meetings.
We’ve all sat through meetings that drift with no clear outcome. But with the right communication strategy, your meetings can become high-impact spaces that drive action, connection, and leadership growth.
In this episode, I share my practical 5 Ps framework for meeting clarity, a tool I use with my clients who want to lead with purpose and build connection. This is how to stop wasting time and start getting results.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The real cost of ineffective meetings, and what to do about it.
- Why clarity is essential for leadership communication and global team impact.
- The 5 Ps and how to use them.
- Simple strategies to put them into practice.
- How to prepare quickly and effectively, even when time is tight.
Reflection Questions:
- How much clarity do your meetings currently have?
- Which of the 5 Ps could help you shift from drift to direction?
- What will you do differently to make your next meeting count?
For more on developing the communication skills every global leader needs, explore my free training resource Global Leader Impact. Download it now at: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In this podcast episode, I’m diving back into a crucial but often overlooked communication skill: active listening.
It sounds simple, but in reality, truly listening, especially in fast-paced, distraction-heavy environments, is far from easy. Whether you're in a virtual meeting or face-to-face, your ability to listen well is a key part of your global leadership impact, helping you build trust, demonstrate emotional and cultural intelligence.
We explore what it means to make a conscious choice to listen, how to manage the distractions that pull your attention away, and why showing you’re listening (even without speaking) is essential for career growth and leadership development.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why active listening is a cornerstone of effective communication.
- The three types of distractions you need to manage.
- How to show you're fully present, through body language and non-verbal cues.
- What “intelligent listening” looks like, and how to read between the lines.
- Simple techniques to bring your focus back when your mind drifts.
Reflection Questions:
- How intentional are you about listening in meetings and conversations?
- What distracts you most, and how could you manage that better?
- Which strategy will you try first to strengthen your listening skills?
For more on developing the communication skills every global leader needs, don’t forget to explore my free training resource Global Leader Impact. Download it now at: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
AI, automation and rapid digital change have transformed work, but what does this mean for the future of leadership? In this episode, I’m joined by Zahra Shah, AI expert and leader, to explore the leadership, communication and cultural skills leaders now need to grow and adapt to.
We talk about the ethical and practical sides of AI, how to adopt it effectively in your organisation, and why strong human skills like empathy, cultural intelligence and critical thinking will define the next generation of leadership.
Zahra also shares her inspiring journey to becoming a director on several boards, encouraging and supporting diverse women into leadership, and her own leadership lessons, including how she built resilience through challenge and change.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How to lead effectively alongside AI.
- Practical and responsible ways to start integrating AI.
- Why emotional intelligence, empathy and critical thinking matter more than ever.
- Resilience lessons through challenge and change.
- Supporting diverse voices through culturally intelligent leadership.
Reflection Questions:
- How are you adapting your leadership for AI?
- What skills do you need to grow for the future?
Boost your leadership communication skills with my free training resource to accompany the podcast, Global Leader Impact. Download it now athttps://www.culturecuppa.com/leader and strengthen the key communication skills you need.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Connect with Zahra Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahra-shah
- Follow Zahra Shah on X (Twitter): https://x.com/ZahraSh00153113
- Follow Zahra Shah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahra_o_shah/?hl=en
- Connect with Zahra Shah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zahra.shah.1694/
- Follow Zahra Shah on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zahrashah9750
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
When your idea, recommendation or initiative needs a ‘yes’, but you’re hitting a block, it’s not only about repeating yourself or speaking louder. It’s about how you frame your message.
In today’s podcast episode, I explore a powerful, practical approach for professionals who want to influence more effectively in their organisations.
Drawing on my work with leaders navigating complex, multicultural environments, I share 6 key positioning frames that help you communicate your ideas and connect more strategically with your audience, elevate your message and get the buy-in you need.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The six Influence Frames and when to use them.
- Why framing is essential for fast-changing, high-stakes environments.
- How to align your message so it lands and connects.
- Understanding the value for internal and external stakeholders.
Reflection questions to consider:
- What project or idea do you need support for right now?
- Which of the six frames resonates most?
This is about your leadership communication and I’d love to hear how you apply these frames to your current challenges, message me directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarennoldson/ to let me know.
To go deeper and strengthen your Global Leadership communication skills, download Global Leader Impact, my free training resource to accompany this podcast, at https://culturecuppa.com/leader .
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Let’s face into a topic that’s on many minds right now: how to genuinely stand out and communicate your value in a highly competitive and rapidly changing job market. With widespread layoffs, redundancies and restructures, and evolving hiring processes increasingly influenced by AI screening, simply updating your CV or LinkedIn profile won’t cut it anymore. Instead, standing out starts much earlier, with self-leadership and knowing your unique value.
In this latest podcast episode, I share practical strategies to help you identify your core talents, reflect on your career highs and lows, and align your job search with what truly brings you joy and purpose. By embracing this approach, you can build a compelling personal career narrative that will resonate deeply.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why standing out begins with self-leadership.
- How to recognise and articulate your unique talents and strengths.
- The importance of mapping your career highs and lows.
- Understand your individual leadership style.
- Owning your career narrative.
Reflection Questions:
- What unique talents and strengths truly set you apart as a global leader?
- How have your career challenges shaped you?
Boost your leadership communication skills further with my free training resource to accompany this podcast, Global Leader Impact. Download it now at https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader and deepen your development in key leadership communication areas essential for career growth and impact.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Navigating redundancy with resilience, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, and what impactful learning and development looks like in today’s hybrid, fast-moving world.
In this podcast episode I am joined by Learning & Development specialist, Valerie Merrill, who shares her personal journey of being made redundant multiple times, how it led her to becoming her own boss, and why she believes redundancy can be a pivotal moment for reflection, reinvention, and growth.
We explore the realities of transition, if you’re considering starting a business, adapting to AI-led change, and why inclusive, human-focused Learning & Development design is more essential than ever.
With over 35 years in training across industries, Valerie has a wealth of experience and knowledge identifying the right learning interventions to achieve team and organisational goals in learning and development, while focusing on return on investment.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How to reframe redundancy as an opportunity rather than a setback.
- Practical strategies for staying resilient and taking action in uncertain times.
- How to assess whether running your own business is the right move.
- Where AI is making the biggest impact in learning and workplace communication.
- Why inclusive, adaptive learning design matters more than ever.
Reflection Questions:
- How do you respond to unexpected change: do you resist it or explore it?
- Could moments of uncertainty be your opportunity to grow or pivot?
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Connect with Valerie Merrill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/
- Visit Valerie Merrill's website: https://www.merrillconsultants.com/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In this episode of the podcast, I explore a vital, current topic: how AI tools can genuinely support and enhance your communication skills as a global leader. This is not about replacing you, but rather empowering and improving the way you communicate.
Drawing on real-world examples, hands-on experimentation, and what the latest research is saying, I break down how to use these tools effectively, and importantly, what not to do with AI.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- AI supports, it’s not there to replace your communication skills.
- Why AI can give productivity boosts that are a game-changer for leaders.
- What it means to use AI as a ‘thinking partner’ and ‘download partner’.
- The critical do’s and don’ts when integrating AI into your communication.
- How to maintain your humanity, tone of voice and presence while using AI.
Reflection questions to consider:
- Which of the AI uses shared in this episode will you try next?
- How can you maintain your personal communication style while using AI tools?
- What boundaries do you need in place to use AI effectively?
Download your free leadership resource to accompany the podcast, Global Leader Impact, to continue developing your future communication skills: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- To follow Simon Olsen and learn more about his work, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-olsen-582aa74/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Communication is your most powerful tool as a leader. It’s how you share your vision, engage your team, influence decisions, and build your personal brand. From one-to-one conversations to addressing large audiences, your communication style shapes your leadership presence and determines your career trajectory.
In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the communication skills that are essential for today’s and tomorrow’s global leaders. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or stepping up into leadership, mastering these skills is the key to maximising your impact through the way you communicate, with the opportunity to accelerate your career.
What you will learn in this episode:
-
Structure and articulate your ideas with clarity, ensuring your message lands exactly as intended.
-
Handle challenging conversations, from conflict resolution to giving and receiving feedback.
- The importance of connection and cultural intelligence in building trust and collaboration across your team.
- Communicating with confidence, especially during times of transition or uncertainty.
Key reflection questions for you:
- Which of these communication skills - clarity, challenging conversations, connection, and confidence - is your current strength?
- Where do you see your biggest development opportunity in leadership communication?
- What is your next step to enhance your communication skills and grow your leadership impact?
For those wanting to deepen their learning, I have a free resource, Global Leader Impact, that explores these topics further. Access it anytime at: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader
Remember, your ability to communicate effectively as a global leader will influence your career growth, the impact you have on your teams, and your leadership legacy. Start honing these skills today. Get in touch if you would like my help to transform your communication into your greatest asset: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- To follow Simon Olsen and learn more about his work, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-olsen-582aa74/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
How do you get noticed by senior leaders when you’re getting ready for promotion?
How do you communicate your value beyond your local team or region?
In this latest podcast, I’ll guide you through the practical steps to grow your visibility and impact, even before you're ready for that next career move. This is not about shortcuts or quick wins. It’s about investing in your career visibility strategies now, so you can confidently be ready for future leadership opportunities. This is your chance to build connections and put yourself on the radar for global leadership roles.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Leadership mindset before job title.
- Flag your ambition strategically.
- Mentorship and how to find the right mentor.
- Research missions as a part of your plan.
- Strategic networking to raise your profile.
- Practical, low-barrier actions you can take today to become more visible.
Key Reflection Questions:
- What does becoming a global leader mean to you personally and professionally?
- Where are you already showing leadership, even without the title?
- Who could you reach out to for a 20-minute conversation to broaden your perspective?
Ready to go further? Download your free leadership resource to accompany the podcast here: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader.
You’ll get short, practical training to help you deepen your communication skills, grow your leadership confidence and create more impact in your career.
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- To follow Simon Olsen and learn more about his work, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-olsen-582aa74/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What does it take to make partner in one of the world’s leading accountancy firms? Learn about leadership mindset from the inspiring career journey of Simon Olsen, partner at Deloitte, who shares his invaluable insights in this latest podcast episode from his 26 years of experience.
Simon discusses his path to leadership, highlighting the importance of boldness, determination, and the ability to adapt culturally in an ever-changing global landscape. With a wealth of experience working across diverse cultures, Simon reflects on how these experiences have shaped his leadership style and the significance of mentorship in both personal and professional growth. He emphasises the need for leaders to listen actively, understand their teams, and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Join us as we explore practical strategies for stepping into leadership roles, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the necessity of building a strong, supportive team. Simon's open and honest reflections on the challenges and rewards of leadership will resonate with listeners at every stage of their careers.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The importance of boldness and bravery in leadership.
- How to adapt your leadership style to different cultural contexts.
- Strategies for effective mentoring and team building.
- Recognising and overcoming imposter syndrome.
- The role of continuous learning and practice in developing leadership skills.
Reflection questions for you to consider:
- How can you apply boldness in your own leadership journey?
- What steps will you take to build a supportive team around you
Resources:
- Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- To follow Simon Olsen and learn more about his work, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-olsen-582aa74/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Today we explore what it really takes to lead across cultures in a way that drives results, builds trust and enhances your impact as a global leader. Whether you’re expanding your global team, leading across regions, or developing your leadership for future global opportunities, this latest episode is for you.
We look at how Cultural Intelligence (CQ) enables leaders to adapt their communication style, navigate cultural complexity and stay authentic, while connecting to people and delivering results. We explore why CQ is not only a nice-to-have, but an essential leadership skill to thrive as a global leader and thrive in your career.
What you'll learn:
- Why your leadership style may not land the same way across different cultures
- How to shift from one version of leadership to a global leadership mindset
- The four-part CQ framework from the Cultural Intelligence Center and how it applies to real leadership challenges
- Practical ways to adapt your communication and leadership style without losing authenticity
- Why cultural intelligence fuels your leadership impact
Reflection questions:
- How well do you understand your own cultural influences and behavioural preferences?
- What cultural differences are you currently navigating, and how are you responding?
- Where might you need to adapt your leadership or communication to be more effective?
Don’t forget to download your free training resource to develop your leader communication and cultural intelligence further: http://www.culturecuppa.com/leader/
Want to dive deeper and explore your own Cultural Intelligence profile? Message me on LinkedIn – I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re serious about growing your communication, your career and your leadership future, this episode is your next step.
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Do you feel comfortable ‘selling yourself’ at work? Many people tell me they don’t.
But, if you’re aiming to grow your leadership presence, build your career, and make a real impact as a global leader, you need to know how to position yourself effectively. This isn’t about self-promotion or being arrogant. It’s about clarity, confidence and knowing your leadership potential.
In this episode, we explore what it really means to sell yourself in today’s workplace, particularly in global organisations where expectations around visibility and communication vary widely. Whether you're already in a leadership role or you're stepping into one, you’ll learn how to articulate your value, and get seen by the right people, without it feeling awkward or inauthentic.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why selling yourself is often misunderstood and how to rethink it.
- Frame your unique leadership value.
- Translate your skills into business language that resonates.
- Practical strategies to share wins and learnings with confidence, without feeling boastful.
- What it means to be a ‘whole business’ leader.
- How to position yourself consistently.
To help you put this into practice, I’ve created a free resource with bite-sized leadership communication videos, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at https://culturecuppa.com/leader and start making more impact with your leadership today.
Reflection questions for you to consider:
- How are you currently positioning yourself in your organisation?
- What one step will you take this week to share your value and demonstrate your leadership?
Let me know, DM me on LinkedIn your answers- I love to hear what you’re taking away and putting into action.
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In this episode, I’m jumping into a challenge many global leaders face but often don’t talk about openly: decision-making that stalls or simply doesn’t happen. Whether it's frustrating project delays or the silent confusion of unclear accountability, I’m sharing what’s really going on and, more importantly, how to shift from nothing getting decided to moving forward.
I explore not only the practical strategies we need to make effective decisions, but the often-unspoken behavioural preferences that quietly influence how decision-making behaviours vary culturally.
If you want to get decisions made, then listen in to this episode.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to spot the hidden blockers to decision-making in your meetings and timelines
- Practical foundations to create space and clarity for decision making
- Decision-making is a cultural question
- How to adjust your communication style to improve alignment
- Smart strategies for influencing decisions before, during and after the meeting
Reflection Questions to Consider:
- Where in your current project or team do decisions feel stuck or unclear?
- How are you factoring in power dynamics and cultural expectations around decision-making in your communication strategy?
Decision-making isn’t just about ticking boxes or moving projects forward, it’s a crucial part of your impact and influence as a global leader. If you're serious about improving your leadership communication skills and becoming more effective in multicultural, global environments, I’d love for you to access my free video resource:
Global Leader Impact - 5 short, sharp videos delivered daily to your inbox to help you develop impactful, future-ready communication as a global leader. Access it for free here: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Your voice can elevate your authority, so knowing how to present with intent and be perceived as authoritative by key decision-makers is key. In this podcast episode, I share insights and practical strategies to help you present more effectively, no matter where you are in your career. As you progress, the stages and audiences get more significant, your impact matters, and your voice is a critical part of your influence and your reputation.
We explore the barriers that could be preventing you from presenting in your full authority, and you will learn a powerful framework to clarify your key messages and ensure your presentations resonate with your audience. I also share how to prepare yourself to speak with confidence, and make sure you become a more engaging speaker, crucial for delivering impactful presentations.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Identifying barriers to speaking with impact
- A framework for crafting compelling messages
- Mapping the story flow to land your messages
- How to be a more engaging speaker
- Strategies for preparing to speak with impact
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In today’s fast-moving and unpredictable world, the expectations of leaders are shifting fast. So, what do employers want now, and how can you prepare to lead and grow your career in this changing landscape?
In this episode, I’m joined by Pat Keener, Associate Director of Career Management at London Business School and Executive Career Coach, supporting international professionals in becoming better leaders. With a wealth of experience across diverse sectors, Pat shares her unique insights into the evolving landscape of leadership.
Together, we explore what it takes to thrive as a Global Leader in a complex world, including the critical balance to strike between inspiration and empowerment, the importance of agility, and the need to embrace continuous learning and adaptability.
Pat also sheds light on the skills employers are now prioritising.
What you will learn:
- What future-ready Leadership looks like now
- Leading with emotional intelligence and adaptability
- Balancing inspiration and empowerment within teams
- Crafting a compelling career narrative
- Key skills employers are seeking in today’s job market
- Practical advice for aspiring global leaders
What career narrative have you developed?
Which leadership skills do you need to develop further?
Listen now and explore your next step towards becoming a future-ready global leader.
Resources:
- If you’re serious about becoming a global leader, then access my free resource: Global Leader Impact. 5 high-impact and on-point trainings for you to watch and learn from, direct to your inbox, 1 a day for 5 days: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Connect with Pat Keener on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-keener/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Assertive, not Aggressive: the Balancing Act
In this episode we jump into the crucial distinction between assertiveness and aggression in the workplace. As communication is integral to achieving your goals, understanding this spectrum is vital for effective leadership. Join me as I unpack the key factors that influence how we communicate assertively, including cultural dynamics, gender perceptions, and the nuances of verbal versus written communication.
We explore how to navigate these complexities while maintaining your confidence and clarity in any interaction. I share 5 key strategies to ensure you express yourself assertively without crossing the line into aggression.
To support your journey, I am offering a free resource: the Global Leader Impact training programme, designed to help you further develop your leadership skills. You can access this valuable training at the link below.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The spectrum of assertiveness and aggression
- How cultural factors shape the level of assertiveness
- The impact of gender on perceptions of assertiveness
- Five key strategies to support you to express your assertiveness
- Your Intention
- Your Expectations
- Your Value
- Your Messaging
- Signal your assertiveness
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Resilience recharge: power yourself up as a leader
As we navigate the challenges of 2025, including organisational changes and increasing pressures, the discussion on resilience becomes ever more relevant for current and aspiring leaders. You have to recognise when you are running low on energy and the need to recharge before reaching a critical tipping point with detrimental effects on health and wellbeing.
In this episode, I present my 5-step approach to building resilience, offering practical strategies to help you align your own resilience, no matter what is going on. From recognising personal ‘low battery’ signals to establishing micro actions that can support you, these steps are designed to empower leaders to recharge and be effective.
To accompany this episode and support you on your journey, I am offering a free resource: a 5-day self-access training programme, aimed at empowering you to lead yourself through challenging times. See the links below for details.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The 5-step approach to building resilience
- Raising your self-awareness when you are running on low
- Identifying your personal resilience factors
- Implementing micro actions to support your resilience
- Establishing boundaries and non-negotiables for self-care
- Communicating your needs effectively
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
I know from my conversations that many of you are facing pressing challenges this year, including redundancies and organisational restructures. Acknowledging the uncertainty that permeates the workplace, I share today my 'Take Charge Triangle', a framework designed to help you navigate these tricky times, so you can feel like you can start to move forward.
From exploring self-awareness to managing your energy and orienting yourself to the future, we explore how you can lead yourself in these times. My latest episode is not only about surviving the changes that you face, but thriving.
To accompany this episode and support you on your journey, I am offering a free resource: a 5-day self-access training programme, aimed at empowering you to lead yourself through challenging times. Head over to https://culturecuppa.com/leader to get hold of this valuable training.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Become the CEO of your life
- The 'Take Charge Triangle'
- The significance of self-awareness in your self-leadership
- How to manage your energy effectively during uncertain times
- Strategies for orienting to the future amidst the change
- Questions to reflect on for personal growth and leadership
Resources:
- Access the free training, Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Embracing possibilities with purpose, passion and ‘heartset’.
Licca Li, Global Head of Growth and Marketing for Retail Services at IKEA, is a visionary leader who lives and leads with passion and purpose. She believes vision is not something to achieve, but it is the driver that lets you dare to continue.
In this latest interview in my business leaders series, I am thrilled to share this conversation with Licca, who shares her insightful reflections on what it means to be a leader now in our rapidly evolving complex world, including how cultural communication and intelligence can work in reality in global teams.
Licca emphasises the significance of being a connector, a communicator, and an imaginator in global leadership roles. As we discuss today's volatile world, Licca shares her thoughts on the need for leaders to cultivate inner clarity and emotional intelligence so they can achieve the balance between action and vision, delivering what’s needed short term vs looking at an agenda for real change.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Leadership starts with purpose and passion
- Daring to imagine and create possibilities
- How can cultural intelligence work in practice
- Gaining inner clarity as a leader
- How to maintain emotional intelligence in volatile times
- The difference between alignment and agreement in teams
- Leadership is about ‘heartset’, not only mindset
- The balance between action and vision
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Leadership: from a coffee farm in Cameroon to becoming a global finance leader, a community and entrepreneurial leader with impact.
I am incredibly excited to share this inspiring conversation on the podcast with Daniel Eric Kemdeng Djoumessi, VP at JP Morgan Chase, and also the founder of Amaro Coffee. Daniel shares his incredible career and leadership journey, and the lessons that aspiring leaders can learn from.
In this latest interview in my business leaders series, we explore the significance of community, education, and individual empowerment as the driving purpose behind Daniel's work. He discusses how his upbringing shaped his vision for leadership and his commitment to fighting poverty through sustainable business practices that create real opportunities for others.
