Mel Robbins is the creator and host of the award-winning The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most successful podcasts in the world, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Let Them Theory. She's also the founder and CEO of the media production company 143 Studios. She has amassed 40 million followers online and is one of the most respected experts in mindset, life improvement, and behavior change. The Wall Street Journal calls her a “billion-view podcaster” and TIME Magazine says she gives millions of listeners around the globe “a reason to believe in themselves.”

Her books have been translated into 63 languages and include the #1 New York Times, #1 Amazon, #1 Audible, and #1 Sunday Times bestselling The Let Them Theory, which is the top selling book of 2025 according to Publisher’s Weekly, with 7 million copies sold within nine months of its release date. It is on pace to have the best non-fiction book launch of all time. She is also the author of the multimillion-copy-selling The 5 Second Rule, The High 5 Habit, and seven #1 audiobook releases on Audible.

USA Today calls Mel “a force to be reckoned with.” She is a global phenomenon in the publishing industry and podcasting. Her Boston-based media production company, 143 Studios, produces award-winning content, podcasts, events, audio series, online courses, journals, and books, along with professional development education forpartners likeStarbucks, Ulta Beauty, JP Morgan Chase, LinkedIn, Headspace, and Audible.

The Mel Robbins Podcast has won some of the most prestigious awards given to podcasts, including Webby, Signal Awards, and iHeart. It was also recognized as one of Apple Podcasts' Top Shared and Followed Shows of 2024 and 2023 and Spotify Top Global Shows of 2024. Notable accolades for Robbins include being named to Time 100 Most Influential Digital Voices of 2025, a Forbes 50 Over 50 Honoree, USA Today Top 5 Mindset & Performance Coaches in the World, and one of the fifty most influential influencers on The Hollywood Reporter’s Creator A-List in 2024.

Thanks for being here!

Learn more at melrobbins.com.

Reach my team:
Press inquiries: TeamMelRobbins@align-pr.com
Speaking inquiries: darrin@powellspeakers.com
Brand partnership inquiries: MelRobbinsTeam@unitedtalent.com

Mel Robbins

Let this be your permission slip today. 

Stop trying to prove your worth to people who are never going to honor it, nevermind recognize it; people who benefit from your self-doubt will never validate you.

Stop trying to rescue grown adults from their own problems; they need to figure it out for themselves. 

Stop trying to make people understand your choices; they’re not you, so they don’t need to understand. 

Stop trying to manage everyone else’s emotions; you don’t need to sacrifice your energy to keep the peace.

When you stop taking responsibility for stuff that isn’t yours to carry, something powerful happens: 

You get your power back. 
You get more confident. 
And you become the most aligned version of yourself.

#1 NYT Best Selling Author of The Let Them Theory | Host of Award-Winning The Mel Robbins Podcast | CEO, 143 Studios | Co-Founder, Pure Genius Protein

You can’t control everything that happens today - but you can control how you react to it.

If you can be in a bad mood for no reason, you can choose to be in a good one too.

That’s exactly what today’s episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast is all about - the micro-choices you can start making today that will make a surprisingly big difference in your life.

These aren’t big life overhauls, just tiny decisions that help you take back your power, time, energy, and peace.  

🎧 “Try It For 1 Day: 4 Small Choices That Make a Surprisingly Huge Difference” - tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube - search ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast Small Choices.’ I’ll also link it in the comments.

Your team is already putting pressure on themselves; they already notice what they didn’t finish, what they could’ve done better, what they “should” be doing.

Now add to that whatever they’re dealing with at home and the state of the world.

People spend most of their waking hours at work. Don’t make their lives heavier than they already are.

They don’t need you to pile on.

They need you to notice what’s going right.

They need you to call out the progress.
The effort.
The follow-through.
The way they handled something difficult.

When you do that, they trust that you see their value; they trust that their hard work actually matters.

And when they feel like their work matters, they show up differently; they feel more energized. They take more initiative.

That’s why encouragement isn’t soft. It’s strategic - because it builds momentum. And momentum is what carries people forward, especially when things are stressful.

So if you want a strong team full of people who actually WANT to show up to work?

Lead with recognition and light.

You don’t have to justify your ambition to the people who benefit from you staying small.