Daniel's insights into balancing his demanding leadership roles are invaluable, as he honestly shares his personal journey from overcoming stammering to speaking confidently in front of 1000s, offering concrete strategies for those facing their own personal communication and confidence challenges.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Purpose as the driver of leadership
- The small actions that can create real impact in the world as a leader
- The power of curiosity and connection in understanding diverse cultures
- Daniel's personal journey with stammering and the lessons for those experiencing any type of communication challenge
- Leadership advice for upcoming leaders: the skills and mindset that matter
- Leaving a legacy as a leader
Resources:
- Learn more about Amaro Coffee & follow Daniel: https://www.amero-act.com
- Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/daniel-kemdeng-790a404
- Connect with Daniel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amero_act
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Spring Renewal season: part 1 of 3... Today marks the end of Easter weekend, and here in the UK we have a bank holiday (a national holiday), making this a lovely, long 4-day weekend. It’s a time for many who celebrate to spend time together, enjoy Easter eggs and over-indulge in chocolate.
But it could also an opportunity to escape the food and drink, and dedicate some time for your learning and growth that could lead to accelerating your career opportunities in the coming weeks and months.
As I pause, reflect and readjust after my close family bereavement, I am resharing these popular past episodes, and I will be back next week with new podcast episodes, topics and guests.
This week we re-look at ‘When they don't listen to you’.
When people don't listen to you, it can be frustrating, especially when you have valuable ideas. You can improve this situation by identifying the reasons why you're not being heard.
This episode provides strategies to ensure you are fully recognised for your contributions by helping you understand how to handle other dominating voices in meetings and ensure your opinions are acknowledged.
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Spring Renewal season: part 2 of 3... As the seasons move into a new phase, this presents an opportune moment to take stock, refresh and rejuvenate our perspectives.
Spring is blooming fully here in the UK, and I invite you to start this new season embracing renewed energy, revisiting past ideas with a fresh outlook or recommitting to your growth.
It's a great time to recommit and plan the intentional actions you need to take towards your goals, ensuring that your leadership communication is as clear and impactful as it can be throughout April.
As I pause, reflect and readjust after my father’s passing, I am resharing these popular past episodes, and I will be back soon with new podcast episodes, topics and guests.
This week we re-look at ‘Creating connection in your global team’.
This episode discusses the importance of building connections within global multicultural teams. This can be your superpower that fosters trust, engagement, and better relationships.
While technological advancements have made connection easier, achieving true human connection is challenging in hybrid and remote work settings.
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Spring Renewal season: part 1 of 3... Spring here in the UK has been glorious this year and is a great time to think about exciting new beginnings, but I have to be honest I have been thinking about death and endings a lot recently. I’ve been offline from here and taking some time away from the podcast following my dad’s passing.
As I pause, reflect and readjust, I am resharing these popular past episodes for the next 3 weeks, and I will be back soon with new podcast episodes, topics and guests.
I invite you to take this moment to refresh and rejuvenate your perspectives on global leader communication. Start the new season and get inspired, whether revisiting past ideas with a fresh outlook, or embarking on new learning and growth.
This week we re-look at 'How to have good conversations at work'.
Collaboration tools enhance productivity, but as meetings become shorter, opportunities for genuine connection decrease. Conversations are vital for personal well-being, fostering a sense of belonging, improving mood, and boosting career growth—especially in cross-functional and multicultural work environments. They also strengthen teams by building trust, morale, and offering fresh perspectives.
With remote and hybrid work on the rise, social well-being is more crucial than ever, yet the art of conversation is fading. Creating meaningful dialogue is a valuable skill that can bring moments of joy and connection.
In today’s episode, we explore how to have better conversations through listening, curiosity, reciprocity, and observation.
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
LinkedIn- how does it make you feel?
For some of you, it might be something you know you should be doing more of- to benefit your personal brand, build the reputation of your organisation, and win more business. But maybe somehow it always falls to the bottom of the to-do list, or you’re avoiding it altogether. You don’t know how to network well, what to comment or write a post about.
I am delighted to welcome LinkedIn expert and bestselling author Sarah Clay to this week’s episode to talk about how to create authentic connections and build genuine relationships on the platform, both within and outside your organisation, that lead to great results, all without the hard selling.
Sarah Clay is a LinkedIn trainer, author and keynote speaker, who offers a no-nonsense, accessible approach to her teaching whilst injecting some fun into learning. Sarah’s specialism is working with business owners and their teams to help them get more leads from LinkedIn through her training and talks on LinkedIn, employee advocacy, personal branding and thought leadership.
This episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to navigate LinkedIn confidently, including busting the common fears and myths, plus Sarah’s very practical strategies to help you make the most of the opportunities.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Common misconceptions and fears about LinkedIn
- Strategies for authentic engagement and creating genuine relationships
- The importance of employee advocacy and its benefits for individuals and organisations
- Empowering employees to share their voices on LinkedIn
- Practical tips for creating engaging posts without feeling overwhelmed
- Insights into the future trends for LinkedIn
Resources:
- Connect with Sarah Clay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-clay
- Buy Sarah Clay's book 'Employee Advocacy on LinkedIn': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Employee-Advocacy-LinkedIn%C2%AE-LinkedInthriving/dp/B0DF3LTRG5/
- Visit Sarah Clay's website: https://www.sarahclaysocial.com
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In this special episode, celebrating my 10th anniversary in business, I share my insights on the top 10 essential leadership skills, strategies and insights.
Whether you're aiming for a promotion, building your leadership profile, or driving transformational change in your organisation, these insights from my last decade of empowering global leaders to enhance their communication and cultural skills, are crucial for aspiring leaders.
This episode serves as a quick-fire overview of the skills that can propel you towards your leadership aspirations.
Plus listen out for the details of my special birthday gift to those of you ready to step into their growth journey this month! If you’re serious about accelerating your career or developing your leadership impact, let’s talk. Message me with the number ‘10’ to find out more.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The importance of clarity in your communication as a leader
- How to encourage connection in your team
- The role of cultural intelligence in successful teamwork
- Why confidence matters at every stage as a leader
- Understanding your leadership presence
- Ways to enhance your influence within your organisation
- Approaching challenging conversations with emotional intelligence
- The significance of self-leadership in navigating your career path
- Building a personal brand that reflects your unique value
- And the 10th most important insight- listen to the end to hear what it is!
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Anni Townend is a passionate advocate for collaboration and leadership development. In this episode she shares her insightful perspectives on why ‘emerging’ is such a key word, and how it influences her approach to self-leadership and her work with leaders.
We discuss the importance of creating space for open, inclusive dialogue and new ideas to emerge, especially in fast-paced hybrid settings, where the pressure to perform can overshadow deeper reflection.
Anni emphasises the value of curiosity, care, and courage in this discussion as foundational elements for creating psychological safety and real collaboration within teams, plus she shares her ‘Collaboration Equation’ with its three core pillars, crucial for enabling effective teamwork and innovation.
Anni is a leadership partner, facilitator, author, speaker, and executive coach to senior leaders and their teams. She specialises in helping senior leaders and their teams create a safe environment which brings out the best in each other and others, to have open conversations that they wouldn't otherwise have, that value inclusive dialogue and diversity of thought and feeling as part of working collaboratively to drive great results.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to create space for ‘emerging’ ideas in conversations and decision-making
- How curiosity, care, and courage contribute to psychological safety in teams
- Strategies for demonstrating care in virtual and hybrid work environments
- The energy of words and their impact in communication
- How to integrate joy into daily work to enhance focus and creativity
- Insights into the future of leadership and collaboration in the age of AI
Resources:
- Connect with Anni Townend on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anni-townend-leadership/
- Visit Anni Townend's website: https://www.annitownend.com/
- Listen to Anni Townend's podcast: https://www.annitownend.com/podcast
- Visit Collaboration Equation's website: https://www.collaborationequation.com/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Continuing the International Women's Day’s celebrations, I am very pleased to welcome on the podcast, Nicola Buck, SVP of Marketing at BP, where we unpack and explore her leadership journey and learning through the nuances of leading in global organisations.
From her beginnings studying languages and cultures, to her current role at the forefront of marketing and leadership with BP, Nicola shares her invaluable insights about the importance of cultural communication in a diverse work environment, skills that have been instrumental in her success and that of her global teams.
She shares her views on psychological safety, radical transparency and ways to maintain true connection in virtual teams, in a fast-paced world. Finally, Nicola offers her advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the importance of adaptability and resilience to succeed.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Leadership lessons from Nicola’s journey to Senior Vice President
- The value of cultural communication in global leadership
- How to create real psychological safety in global, virtual teams
- Radical transparency: how this helps communication work
- Leadership skills for today and tomorrow: adaptability and resilience
- Insights into the future of leadership in a rapidly evolving world
Resources:
- Connect with Nicola Buck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-buck-50a27122/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In celebration of International Women’s Day, I am excited to welcome a series of women senior leaders onto the podcast, starting with Aurélie Marais, Head of Strategy & Transformation for Sizewell C, nuclear energy company.
Aurélie shares her very personal journey towards becoming a leader, sharing her own definition of leadership mindset and action. We explore the importance of mentorship on that journey, and the continuous development of communication and cultural skills as essential components of effective leadership in a diverse, global organisation.
In our conversation, she highlighted the necessity for leaders to engage their teams through high-quality conversations and to be aware of their own biases and worldviews. Together, we reflected on the evolving nature of leadership and the skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Currently serving as the Head of Strategy and Transformation for the Civil Works Alliance delivering the Sizewell C nuclear plant project, Aurélie Marais has over 20 years of experience in turning strategy into action and results in media, energies & services and construction sectors. She fosters innovation and helps organisations and people adapt their ways of working as well as enhancing performance in complex, multicultural, and rapidly evolving environments.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The distinction between leadership status, mindset and actions
- The significance of mentoring and being mentored in personal and professional growth
- How to cultivate a mindset that embraces diversity and inclusion
- Communication skills as the cornerstone of successful leadership
- Strategies for navigating cultural differences in global teams
- Preparing for the future of leadership in an environment of constant change
- Understanding and reframing imposter syndrome as a sign of growth
Resources:
- Connect with Aurélie Marais on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaraismachurat/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What does true accessibility mean? How can it create a more inclusive workplace where everyone benefits?
Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi, Managing Director of RNIB (the Royal Institute of the Blind) Enterprises in the UK, joined me for this thoughtful conversation where she shared her valuable ideas about the human and organisational benefits of embracing accessibility and inclusivity.
Learn how inclusive workplace design not only benefits individuals with low or no vision but also improves accessibility for everyone, including those with other physical impairments. Plus practical strategies for encouraging inclusivity in meetings and everyday interactions.
Discover how small and simple adjustments can make a significant difference in ensuring that everyone feels included and valued.
As a passionate global leader with over two decades experience in senior and Board level positions, Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi is a champion for innovation and inclusivity. In her role as MD of RNIB Enterprises, the commercial operations arm encompassing transcription, consulting and retail services, she is driving forward ambitious plans to grow innovation within RNIB, bringing accessible products, solutions and services to the market.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The importance of designing workplaces with inclusivity at its heart so everyone benefits
- How the RNIB Eyeware app creates an immersive experience so everyone can understand some of the challenges of navigating the workplace with visual impairments
- How to encourage a culture of curiosity and understanding in communication
- Approach conversations with empathy and a desire to do better - even if you get it wrong
- Simple steps everyone can introduce to make their virtual and in person meetings more accessible
- What works- and what can create more challenges in meetings
- Consider accessibility in every interaction
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit the Royal Institute of the Blind's website: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
- Experience the Eyeware app: https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/assistive-aids-and-technology/eyeware
- Connect with Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphnemavroudichocholi/
- Check out Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi's Be Helpful Guide and reach out to Daphne and the team. The RNIB have a series of products and services that can ensure leaders and teams are educated and empowered to drive accessibility forward across the organisation: https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/be-helpful-guide/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
In this episode, I had a brilliant conversation with Joanna Howes, and we look at the evolving landscape of leadership in 2025, exploring key themes around people-centered leadership, conscious leadership, global team communication, and personal responsibility.
Joanna Howes is an award-winning international coach, host of The Courageous Leaders Podcast and No 1 best selling author, specialising in leadership and team performance coaching. Her focus is to help leaders and teams find their unique voice by leading as their true selves to take the action needed to become high performers and future fit leaders.
Joanna shares her insightful experiences and practical strategies for leaders to step into self-leadership, and build high-performing, empowered teams in a rapidly-changing, global world.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The shift to people-centered leadership- understand the humans you work with
- Conscious self-leadership- becoming, not just doing
- Navigating cross-cultural leadership- creating an equitable experience
- Why leaders need courage
- The power of vulnerability in leadership- embracing imperfection
- Letting go- breaking free from reliant leadership, shifting from constant busy-ness to intentional leadership
- The leadership vision for 2025- tackling misalignment and siloed teams
Resources:
- Connect with Joanna Howes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
- Visit Joanna Howes' website: https://thechangecreators.com/
- Listen to Joanna Howes' podcast: https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
#communicationcoach #communicationcourse #communicationskillstraining #crossculturalawarenesstraining #crossculturaltraining #culturalawareness #culturalintelligence #culturalcommunicationconfidence #podcast
In this episode, discover what we mean by influence, and how it impacts you stepping into the role of a thought leader.
Starting with your intention to influence, we then explore my PRC framework to guide you through perception, reputation, and cultural intelligence as factors in cultivating your thought leadership.
Plus how to position yourself as a thought leader by aligning your ideas with organisational strategies, speaking the language of leadership, and framing your messages effectively.
Join me in this final episode of my mini-series focused on achieving your ambitious leadership career goals in 2025.
Finally, listen out for your invite to my upcoming free live training, Become a Global Leader, happening this week online from 11th February 2025. You still have time to join us!
What you will learn in this episode:
- A redefinition of influence
- Setting your intention to influence as a thought leader
- Intentionality in how you approach your relationships
- Perceptions, reputation, and cultivating your thought leadership with cultural intelligence
- Intentionality through your chosen topics of influence
- Intentionality in how you frame your messages
- Positioning your messages so they land
- Speaking the same language as your stakeholders
Resources:
- Listen to Part 1: Get Visible, Your Personal Brand Opportunity: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/get-visible-your-personal-brand-opportunity/
- Listen to Part 2: Project your leader identity: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/project-your-leader-identity/
- Your invitation: join us for live training, Become a Global Leader, claim your free ticket: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Welcome back to this 2nd part of our 3-part miniseries, we jump into projecting your leader identity as part of accelerating your leadership goals for 2025.
Today we focus on claiming, embracing and projecting your unique leadership style.
Discover practical exercises to help you self-reflect and visualise your version of leadership.
Tap into my techniques to embody your leader energy, ensuring you resonate with authority in your interactions in your own way.
Plus stay tuned until the end of the episode for an exclusive invitation to my upcoming live training, Become a Global Leader.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Visualise a leader that inspires you
- How to claim your unique leadership identity
- The leader identity secret
- You do you
- Live into your leadership energy
- Turn up the dial
Don’t miss the next episode in this leadership mini-series to boost your insights and inspiration. Join us for next week’s episode, Influence like a Thought Leader.
Resources:
- Listen to Part 1: Get Visible, Your Personal Brand Opportunity: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/get-visible-your-personal-brand-opportunity/
- Your invitation: join us for live training, Become a Global Leader, claim your free tickethttps://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
#communicationcoach #communicationcourse #communicationskillstraining #crossculturalawarenesstraining #crossculturaltraining #culturalawareness #culturalintelligence #culturalcommunicationconfidence #podcast
Today is the start of a brand new 3-part mini-series designed to accelerate your leadership journey in 2025, starting with today's episode on Get Visible: Your Personal Brand Opportunity.
Everyone has a brand, whether you realise it or not, whether you actively shape it or not. As you set ambitious goals for the year, discover how developing your personal brand can open doors to promotions, career moves, and new opportunities.
Understand why branding matters and how it can set you apart in your organisation, making you visible to the right people.
Plus discover how to identify your personal brand DNA by focusing on 3 key areas: purpose, mission, and values.
Finally listen to this episode to hear about an exclusive invitation for podcast followers only: tune in to find out more!
What you will learn in this episode:
- What do people think of you today
- Intentionally choose your personal brand and communicate it
- The importance of personal branding in achieving your career goals
- Open up doors and connections with your personal brand
- Your personal brand DNA
- 3 key personal brand ingredients
Don’t miss the next 2 episodes in this leadership mini-series to boost your insights and inspiration. Join us for next week’s episode, Project your Leader Identity
Resources:
- Join the live training: www.culturecuppa.com/become-leader
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Let’s embrace the spirit of Connection January, not dwell on Blue Monday.
Today is Blue Monday, apparently ‘the most difficult day of the year’, the day in the northern hemisphere when it’s still dark, cold and people tend to feel low.
I know this time of year is a challenge for some people, and yet it’s not only about 1 day- we can all have our good days and bad days, on any day of the year. Feeling low can happen to any of us at any time, and that’s important to talk about.
So rather than focus on Blue Monday, I want today to start Connection January.
Let’s make it the day we talk about possibilities, reach out for conversations, connect with people we’ve been meaning to, and bring us closer together.
Connection is one of my core values, and I am so lucky and grateful that I get to connect with my clients all over the world and this includes recently in France, the US, Sweden, Germany and Spain.
Plus I am lucky to connect with many of you here, through my networks and communities, virtually and in real life.
Today we celebrate connection and explore why we need it in the workplace today more than ever.
I share my insights on how to move beyond transactional communication by being intentional with our conversations and how to create space for genuine dialogue, even in fast-paced environments.
Connection is part of our essential human skills, and is not an optional soft skill.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why I want to create Connection January on this Blue Monday
- Collaboration tools are not the same as connection
- Invest in your relationships
- How to create space for conversations in busy schedules
- Set an intention to create connection
- Be more curious
- Listening more and ask more questions
- Reframe soft skills as essential human skills
Resources:
- Listen to Ep.084 'Walk and Talk- a catalyst for conversation and connection with Lisa Partridge': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/walk-and-talk-a-catalyst-for-conversation-and-connection-with-lisa-partridge/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What do real, human conversations look and sound like in the workplace today?
Claire Pedrick joined me for this fascinating discussion where we explored the nuances and signals of professional communication that make or break human connection.
Uncover the power dynamics that shape our interactions and why status is the default in professional introductions, even in some less hierarchical cultures.
Plus we explore why being human in your workplace interactions is key to creating more inclusive and authentic connections.
From the art of improvisation (an acting technique) to the significance of non-verbal cues, this conversation is a deep discussion about the essence of human communication to enhance engagement and connection in your professional conversations.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The impact of status on professional introductions
- How improvisation techniques can enhance your professional communication skills
- The role of power dynamics in conversations and how to navigate them
- Strategies for creating inclusive and safe communication spaces
- The importance of vulnerability in leadership
- How to facilitate effective conversations in multicultural settings
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit Claire Pedrick's website: https://www.3DCoaching.com
- Find out more about Claire Pendrick's Books: Simplifying Coaching & The Human Behind The Coach: https://www.3dcoaching.com/product/book-bundle/
- Connect with Claire Pedrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepedrick
- Connect with Claire Pedrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3d.coaching/
- Visit Claire Pedrick's YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/@3DCoaching
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Start your 2025 with clarity and confidence. As we gear up for this year, this episode is all about crafting your action plan for a successful start to 2025. If you missed our previous episode on reviewing and wrapping up 2024, be sure to check it out for a comprehensive approach to your career growth and kick start this January.
In this follow up today, I guide you through the process of creating a concrete plan for your career next steps. Discover the power of dreaming big and envisioning your career, and learn how to translate those dreams into actionable goals for 2025 with steps to achieve them this year.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The importance of dreaming big and envisioning your long-term career goals
- How to identify your motivations and understand the impact of achieving your goals
- Clarity on why your communication, leadership presence, and influence support your career goals
- Develop a visibility strategy to showcase your value to key stakeholders
- Identify potential obstacles and the support you need to overcome them
- Commitment to yourself and accountability in achieving your action plan
Plus don’t miss the invitation I make at the end of the episode to apply for a complimentary 1:1 strategy call. This is a unique opportunity to receive personalised feedback on your action plan and ensure you have all the tools needed for a successful 2025. To apply, message me with the word "Application."
Resources:
- Listen to Episode 111, Reflect, celebrate & reset: acknowledging the highs and lows of 2024: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/reflect-celebrate-reset-acknowledging-the-highs-and-lows-of-2024/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What if we didn’t rely on CVs and resumes for job applications and recruitment? What would hiring look like in the future?
Carol Constant shares in this fascinating conversation of the podcast her innovative ideas and the app that she has developed for organisations to harness the power of gamification to assess human skills, team fit and cultural dynamics. Discover how this groundbreaking approach can transform recruitment processes and enhance team performance.
We also explored the evolution of women in leadership, the impact of cultural diversity in identifying ‘team fit’, the importance of building allyship in male-dominated industries, and the role of visibility and mentorship in career progression.
Whether you're job searching, a hiring manager, HR professional or in recruitment, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your understanding and approach.
Carol Constant is a trailblazer in the tech industry and a passionate advocate for women in leadership. She has lived and worked in 6 countries, on 3 continents, working for some of the world's top corporations. This experience led Carol to found an HR tech, WhomLab, to maximize team performance using games and AI. Carol volunteers as a Google Ambassador for Women Techmakers and as a G100 Global Advisory Council Member for Pay Parity & Corporate Transformation.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The innovative application of gamification in assessing human skills, team fit and cultural dynamics
- The role of women in leadership and their impact on team performance
- How cultural diversity influences team communication and synergy
- Strategies for building allyship and visibility in male-dominated industries
- The future of recruitment and the importance of human skills
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit Carol Constant's website: https://whomlab.com/
- Connect with Carol Constant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-constant/
- Follow WhomLab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/79577319
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
What has been your 2024?
As we approach the end of the year, it's a good time to pause, reflect, and prepare for 2025. In this podcast episode, I share my questions and prompts to help you reflect and evaluate the highs and lows of 2024, and appreciate them all.
Discover how to map your year, recognise your achievements, and explore my practical exercises to help you fully see the experiences you have been through and take learnings from them, setting you up for success in 2025.
Whether it's been a tough year or one of celebrations, or more likely somewhere in between, listen to my insights into transforming your experiences into growth opportunities.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to map, reflect and embrace all of your professional highs and lows in 2024
- The power of gratitude in personal and professional growth
- Key ways to acknowledge and celebrate wins and feedback
- How to take learnings from even tough professional situations
- Turning these insights into your growth plan
- The importance of choosing your next path
Listen out for the next episode in January about Setting yourself up for Success in 2025.
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Have you ever received personal feedback that you felt was unjustified or unfair?
Did you want to jump in and defend your actions and approach?
When faced with unexpected tough feedback at work, it can be challenging to respond thoughtfully and appropriately in the moment, rather than react with emotion.
That’s why in this episode I share strategies that you can use to maintain your professional stance with emotional intelligence, even when feedback feels personal.
Explore how to align your mindset for receiving feedback, even as you listen to it, and the importance of non-verbal communication.
I also talk about how to manage your emotional response, and the value of reflection, even when you don’t agree with the feedback, plus best ways to respond.
When you are on the receiving end of tough feedback, these strategies can transform challenging conversations into constructive dialogues.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to assess your readiness to receive feedback
- Align your mindset in the moment
- The role of your non-verbal behaviour in receiving feedback
- Techniques for managing your emotional reactions
- Processing and reflecting on tough feedback
- How to respond
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
You hear the question, your mind goes blank.
The pause is getting longer, you feel everyone looking at you, you start to panic.
What are you going to say?
This scenario is more common than you think: that dreaded moment when your mind goes blank in a meeting.
Whether it's due to a difficult question, stress or overwhelm, or simply being caught off guard by the context or people in the room, I share in this latest podcast episode my practical strategies to help you navigate these moments and get the meeting and conversation back on track.
Explore techniques to manage stress responses, and discover exercises that can bring you back to the present moment and help you move forward.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to recognise and manage stress responses in high-pressure situations
- Strategies for regaining composure
- Victoria’s PSS method to recover when you lose your train of thought
- How to professionally handle unexpected questions
- Techniques for handling politically sensitive or complex questions
- Steering your conversations back on track
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Are you a perfectionist?
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome are pervasive themes that many professionals face at some point in their career. The challenge is that underlying fears can hinder and limit communication and performance, especially in high-stakes speaking situations, and when stepping up in a global career.
In this podcast episode we explore the universal nature of imposter syndrome, discover actionable techniques to shift your mindset and learn the practical strategies to start overcoming these challenges and release your speaking boldness and confidence.
What you will learn in this episode:
- When and why can you experience imposter syndrome
- The cost of perfectionism and how it limits your potential
- The impacts on your ability to speak with authority and impact
- How to reframe and start shifting your mindset
- Practical strategies to deal with the fears
- Self-compassion and embracing imperfection
Resources:
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
In this episode, True Black joins me to explore the evolving challenges leaders face in today's complex global workplace. We discuss the importance of strategic agility, balanced with the necessity to zoom in and out of operational and strategic situations.
True also deep dives into the essential skills leaders need to thrive now and in the future, including why he believes in the value of inner work, resilience, and positive psychology. Learn how leaders can maintain peak performance by investing in their well-being and connections.
True Black is a bilingual (English and Mandarin Chinese) executive coach and facilitator, serving executive clients and teams since 2005. True comes from a corporate management background, leading large teams in the sales, marketing, and operations functions. He is a certified executive coach and a principal at True Development, a leadership development consultancy based in Taipei, Taiwan. His primary focus is on developing leaders and teams, and on organizational development consulting.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The strategic agility and ability to zoom in and out in complex work contexts
- How to balance operational focus with strategic vision
- Key skills for future-proofing leadership
- How to implement inner work practices for resilience and peak performance
- Strategies for effective team collaboration and conflict resolution
- Insights into positive psychology and its application in leadership
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Connect with True Black on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truett-black-72a95321
- Find all links to connect with True Black here: https://linktr.ee/truettblack
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Making work meaningful and how leaders can create a culture that leaves a legacy are the focus topics of my conversation with Prina Shah in today’s podcast, and the themes in her recently published book.
She is a strong believer in the importance of being the architect of your career and the significance of leaving a legacy, no matter how big or small. In this episode discover the paradox of achievement versus legacy, redefining the meaning of success and creating meaningful workplace cultures and work in global, virtual teams.
Prina Shah is a Global Workplace Optimisation Consultant, Trainer, Coach and Speaker, dedicated to transforming workplace cultures and human behaviour change. As the host of the Ways to Change the Workplace podcast and author of Make Work Meaningful: How To Create a Culture That Leaves a Legacy, Prina partners with CEOs, leaders, and teams to foster constructive change and optimise company culture/s. With a focus on cultural, social, and emotional intelligence, she empowers organisations to build inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Be the architect of your career: practical steps
- Understand the achievement and legacy paradox
- Create meaningful work environments that leave a legacy
- Strategies for nurturing cohesive teams in virtual settings
- The importance of understanding individual team members’ definition of success
- How to transition from cognitive-based work cultures to emotionally connected workplaces that encourage belonging and contribution
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit Prina Shah's website: https://www.prinashah.com/
- Prina Shah's book 'Make Work Meaningful': https://www.makeworkmeaningful.shop/
- Connect with Prina Shah on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/prinashah/
- Connect with Prina Shah on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/prina.shah/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
From bold decisions to the essential art of saying 'no,' this latest podcast conversation with Mel Kettle dives into the courage needed to lead yourself and others effectively so you can find your joy in life.
Discover why self-leadership is needed before leading others, and how setting healthy boundaries and communicating them effectively, even in the most challenging environments, is a core element to this. Plus listen to Mel’s insights on how aligning your core values and priorities can empower you to make tough decisions, and allow you to communicate them with clarity and compassion. Mel Kettle is an internationally recognised expert at fully connected leadership and communication, and works with leaders and teams to help them create real connection and sustained engagement through her strategy workshops and Connected Leaders program. She is the host of the podcast, This Connected Life, and author of two books, including the best-selling Fully Connected.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The power of saying 'no' and changing your mind
- How to lead yourself before leading others
- The importance of self-awareness, motivation, and self-care
- Strategies for setting and communicating healthy boundaries
- How to handle difficult conversations with clarity and compassion
- The role of trust in effective leadership
- Finding joy and gratitude in everyday life
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit Mel Kettle's website: https://www.melkettle.com/
- Mel Kettle's books: https://www.melkettle.com/books/
- Listen to Mel Kettle's Podcast: https://www.melkettle.com/podcast
- Connect with Mel Kettle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melkettle/
- Connect with Mel Kettle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melkettle/
- Connect with Mel Kettle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/melkettle
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
This week on the podcast we delve into the dynamic world of developing a global career and managing career transitions with Fiorenza Rossini. Our conversation reflected on the current changes in the workplace landscape and the impact on career trajectories. We explored the importance of reflecting on past roles to make meaningful career moves, and Fiorenza shares her expertise on how to successfully transition into a global career.
Empowering, practical and authentic, Fiorenza is a coach who helps global professionals and teams to up level their career through leadership skills, career development and effective communication across cultures.
Her work is born out of her multiculturalism - she's able to grasp and embrace different perspectives and adapt quickly to situations. With a strong focus on helping clients to become engaging leaders, moving to a career next step, or returning to work after parental leave, she incorporates relevant tools and frameworks to support explorations, experiments, and actions.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The significance of self-awareness in building a global career
- How to understand different cultures for career growth
- The balance between adapting and staying true to oneself as a global leader
- Creating connection and belonging within multicultural teams
- Practical tips for leaders managing teams across cultures
- The role of inclusive behaviours in creating team spirit
- How to cultivate confidence in cultural communication
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit Fiorenza Rossini's website: https://www.growinnow.com
- Listen to Fiorenza Rossini's Podcast: https://www.growinnow.com/belonging-project-podcast/
- Connect with Fiorenza Rossini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiorenza-rossini/
- Connect with Fiorenza Rossini on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiorenza_rossini/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
In this podcast episode Gill Brabner shares insights into her innovative forum theatre workshops using professional actors to tackle difficult workplace conversations such as performance, sickness absence, and even sensitive issues like bullying and harassment.
Learn why these immersive experiences are so effective, engaging participants deeply and providing practical learning that can be applied immediately. Plus discover Gill’s ECA model for embedding compassion in team culture plus leadership trends - past and future - which you need to understand to be an effective leader of people.
Gill Brabner is a Learning & Development Consultant, who has been designing high-impact immersive learning events using forum theatre for 20 years, focused on enabling managers to tackle difficult conversations effectively. Since 2014 Gill and her team of actors have been creating videos depicting real-life work stories for training programmes, and as stand-alone digital content that clients use to support their management development.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The power of immersive learning in handling difficult conversations
- Understand how building rapport, showing genuine care for team members, and taking action can transform team dynamics and culture
- Gill’s ECA model for everyday conversations which embed compassion in team culture • Shifts in leadership and management over the past 20 years
- Challenges for newly promoted managers and the importance of support
- Future trends in leadership and management: the evolving landscape of intergenerational and flexible workforces
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Visit Resound Training: https://resoundtraining.co.uk
- Take the Effective Team Leader Quiz: https://resoundtraining.co.uk/quiz
- Watch management training videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ResoundTraining
- Sign up for free online 90-minute forum theatre workshops: https://resoundtraining.co.uk/forum-theatre-and-drama-based-learning-workshops/
- Connect with Gill Brabner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillbrabner
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Tiphaine Le Roux is a global Sales leader passionate about global expansion topics and has been working in the field for the past 8 years. After she launched the US market for a French scale up a few years ago, she decided to create a podcast called International Corner to help every company to expand their activity globally.
In this episode, we dive deep into the essence of connection, the challenges of managing global teams when you rarely meet in person, and the strategies for effective communication across diverse cultures.
Tiphanie shares practical advice on managing a global team, the significance of setting common objectives, and the importance of inclusive communication. We also explore how to navigate cultural differences and the power of asking for help and learning from others.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The importance of connection and what it means in a global context
- Bringing the team together in different ways
- How to get to know your team members on a personal level, even in a virtual environment
- Strategies for ensuring team spirit and inclusivity across different regions and time zones
- Communicating tough decisions with cultural sensitivity
- The value of vulnerability and sharing as a leader
- Tips for developing a global career and building genuine connections
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Learn more about 'International Corner', Tiphaine Le Roux's Podcast: https://podcast.ausha.co/international-corner
- Connect with Tiphaine Le Roux on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiphaineleroux/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Happy International Podcast Day! This has been an exciting few weeks celebrating my 100th episode, sharing the recent podcast mini-series about global leadership communication, and launching a new live training, Become a Global Leader.
And to end the celebrations, I decided to create a very different episode for you today. Rather than me or a guest expert sharing their ideas, strategies and tips, I asked you what you wanted to know about improving your leadership communication, speaking like a leader and developing your cultural intelligence.
I received many great questions and I chose this fantastic one from Lynne in Japan as this is something I am often asked about: What are the key ingredients to achieving success across cultures?
What you will learn in this episode:
- The human connection factor
- It starts with us- how culture shapes who we are, what we believe and what’s the right way to do things.
- Understand your behavioural preferences and how they influence your motivations and drivers for communication and interaction.
- Look with fresh eyes. Press the pause button.
- Get curious and ask questions.
- See similarities and differences, not ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.
- Go deeper than awareness with cultural intelligence.
- CQ Strategy: plan what you will do differently.
- CQ Action: choose where you will adapt to create the connection.
If you missed the free live training last week, Become a Global Leader, message me on LinkedIn with the word ‘Become’ and I’ll send the replay to you- it’s available until 4th October 2024 only.
In celebration of the 100th episode, I have created a very special Podcast offer for my 1:1 VIP Global Leader Communication programme. This programme is for you if you are committed to accelerating your next promotion to become a global leader, with no more waiting. Get noticed with your leadership presence, speak more clearly and boldly, get more visible.
There are some AMAZING free Extras worth £2200 which are available to you when you book to meet me in a Discovery call by 4th October 2024 and then go on to book your programme. Message me on LinkedIn to register your interest and we’ll arrange a time to meet.
Resources:
- Listen to Ep.100, Own the room: speak so people feel your leadership presence- become a global leader: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/own-the-room
- Listen to Ep.99, Talk so people lean in: speak boldly and confidently- become a global leader: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/talk-so-people-lean-in-speak-boldly-and-confidently/
- Listen to Ep.98, Share your unique value to get more visible: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/share-your-unique-value/
- Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in my FREE online training over 3 days: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Leadership presence can feel intangible- you either have it, or you don’t, right?
I disagree. I think everyone can develop it, but you need how to cultivate leadership presence, your way. And it’s not about speaking more loudly or trying to dominate the conversation!
In today’s podcast episode I share my reframe that is going to change how you think about this, and the key steps you can take to start expanding the way you project yourself so people feel your presence.
We’ll explore your attention, the energy you project, the physical space you fill, your share of voice and signalling.
Today’s episode is the last of a 3-part series celebrating our #100 podcast focusing on how to become a global leader. Check out the other episodes - links below.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The challenge people have with leadership presence
- The reframe that is going to change how you cultivate your presence
- Your attention
- Align your energy
- The physical space you take up
- Your share of voice
- Signal your presence
- Presence is not only about speaking more
- The power of connection moments to build presence
Let’s help you speak so people feel your presence- become a global leader.
If you want to cultivate your leadership presence, I am hosting a brand new online training experience this September: Get promoted: Become a global leader.
Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in this FREE online training over 3 days.
It’s for talented, ambitious global managers who are committed to accelerating their next promotion to become a global leader to fulfill their potential, with no more waiting.
Join me 25th, 26th and 27th September, 12-1pm London time each day
You will learn the key steps you must activate to step up your leadership communication skills and get to your next promotion:
- Discover what’s stopping you from becoming a global leader today.
- Elevate your personal brand: show up and speak up with the power of you.
- Explore how to speak like a leader: become articulate and persuasive.
- Amplify your authority and leadership presence: hold attention, own the room and have impact.
No more waiting: let’s help you get recognised and become a global leader.
Get your free ticket here: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
Resources:
- Listen to Ep.99, Talk so people lean in: speak boldly and confidently- become a global leader: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/talk-so-people-lean-in-speak-boldly-and-confidently/
- Listen to Ep.98, Share your unique value to get more visible: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/share-your-unique-value/
- Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in my FREE online training over 3 days: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
How do you talk so people lean in?
Some of this is how you talk- the way you come across when you open your mouth and share your views and ideas.
The way you structure your thoughts so you speak articulately and persuasively.
How confident you sound about what you are saying.
This is how you elevate your leadership skills. This is how you influence others.
In today’s podcast episode I will share my 5 question framework to structure and share your ideas with the people that matter, so you articulate your views clearly and concisely.
We will explore how to engage and connect with the people listening while you’re speaking.
We’ll talk about your message- what you choose to say- and your delivery: how you choose to express yourself so you speak boldly and confidently.
Let’s help you talk boldly and confidently- become a global leader.
Today’s episode is part 2 a 3-part series on the run up to celebrating our #100 podcast about how to become a global leader. Look out for the next other episodes!
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to share your ideas clearly and concisely to influence others to take action
- How to engage and connect with others
- The message: what you choose to say to speak articulately
- Structure your ideas and views: the 5 question framework
- The delivery: how you choose to express yourself
- Your confident and bold mindset
- Adapt your communication style with cultural intelligence so people lean in
- How to create connection
If you want to talk so people lean in, I am hosting a brand new online training experience this September- Get promoted: Become a global leader.
Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in this FREE online training over 3 days.
It’s for talented, ambitious global managers who are committed to accelerating their next promotion to become a global leader to fulfil their potential, with no more waiting.
Join me 25th, 26th and 27th September, 12-1pm London time each day
You will learn the key steps you must activate to step up your leadership communication skills and get to your next promotion:
- Discover what’s stopping you from becoming a global leader today.
- Elevate your personal brand: show up and speak up with the power of you.
- Explore how to speak like a leader: become articulate and persuasive.
- Amplify your authority and leadership presence: hold attention, own the room and have impact.
No more waiting: let’s help you get recognised and become a global leader.
Get your free ticket here: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
Resources:
- Listen to Ep.98, Share your unique value to get more visible: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/share-your-unique-value/
- Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in my FREE online training over 3 days: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Who are you and do you know your unique value? Do other people know it too?
Understanding the value you bring and how you share it, is a critical part of building your personal brand and enhancing your professional reputation.
In this episode, we explore how you understand your value today, and what that looks like tomorrow.
Plus how to get visible in 3 key spheres: in the room at your meetings, internally within your organisation and externally in your wider professional circle.
Let’s help you to get visible and become a global leader.
Today’s episode is start of a 3-part series on the run up to celebrating our #100 podcast about how to become a global leader. Look out for the next 2 episodes!
What you will learn in this episode:
- Who are you- do you know your unique value?
- Defining your value today
- Understanding your unique value tomorrow
- How to get visible
- Enhancing your visibility in meetings
- How to self-promote and build your reputation internally
- Intentionally building your presence outside your organisation
- Get visible and become a global leader
I am hosting a brand new online training experience this September- Get promoted: Become a global leader.
Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in this FREE online training over 3 days.
It’s for talented, ambitious global managers who are committed to accelerating their next promotion to become a global leader to fulfill their potential, with no more waiting.
Join me 25th, 26th and 27th September, 12-1pm London time each day
You will learn the key steps you must activate to step up your leadership communication skills and get to your next promotion:
- Discover what’s stopping you from becoming a global leader today.
- Elevate your personal brand: show up and speak up with the power of you.
- Explore how to speak like a leader: become articulate and persuasive.
- Amplify your authority and leadership presence: hold attention, own the room and have impact.
No more waiting: let’s help you get recognised and become a global leader.
Get your free ticket here: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
Resources:
- Discover the 3 key steps you need to become a global leader in my FREE online training over 3 days: https://culturecuppa.com/become-leader/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
September kick off: Recommit and take action
Happy September! As we shift gears here in the northern hemisphere with return to school and work for many of us, this is the perfect time to recommit to your career, leadership and progression goals and make the rest of 2024 count.
That’s why I decided to reshare with you a LinkedIn Live I created a couple of months ago, which I believe is a great way for you to kick-start your motivation, take stock and get moving with actions which will still have impact for you this year.
Recommit & take action: your leadership communication review
In this live, I will help you to understand how to measure your progress, capture your wins and get back on track. Plus how to create an action plan and success habits that help you stick to it for the rest of this year.
Accelerate your leadership communication goals for the rest of 2024 so you become more visible, have greater impact and build your personal brand to support your career ambitions.
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Summer season part 5 of 5: Body language and your IMPACT.
In this summer series of LinkedIn live video re-runs, enjoy the most popular, most viewed topics to support you to keep growing and learning. I'll be back soon with new episodes!
Body language and your IMPACT
How often do you notice others’ body language? How aware are you of your own non-verbal communication?
When speaking, we tend to plan what we will say, the content, and the actual words we will use.
However, if we don’t pay attention to our non-verbal communication, then we are missing key opportunities to engage and connect with people, build our presence and professional impression.
In this week’s re-run of this LinkedIn Live, I share my IMPACT model for you to become more aware of the full range of your non-verbal communication, including your body language and how this can enhance your leadership presence and visibility.
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Summer season part 4 of 5: enjoy the most popular, most viewed topics from my LinkedIn live videos, including this topic which resonated with many of you- Strategies to deal with Passive Aggressive Behaviour.
This summer season, 'best of' series, are a great way to keep growing and learning. I'll be back soon with new episodes!
Strategies to deal with Passive Aggressive Behaviour
Have you experienced passive aggressive behaviour from somebody in the past?
Maybe they don't acknowledge your contribution or ideas, won’t reply to your emails or support you in meetings.
They may even not turn up to your meetings or appear to take credit for your work. However, when you ask, "Is everything OK?", they smile and reply, "Fine!" It's like you can't seem to have a genuine conversation.
Has this happened to you?
In this live I am going to share the strategies to deal with passive aggressive behaviour to stop the frustrations and blocks. So you can create more positive interactions and start moving forward.
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Lynne Stainthorpe joined me on the show in this episode to explore the nuances of building your own personal brand for creating impact, building your reputation and achieving your career goals, both within and outside your organisation.
Lynne is an expert brand strategist who supports businesses to make their brand human, relevant and distinctive, so they stand out, grow affinity and create impact. She believes making your brand human is the vital spark to emotional connection – the key ingredient that takes your brand from ‘know, like and trust’ to ‘must buy, love and advocacy’.