If wanting more clarity, more confidence, more money, or more fulfillment makes someone uncomfortable, that doesn’t mean you’re asking for too much.

It means that you’ve outgrown the room you’re in and the people you’re with.

Maybe you asked for a raise.
Or more responsibility.
Or a development opportunity.
Or simply more visibility into a decision that affects your work.

And instead of support, you were told you’re not ready.
That you’re better off where you are.
That you don’t need to be in the room.

Yeah, sometimes it is about your readiness… but sometimes it’s about their comfort.
 
And the truth is this:

The people who make you question whether you’re “too much” - when you know deep down that you’re not - are often the same people who feel safer when you’re less.

No, you’re not asking for too much.
You’re not being unreasonable.
You do belong.

If your ambition annoys them, that’s not your cue to shrink. 

It’s your cue to find rooms that allow you to grow.

And if you’re ready for that next level, my newsletter can help.

Twice a week, every Monday and Thursday morning, I send one science-backed mindset shift or practical tool straight to your inbox - something to help you think bigger, move smarter, and build the confidence to stop playing small.

Join me here: https://lnkd.in/ek_8wyaX

No alternative text description for this image

There is one thing that all high achievers have in common.

According to world-renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth, it’s not talent, intelligence, and motivation.

It’s grit: the combination of passion and perseverance 

And the good news - grit can be learned. 

In this powerful conversation on The Mel Robbins Podcast, Dr. Duckworth breaks down the science behind grit - what it is, why it matters, and how anyone (yes, anyone) can build it.

Because success isn’t about being the smartest person in the room.

It’s about refusing to give up when things get hard and staying in love with the work long enough to see it through.

🎧 “How to Create a Successful Mindset: The Science of Passion and Perseverance.”

Watch the full episode on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/eAu74V75

Judge Frank Caprio taught us something powerful about what makes a good life…

It’s not success, wealth, or privilege. 

It’s being a good person, cherishing your friends, and never forgetting that we’re all in the same boat together.

That’s the life he lived—and the legacy he leaves behind. He will be remembered for his kindness, his humility, and the way he reminded us of what really matters. 

Rest in peace, Judge. ❤️

If you go to bed every night feeling like you didn’t do enough, you need to hear this.

You are doing more than you realize.

You’re showing up. You’re handling what’s in front of you. Responding to emails, managing your emotions, taking care of people, and getting through the day - even when it’s hard.

But here’s the problem: 

If you don’t stop to acknowledge what you’re doing right, your brain doesn’t register it at all. It just keeps moving the goalposts, convincing you that nothing you do is enough.

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, I’m sharing 5 simple, science-backed ways to create quick wins and real momentum - one tiny step at a time. They’re small moves that will make a huge difference - helping you go from overwhelmed and scattered to clear, grounded, and back in control. 

If you’ve been stuck in a funk, feeling behind, procrastinating more than usual, or letting life stack up on top of you, this is a reset that will bring you back to yourself.

“The 24-Hour Turnaround to Get Your Life Back on Track” - listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube - search ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast 24-Hour Turnaround.’ I’ll also link it in the comments.

I am proof of the power of the long game. 

When people look at where I am now in my career, they assume it happened fast.

It didn’t.

My success didn’t start until I was in my late 40s, and since then I’ve been putting in the work for the past 16 years to get where I am today.

There were years where nothing looked impressive from the outside. It was years of trying things and sometimes failing. It was years of showing up when it felt like nothing was working. 

It was years of a lot of boring, grueling work. 

Most of it was invisible. None of it was glamorous.

I didn’t “arrive” on some perfect timeline. And things happened a lot slower than I wanted them to. 

But I stayed in the game long enough to see my hard work compound. And I am SO glad I did.

Success isn’t about “making it” this week or this year. That’s how you lose - by putting a deadline on when success needs to happen.

You win by continuing to show up, doing your best, and staying in the game long enough for magic to happen.

So let your timeline expand. Give yourself time.

Reminder: your loudest, most persistent critics are usually the people who feel threatened by your drive, your effort, your confidence, or your progress.

The only people who get to critique you are the ones doing - or who’ve done - what you’re trying to do.