She supports businesses to develop human-powered messaging that is distinctive, engages clients and expands business growth. For over 25 years she has worked in corporate brand marketing and agencies, and has helped business owners, big and small, to build their distinctive brands, communicate their value, and make an impact. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice 2022 and 2019.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The evolution of personal branding and what it means today
- How to position yourself within an organisation using branding principles
- The significance of vision, purpose, and values in personal branding
- The importance of consistency and clarity in making an impact
- How your personal branding can evolve over time
- The role of appearance, behaviour, and communication in personal branding
- Balancing authenticity with learning from others
- Leveraging AI while maintaining authenticity
- Promoting your personal brand, both inside and outside your organisation
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Learn more about Lynne Stainthorpe: https://big-idea.biz/
- Connect with Lynne Stainthorpe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnestainthorpe/
- Learn more about Lynne Stainthorpe's Brand Review sessions: https://big-idea.biz/brand-review-sessions/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Frauke Bender is a Professor of International Management, researcher, author, intercultural trainer, podcaster, and has been a passionate educator for over 25 years. She has 15+ years of global corporate leadership experience in marketing and communications, holds a PhD in economics and a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in International Management and Marketing.
She joined me from Germany to share her ideas on intercultural skills for career readiness, empowering women through identity crisis when relocating internationally and the opportunities of when AI and cultural intelligence come together.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Preparing future leaders with intercultural skills that support career readiness and employability
- Everybody needs cultural intelligence- when working in one location, with international teams, or if you are a global citizen.
- Empowering women to be resilient when experiencing identity crisis after international relocation
- How companies can support their people and their families through international assignments
- Exploring identify, belonging and reinvention to be successful when moving abroad
- Getting out of the cultural comfort zone without being scared to make mistakes
- AI & cultural intelligence- the challenges and the opportunities
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Connect with Frauke Bender on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fraukebender
- Listen to the cultureXchange Podcast: https://culturexchange.podigee.io/
- Follow cultureXchange on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culture_x_change/
- Follow cultureXchange on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086022011425
- Contact Frauke Bender by email: connectculturexchange@gmail.com
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Summer season part 3 of 5: enjoy the most popular, most viewed topics from my Linkedin live videos, and as I travel the next few weeks.
This summer season, 'best of' series, are a great way to keep growing through July. I'll be back next week with new episodes!
Trust yourself to speak: learnings from my journey
Do you trust yourself to speak?
I am going to share openly here that I realised a few months ago I was not fully and completely trusting myself. I was living in my speaking and communication comfort zone.
Podcasts, videos, interviewing, giving talks with presentations, all with preparation and planning.
However, speaking fully spontaneously and allowing myself to speak freely did not happen often.
That is one of the reasons why I decided to start these lives to build my self-trust. That’s when I decided nothing was stopping me.
In this week’s live I share with you my learnings and how to build your own self-trust so you can speak up confidently in your own situations that you feel uncomfortable in today. Allow yourself the freedom to speak and achieve your goals.
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Summer season part 2 of 5: I am sharing my 'best of' series of live videos from LinkedIn, and as I travel the next few weeks.
These are the most popular, most viewed topics, and I hope you find them helpful and great ways to keep growing through July. I'll be back soon with new episodes!
Develop your confidence for presenting
Do you feel stressed, under pressure and under-confident when you need to present or speak in public?
Maybe you over-plan, over-think and end up speaking too much or not clearly enough?
This may be true for you if you are a global professional who is presenting in your second language, and/ or feel the pressure to speak well in front of your team, senior management or customers.
In this Live I share practical strategies for you to build your confidence as you prepare for your next public speaking event or presentation.
So you can feel more relaxed and calm, and trust yourself to speak up and share your voice.
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Summer season part 1 of 5: And now for something a little different….
I have recently been sharing a number of live videos on Linkedin, and as I travel the next few weeks, I am sharing my summer season, 'best of' series.
These are the most popular, most viewed topics, and I hope you find them helpful and great ways to keep growing through July. I'll be back soon with new episodes!
Top 6 Public Speaking Mistakes to Avoid
What are the most common mistakes that people make when public speaking?
How do you avoid these and become a better speaker?
In this Live I share with you how to identify the mistakes you are most often making and the strategies to overcome them.
So you can feel better prepared, and trust yourself to speak up and share your voice when presenting or public speaking.
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Ritika Wadhwa was born and brought up in India. She went on to achieve an MBA in the UK and broke all barriers as an immigrant to Canada and the UK. Ritika has over 30 years of experience working at Board level across 3 continents, with senior stakeholders - within the public and private sector and she is on a mission to bring inclusion and innovation to the heart of organisations, through Cultural Intelligence (CQ).
Ritika is the Founder and CEO of Prabhaav Global. Prabhaav means impact in Hindi and the organization’s mission is to apply the transformational power of Cultural Intelligence for impactful leadership. Ritika is also a CQ Certified Facilitator and a Fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows, Windsor Castle, and she sits on the Strategic Advisory Board member for British Transport Police as well as being a Trustee and Board Director at the 5% club. Ritika is also an Ambassador for Age Irrelevance and a sought-after Keynote speaker.
In this episode, Ritika shares practical strategies to adapt communication styles, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness in diverse settings. We also discuss the nuances of English as a global business language and its implications for multicultural working environments, as well as the importance of understanding cultural contexts to minimise miscommunications.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The historical context of English as the global business language
- The Cultural Intelligence (CQ) framework and its four capabilities
- Practical approaches to make communication more inclusive
- The importance of understanding cultural contexts and adapting communication styles
- Strategies for inviting and encouraging diverse voices to speak up
- How to build and maintain cultural intelligence in professional settings
- The shifting dynamics between East and West and the importance of mutual understanding
- Common mistakes Western organizations make when expanding into Eastern markets
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find out more about Ritika Wadhwa: https://prabhaav-global.com/
- Connect with Ritika Wadhwa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritika-wadhwa/
- Connect with Ritika Wadhwa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prabhaavglobal/
- Contact Ritika Wadhwa by email: contact@prabhaav-global.com
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Mel Loy joins me for this latest podcast episode to share her practical and helpful insights into the most common communication mistakes in communicating internal change and restructures in organisations, her 3 Ts of trust and how to build genuine connection in virtual global teams.
Mel is the force behind Hey Mel! Communication & Training, a small agency where big ideas meet even bigger energy, supporting her clients in change, internal, strategic and crisis communication. (As an international speaker and workshop facilitator, Mel has taken her passion for change communication to the far corners of the globe, from Bali to Toronto and everywhere in between.)
She's recently published her first book, Change Isn't Hard, designed to be a practical playbook for anyone who needs to communicate change.
When she's not busy fixating on why people behave the way they do, you can find Mel teaching group fitness classes and yoga, being the world's coolest aunty, or writing her weekly podcast to share the good word of communication.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why change isn’t hard
- Putting people at the heart, not deliverables
- There is no one-size-fits-all approach
- The most common communication mistakes in communicating change
- Mel’s 3 Ts of trust for great communication
- How to manage communication effectively through a reorganisation
- Future trends to be successful in communicating across global teams
- How to build genuine connection and communicate well in virtual global teams
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find out more about Mel Loy: https://www.heymelcomms.training/
- Connect with Mel Loy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/
- Connect with Mel Loy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/
- Discover Mel Loy's Book 'Change Isn't Hard': https://www.changecommsbook.au/
- Listen to Mel's podcast 'Less chatter, More Matter': https://www.heymelcomms.training/podcast
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Nicole Posner is an award-winning Conflict Consultant and has been guiding businesses to navigate difficulties for over 7 years. Through her psychology studies and career as a Workplace Mediator, she witnessed the impact, destruction and financial cost of conflict on the organisation, the emotional cost to those working in it, plus discovered what triggers and fuels conflict in people and businesses.
Later Nicole trained as an Executive Conflict Coach, and now amalgamates her skills as a Consultant to steer her clients through any cracks in their relationships to keep conflict at bay, allowing them to grow and scale their business for success.
Nicole brought some fascinating insights to this episode about the impact of our communication to build relationships, get the best out of teams, minimise misunderstandings and have difficult conversations. We spoke about the benefits of conflict to your team, how to prepare yourself for conflict conversations and her 4 conflict archetypes.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Conflict is not only negative: the benefits of conflict to your team
- Nicole’s MAP framework for preparing yourself for conflict conversations
- Managing conflict with power dynamics: managing up in conflict
- Nicole’s 4 archetypes of conflict: build awareness about your approach to conflict
- The role of your communication baggage in conflict
- The impact of your non-verbal communication
- How conflict styles are evolving over time
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find out more about Nicole Posner: https://www.nicoleposner.com
- Connect with Nicole Posner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleposner-conflict
- Connect with Nicole Posner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_posner_london/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
How do you feel about office politics? Frustrated? Manipulated? People playing games? Making power plays?
Office politics can be destructive if there is negative intention, however workplace politics is a reality in most organisations- how projects are approved, people move forward and things are done.
So what if we reframe it as human connection success factors, a way for you to navigate the workplace to connect with people to support your success?
This is a vital skill to steer your career, and build your influence, impact and relationship capital.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Understanding office politics
- Start with observation
- The hidden influencers in your organisation
- Identify your Influence Matrix
- Managing peer to peer
- Managing upwards
- Influence is not only what happens in the meeting
- The 3-point approach
Resources:
- If you know you need more support with navigating office politics and stepping up your leadership communication skills, access my free resource, ‘7 Communication Strategies for Leaders’ to help you improve, elevate and amplify your communication skills to speak like a leader in this bite-size 7-day training series, which I will send you by email. Click here: https://culturecuppa.com/7-communication-strategies-global-leaders/
- Or DM me on Linkedin with the word Leader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Listen to episode 91 'Get to yes: convince with your ideas': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/get-to-yes-convince-with-your-ideas/
- Listen to episode 44 'How to engage your senior stakeholders': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/how-to-engage-your-senior-stakeholders/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What big ideas do you have to improve and change ways of working in your organisation for the better? How can you present your ideas to get to yes quicker?
In this episode I share a question I was asked recently by my client about how to convince people with your ideas, and I will talk you through my framework to structure the way you present your ideas so you are more likely to persuade key decision-makers.
What you will learn in this episode:
- A framework for convincing with your ideas
- Vision and strategy
- Why it's not working currently
- The purpose of change
- Alignment with trends and fit for future
- Learning from industry best practice and competitors’ ways of working
- What this brings your customers and clients
- The tangible benefits of change
Resources:
- If you know you need more support with how you speak and communicate your ideas, access my free resource, ‘7 Communication Strategies for Leaders’ to help you improve, elevate and amplify your communication skills to speak like a leader in this bite-size 7-day training series, which I will send you by email. Click here: https://culturecuppa.com/7-communication-strategies-global-leaders/
- Or DM me on Linkedin with the word 'Leader': https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Listen to episode 88 'US cultural dynamics, greetings and meetings: insights with Lanie Denslow': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/us-cultural-dynamics-greetings-and-meetings-insights-with-lanie-denslow/
- Listen to episode 89 'Introvert & highly sensitive leaders: authentic communication with Steven Parker': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/introvert-highly-sensitive-leaders-authentic-communication-with-steven-parker/
- Listen to episode 90 'Self-leadership and resilience with Jason Liem': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/self-leadership-and-resilience-with-jason-liem/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Jason White Birkevold Liem is a seasoned expert in resilience, leadership, and personal development, bringing over 20 years of experience to individuals and teams across various sectors. As the founder of MINDtalk, Jason develops and facilitates programs focused on brain-based leadership and resilience skills, helping people improve how they manage themselves and others in complex situations.
He joined me from Norway to share his rich insights and wisdom on developing resilience in uncertain times, including the key elements of self-leadership, why we need to prioritise self-compassion and how to keep calm and grounded in challenging conversations.
Jason hosts "It’s an Inside Job," a podcast that offers insights into mental and emotional resilience through the latest research and practical strategies. Jason also contributes to Executive Support Magazine, sharing knowledge that reaches professionals in over 130 countries. His presentation at TEDx Oslo in 2012, titled "At the Crossroads: Where the Brain Meets the Mind," explored adaptive mindsets in times of change.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How a sparring partner can help you develop your leadership skills
- Resilience in uncertain times
- Self-leadership starts with self-awareness
- Why self-compassion is so challenging and why it matters
- How to maintain equanimity
- Strategies to prepare yourself for challenging conversations
- Practical ideas to keep calm and grounded in the moment to respond, not react
- How to frame neutral questions
- 3 essential skills for communication
- The future of leadership
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find out more about Jason Liem: https://www.mindtalk.no
- Listen to Jason Liem's podcast:It's an Inside Job https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com
- Connect with Jason Liem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonliem/
- Connect with Jason Liem on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MINDtalkCoach
- Connect with Jason Liem on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsaninsidejob_mindtalk/
- Connect with Jason Liem on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083702739646
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Steven Parker has worked and lived in Asia for 35 years in 6 different countries. He is a multi-talented CEO, Business Coach, Presenter, Musician and Podcaster with a passion for Leadership Education, Communication, Business, and Community Building.
Steven joined me from Taiwan to have this deeply fascinating conversation about leadership, sharing his thoughts on how introvert and highly sensitive leaders can be great leaders, how to create diverse teams that appreciate each other’s strengths, and how to navigate leadership challenges such as hybrid and flexible working.
Steven has dedicated the last two years to his three lives- his Whisky tasting business, Leadership, and Music, spending his time equally between all three.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How introvert and highly sensitive leaders can succeed
- The power of music to support communication confidence
- Creating diverse teams that appreciate each other’s strengths
- What it means to be an authentic leader
- Challenges coming up now for leaders
- Hybrid/ remote working and cultural dynamics
- The future of work- flexible working and the 4 day week
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Listen to Steven Parker's Leadership Matters Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/leadership-matters/id1559171284
- Connect with Steven Parker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-matters-by-steven-parker/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Lanie Denslow is the Founder and Principal of World Wise Intercultural Training and Resources. She trains professionals to understand cultural nuances so they can work effectively in today’s global business environment in her customized, interactive workshops for teams and individuals.
Lanie joined me from Silicon Valley in California to have this insightful chat about US cultural dynamics, the impact of culture in all aspects of our formal and informal work interactions, and how to build your cultural confidence.
Lanie is the author of ‘World Wise What to Know Before You Go’ and co-author of ‘Working with Americans’, talking about culture and global business.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why cultural differences impact your sales and profit
- What is US culture?
- We are individuals, not research averages
- The US/ UK cultural dynamic
- Culture in evolution
- Greetings: the cultural nuances of a handshake
- Seating arrangements & what they communicate
- What to do when we make cultural mistakes
- How to build your cultural confidence
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s global leader communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cultural intelligence training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find about more about Lanie Denslow: https://worldwiseonline.net
- Connect with Lanie Denslow on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/lanie-denslow-worldwise
- Book: Working with Americans: https://www.workingwithamericans.com (available on Amazon)
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Why are people not listening to you? What can you do to make sure people listen to you more?
This can be frustrating when you have valuable ideas, views and builds to the conversation, and you leave the meeting feeling irritated, limited or even blocked.
Moving forward starts with diagnosing why people are not listening to you, and what is holding you back.
I share my strategies to make sure you are fully heard, seen and acknowledged for the great value you bring to your team and organisation.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Diagnosing your issue
- The reason why people are not listening to you
- Strategies for when you feel the confidence challenge of speaking up
- Strategies for when you prefer an introverted, reflective energy in meetings
- Strategies for when others dominate the meeting and you can’t get a word in edgeways
- Strategies for when you express your opinion, but your opinion is not acknowledged or considered
Resources:
- If you experience challenges with your workplace interactions, and know you need help to go deeper on these topics, then I recommend you book in to talk to me in a clarity call. Message me on Linkedin to share what’s going on at work for you and let’s help get you clarity for moving forward, or book in here: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to episode 31, 'Is it appropriate to interrupt?': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/is-it-appropriate-to-interrupt/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Have you ever experienced a team member resistant to your collaboration? Somebody not replying to your emails? Not giving you the information you urgently need? Not accepting your meeting invites?
When this happens we may start thinking that they’re doing this deliberately, it’s personal, maybe even ‘they don’t like me’ or ‘they don’t value me.’
However, if this person is key to getting your tasks done and projects delivered, you need to find a way to move through the resistance- here are my strategies to help you.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What we think when we meet resistance from others
- What can’t we see
- Start with understanding
- Assume positive intent
- Consider how they like to communicate
- Invest in the relationship for the long term
- Work on the magic ratio
- Design the communication
- Developing connection takes time
Resources:
- If you experience challenges with your workplace interactions, and know you need help to go deeper on these topics, then I recommend you book in to talk to me in a clarity call. Message me on Linkedin to share what’s going on at work for you and let’s help get you clarity for moving forward, or book in here: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com/
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Helen Percival is a RADA trained actor with over a decade of experience as a broadcast journalist. She has worked for The Guardian, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Bloomberg and as a news anchor for France 24. As a professional actor, she has worked in theatre, film and TV and understands the importance of harnessing the body, breath and voice to deliver messages with authenticity and power. Coupling her experience in journalism and acting, she carries out C-Suite level media training in London and Paris.
Helen and I had a great conversation about how to be a powerful communicator with the way you engage your body, breath and voice. She shared her insights into why and how to warm up ahead of a public speaking engagement, and build awareness of how to manage your body, breath and voice while presenting, including any nerves.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why is it important to think about our voice, body and breath when preparing for public speaking
- Practical body and breath warm up exercises before you go on stage/ live
- Managing nerves when presenting and public speaking
- The impact of body language when you speak
- How your body language broadcasts to your audience
- The cultural nuances of body language
- How to manage the fear of speaking to camera: tips from TV journalism
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find about more about Helen Percival: https://sequentially.co.uk/
- Connect with Helen Percival on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-percival-28495a20/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com/
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Lisa is a highly experienced communication skills coach, who hosts a Walk and Talk group in Singapore which has blossomed into a thriving weekly morning Walk & Talk community, boasting over 100 "Walkers & Talkers". This group offers a refreshing departure from traditional indoor networking events and fosters meaningful connections in nature.
We had a fascinating discussion about why connection and conversation are so challenging today, how Lisa is using walk & talk to go beyond the small talk and coffee to act as a catalyst for conversation and deeper connection, plus how to be intentional to create space for connection in team meetings.
Lisa has been based in Singapore since 2009 and was a training consultant at the British Council Professional Development Centre for 11 years before starting SIXCOMMS. The Six Cs in SIXCOMMS represent Lisa's core belief in the six essential elements of becoming a proficient communicator: Connection, Curiosity, Compassion, Clarity, Customization, and Consistency. These principles underpin her approach to helping professionals unlock their full communication potential. She hosts The SIXCOMMS Podcast to explore these Six Cs in more depth with her global guests.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why connection and conversation are so challenging today
- Going beyond the small talk and coffee
- Talking together to stimulate deeper connection
- Designing conversations for teams in outside spaces
- Being intentional to create space for connection in team meetings
- How to support introverts to nurture their ideas and contribute
- Practical ways for introverts to develop their confidence to speak up and share
- Ideas for leaders to cultivate meaningful connection with their people in virtual teams
Resources:
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers/
- Discover Victoria Rennoldson’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Find about more about Lisa Partridge: https://www.sixcomms.org/
- Connect with Lisa Partridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/
- Connect with Lisa PArtridge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixcommslisa/
- If you're in Singapore, sign up to join Lisa for a Walk & Talk: https://www.sixcomms.org/upcomingevents/
- If you'd like to start a podcast, Lisa offers a 6-week coaching program, more details can be found on her website: https://www.sixcomms.org/services/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com/
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
No.
A small word. Loaded with meaning, nuance and connotation.
Is it easy for you to say ‘No’?
I was asked recently at a workshop about how to say ‘no’ assertively and confidently, without sounding aggressive or being perceived negatively, and I know this topic is on the mind of many of you.
Today we talk about saying no assertively so you can establish your boundaries. This is for you, if you are the person who usually says yes. Especially when you mean no.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How does it make us feel to say no?
- Start with your boundaries- what is a red line for you?
- What’s the power dynamic in the relationship?
- How to say no assertively
- What to say
- How to say it
Resources:
- If you know you need help to be assertive and say no more, then let’s meet for a discovery call, so I can share how I can support you with my coaching. Book your time here: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to Ep.050, Exploring your Cultural Values, part 1: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/exploring-your-cultural-values-part-1/
- Listen to Ep.051, Exploring your Cultural Values, part 2: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/exploring-your-cultural-values-part-2/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
We are not islands. We can’t get things done without collaborating with other people, and influence is the magic ingredient.
Influence helps you deliver your projects, navigate the challenges, gives you the opportunity to gain share of voice and can enhance your professional reputation.
Explore in this episode strategies to improve your influencing skills.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why influence is the magic ingredient
- How to improve your influence
- Stakeholder maps
- Understand business needs vs. wants
- Speak the same language
- Clarity in your message
- Deliver with impact
Resources:
- If you know your influence skills need sharpening up, and you would love to receive clarity on how to improve, meet me for a free discovery call. I’ll share my insights with you so you can immediately start becoming a better influencer. Book your time here: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to episode 75, Mastering Clarity: Elevating your Influence - https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/mastering-clarity-elevating-your-influence/
- Listen to episode 76, Empowering Confidence: strategies for your communication - https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/empowering-confidence-strategies-for-your-communication/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com/
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
Victoria Dale, Founder of Inclusion 365, is on a mission to support employers and busy HR Leaders to move from reactive to proactive when it comes to driving their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) agenda forward. Her approach is about taking those small steps to build inclusion into everyday conversations, decisions, actions and behaviours.
We had a valuable discussion about what it means to create space to listen to better understand your team’s wider life context, what impacts an employee’s ability to speak up and share, and how DE&I can be brought into everyday actions.