So if someone doesn’t understand what it takes, don’t take their advice.

Some days start with a sputter rather than a roar - you wake up late, your inbox is chaos, traffic is worse than usual, your boss is already in one of their “moods.” And before you know it, your brain has decided:

“Today is going to be a bad day.”

But the truth is - the chaotic inbox, heavy traffic, and moody boss aren’t what will make your day bad. 

A bad day usually starts with a micro choice - the moment you decide what the story of your day is going to be.

Your brain is constantly looking for evidence to prove you right. So if you decide it’s going to be a bad day, it’ll find proof everywhere.

But you can flip the script in seconds.

On your way into the office, or as you’re sifting through your inbox in the morning, say to yourself: “Today is going to be a good day.”

Prime your brain to look for THAT proof.

Things might still go wrong. The day might still feel stressful. But you get to choose your mindset.

So bring the good energy.
Bring the positive attitude.
Bring the boundaries so the stupid stuff doesn’t drain you.

That one tiny decision can change how you show up to every meeting, conversation, and challenge today. It can change the energy you come home with at the end of the day. It can be the difference between going to bed feeling bitter and drained, and going to bed feeling excited to wake up tomorrow.

There are 3 other powerful micro choices that can completely change how your day goes. I walk you through them in one of the newest episodes of The Mel Robbins Podcast: “Try It For 1 Day: 4 Small Choices That Make a Surprisingly Huge Difference” - I’ll link it in the comments.

If you feel stuck because you don’t know how to design the life you want, this is exactly how you do it:

Stanford University professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, creators of the popular Designing Your Life course, have three simple questions - inspired by design thinking - to help you figure out what you really want. 

These questions help you imagine different versions of your life - and help you stop obsessing over one “right” path.

When you expand your vision of what’s possible for yourself, you gain the clarity and the confidence you need to write a new chapter filled with more happiness, excitement, and meaning. 

In today’s episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Bill and Dave are giving you practical tools to find your purpose and design a life that makes you feel proud and fulfilled. 

“How to Live a Meaningful Life & Design the Future You Want” - tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube - search “The Mel Robbins Podcast Meaningful Life.” I’ll also link it in the comments!

This is my favorite thing to do when I’m feeling overwhelmed, and I don’t know where to start:

A brain dump.

It takes 5 minutes, instantly quiets your mental noise, and makes everything feel more doable.

Just grab a piece of paper or a whiteboard or your notes app, and jot down everything that’s on your mind - the email you need to send, the shopping you have to do, the conversation you need to have…

You could stop there. The act of just getting it all out of your head and onto paper/your phone is enough to reap the benefits. There’s a ton of research out there that shows journaling - whether in the form of a brain dump or a diary - can improve your memory, your mental health, and your ability to process information.

But you could take it a step further:

Take a minute, take in the brain dump, and cross off the stuff that’s not happening today. Then circle the ONE thing that feels the most important to you - and commit to getting it done today. 

Not only will your brain feel like it just took a big sigh of relief, but YOU will feel better now that you know what to focus on today.

This is one of the 5 simple, science-backed ways to create quick wins and real momentum that I shared in last week’s episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast.

These aren’t big life changes. They’re small moves that make a surprisingly big difference so you can feel like you again. 

If you’ve been feeling scattered, behind, or stuck in a funk, this will give you a clean slate.

“The 24-Hour Turnaround to Get Your Life Back on Track” - tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube now - search ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast 24-Hour Turnaround.’

James Clear, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits, told me that most bad habits aren’t random - they’re solutions to a real problem.

You’re tired. You’re stressed. You’re overwhelmed. And your brain reaches for something to change how you feel.

So instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?”

Try asking, “What problem is this habit solving?”

That shift changes everything.

Once you figure out the problem the habit solves, James says you have three options: you can either eliminate it, reduce it, or replace it.

In my conversation with him on The Mel Robbins Podcast, James teaches you how to design your environment so good habits become inevitable, bad habits become difficult, and progress becomes automatic.

After you listen, you’ll understand why change has felt so hard in the past - and you’ll walk away with a proven system you can use for the rest of your life.

“How to Become 37.78 Times Better at Anything: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Habits” - listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts - search “The Mel Robbins Podcast James Clear.” I'll also link it in the comments.