Over the past 20 years, Victoria has supported different industries from large global companies to small businesses to transform their workplace cultures through leveraging the power of diversity data to drive forward their DE&I strategies, attract more diverse talent and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Moving the DE&I agenda from reactive to proactive
- Why a data-led approach is important
- Creating space to listen, understanding your people’s wider life context
- Tips for active listening
- How to create effective listening with teams in diverse global locations
- Hearing all your team’s voices- what impacts an employee’s ability to speak up and share
- The 6Cs of inclusive leadership
- The business costs of not focusing on DE&I
- DE&I in everyday actions
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Victoria Dale: https://inclusion365.co.uk
- Connect with Victoria Dale on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-dale-dei-9489104a/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Today I am truly grateful on my 9th business birthday.
I am so lucky that with my business, Culture Cuppa, I get to support and work with 1000s of people and teams all over the world from over 40 countries.
Plus I have the joy of connecting with people every day globally through my social, virtual and in person communities and networks, being energised and inspired to collaborate in new ways to share my ideas in podcasts, videos, talks and blogs.
So a big thank you to you all who support me and have worked with me on my journey. I am deeply grateful to you all- Culture Cuppa is all about people and I couldn't have done it without you!
In celebration of my business birthday, today on the podcast my good friend and previous guest, Febronia Ruocco, turns the tables on me and I am the guest of my own podcast! In this special episode, I answer her questions about my communication and cultural journey, what inspires me and what’s coming next.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Victoria Rennoldson’s Culture Cuppa journey
- What inspired the business launch
- Why cultural communication matters to Victoria
- Multi-cultural experiences living abroad
- The role Durham University played and mentoring for the Durham Leadership Academy
- How Victoria’s first career in Marketing in global teams inspired her second career
- Victoria’s own communication confidence journey
- Business evolution: the Culture Cuppa rebrand in 2023
- Why the podcast is so important to connecting globally
- What drives Victoria and her vision
- Staying motivated and energised
- Life outside Culture Cuppa- more about Victoria’s personal life
- What’s next!
Resources:
- In celebration of Culture Cuppa’s 9th birthday, I have created special offers on all my masterclasses and the Public Speaking Confidendce circle. Go to https://culturecuppa.com/birthday to access these now, as they are only available until 31.3.24.
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com/
- Discover more podcast episodes: https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/
- Are you a Durham university alumnus/a? Learn more about the Durham Leadership Academy: https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/enrichment-activities/durham-leadership-framework/
- Thank you to Febronia Ruocco for interviewing me for this very special podcast episode. More about Febronia and her Executive Coaching Business: http://linkedin.com/in/febroniaruocco/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com/
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com/
The magnet rule of challenging conversations.
What happens when we bring 2 magnets of the same poles together? We experience resistance and they won’t meet. The harder we try to push them together, the more resistance there is.
It’s the same with challenging conversations and disagreements. So how can you change the outcome? Magnetise the situation with a challenging conversation bridge.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The magnet rule of challenging conversations
- How to disagree productively
- Your first steps to move along the challenging conversations bridge
- Turn down the volume in your head
- Your relationship intention
- Design the conversation
- How you show up
- Go beyond what they say
Resources:
- If you know challenging conversations are causing you issues, and you would love to understand all the steps in the bridge to handle disagreements and apply them to your situation, meet me for a free discovery call. Book your time here: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to episode 72, the 4 pillars of Global Leader Communication: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-4-pillars-of-global-leader-communication/
- Listen to episode 75, Mastering Clarity: Elevating your Influence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/mastering-clarity-elevating-your-influence/
- Listen to episode 76, Empowering Confidence: strategies for your communication: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/empowering-confidence-strategies-for-your-communication/
- Listen to episode 78, How to connect with cultural intelligence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/creating-connection-in-your-global-team/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Are you regularly making time and space for connection in your global team? How well are you and your people connecting with each other today?
Building connection through your communication is a real superpower, and can help you create trust, engagement and better relationships with your people, wherever they are based around the world.
Although connection technically is easier than ever, true human connection can be more challenging with hybrid and remote working.
In today’s episode I share how to connect well in your multicultural team.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why is it so hard to build connection in the workplace today
- Connection is more important than ever
- Your communication superpower: connection
- Know your people
- Start with listening
- The non-verbal communication secrets
- Conversation skills pro
- Develop your cultural intelligence muscles
Resources:
- If you know connection is an area you and your team need to be stronger in, and you would love to receive clarity on how to improve, meet me for a free discovery call. I’ll share my insights with you so you can immediately start building connection in your team. Book your time here: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to episode 72, the 4 pillars of Global Leader Communication: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-4-pillars-of-global-leader-communication/
- Listen to episode 75, Mastering Clarity: Elevating your Influence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/mastering-clarity-elevating-your-influence/
- Listen to episode 76, Empowering Confidence: strategies for your communication: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/empowering-confidence-strategies-for-your-communication/
- Introduction to Cultural Intelligence, listen to episode 008, How to improve your Cultural Intelligence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/how-to-improve-your-cultural-intelligence/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Dr. Catherine Wu is an interculturalist and cultural intelligence evangelist. A passionate advocate for cultural diversity, Dr. Catherine is currently working towards telling 10 million people about cultural intelligence through speaking, writing, and posting daily on LinkedIn.
She joined me in this episode from Singapore for this deeply insightful conversation. We chatted about how cultural intelligence has evolved in the last few years, why successful cross-cultural communication starts with our intentionality to create shared experiences, and how we can all step into being an interculturalist.
In 2022, she launched The Cultural Quotient podcast, the first podcast to grow cultural intelligence at work and in life. As a speaker, Dr. Catherine frequently gives talks and conducts workshops on cultural intelligence for public and private organizations.
Dr. Catherine holds a PhD in Cultural Intelligence from the Center for Leadership and Cultural Intelligence in Singapore. She is French and has lived in Asia for the past 18 years. She lives in Singapore with her Taiwanese American husband and 3 third-culture kids.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What it means to be a cultural intelligence evangelist
- Why developing cultural awareness is not enough
- Cultural intelligence evolution and today
- DEI and helping teams to collaborate effectively
- Culture is hard to see, especially on virtual calls
- Successful cross-cultural communication starts with our intentionality to create shared experiences
- Everyone is an interculturalist and has the potential to be a cultural bridge
- Our personal cultural intelligence responsibility as leaders
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Dr. Catherine Wu and connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcatherinewu/
- Listen to The Cultural Quotient on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/07Ig9X29uWFmuohsGzFOIt?si=79904e47f04146aa
- Listen to The Cultural Quotient on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cultural-quotient-ideas-tips-and-stories/id1658233893
- Follow The Cultural Quotient on Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/1ab1cc42-0ccb-413b-926d-a2fd040be7e3/the-cultural-quotient-ideas-tips-and-stories-for-developing-cultural-intelligence
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Communication confidence - what does that look like to you? What does it feel like? You will have your own version of confidence and I am exploring in today’s podcast episode how we can make it work for you.
Confidence is one of the key foundations of my 4 pillars of Global Leader Communication, and I share my reframe on confidence and why it can feel challenging at times to communicate confidently.
Plus discover my ideas for you to start developing your confidence for key situations, including an introduction to my IMPACT model.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Exploring your version of confidence
- How confidence impacts your performance now
- How to develop your confidence
- The role of feedback
- Discovering your current beliefs
- Build your new confident identity
- Practice makes confidence
- Introduction to my IMPACT model for confidence building
Resources:
- If you know Confidence is an area you struggle with and you would love to learn more about my IMPACT model for confidence building, meet me for a free communication assessment. I’ll share my feedback with you and help you apply the IMPACT model to your situation. Book your time here: https://culturecuppa.com/communication-assessment/
- Listen to episode 72, the 4 pillars of Global Leader Communication: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-4-pillars-of-global-leader-communication/
- Listen to episode 75, Mastering Clarity: Elevating your Influence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/mastering-clarity-elevating-your-influence/
- See my LinkedIn post on the power of the word 'yet': https://www.linkedin.com/posts/victoria-rennoldson_communicationcoach-communicationcourse-communicationskillstraining-activity-7160905045717237761-Z3FI
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Today we deep dive into a topic which I’m frequently asked about- clarity in speaking.
Many global professionals talk to me about how they want to sound more clear, concise and professional in the way they speak, to help them build their influence and impact, and so people listen and act.
Clarity is one of the key foundations of my 4 pillars of Global Leader Communication, so in this episode we will explore why it is important, why it’s challenging for you currently and how to develop your clarity in your speaking.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What characterises people who speak with clarity
- The benefits of speaking with clarity short term
- How speaking clearly can build your personal brand and professional reputation
- Why it is a challenge to speak with clarity
- Key steps to develop your speaking clarity
- Introduction to my 5Ps model of speaking clearly
Resources:
- If you know Clarity is an area you struggle with me and you would love to learn more about my 5Ps model for clarity, meet me for a free communication assessment. I’ll share my feedback with you and help apply the 5Ps to your situation. Book your time here: https://culturecuppa.com/communication-assessment/
- Listen to episode 72, the 4 pillars of Global Leader Communication: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-4-pillars-of-global-leader-communication/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Michelle Bradley, our guest on the podcast this week, is a bridge-builder, coach, and trainer based in Taipei, Taiwan, who grew up in the multicultural environments of NYC, London, and Cape Town. She is bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese and is passionate about all aspects of cultural intelligence.
As a certified PCC-level coach, Intercultural Trainer, and experienced East-West consultant, she partners with individuals and organizations to create a tailored program for effectively communicating across cultural and linguistic lines for greater global agility.
She is the founder of Elephant Communications (雙象溝通), and has over 15 years of experience working with individuals and groups from all walks of life as a corporate trainer, intercultural consultant, coach, and yoga therapist.
In this fascinating episode Michelle joined me from Taiwan and we chatted about what it means to develop global agility with cultural EQ, how East-West cultural dynamics have evolved, as well as her key tips for you to change your cultural perceptions and develop your own resilience when working in multicultural environments.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Developing your global agility
- What is Cultural EQ?
- East-West communication styles and cultural dynamics
- The evolution of globalisation and what it means today
- How changing your perceptions helps in your Cultural EQ
- Building your inner strength and resilience
- How far to adapt your communication and behavioural approach
- Increasing your cultural intelligence in daily life
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Michelle Bradley: https://www.elephantcommunications.com
- Connect with Michelle Bradley on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-e-bradley
- Follow Michelle Bradley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elephantcommunicationstaiwan
- Learn about Michelle’s Cultural EQ Coaching Circle, an innovative & inspiring space for East-West communication growth: https://www.elephantcommunications.com/team-solutions#culturaleq-coaching-circle2024
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Michael Quigley is a twice published author and regular blogger as well as the creator of multiple online professional and personal development courses with his company Kataholos. His Online Learning Platform empowers over 8000 professionals in 100 countries.
He is a former primary school teacher with an extensive experience of teaching, leadership and mentoring, coupled with a life-long enduring passion for fitness, wellbeing and growing people.
In this episode we discussed the key topics for global leaders to focus on this year, including how to connect and build great relationships with people through becoming more present, your conversation and energy.
Plus what shifts in communication when we intentionally think about how we show up as leaders, make time for the important topics and plan what we want to say. Finally we talked about how to move away from cultural stereotypes and culturally understand others better.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The most important topics on leaders’ minds for 2024
- How to become more present as a leader
- Demonstrating your attention and care to your people
- Prioritising quality time- a precious resource
- Shifting energy and connection in your meetings
- Intentional communication and preparing your key messages
- Cultural nuances of leadership- meeting the other person where they’re at
- The true meaning of communication
- Confidence grows with competence and consistency
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Michael Quigley: https://kataholos.co.uk/ and https://kataholoslearning.com/
- Connect with Michael Quigley on Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/itsmichaelquigley
- Follow Michael Quigley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kataholostraining/
- Follow Michael Quigley on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_kataholos
- Follow Michael Quigley on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KataholosYoutubeChannel
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
This week we’re talking about the 4 pillars of global leader communication.
This is for you if you are a global manager who is ready to get promoted and wants to speak clearly, confidently and with impact.
Levelling up your communication skills is important for influencing your senior stakeholders, creating impact with your communication and enhancing your professional reputation and career opportunities.
That’s where the 4 pillars of global leader communication can help you.
What you will learn in this episode:
- 1st pillar- Confidence
- Recognising your value and strengths, and your limiting beliefs.
- 2nd pillar- Clarity
- Sharing your ideas clearly and concisely to influence others to take action
- Creating impact with your presence
- 3rd pillar- Connect with cultural intelligence
- Building collaboration and trust in your global teams
- Developing your cultural intelligence
- 4th pillar- Challenging conversations
- Bridging to others so you can move forward and find solutions.
Resources:
- My masterclass, Speak like a Leader, is running later this week. It’s live on Fri 2nd February 12pm London time and you can sign up at https://culturecuppa.com/speak-leader/
- Listen to Episode 71: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/identify-your-leadership-challenges/
- Listen to Episode 70: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/your-leadership-presence/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Today we are talking about how to identify your leadership communication challenges and prioritise your development areas for 2024.
I will be guiding you through a series of self-reflection questions, so you can pinpoint where your specific issues are, and start working on them to develop and grow your leadership communication skills.
Listen to the 8 questions and rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10, then listen until the end to discover what your score means and your next action step.
If you prefer to do the quiz online while listening to this episode, head to: https://culturecuppa.com/leadership-quiz/
What you will learn in this episode:
- The 8 key questions to ask yourself about your leadership communication skills
- Where your strengths and development areas are
- How to prioritise what to include in your development plan
- How to support your team with developing their leadership communication skills
- Action challenge! Share your scores and next steps with me
Resources:
- If you prefer to do the quiz online: https://culturecuppa.com/leadership-quiz/
- Exciting news! I’m launching a new masterclass very soon- Speak like a Leader in 2024. If you would like to be the first to hear when it goes live to know more and sign up, email me at victoria@culturecuppa.com, or message me on LinkedIn
- Listen to Episode 70: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/your-leadership-presence/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Leadership presence - do you have it? Maybe you are like many people I meet who have all the skills, experience and talent, and are ambitious to progress their career for the next promotion or job move, to break into the c-suite or the next level of management.
But something is missing in the way you show up, connect and engage with other people, which is hard to define.
This is leadership presence. You know it when people have it.
It impacts how you influence your senior stakeholders, builds trust and confidence with your team, inspires and creates action, and enhances your professional reputation and opportunities. What you will learn in this episode:
- Reasons why people don’t have leadership presence currently
- What is leadership presence: a definition for 2024
- Key areas of leadership presence
- Why it’s important for your career opportunities
- The vital ingredient is you
- Being authentic with your leadership presence
- Common myths about leadership presence
- How to develop your leadership presence
Resources:
- Exciting news! I’m launching a new masterclass very soon - Speak like a Leader in 2024. If you would like to be the first to hear when it goes live to know more and sign up, email me at victoria@culturecuppa.com, or message me on LinkedIn.
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Happy New Year! Hope you had a great time over the holiday season, and started the year well. As we kick off this January with new topic episodes, we’re focusing on the big ideas for 2024 for you to focus on in communication and cultural intelligence.
This is for you if you are a leader or manager of a global team, or part of a multicultural team, and we’re looking at the key trends and areas for you to develop in your communication and cultural intelligence this year.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The 5 big ideas for 2024 for your communication and cultural intelligence
- Be human, talk like a human, listen like a human
- Connection is more important than ever
- Create meaningful conversations
- Keep things simple in your communication
- Cultural intelligence can help build trust in multicultural teams
- AI can assist our communication, but does not replace us
Resources:
- If you need more help this year with your communication confidence, leadership communication skills or cultural intelligence, then contact me to learn how I can support you as an individual or a team: https://www.culturecuppa.com/contact
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Kathryn Read is an international sales and marketing consultant with over 25 years’ experience developing niche products in emerging markets. She helps small and medium companies to break through international barriers, creating successful entrepreneurs and a thriving global marketplace.
Kathryn firmly believes that business is done between people, and places her focus on building strong relationships that form a solid foundation for doing business. She sees herself as the bridge between small and medium food and drink companies and their ideal distribution partners in Asia or Eastern Europe.
In this episode we talked about global expansion topics including how to build up cultural insights that will help you communicate with people by going beyond cultural stereotypes. Kathryn also shared how to build cultural dynamics into negotiations and key entry mistakes businesses make when they expand into Asia.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to successfully prepare when launching into a new market
- Balancing local market and global head office requirements
- Key entry mistakes businesses make when they expand into Asia
- Adapting brand communication for local consumer needs- what you need to consider
- Building cultural dynamics into negotiations
- Understanding the people you are working with, going beyond cultural stereotypes
- Developing your cultural knowledge
- Trends in Asia for 2024
- How to make sure your messages land when you communicate
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Kathryn Read: https://kathrynread.com
- Receive the free ebook: https://kathrynread.com/confidence
- International Clarity Call to discuss 1:1 coaching or consulting: https://kathrynread.com/internationalclarity
- Connect Kathryn Read with on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynread
- Follow Kathryn Read on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/international_expansion_kr/
- Follow Kathryn Read on YouTube: https://kathrynread.com/YouTube
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Thank you. It's a real joy to create and share my podcast episodes here, but it is also important to me that I’m not only speaking into a mic to myself, I am also building conversations and connections with you all over the world, sparking new ideas and behaviours which impact people in places that I don’t even know about.
What always amazes me is how global this show is. We have had over 5000 downloads in the last year since launch, hitting the top 10 podcasts in the career charts in the UK, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Israel, New Zealand, Qatar and Cambodia. I am so pleased that I can help as many people as possible through my episodes.
I am also grateful for your support and it means a lot to me personally when you tune in and listen, so thank you so much. I get hugely energised by your feedback, and I love hearing what people value and how the episodes have helped them in their work and career.
Recently one listener shared with me, “The topics are highly important for our globally connected world today.”
And also another listener valued the show as it’s “Straight to the point, sharing ideas I can go and put into practice just after listening to the podcast.”
We will return soon in 2024 with new episodes, and in the meantime why not review the best of 2023. Popular episodes for you to go back to relisten to, or discover for the first time:
- Ep.056 - Preparing yourself for interview: getting ready for all aspects of interviewing and your job search: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/preparing-yourself-for-interview/
- Ep.050 - Exploring your Cultural Values, part 1: perfect for anybody working in multicultural teams: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/exploring-your-cultural-values-part-1/
- Ep.044 - How to engage your senior stakeholders: discover a framework to map your key stakeholders, and plan how to influence them with your communication strategies: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/how-to-engage-your-senior-stakeholders
- Ep.035 - Handling conflict: how to show up in conversations when conflict happens and how to move through conflict: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/handling-conflict/
- Ep.034 - 7 Top Conversation Starters: ideas to kick off and keep conversations going, whether in networking or small talk: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/7-top-conversation-starters/
I want to make sure this podcast show stays relevant and valuable, so let me know your feedback:
- What questions do you have about communication, cultural skills, or communication confidence?
- What topics would you like me to cover in future episodes which would be helpful to you?
Message me your ideas via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson), or via the links below.
Thank you, and wishing you a very happy festive season if you’re celebrating, and Happy New Year to you all. Look forward to seeing you next year!
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Vanessa Paisley, trainer and lecturer in the field of intercultural communication and English as a global language, was born in Tanzania, grew up in the UK, lived and worked in Austria for 23 years, and repatriated to the UK 9 years ago.
In her work she helps people to meet the challenges of living and working across cultures, both in relocating individuals from one country to another (especially to the UK and Austria) and in supporting multicultural project teams to communicate and cooperate effectively. Vanessa also works on a cross-cultural study program for professional students from Austria and India.
Vanessa and I explored how to break the cultural autopilot to understand the people we work with, how globalisation does not automatically lead to a successful global mindset, and why slowing the pace of communication is critical for connection and inclusivity.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Culture with a small ‘c’ what it means and why it matters
- Intercultural competence is not automatic in globalisation
- It starts with developing and growing a global mindset
- How to encourage a more equal share of voice in team meetings to encourage innovation and creativity
- Cross cultural training is a great way to prevent project and team challenges
- What you need to know about cultural differences in communication styles and behaviours between the UK, India and Austria
- Culture is not static, it is always evolving
- Virtual working and Gen Z, the culture of different generations
- Key communication learnings for inclusivity- silences, slowing down the pace of communication and pauses
Resources:
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Vanessa Paisley: www.paisley-communication.com
- Connect with Vanessa Paisley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessapaisleycommunication/
- Follow Vanessa Paisley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paisleycommunication/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
7 tips for a successful informational interview. In this fourth and final episode of my new mini podcast series about strategies to optimise your communication for job searching, we are exploring how to maximise the time you have available to talk with a connection who has agreed to help you on your job search.
You may have only 15-20 minutes, so how you approach the conversation matters, including what you choose to talk about, how you open and close the conversation impactfully, and connect well with them.
I will also share what not to talk about, and what you can request as a follow up after the informational interview.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to approach an informational interview
- Why it is conversation, not a Q&A
- How to open the meeting well
- Key areas to explore in an informational interview
- What not to ask about in an informational interview
- Follow up: what you can request at the end of the meeting
- What makes the difference to close well
Why not explore the full series of episodes on communicating in your job search:
- Strategies for CV and resume success
- First impressions in networking: the power of impactful introductions
- Career outreach: crafting compelling cold messages
Resources:
- If you need more help with how you communicate in all aspects of your job search, then contact me to learn more about my confident communication coaching: https://www.culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to part 1, Strategies for CV and resume success: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/strategies-for-cv-and-resume-success
- Listen to part 2, First impressions in networking: the power of impactful introductions: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/first-impressions-in-networking-the-power-of-impactful-introductions
- Listen to part 3, Career outreach: crafting compelling cold messages: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/career-outreach-crafting-compelling-cold-messages/
Career outreach: crafting compelling cold messages. In this third episode of my new podcast mini series about strategies to optimise your communication for job searching, we discuss how to send messages to connect and meet people who can help you with your job hunt.
Some of you may feel uncomfortable sending cold and outreach messages to people you don’t know, and feel like you come across as very sales-y. While some of you are happy to send the messages, however the way you write them today does not connect and you will be ignored.
So how can you in a brief message connect with the other person, so they want to accept your request and give you their time to help you with your job search?
Today I share in this podcast episode the mindset reframe on outreach and cold messages, best practices to writing great messages which have a higher chance of reply and how to avoid the common mistakes I often see.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Reframing outreach and cold messages
- What you need to do before you start sending messages
- What’s important in what you write in outreach and cold messages
- How to get more chance of a reply
- Top mistakes to avoid
Why not explore the previous episodes in this podcast mini series- Strategies for CV and resume success, and First impressions in networking: the power of impactful introductions.
Look out for the next episode on Tips for a successful informational interview.
Resources:
- If you need more help with how you write professionally and communicate for your job search, then contact me to learn more about my confident communication coaching: https://www.culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to part 1, Strategies for CV and resume success: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/strategies-for-cv-and-resume-success
- Listen to part 2, First impressions in networking: the power of impactful introductions: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/first-impressions-in-networking-the-power-of-impactful-introductions
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
First impressions in networking: the power of impactful introductions. In this second episode of my new podcast mini series about strategies to optimise your communication for job searching, we are talking about how to answer that deceptively simple question, ‘What do you do?’.
We start with exploring how you want to show up at networking events to maximise connections that can help your job search. I will then share the usual way people introduce themselves and why it doesn’t work to open the conversation. Finally I will give you my framework to help you introduce yourself in a way which is impactful, memorable and helps you get closer to your ideal job.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Defining your networking intent
- How to show up to connect
- The common mistake people make when they introduce themselves
- Reframing introductions in networking
- A new way to introduce yourself that makes you stand out
- How to practice it
- An invitation to receive my feedback on your introduction
Why not explore the previous episode in this podcast mini series: Strategies for CV and resume success.
Look out for the next episodes on how to craft compelling outreach and cold messages, and tips for a successful informational interview.
Resources:
- Would you like my feedback on your introduction? Record it on video or voice note (maximum 30 seconds) and send it to me via LinkedIn messenger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson/
- If you need more help with your networking strategies, ready to kick off 2024 finding your ideal role, then contact me to learn more about my confident communication coaching: https://www.culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to part 1, Strategies for CV and resume success: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/strategies-for-cv-and-resume-success/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Make your CV/ resume stand out. Following on from our recent podcast mini series on interview success, I have received questions about other aspects of job searching and applications.
So in this new mini series I am going to be sharing more strategies on optimising your communication for other job related themes, including strategies for CV/ resume success, how to introduce yourself impactfully at networking, send outreach and cold messages that get replies, and tips for a successful informational interview.
In this first episode in the mini series, we are focusing on your CV/ resume, including how this enhances your personal brand, the key areas to the key areas to optimise and refine, what to consider in the layout and format, and answering questions about the professional approach to CV/ resume writing in the UK and US.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Researching keywords for your resume/ CV
- How to develop a high impact summary/ profile statement
- What employers are looking for in the way you represent your experience
- Why the design of your resume/ CV matters
- Top mistakes in CVs/ resumes
- Key questions I am asked about CVs/ resumes
- Should you use AI to write your CV/ resume?
Resources:
- If you need my help with your CV/ resume, ready to kick off 2024 in your ideal role, then contact me to learn more about my CV/ resume writing and reviewing service, and get my support: https://www.culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Corina Goetz is our guest today on Cultural Communication Confidence. She is the Founder of Star-CaT, a Middle East Strategist and Cultural Expert for the Gulf. Corina helps Westerners further their cultural understanding, and create better relationships in the region and therefore grow and expand their businesses.
Corina and I had a fascinating conversation, where we explored stereotypes in the Gulf, how cultural insight is important for business, and the main differences between the West and the Gulf in reality.
She shares common mistakes businesses make when they try to expand here, including how to adapt your communication approach in interactions. Corina also talks about her tips on being a woman visiting the Gulf, and how to make the most of the rapidly growing commercial opportunities.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Stereotypes of the Gulf region
- The most common mistakes businesses make when expanding in the region
- How to adapt your communication style and interaction approach to successfully connect with potential clients
- Insights to visiting Saudi Arabia as a woman- myths and current reality
- Reality today and the rapidly changing business environment in Saudi Arabia
- How to develop cultural intelligence for doing business in the region
- Future business opportunities
Resources:
- Find out about Victoria’s Interview Confidence programme: https://culturecuppa.com/interview-confidence-programme
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find about more about Star-CaT: www.star-cat.co.uk
- Connect with Corina Goetz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinagoetz
- Follow Corina Goetz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starcat_corina
- Follow Corina Goetz on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starcat_corina
- Sign up to Corina’s newsletter: https://star-cat.uk/newsletter-8659
- Read Corina’s blog: https://star-cat.co.uk/blog
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Today’s guest is Katie Keith, Executive Director with Global Chamber London and also Head of B2B Partnerships with Currencies Direct.
She talks about creating space for effective communication in global teams, including how to build psychological safety in teams, we explore authentic global leadership, and how listening skills are critical in conversations and even in emails, to read between the lines. Finally, as somebody who is already leading her own portfolio career, Katie shares her perspectives on why it works.
Katie is a thought leader with 20 years’ experience within the Corporate and Retail Banking spaces, which means she has extensive exposure to corporate leadership, business growth and change management strategies within the business and finance sector. She recently completed an MSc with Henley Business School, focused on extending my leadership practice in Executive Coaching and Behavioural Change.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to make communication flow in global teams
- Creating space with colleagues for open and effective communication
- Authentic leadership plays a key role in effective communication
- Building psychological safety with different cultures
- Listening in conversations, and in emails
- How sales team experts use listening skills
- Developing listening skills to understand what is not being said or expressed
- How to have a portfolio career and the future of work
- Collaborating effectively when working across time zones and borders
Resources:
- Find out about Victoria’s Interview Confidence programme: https://culturecuppa.com/interview-confidence-programme
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find more about the Global Chamber: https://www.globalchamber.org/
- Connect with Katie Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-keith/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Today we are starting a new era on this podcast as we start hosting guests to share with you a range of perspectives on successful communication, developing confidence and cross-cultural working from leading experts in the business world.
Our first guest is Febronia Ruocco, Strategic Insights Professional & Executive Coach, who talks about encouraging multilingual and multicultural teams to thrive with their communication, the blocks that get in the way of us communicating confidently and building social connection, plus the key factors which will change the way we communicate in the future.
Febronia has led insight teams for big brands such as Cadbury-Schweppes, Diageo, Heinz, Premier, General Mills, Heineken and GSK. She is also currently setting up her own Executive Coaching practice.
Her mission is to empower global marketing, and other sector professionals, in leadership roles to realise their career goals, unlocking their full potential. Febronia is a University mentor and marketing lecturer as well as a mentor for WIRe, mentoring high achieving women in the insights/MRX space.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The challenges and opportunities of working cross-culturally in business ● How to communicate clearly in multilingual teams
- As a manager how you can help your team to feel at ease, encourage everyone to speak and fully participate
- The challenges of jargon and acronyms at work
- Your communication influences your nervous system
- Calming your nerves when communicating under pressure
- Why communication agility helps with perfectionism
- The future of communication
- Building social connection in remote and hybrid teams
Resources:
- Find out about Victoria’s Interview Confidence programme: https://culturecuppa.com/interview-confidence-programme
- Discover Victoria’s individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- Discover Victoria’s team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
- Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Find more about Febronia’s Executive Coaching Business: http://linkedin.com/in/febroniaruocco
- Connect with Febronia Ruocco on Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/febroniaruocco
- Book recommendation: The Polyvagal Theory, Stephen Porges
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
First impressions are critical in interviews, and so are last impressions at the end of the interview. How are you closing your interviews impactfully?
In this competitive global job market, many people are currently asking me questions about preparing for interview success with global companies, and that’s why I have created this mini series of 3 episodes focusing on what to do before, during and after the interview to land your ideal next role.
In this 3rd and final episode of the series, we focus on how to handle challenging questions, key ways to close the interview and how to follow up appropriately to enhance your chances.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to handle challenging questions
- Make a great last impression as they close the interview
- Asking questions
- Confidence mindset as you walk out of the interview
- When to bring in salary questions
- When and how to follow up appropriately
- What to do if it’s a rejection
Resources:
- Are you preparing for an interview, or thinking about job searching for a role in a global company in the next 6 months? Join my group programme, Interview Confidence, a 5-week online coaching course in live calls with me to get you fully prepared for all aspects of the interview, including: - Full interview preparation - How to answer different types of questions including competency based questions - Handling challenging questions - How to approach video and in person interviews - Key areas to pay attention to make a great impression with all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communication - Building confidence and handling nerves - Closing the interview impactfully - What you can actively do after the interview to stand out as they make the final selection. 5-week online programme with live calls: £499, starting November 2023.
- Bonus: book by 29th October 2023 and receive 2 free bonuses 1. Mini CV/ resume review: receive my feedback on your current CV/ resume 2. 1 x individual 30-minute practice interview session with me
- More details and book here: www.culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to episode 1 in the Interview mini-series: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/preparing-yourself-for-interview/
- Listen to episode 2 in the Interview mini-series: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/make-a-great-impression-at-the-interview/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
33% of hiring managers claim to know whether or not they would hire a candidate within 30 seconds of meeting them, and 4 in 10 employers would reject a candidate if they showed no enthusiasm, according to research in the UK from StandOut CV.
Wherever you are looking for a new role, in this competitive job market many people are currently asking me questions about preparing for interview success with global companies, and that’s why I have created this mini series of 3 episodes focusing on what to do before, during and after the interview to land your ideal next role.
In this 2nd episode of the series, we focus on key points to make a great first impression from the first moments, and adapt your verbal and non-verbal communication to be professional and impactful in interviews.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Creating a great first impression- dress code expectations
- Key non-verbal communication to focus on when you first meet the interviewers
- What to do if you are running late for the interview
- Building your presence and professional image for video interviews
- Verbal communication techniques for answering questions
Resources:
- Are you preparing for an interview, or thinking about job searching for a role in a global company in the next 6 months? Join my group programme, Interview Confidence, a 5-week online coaching course in live calls with me to get you fully prepared for all aspects of the interview, including: - Full interview preparation - How to answer different types of questions including competency based questions - Handling challenging questions - How to approach video and in person interviews - Key areas to pay attention to make a great impression with all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communication - Building confidence and handling nerves - Closing the interview impactfully - What you can actively do after the interview to stand out as they make the final selection. 5-week online programme with live calls: £499, starting November 2023.
- Bonus: book by 29th October 2023 and receive 2 free bonuses: 1. Mini CV/ resume review: receive my feedback on your current CV/ resume 2. 1 x individual 30-minute practice interview session with me
- More details and book here: www.culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to episode 1 in the Interview mini-series: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/preparing-yourself-for-interview/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Employers will interview an average of 6 candidates for every job vacancy they advertise and 93% of candidates admit to experiencing job interview anxiety at some point in their career, according to recent research in the UK from StandOut CV.
Wherever you are looking for a new role, in this competitive job market many people are currently asking me questions about preparing for interview success with global companies, and that’s why I have created this mini series of 3 episodes focusing on what to do before, during and after the interview to land your ideal next role.
In this 1st episode, we focus on what you do before the interview to prepare.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Types of interview- video, in-person & AI
- Style of interviews- who will you meet and who is in the room
- Important points for you to get clear on
- Key research for preparing
- Confidence mindset approach
- Examples of questions you can expect
Resources:
- Are you preparing for an interview, or thinking about job searching for a role in a global company in the next 6 months? Join my group programme, Interview Confidence, a 5-week online coaching course in live calls with me to get you fully prepared for all aspects of the interview, including: - Full interview preparation - How to answer different types of questions including competency based questions - Handling challenging questions - How to approach video and in person interviews - Key areas to pay attention to make a great impression with all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communication - Building confidence and handling nerves - Closing the interview impactfully - What you can actively do after the interview to stand out as they make the final selection. 5-week online programme with live calls: £499, starting November 2023.
- Bonus: book by 29th October 2023 and receive 2 free bonuses 1. Mini CV/ resume review: receive my feedback on your current CV/ resume 2. 1 x individual 30-minute practice interview session with me
- More details and book here: www.culturecuppa.com/contact
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Conflict happens. It’s something we all experience at some point when working in teams, even if generally we have great relationships with our colleagues, co-workers, customers or partners. Conflict can cause short-term issues with collaboration, such as getting projects agreed and progressing forward. However, it clearly can impact the ongoing relationship, leading to long-term trust issues and negatively influencing the dynamics in the rest of the team.
I believe we can get around conflict situations by building communication bridges. This means building a bridge with how you show up to the conversation, what you say and how you approach the interaction to find a step forward towards meeting each other.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The role of non-verbal communication when approaching the conversation
- Turning up your empathy radar
- Exploring their objections
- Understand and clarify their point of view
- Identify and agree the common goal
- Bringing an innovation mindset to build the bridge
- One small step forward
Resources:
- Are you thinking of setting up a podcast? Are you overwhelmed by where to start and what to do? Book a Podcast Kick-start session with me, a 45-minute individual meeting with me to get you going on your journey and answer your questions. To celebrate my recent podcast birthday I am offering this for the special price of £99 until 15th October. Contact me to book your Podcast Kick-start: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Enter the competition: Enter the prize draw to win a free coaching session with me worth £200! To enter go to my podcast, subscribe, and if you have enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review and share this episode, then contact me with the ‘enter podcast competition’! Until 1st October: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Listen to Ep.005 - The CQ Cultural Intelligence positive impact: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-cq-cultural-intelligence-positive-impact/
- Listen to Ep.008 - How to improve your Cultural Intelligence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/how-to-improve-your-cultural-intelligence/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
I am excited to share that today’s show marks the 1st birthday of my podcast, which launched in September 2022. This podcast is part of my vision to help 100,000 leaders and teams around the world to speak up confidently, and support teams to connect and grow globally in 100 countries.
In today’s episode I share my own communication learnings from launching a podcast and along the journey of the last year, which are equally relevant for you whether you are leading meetings, regularly presenting or public speaking, or building your communication confidence.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What I’ve learnt about communication from launching a podcast
- Establishing a vision of success
- Identifying the gaps
- Letting go of perfectionism
- Communication agility to help take action
- How to be concise
- Energy for communication
- Making it practical and easy to action
- Feedback matters
Resources:
- Are you thinking of setting up a podcast? Are you overwhelmed by where to start and what to do? Book a Podcast Kick-start session with me, a 45-minute individual meeting with me to get you going on your journey and answer your questions. To celebrate my podcast birthday I am offering this for the special price of £99 until 15th October. Contact me to book your Podcast Kick-start: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Enter the competition: Enter the prize draw to win a free coaching session with me worth £200! To enter go to my podcast, subscribe, and if you have enjoyed today’s episode, leave me a review and share this episode, then contact me with the ‘enter podcast competition’! Until 1st October: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Your communication skills in English are a key enabler for your next promotion.
They are part of your skills toolkit, so you have everything on your side, ready to make that next job move, to go for that promotion, or to expand your role.
Sometimes they are known as soft skills, but they are anything but soft.
They are the difference between influencing successfully and the board rejecting your project.
They will help define if you land new business with a customer or miss out on a valuable sales opportunity.
Your communication skills will shape how people see you and your reputation, and can be the fine line between the green light on your promotion or being passed over again.
If you are an international manager, then achieving English communication confidence is critical to your success in your current role and enabling your next promotion.
And that’s where communication stress can come in. You could feel exposed, awkward and on the spot before key meetings when you need to lead the agenda, and worry about how you come across.
So how do you deal with it and help yourself to move forward?
What you will learn in this episode:
- What is communication stress
- How can you help yourself move through this
- The communication agility mindset and approach
- How to gain clarity on your starting level and build confidence
- How to develop communication agility in English and improve
- How to achieve ongoing sustainability for your English communication skills
Resources:
- Last chance to join me for my new FREE training masterclass: Confident Global Communication. I am going to share the most important areas you can develop and activate to overcome your challenges and start improving your leadership communication when working in English. Get away from feeling limited and frustrated when working in English and develop confident, impactful leadership communication. Make sure you reserve your free seat to join me live, 20th September 2023, 1-2pm London time: https://culturecuppa.com/confident-global-communication/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Are you talented and ambitious, but it doesn’t always come across when you’re working in English?
Do you feel frustrated by your professional English communication skills, and wish you sounded more confident?
Today I want to talk about the 8 most common myths I commonly hear from the people I work with about their English communication and how it’s holding them back. This could be impacting you too and stopping you from moving forward to your next promotion.
So I’m going to bust these myths and share with you how you can reframe them!
What you will learn in this episode:
- The 8 common myths about English communication and how to bust them:
- “I need to be more fluent”
- “I need to have my thoughts clear in my head before I speak up”
- “People are judging me”
- “I need another Business English course”
- “Watching videos/ reading/ listening more will help”
- “I should be over this by now”
- “I’m the only one struggling with this still”
- “There’s a magic wand”
- How to get away from these myths
Resources:
- In my new FREE training masterclass: Confident Global Communication I am going to share the most important areas you can develop and activate to overcome your challenges and start improving your leadership communication when working in English. Get away from feeling limited and frustrated when working in English and develop confident, impactful leadership communication. Make sure you reserve your free seat to join me live, 20th September 2023, 1-2pm London time: https://culturecuppa.com/confident-global-communication
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What was your a-ha moment…
….when you listened to last week’s episode about cultural values?
Did you recognise that some of the challenges you might be experiencing with colleagues, co-workers, customers or partners are culturally-driven?
What shifted in your perspective?
It can be so easy to divide into ‘them’ and ‘us’ within a team, or with customers and partners, especially when what they say and do is out of line with your expectations.
But do you really understand their motivations and drivers, and how culture is shaping their communication and behaviour?
When you don’t, this can lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication, impacting projects, performance, results and team spirit.
This is why we need cultural intelligence. It’s the choice to pause and consider alternative explanations, not just react to what’s happening.
Part of cultural intelligence is understanding your cultural values, which are your preferences for how you work, live, and interact.
This is part of the work I do with my clients, so they can understand their own individual or team cultural values profile to identify what is driving the gaps and challenges.
In this 2 part podcast series I will be explaining the 10 cultural values. Today, we are focusing on part 2 - the next 5 sets of cultural values.
What you will learn in this episode:
- A reminder of cultural values and how they shape you
- The team benefits when we understand our own and others’ cultural values
- The next 5 cultural values
- Context- Direct vs Indirect communication style
- Being vs Doing
- Universalism vs Particularism
- Expressiveness
- Focus - Monochronic vs Polychronic
Resources:
- If you want to learn more about Cultural Values and how they impact your people, talk to me about Cultural Intelligence Assessments so you can discover how your team dynamics are influenced by culture. We can use this to help create bespoke training and coaching for your organisation to increase collaboration, trust and build stronger relationships. Message me to learn more about the Cultural Intelligence Assessments: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Listen to Episode 50 (Part 1): https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/exploring-your-cultural-values-part-1
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What happens when you find yourself in a situation where a team member is being ‘difficult’?
What happens when people say things in meetings which leave you frustrated and wound up, because they’re acting ‘unprofessionally’?
Do you roll your eyes, moan to your colleagues and blame it on ‘them being them’?
It can be so easy to divide into ‘them’ and ‘us’ within a team, or with customers and partners, especially when what they say and do is out of line with your expectations.
But do you really understand their motivations and drivers, and how culture is shaping their communication and behaviour?
When you don’t, this can lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication, impacting projects, performance, results and team spirit.
This is why we need cultural intelligence. It’s the choice to pause and consider alternative explanations, not just react to what’s happening.
Part of cultural intelligence is understanding your cultural values, which are your preferences for how you work, live, and interact.
This is part of the work I do with my clients, so they can understand their own individual or team cultural values profile to identify what is driving the gaps and challenges.
In this 2-part podcast series I will be explaining the 10 cultural values. Today, we are focusing on part 1 - the first 5 sets of cultural values.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What are cultural values and how do they shape you?
- The team benefits when we understand our own and others’ cultural values
- The first 5 cultural values
- Individualism vs Collectivism
- Power Distance
- Uncertainty avoidance
- Cooperative vs Competitive
- Time orientation
Resources:
- If you want to learn more about Cultural Values and how they impact your people, talk to me about Cultural Intelligence Assessments so you can discover how your team dynamics are influenced by culture. We can use this to help create bespoke training and coaching for your organisation to increase collaboration, trust and build stronger relationships. Message me to learn more about the Cultural Intelligence Assessments: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
And now for the final one in the summer re-release season: What makes a good global leader?
In this special re-release episode from April this year, I explored different leadership approaches, and how cultural values impact a team’s view of good leadership, plus the cultural intelligence strategies you can use to be more effective.
Enjoy listening and learning!
https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/what-makes-a-good-global-leader/
I have covered a wide variety topics on my podcast in the last year, and so in this final episode of a series of 4, I am sharing my summer season of re-releases.
These are the top 4 topics which were most popular when they first came out, and are also among my favourites, and this gives you a review time to listen back on episodes and get greater learning, or catch up on episodes you missed the first time round.
This is just for 4 weeks, releasing every Monday as usual, while I take a break, and then we will go back to sharing new podcast episodes and topics from next week.
As we are doing something new, why not choose to learn about these topics in a different way?
If you usually listen on your favourite podcast platform, then why not mix it up and watch the video version on my YouTube channel- I create video versions of all my podcast episodes!
https://www.youtube.com/@culture-cuppa
Or vice versa- if you usually watch my videos on my YouTube channel, then why not listen on your favourite podcast platform- Apple, Spotify or Google?
https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/
And have you discovered my website for even more free insights, resources and topics to learn from? As well as the podcast and my videos, you can discover my blog, free training and the opportunity to sign up to receive my emails with all the latest resources and events. You can check that all out at
https://culturecuppa.com/
What you will learn in this episode:
- The different styles of leadership
- Cultural values which impact expectations of leadership
- Your CQ Cultural Intelligence approach to leadership
- Strategies to adapt your leadership style
Resources:
- Explore our CQ cultural intelligence assessments and training for leaders: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Episode 026: Cultural Values, not Stereotypes: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/cultural-values-not-stereotypes
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Week 3 of the summer re-release season: Giving & receiving feedback- a very popular topic from June this year.
In this episode, I explored the purpose of feedback, how to set up the conversation, adapting your feedback approach with cultural intelligence, and best ways to approach receiving feedback to make sure feedback really lands with you.
Enjoy listening and learning!
https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/giving-and-receiving-feedback/
Remember, these re-releases give you time to listen back on episodes and get greater learning, or catch up on episodes you missed the first time round.
This is just for 4 weeks, releasing every Monday as usual, while I take a break, and then we will go back to sharing new podcast episodes and topics from September.
As we are doing something new, why not choose to learn about these topics in a different way?
If you usually listen on your favourite podcast platform, then why not mix it up and watch the video version on my YouTube channel- I create video versions of all my podcast episodes!
https://www.youtube.com/@culture-cuppa
Or vice versa- if you usually watch my videos on my YouTube channel, then why not listen on your favourite podcast platform- Apple, Spotify or Google?
https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/
And have you discovered my website for even more free insights, resources and topics to learn from? As well as the podcast and my videos, you can discover my blog, free training and the opportunity to sign up to receive my emails with all the latest resources and events. You can check that all out at
https://culturecuppa.com/
What you will learn in this episode:
- The purpose of feedback
- The role of culture when giving feedback
- Setting up the conversation
- Adapting your feedback approach with cultural intelligence
- How culture impacts how people react to feedback
- Best ways to approach receiving feedback
- Making sure feedback really lands with you
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to Episode 26 ‘Cultural Values, not stereotypes’: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/cultural-values-not-stereotypes
- Listen to Episode 25 ‘Listening, a radical decision’: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/listening-a-radical-decision
- Listen to Episode 22 ‘Making your non-verbal communication work’: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Next in the summer re-release season- week 2 of the top 4 podcast episode topics from the last year. This week we are going back to ‘The Future of Work- working cross culturally’, a topic from June which many of you had views on.
In this episode, I explored the critical skills for working cross culturally in the future of work, navigating a culturally diverse world with AI, and how to develop your human skills and cultural values to give us an inclusive language to explore differences.
Enjoy listening and learning!
https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-future-of-work/
Remember, these re-releases give you time to listen back on episodes and get greater learning, or catch up on episodes you missed the first time round.
This is just for 4 weeks, releasing every Monday as usual, while I take a break, and then we will go back to sharing new podcast episodes and topics from September.
As we are doing something new, why not choose to learn about these topics in a different way?
If you usually listen on your favourite podcast platform, then why not mix it up and watch the video version on my YouTube channel- I create video versions of all my podcast episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@culture-cuppa
Or vice versa- if you usually watch my videos on my YouTube channel, then why not listen on your favourite podcast platform- Apple, Spotify or Google?
https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/
And have you discovered my website for even more free insights, resources and topics to learn from? As well as the podcast and my videos, you can discover my blog, free training and the opportunity to sign up to receive my emails with all the latest resources and events. You can check that all out at: https://culturecuppa.com/
What you will learn in this episode:
- What is happening in the current moment
- The future of the work is now
- Navigating a culturally diverse world with AI
- Developing your human skills
- Cultural values: an inclusive language to explore differences
- The critical success factors for the future of cross cultural work
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels for your current role and future career: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to Episode 033 on AI & staying relevant in the workplace: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/ai-and-staying-relevant-in-the-workplace
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
And now for something a little different….
I have covered many varied topics on my podcast in the last year, and so in this episode and the next 3 episodes I am sharing my summer season of re-releases.
These are the top 4 topics which were most popular when they first came out, and are also among my favourites, and this gives you a review time to listen back on episodes and get greater learning, or catch up on episodes you missed the first time round.
This is today and the next 3 weeks, releasing every Monday as usual, while I take a break, and then I will go back to sharing new podcast episodes and topics from September.
As we are doing something new, why not choose to learn about these topics in a different way?
If you usually listen on your favourite podcast platform, then why not mix it up and watch the video version on my YouTube channel- I create video versions of all my podcast episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@culture-cuppa
Or vice versa- if you usually watch my videos on my YouTube channel, then why not listen on your favourite podcast platform-apple, Spotify or Google?
https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/
And have you discovered my website for even more free insights, resources and topics to learn from? As well as the podcast and my videos, you can discover my blog, free training and the opportunity to sign up to receive my emails with all the latest resources and events. You can check that all out at: https://culturecuppa.com/
In this special re-release episode we are going back to a very popular topic from April this year - Is it appropriate to interrupt?
In this episode, I explored if it is OK to interrupt others, your cultural intelligence to understand others’ interruptions, how to interrupt appropriately, and strategies to prevent being interrupted when we are speaking in meetings.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why people interrupt
- Is it ever OK to interrupt others?
- Your CQ cultural intelligence and understanding others’ interruptions
- How to interrupt appropriately
- Strategies to stop others from interrupting you
Resources:
- Listen to the episode here: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/is-it-appropriate-to-interrupt/
- Discover more about our individual coaching programme, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Explore our CQ cultural intelligence assessments and team training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 22: Making your non-verbal communication work: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Influencing through concise communication is a topic which comes up time and time again with my clients.
In our coaching conversations, they tell me they want to sound professional, clear, to the point, and like a leader, so people listen and act.
However they worry they end up speaking too much, or only think afterwards how they could have said it better, or see others who influence effectively, making it look so easy and natural.
So is communicating concisely a natural-born talent which only some people have?
I am a great believer that we all have the ability to increase our influence and drive impact through our words. Every person can learn this skill, with intentionality, planning and practice.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Setting your intention to influence
- Exploring the motivations of others
- Identifying your vision of success
- What people need to hear vs. want to hear
- Creating your key idea
- The next step
Resources:
- As you progress your career, your ability to influence and drive impact through your communication will make the difference for your project approvals, business results, your personal reputation and promotion opportunities. If you are looking to communicate like a leader for your next promotion, I am offering a limited number of complimentary communication assessments, meeting me for a free 30-minute session, where you can see where you need to focus your attention and develop. Contact me to claim your spot: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/Listen to Ep.44 'How to engage your senior stakeholders': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/how-to-engage-your-senior-stakeholders/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
As you progress your career, the way you engage senior stakeholders will not only be critical to delivering your objectives, projects and business results, but also impacts your personal reputation and opportunities to be promoted.
However, I know from my coaching clients that issues can come up all too often, when you need to align stakeholders with different views or priorities, and in some situations this can lead to a lack of support, delaying or stopping projects, and even conflict.
Stakeholder management starts with building trust through your intentional communication.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Identifying your stakeholders
- Mapping your stakeholders to identify their role: inform, consult or involve
- Why early engagement of key stakeholders matters
- What you need to know from your stakeholders
- Creating the communication plan
- How to manage issues with stakeholders
- The importance of feedback
Resources:
- As you progress your career, the way you engage senior stakeholders will not only be critical to delivering your objectives, projects and business results, but also impacts your personal reputation and opportunities to be promoted. If you are looking to communicate like a leader for your next promotion, I am offering a limited number of complimentary communication assessments, meeting me for a free 30-minute session, where you can see where you need to focus your attention and develop your skills further. Contact me to claim your spot: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Listen to Ep.025 'Listening – a radical decision': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/listening-a-radical-decision/
- Listen to Ep.040 'Giving & receiving feedback': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/giving-and-receiving-feedback/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Your voice is a powerful tool which we can use for impact when speaking, whether for presentations, public speaking or talks. We need to know how to use it well and the techniques to use it more effectively, so you can amplify your voice as part of your communication and be heard.
In today’s episode, learn how to amplify your verbal communication with these voice techniques.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Verbal communication is cultural
- Pace & Pauses - why they matter
- Techniques for fast speakers
- Using pace & pauses for impact
- Choosing the energy of your voice to connect
- Techniques for changing the energy of your speaking
- Emphasise key messages
- Techniques for focus and clarity
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Vulnerability is a hot topic and seems to be spoken about everywhere. Leaders are being encouraged to be vulnerable with their teams for teams to be vulnerable with each other, and yet there is also a sense of wanting to be a leader.
A client, who is a senior leader in their organisation, was recently asking me in coaching about vulnerability and how they found it challenging to know what it meant for them. They wanted to explore how they could be authentic in communicating with vulnerability in a way which was comfortable to them.
That is why in today’s episode, I am sharing more on how you can communicate with vulnerability.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why is vulnerability important now
- How cultural differences impact how people express vulnerability
- What isn’t vulnerability
- The 3 levels of vulnerability
- Level 1 - Who are you
- Level 2 - What you do
- Level 3 - How you feel
- When you don’t feel comfortable to share
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
When you are job searching, you want to communicate professionally and confidently in your interviews, and also when you start your new role.
You want to know the key cultural dynamics so you can make a great impression and connect well with recruiters, managers and your new team when you start.
These were the themes of a recent workshop I did for Roehampton University for their postgrad students.
Although this was targeted at students in their early stages of career, I felt these themes were relevant for anybody job searching or establishing a new direction to their career in the UK today, and wanted to share topline insights here for everyone to benefit from!
In today’s episode, we explore professional communication and culture for the UK.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How much time is wasted in the workplace due to communication issues
- Communication matters for your career
- Key cultural principles for working in the UK
- Interpreting feedback in the UK: what you might hear, and what it really means
- Approach to writing professional emails
- Professional emails: common mistakes
Resources:
- Message me if you are job searching, and want support for professional communication, CV writing, and interview practice for your next international job move: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to Episode 040 'Giving & receiving feedback': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/giving-and-receiving-feedback
- Listen to Episode 019 'Effective, professional emails': https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/effective-professional-emails
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Feedback is a gift, according to the old adage, and yet sometimes that gift is unwanted, rejected or causes problems we did not anticipate.
We have to understand when we give feedback, this is our observation of the situation in the moment from our point of view.
We may not be aware how our culture influences our perceptions of the context, the drivers, motivations and intentions, and that might mean that we do not see how others interpret the events either.
Equally, culture will impact how the other person reacts to the feedback, and this can help us anticipate the conversations that come up.
In today’s episode, we explore how to give and receive feedback.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The purpose of feedback
- The role of culture when giving feedback
- Setting up the conversation
- Adapting your feedback approach with cultural intelligence
- How culture impacts how people react to feedback
- Best ways to approach receiving feedback
- Making sure feedback really lands with you
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to Episode 26 ‘Cultural Values, not stereotypes’: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/cultural-values-not-stereotypes
- Listen to Episode 25 ‘Listening, a radical decision’: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/listening-a-radical-decision
- Listen to Episode 22 ‘Making your non-verbal communication work’: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Collaboration tools are great for productivity and efficiency, and although we have more meetings than ever, they are becoming shorter on average and there seems to be less time to connect, get to know each other and have the human touch.
The benefits of conversations are well researched for the individual- they can improve your mood, feeling of connection and belonging to a group, and can also be beneficial for career and productivity, especially when working across functions, departments and cultures.
Conversations also have a great impact on teams including building trust, boosting morale and creating opportunities to learn something new about the world through another point of view.
Social wellbeing is more important than ever, especially when working for the majority of time remotely and or in a hybrid way.
Knowing how to create good conversations is a social skill, and some argue an art, in which we are losing our capabilities. I know that if we can make people feel at ease through our conversation and help them smile, we bring little moments of joy and connection to the world.
In today’s episode, we explore how to have good conversations.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The benefits of conversations for the individual and the team
- Set an intention
- Find space
- Demonstrate your listening
- Be curious about what you can learn
- Find the connectors
- Sharing reciprocity
- Ask for their opinion
- Observe their verbal and non-verbal communication
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
“It is the long history of humankind... that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” - Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin shared these words almost 200 years ago, speaking about ancient human history, and yet these words resonated with me when thinking about the future of work.
The emphasis on our ability to collaborate and improvise is as true today, as it was 200 years ago, and in all our human evolution, and will be very much true as we move into a new era with AI impacts on the world of work.
Today I share in this episode my views on the critical skills for working cross culturally in the future of work, which was part of my recent keynote for Roehampton University’s Global Leadership Programme for the Future of Work Conference.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What is happening in the current moment
- The future of the work is now
- Navigating a culturally diverse world with AI
- Developing your human skills
- Cultural values: an inclusive language to explore differences
- The critical success factors for the future of cross cultural work
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels for your current role and future career: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to Episode 033 on AI & staying relevant in the workplace: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/ai-and-staying-relevant-in-the-workplace
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Do you worry about how you sound and come across at work?
Do you feel like you’re not fully heard or visible?
I often meet international executives who feel blocked in their communication confidence. They are on their journey to the next level and want to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels.
They are knowledgeable, talented and expert at what they do.
Yet somehow their communication confidence holds them back. Maybe this is you too?
You want to build your confidence to speak up, talk clearly, concisely and with impact, and share your value as a next-level leader.
Imagine speaking like the global leader you aspire to be. In today’s episode we’re talking about key blockers to communication confidence and strategies to deal with them.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The key communication confidence blockers:
- You label and judge yourself
- The perfectionism trap
- Comparing yourself to others
- Avoidance and holding yourself back from opportunities
- The strategies to build your confidence to speak up and share your value as a next-level leader.
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
World Cultural Diversity Day promotes dialogue and development and is on 21st May in 2023.
I am grateful in my business that I get to work with a huge diversity of nationalities and cultures, from a range of almost 40 countries to date and my goal is to work with people from at least 100 countries!
I am incredibly curious, which is why I love what I do. I help my clients to develop their communication and cultural skills, and yet I often learn as much about different cultures through our coaching and training together, which opens my world further.
That’s why I want to talk about cultural diversity in today’s episode and share with you the key points from my masterclass I created for the STEMAZING Women Membership group, which encourages and supports women in STEAM careers to fulfil their potential.
We all know, communication is key in building connected teams in every industry, so how do we communicate effectively in diverse teams with people from different backgrounds and cultures?
Here I share the strategies to bring the best out of everyone at work through the simple things we say and do.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Culturally diverse teams can experience communication challenges
- Cultural values can give us an inclusive language to discuss differences
- Why developing CQ Cultural Intelligence can help
- How we can become more inclusive with our communication approach
- Strategies to be more inclusive and become a cultural ally
Resources:
- Message me if you are an international executive on their journey to the next level who wants to elevate and amplify their communication to leadership levels: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Listen to Episode 026: Cultural Values, not stereotypes: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/cultural-values-not-stereotypes
- Listen to Episode 028: The worst business jargon and what to replace it with: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-worst-business-jargon
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
No matter how good your relationships are usually in your team, with your customers or external partners, conflict can happen, sometimes when we least expect it. So how do we handle this when relationships matter to us?
I was part of a panel recently sharing my perspective on why conflict happens, how we can overcome it to achieve greater alignment and understanding, and the best practices for effective communication in conflict situations.
We need to have the emotional intelligence and the cultural intelligence to find a way through professionally. Here I share my key insights and strategies for you to understand conflict and find the solutions.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why conflict happens
- Cultural values which influence our conflict styles
- How to listen and communicate to move through conflict
- Plan the conversation
- Listen with your eyes
- Build a communication bridge
- How team communication charters can help
Resources:
- Discover more about our team Communication & Cultural Intelligence training programmes to explore solutions to resolve conflict in your team: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Imagine you’re at an informal networking event, conference or team event, where you don’t know anybody else.
You’re by yourself, you walk in the room, you smell the coffee, and you hear laughter from groups already deep in conversation.
How do you ease into mingling and socializing? How do you feel confident in opening the conversation, even if you are introvert?
How do you feel relaxed, join a group and start?
This is an action episode, so grab some paper, take notes and put this into action!
What you will learn in this episode:
- Overcoming the fear - the goal of starting a conversation
- How to prepare
- 7 top conversation starters for you to try
- Open ended questions
- How to share about yourself
- Focusing on how you can help others
Resources:
- Discover more about our Communication Confidence coaching programme to elevate your conversations and networking impact: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Listen to episode 23: Networking Conversation Strategies: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/networking-conversation-strategies
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
How can we maintain a uniquely human edge in this period of rapid evolution of ChatGPT and AI?
How do we remain relevant and offer a compelling difference in the workplace compared to AI?
How do we communicate, connect and create in this new world?
I was part of a panel recently, sharing and listening to the latest perspectives on the human difference in AI and what skills are essential for our future careers.
In today’s episode I share my own perspective on why communication and cultural intelligence skills will keep us relevant and why.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Change is not tomorrow, it’s now
- What humans can uniquely offer
- How we will build and demonstrate trust
- What are the human skills that will keep us relevant
- Why the difference is in our communication skills
- The role of culture in emotional intelligence
Resources:
- Explore our Communication and CQ cultural intelligence programmes for teams: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 25 on listening: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/listening-a-radical-decision
- Listen to episode 22 on non-verbal behaviour: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
There tends to be a universal view of leadership, and that a good leader has a pre-defined set of skills and characteristics.
However, the way people want to be led as a team may vary from culture to culture.
What has worked for you as a leader in the past may not transfer across, and there may be issues when you relocate or start a new role heading up a diverse team based in different countries.
In today’s podcast episode we explore different approaches to leadership, and how cultural values impact a team’s view of good leadership, and the CQ cultural intelligence strategies you can use to be more effective.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The different styles of leadership
- Cultural values which impact expectations of leadership
- Your CQ Cultural Intelligence approach to leadership
- Strategies to adapt your leadership style
Resources:
- Explore our CQ cultural intelligence assessments and training for leaders: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Episode 026: Cultural Values, not Stereotypes: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/cultural-values-not-stereotypes
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
How do you feel about being interrupted when you’re speaking?
When do you feel it is appropriate to interrupt others?
Apparently we only wait 17 seconds on average in a conversation before interrupting. And yet you may feel frustrated, when you are interrupted yourself.
In this episode we explore if it is appropriate to interrupt others, and strategies to manage being interrupted when we are speaking in meetings.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why people interrupt
- Is it ever OK to interrupt others?
- Your CQ cultural intelligence and understanding others’ interruptions
- How to interrupt appropriately
- Strategies to stop others from interrupting you
Resources:
- Discover more about our individual coaching programme, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Explore our CQ cultural intelligence assessments and team training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 22: Making your non-verbal communication work: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
What happens when you disagree with others?
Sometimes we feel we have to prove that we and our ideas are right and the other person is wrong.
You might keep putting forward new arguments to support your idea and to gain support. And yet what happens? You keep meeting resistance and counter-arguments back!
Like magnets we might end up constantly repelling each other, finding no way through, digging deeper into our ‘them’ and ‘us’ camps.
Sound familiar?
We don’t always have to agree with each other, and yet we should attempt to see the person in front of us and understand where they are coming from.
When we do, then we understand better their views, their drivers and motivations, and it might lead to a way through, even if we still disagree.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Disagreeing starts with good listening
- Don’t assume you know or understand
- How empathy helps us disagree
- The difference CQ (cultural intelligence) can make
- Clarify to check we have heard their views
- Finding a common objective
- Start small to move forward
Resources:
- Discover more about our individual coaching programme, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Explore our CQ cultural intelligence assessments and team training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 25: Listening- a radical decision: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/we-dont-have-to-agree
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Standing up and sharing our voice is a key part of being heard, whether you run your own business or work in a company, and yet this is a major fear many people experience. I sometimes describe this fear as communication stress, which causes anxiety and can stop us from putting ourselves forward and showing our full potential.
Most of us want to move through this and find a way to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable so we can speak up. Here I share my learnings of what can help us.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Discover why confidence for public speaking is like a bowl of spaghetti, not an on/off switch.
- Before you start: How to plan to keep it simple with your plan
- The importance of your energy
- Your non-verbal communication
- Communication agility, not perfectionism
- What to do when you get stuck when talking
Resources:
- Discover more about our individual coaching programme, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Listen to episode 11: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/simple-clear-communication
- Listen to episode 22: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Watch the Amy Cuddy TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are/no-comments
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Are you aware of the amount of business jargon and buzzwords that you and your team use?
Are they helpful to your communication? Do they add value to what you are saying?
Jargon in theory is a shortcut, a way to explain what you mean, often using a metaphor or image, to help illustrate the point.
But the question is why did we start using them and do they make us sound more professional in our communication?
My view is that jargon can be confusing, exclude team members, especially in multicultural and multilingual teams, and does not add clarity to our communication.
So what should we use as an alternative?
What you will learn in this episode:
- The problem with jargon and buzzwords
- How jargon can create challenges to creating a culturally inclusive team
- The 10 worst example of jargon and buzzwords
- What these phrases actually mean
- What to say instead of jargon
- Strategies to encourage your team to stop using jargon in their communication
Resources:
- Discover more about our individual coaching programme, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Listen to episode 20: https://youtu.be/YN9kDOKb2B0
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
20th March is the UN International Day of Happiness. The call for the day is that we can create a happier and kinder world together by adopting a simple, daily practice:
- Be mindful
- Be grateful
- Be kind
In our world today, we definitely need this more than ever. It also got me thinking how this relates to my business, as it happens to be my 8th business birthday this week.
In these episodes I usually share my strategies, tips, skills and ideas for you and your team to improve their communication skills and cultural intelligence capabilities.
This episode is going to be different today, and I’ll share 8 things I am grateful for, a more personal insight into my world, how I work and live.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Culture Cuppa’s 8th business birthday
- 8 things I am grateful for in my business and personal life
- What’s important to me
- Who and what I value
- How I work
- How I live my life
- How I think about life
- What I am grateful for, now and in the future
Resources:
- Share with me what you are grateful for, who and what you value: https://culturecuppa.com/contact
- Lynne Stainthorpe (Strategic Marketing and Brand Consultant) at Big Idea Brand Marketing: www.big-idea.biz
- Karen Black (Website Consultant) at Hubfizz: www.hubfizz.uk
- Sarah Szekir-Papasavva (Virtual Assistant) at Apt Virtual Assistance: www.aptva.com
- Morena Fiore (SEO Specialist) at Morena Fiore Digital: www.morenafiore.com
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
“Knowledge about other cultures will make the difference. I only need to know what people from the {fill in the culture} do in this situation. For example, how they start meetings, do small talk, make presentations, negotiate and give feedback.”
Awareness about other cultures is powerful to help us in culturally diverse situations, and yet we are all also individuals, shaped by our personal contexts. So how do we balance this?
How do we increase cultural awareness without stereotyping and recognise how individuals prefer to communicate and interact with us, when they may have a multitude of cultural influences?
In today’s episode we explore what we mean by cultural values, and how to use them as part of a culturally intelligent approach to working with others across borders and in culturally diverse teams.
We will look at some examples of cultural values and how to use them as a starting point to apply our cultural intelligence to make strategies and turn these into actions that make a difference.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What do we mean by culture
- How cultural values can help us in culturally diverse contexts
- Examples of cultural values in action
- Cooperative - competitive - how to achieve results
- Low Context - high context communication style
- Monochronic - polychronic focus- how like to work with priorities
- Cultural values as a starting point and how to apply them for a more culturally intelligent approach
Resources:
- Explore our Cross Cultural success team training workshops to support your team to work more effectively with each other: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 16: 5 big ideas for 2023 in communication & CQ: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/5-big-ideas-for-2023-in-communication-and-cq
- Listen to episode 5: The CQ Cultural Intelligence positive impact: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-cq-cultural-intelligence-positive-impact
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Listening is a radical decision.
Did you learn how to listen at school? We forget sometimes that hearing is one of our senses, and listening is a skill. We might have been told to ‘be quiet and listen’, however not actually taught how.
In our busy world, focused on delivering at speed and with efficiency by multitasking, we are judged by what we say. So to listen properly requires a radical decision to do something different.
Even if we think our role is to be a good speaker, true communication happens when there is listening and speaking.
Listening is a skill, which requires time, patience and an ability to tune our ears. To be told you are a good listener is a great compliment.
So how do we listen better? What makes the difference?
What you will learn in this episode:
- What is Hearing, what is listening - the radical decision to listen
- Create the pause to listen
- Start with your intent
- Suspend judgment & assumptions
- What is intelligent listening
- When they pause
- Check understanding
- What conversation do they want to have
Resources:
- Discover more about our individual coaching programme, '9 steps to communication confidence': https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Listen to Episode 22, 'Making your non-verbal communication work': https://www.culturecuppa.com/podcasts/making-your-non-verbal-communication-work
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
According to the Harvard Business Review research, a vast majority, 92% of employees consider meetings costly and unproductive.
Although the pandemic years have led to shorter meetings, the same research says that the number of meetings overall have increased +13.5%, leading to even more ‘Zoom fatigue’ and technostress.
In 2023, it’s not just business as usual, and meetings have fundamentally changed forever- whether in person, fully virtual or in hybrid mode.
This is the perfect time to shake things up and do things differently in your meetings so you as a team are productive and achieve better outcomes.
Remember less is more. 6 people in a 1-hour meeting = 6 committed people hours! Don’t just put up with disengaging meetings, that don’t add value and suck you and your team’s time and energy.
Here are my new rules of meetings.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Clarifying the purpose of your meeting
- Making sure a meeting is the best format
- Getting the right people there
- Identifying your meeting objectives
- Key actions and next steps
- Planning time
- Designing your meeting for the conversation
- How to ensure productive outcomes after the meeting
Resources:
- Explore our team communication programmes to learn more how you could work more productively in meetings: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 16 '5 big ideas for 2023 in communication & CQ': https://youtu.be/7_EskKuJOiY
- Listen to episode 4: 'Global Team Communication that works': https://youtu.be/tj3ccflKUdc
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Are you a networking fan? A surprising number of people say they’re not!
They find it awkward and don’t know how to build the conversation, balance what we want to talk about, close the conversation and then appropriately follow up.
Even if it’s for internal events, I know that some of you find this challenging and find yourself putting on your ‘networking’ persona, rather than connecting authentically and having conversations that genuinely build relationships.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why network - what’s the real purpose
- Cultural values which can impact our networking success
- Getting into the conversation
- Balancing the chat and what you want
- Non-verbal communication in networking
- Conversation exit strategies
- Closing the conversation and follow up appropriately
Resources:
- Discover more about our programme, 9 steps to communication confidence, to fast-track your communication when working in English: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Explore our team communication programme for global teams: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Listen to episode 22 here: https://youtu.be/ornx90GxX6o
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
How often do you notice others’ non-verbal communication? How aware are you of your own non-verbal communication?
When speaking, we tend to plan what we will say, the content, and the actual words we will use, however, if we don’t pay attention to our non-verbal communication, then we are missing key ways to engage, connect, build our presence and emphasise what we say.
It’s not only what you say that is important, but how you say it. Body language, the element most people think of, is one part of this, but not the only non-verbal communication dynamic we have to play with.
So what are the key elements of non-verbal communication and how can we create more impact?
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why non-verbal communication is important
- Non-verbal communication in virtual
- What and how best to adapt our communication style
- Visibility and presence
- Body language
- Facial expressions and eye contact
- Hand gestures
- What you wear
- Tone of voice
- Ways to improve and learn
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/confidence
- Discover more about CQ cultural intelligence assessments and training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
- Watch Episode 16 here: https://youtu.be/7_EskKuJOiY
Difficult conversations. How do you feel about them?
They may not be easy, especially when it involves giving negative feedback to someone.
Emotions can run high and our response might be to avoid the conversation altogether, at least for a while. Or alternatively, we may run into it too quickly, when emotions are still high, to get it over with.
There is no 1 way which works for every situation because every person and context is different, however I share here today a way to approach, prepare and engage in difficult conversations that could help.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How to handle difficult conversations when emotions are high
- How to approach and prepare the conversation
- Conversation strategies
- Avoiding blame
- Staying open to different viewpoints
- Focusing on actions and desired future change
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/confidence
- Explore our team communication programme for global teams: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Discover more about our programme, 9 steps to communication confidence, to fast-track your communication when working in English: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Learn more about our team training programmes in communication: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
When working in multilingual and multicultural global teams we can experience situations where a few voices dominate in meetings, while others are quiet.
If we do not fully understand the cultural and communication challenges that individuals may experience, it can lead to frustrating, unproductive meetings.
As team and project leaders, we need to use our cultural intelligence (CQ) to consider and adapt to include people and hear from everyone, rather than relying only on the familiar and usual ways to run meetings.
Today we will explore the specific challenges that can come up, the cultural values which explain why they happen, and the strategies that could support the team to overcome them.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Key cultural and communication challenges that global teams can experience
- Speaking up and why our current approaches don’t work
- Humour & fast speech
- The issues with idioms & expressions
- Being mindful of culture references
- Strategies to overcome the cultural and communication challenges
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/confidence
- Discover more about CQ Cultural Intelligence assessments and training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
- Watch Episode 16 here: https://youtu.be/7_EskKuJOiY
- Watch Episode 17 here: https://youtu.be/vMh-YQ9qRng
Do you know how to get your emails right when it really matters?
Are they being opened and cutting through? And are you achieving your project and work goals successfully through email?
We might use plenty of quick messenger tools these days for working with our colleagues and co-workers, such as Teams, Google, Slack or Trello, but we also need to know how to put together a professional email that influences others to do something for us in response.
Today I will share the best ways to create effective, professional emails which have impact and will get your team to reply and take action.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why email
- What is your relationship currency with the recipient
- Make sure your emails are opened and read
- Making your email action-orientated
- The importance of relationship-building through email
- How to cut through and be clear in your emails
- Copying in others into emails- Be ‘cc’ and ‘bcc’ aware
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/confidence
- Discover more about our programme, 9 Steps to Communication Confidence, to fast-track your communication next year: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Learn more about our team training programmes in communication: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
Why do we need all this small talk?
Research shows the importance of informal conversations for virtual and hybrid meetings, and how it can make the difference for teams, how they work and their overall project and performance success.
However, small talk isn’t comfortable for, or even valued, by everyone. This is a great example of cultural dynamics at play, and how what may seem obvious and natural for one culture, is not for others.
For me, small talk isn't actually small. It's actually 'human talk' where we are looking to create a personal connection which can build a relationship.
In today’s episode, learn more about the importance of small talk and informal conversation, and top tips for connecting.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How small talk supports a communication strategy for your meetings
- The research that supports why small talk and informal conversations are critical for success when working together in virtual and hybrid meetings
- Small talk is cultural
- How to rethink and approach small talk
- My top tips for small talk connection and successfully creating rapport with others
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://culturecuppa.com/confidence
- Discover more about our programme, 9 Steps to Communication Confidence, to fast-track your communication next year: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals
- Learn more about our team training programmes in communication: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
- Watch Episode 16 here: https://youtu.be/7_EskKuJOiY
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com
January can be a tough month after the excitement of the holidays and Blue Monday, the 3rd Monday in January known as ‘the most difficult day of the year’, is coming soon.
So we all need some humour this month. I am a great believer in the power of humour, and for me it's a great way in business to build warm connections with others and create a good atmosphere for communication and working together.
Humour is universal and can cross cultures, as long as we are mindful of making our humour inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, not just for a few insiders.
In this episode I share my key humour tips for connection:
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why humour matters in business
- How to make your humour inclusive in cross-cultural teams
- Key humour tips for connecting with others
- You’re aiming for creating a smiles, not planning a comedy show
- Be yourself and be human- best way to connect
- Humour can be used to lighten the mood, even in the most serious and challenging siuations
- It’s not just what you say: Humour in your non-verbal and verbal communication
- Understatement for humour
- Using irony
- Making fun of yourself
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Discover more about our leaders’ programme, 9 Steps to Communication Confidence, to fast-track your communication next year: https://bit.ly/victoria-discovery-call
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
Happy New Year! Hope you had a great time over the holiday season, and started the year well. As we kick off this January, we’re focusing on the big ideas for 2023 in communication and cultural intelligence.
I will share with you the top 5 big areas to know about for you and your team, including key trends in communication and cultural intelligence.
Plus I will give you the key questions to ask yourself, so you can put these trends into action to make sure you’re communicating and connecting at your best to support your performance, business and career objectives this year.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The 5 big ideas for 2023 in communication and CQ
- Global teams will succeed when they build an equal share of voice for all
- A communication strategy for virtual and hybrid
- Cultural intelligence, not just awareness, will make the difference
- The new rules for meetings
- Connection through your non-verbal communication
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Discover more about our leaders’ programme, 9 Steps to Communication Confidence, to fast-track your communication next year: https://bit.ly/victoria-discovery-call
- Talk to me about our team training programmes in communication and cross-cultural training: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
As we are coming to the end of the year, it’s a good time to stop and reflect on your current communication performance. Just like any other performance-related activity, it’s important to check in regularly with what you are doing and how you can improve.
The end of the year is a natural time to do this, so you can put together your action plan and get off to a quick start in the New Year.
Today we are talking about how to fast-track your communication in 2023.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Reminder: Why you should do a performance review for your communication
- Get feedback & insights to build the plan
- How to establish your goals for 2023
- What is important in an action plan
- Taking the first step
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Discover more about our leaders’ programme, 9 Steps to Communication Confidence, to fast-track your communication next year: https://bit.ly/victoria-discovery-call
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
As we are coming to the end of the year, it’s a good time to stop and reflect on your current communication performance. Just like any other performance-related activity, it’s important to check in regularly with what you are doing and how you can improve.
The end of the year is a natural time to do this, so you can put together your action plan and get off to a quick start in the New Year.
Here is how you can do your own performance review.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why you should do a performance review for your communication
- Planning the review
- Key questions for self-reflection
- How to gather insights & feedback
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Discover more about our leaders’ programme, 9 Steps to Communication Confidence, to fast-track your communication next year: https://bit.ly/victoria-discovery-call
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
How do you plan and write a presentation? Open up PowerPoint or google slides, and start writing?
The problem is we often spend too much time writing, designing and fiddling with the slides, without planning the messaging, story or the communication flow.
In today’s episode you will discover how to plan your next presentation in 15 minutes to make sure it’s clear, persuasive and your audience listens. All you need is some post-it notes and the roadmap I’m about to share with you.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Key questions to ask yourself before you start writing your presentation
- Identifying your key messages
- Building the story
- Introduction to the Roadmap structure
- Writing the slide deck
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about our training & coaching for communication: https://bit.ly/victoria-discovery-call
- Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
I am sure you have experienced challenging communication situations. When somebody seems determined to see the problems with your idea. The answer is leading to a ‘no’ or they’re only seeing the downside. They seem close-minded to the possibilities.
Is there any way to get around a ‘no’?
I believe we can get around this by building communication bridges that will connect you and to find a solution which works.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What are communication bridges
-
How to build a bridge with your communication:
-
- Your non-verbal communication and body language
- Exploring the objections
- The common goal
- Your innovation mindset to find a solution
- Next steps
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence
- Find out about our individual coaching programme 9 Steps to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/9-steps-communication-confidence
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
When you’re planning a presentation or leading a key meeting, you want your message to come across clear and simply, so that people listen and know what to do next.
In this action episode, get yourself a piece of paper, listen in and do the exercises as I talk. I will show you how to plan simple, clear communication in less than 5 minutes.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The advantages of clear, simple communication
- The key questions to map out what you will say
- The time test
- How to review and improve
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about our individual coaching programme 9 Steps to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/9-steps-communication-confidence/
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
Where are you on your confidence journey for communicating? Do you recognise your comfort zone when communicating in different contexts and with different groups of people? Learn the action steps to build confidence as you move forward on your own journey.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why building confidence is like the marathon
- The problem with ‘I am not a confident communicator’
- Confidence is a journey
- The confidence action plan
- A new confidence identity
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about our individual coaching programme 9 Steps to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/9-steps-communication-confidence/
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
Do you know how you prefer to communicate? Do you have insights into how others communicate? What happens when you work with others who are different to you in their communication style? Do you know how and what to adapt to build better conversations in your meetings?
Learn about the key communication styles and how they can help you to have a better connection with your team.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The MiND 4 key thinking preferences which form the basis of how we communicate
- Why challenges come up when we communicate with people with different thinking preferences
- How these insights can help us build good conversations in meetings and connect better
- Ways for you to adapt your communication style
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about the MiND 4 thinking preferences and discover you and your team's communication styles: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
CQ (cultural intelligence) is powerful and it can make the difference between success and failure when working globally, leading multicultural teams and with international customers. So how can we increase our CQ capabilities and be more successful? Today I share my starter ideas for developing your own and your team’s CQ skills, so you can feel the cultural intelligence difference for your business.
What you will learn in this episode:
- What is CQ (cultural intelligence) and what it isn’t
- The impact of low and high CQ in your team and business
- How to increase your CQ
- Ideas to put into practice
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about my CQ assessments and cultural training: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
I used to be a perfectionist and I know this held me back in the past with my communication. That’s until I developed communication agility, a mindset approach I created to make the difference to my communication confidence in my meetings and presentations. Discover in this episode all about communication agility and how you can develop it to help you to communicate confidently, speak with the flow of the conversation, and express yourself fully and naturally.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why perfectionism in communication is holding you back in your career
- The secret of good communication
- My communication agility mindset approach
- Actions to develop communication agility
- Putting it into practice
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about our programme, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/9-steps-communication-confidence/
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
I often get asked this question by my clients: Do I have to be an extrovert to present confidently? They observe that confident presenters are the extroverts, they share their views, sound persuasive, make it look easy and can handle any question or issue, no matter what comes up. So do you have to be an extrovert to be a good presenter? I believe anybody can be a confident presenter, introvert or extrovert, and here is why.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The confident presenter myth
- Are you extrovert, introvert… or ambivert?
- Actions to help you feel more confident in presentations
- Your key messages
- Energy and body language
- Opening and closing
- Handling Questions
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Amy Cuddy's TED Talk 'Your body language may shape who you are': https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are
- Find out about my 9 Steps to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/contact/
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
In a global world, we need to understand how to work productively together, how we interact effectively in a diverse cultural context, and create positive conversations that mean meetings flow, team spirit and collaboration are high, projects progress and results are delivered, internally and externally. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the difference that can deliver these positive outcomes and stop frustrated teams wasting time in meetings that don’t achieve their key goals.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why we need CQ Cultural Intelligence
- The CQ framework from the Cultural Intelligence Centre
- The positive impact of the key cultural factors:
- CQ Drive
- CQ Knowledge
- CQ Strategy
- CQ Action
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about my CQ assessments and cultural coaching: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
When you’re leading a global team, making communication work well in your meetings isn’t always easy. And if you are working in the global team, you may not feel you are able to speak up and contribute in the way you want. Some team members remain quiet, others dominate, and it can be hard to make sure everybody is heard and has the chance to share their views, which can lead to frustrations, and in some cases, project delays. So how do you make communication work in global teams?
What you will learn in this episode:
- Obstacles which often come up when communicating in multilingual & multicultural teams.
- The common myths of working in global teams.
- Why these challenges come up.
- The communication charter and how it can help.
- Meeting approaches to be more inclusive and open, so that everybody can contribute.
- How to know that you are making a difference.
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: http://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/confidence/
- Find out about our Global Team Communication programme: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
Today is all about speaking up at work when we lack confidence. Meetings and presentations may feel challenging for you, because you need to influence senior stakeholders and leaders.
In meeting discussions, you don’t feel able to contribute in time, and you miss the gap to add a valuable point of view, as the conversation has moved on.
You feel frustrated because you are unable to fully demonstrate your knowledge, insights and personality. You want to speak up confidently. This is how.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why it’s challenging to speak up when you’re working in English
- What’s limiting you from feeling more confident
- My strategies for you to action, so you can speak up confidently in your next meeting.
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://bit.ly/keys-confident-communication
- Find out about my programme for individuals, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/contact/
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
Have you ever experienced a team or customer meeting where you thought what others were saying or how they were behaving was ‘rude’, ‘difficult’, or ‘not professional’? Did you really understand what was going on, or did you waste your valuable time, with frustrating conversations and project delays? The cultures we spend the most time in have a great influence on how we see the world and how we do things.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why culture matters in business
- Our cultural glasses
- How cultural intelligence can boost your performance and results
- How do we become more culturally intelligent?
- The impact of cultural intelligence
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://bit.ly/keys-confident-communication
- Find out about my Cross-Cultural training programmes: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
- Find out about my programme for individuals, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/contact/
How do you get to the next level in your career? Communication is a critical part of this- what you say, how you say it, communicating with confidence in English and showing you can influence, create impact and develop relationships in your global team, and externally with customers.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why communication makes the difference in your career
- What is the communication gap and when does it come up
- How to start bridging the communication gap
- Developing your action plan
- Keeping motivated to work on your communication challenges
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://bit.ly/keys-confident-communication
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
- Find out about my programme for individuals, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/contact/
You are an ambitious, global leader who lacks confidence in communicating in English, working virtually in global teams, or who has relocated to the UK or another English-speaking country. You feel anxious and stressed in meetings and presentations with senior managers because you struggle to express yourself clearly, concisely and persuasively. You are the leader of a global team working virtually, building business with English-speaking customers. You’ve seen and experienced the challenges of cultural misunderstandings & miscommunications, that can cause frustration internally in the team, and could result in lost business.
What you will learn on Cultural Communication Confidence:
- Practical communication skills, strategies and tips that you can take away and activate straight away to improve your communication in meetings and presentations.
- How to build your confidence mindset when communicating in English.
- What is cultural intelligence and how it can make the difference to your results, performance and career success.
- Communicating for impact, especially with customers and senior stakeholders.
- How to build your influence.
- Inclusive communication that works in global teams.
Resources:
- Get your free resource Keys to Communication Confidence: https://bit.ly/keys-confident-communication
- Sign up for free insights: https://bit.ly/PerfectCuppaBlog
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perfectcuppa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectcuppa/
- Email me: victoria@perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk
- Website: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/
- Find out about my programme for individuals, 9 steps to communication confidence: https://perfectcuppaenglish.co.uk/contact/