In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating ALL the incredible women who have joined me on The Mel Robbins Podcast.

There have been so many - I couldn’t even begin to fit them all in a single post. So I wanted to share just a few of the pieces of advice that have genuinely changed how I show up in my own life. 

Thank you to Shonda Rhimes, Emma Grede, Stacy T. Sims, PhD, Lori Gottlieb , Hoda Kotb, Danielle Bayard Jackson, Ellen Langer, and ALL the women who have come on the podcast for sharing your wisdom with our community. Your work is changing how people think, lead, and live for the better

I am so grateful for the time, perspective, and inspiration each of you brought to our conversations. The impact of each of your voices reaches far beyond your episodes.

I am so honored to sit down on this podcast with some seriously badass women!

And to women everywhere who lift others up through their work, their friendship, their love, and their strength - the world is lucky to have you.

International Women's Day

To all the entrepreneurs out there, and the partners and families that we drive crazy - this one's for you. 

I felt so called out - accurately. I sent this to my family group chat and apologized 😂 This is so funny Matt Hyams - you nailed it.

You know you’re supposed to prioritize exercise. You understand the importance of nutrition and sleep…  But no one ever taught you why pleasure and sex actually matter. Until today.

Dr. Nicole McNichols, PhD, is the #1 sex professor in the country and a University of Washington professor who teaches the most popular class on campus - human sexuality.

According to the research Dr. McNichols shares, satisfying, connected sex isn’t indulgent or optional. When you prioritize pleasure, you don’t just improve your relationship - you support brain health, cardiovascular health, creativity, emotional resilience, and even longevity!

And in today’s episode, Dr. McNichols gives you the science, language, and permission most of us were never given - so you can stop treating sex like a luxury and start treating it like the powerful, life-supporting force that it is.

🎧 “How to Have Better Sex: Your Guide to Romance, Intimacy, & Love From the #1 Sex Professor” - listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts - search “The Mel Robbins Podcast Sex.” I’ll also link it in the comments.

If you feel stuck - like you don’t know what to do with your life or like you’re not sure what your next step should be - there are 3 questions you should ask yourself.

These 3 questions are part of the Odyssey Plan - a tool that Stanford University professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans  teach in their popular Designing Your Life course - and they will completely change how you think about your future.

During my conversation with them, Dave said something I’ll never forget: 

“All of us contain more aliveness, more personhood, than one lifetime permits you to live out. There's more than one of you in there.”

Answering these questions will help you discover and explore every version of you - and figure out which ones you want to bring to life.

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Bill and Dave are giving you the practical tools to find your purpose and design a life that makes you feel proud and fulfilled. 

🎧 “How to Live a Meaningful Life & Design the Future You Want” - tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube - search “The Mel Robbins Podcast Meaningful Life.” I’ll also link it in the comments for you.

Bill and Dave swipe.pdf

If you use Venmo, you need to hear this.

Caitlin Sarian - award-winning cybersecurity expert educating millions online as Cybersecurity Girl - is sharing one of the most common Venmo scams happening right now… and why it works so well on smart, well-intentioned people.

Caitlin shares the simple rule that can save you:

If someone “accidentally” sends you money - Do NOT send it back.
Report the transaction inside the app and  let the platform handle it.
That one move protects your money and your account.

In our conversation on The Mel Robbins Podcast, Caitlin breaks down the real-world scams and missteps people are falling for every day - and gives you clear, easy steps to protect your money, your identity, and your family.

“#1 Cybersecurity Expert Reveals: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself Online (Starting Tonight)” - listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube - search ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast Cybersecurity.’ I’ll link it in the comments, too.

I lost money on my first tour.

But I still consider that tour a massive success.

Here’s why…

It’s because before we ever went on the road, I defined what success meant to ME.

It wasn’t ticket sales, profit, or headlines.

My goals were:

Have a lot of fun;
Stretch myself creatively in a way I never had before;
Make every single show better than the last;
End on a performance we were truly proud of.

Production was really expensive. And we learned a LOT. There are things we did then that we’re going to do better this time around.

But we achieved every single goal I set.

If you don’t define what really matters to you before you start, you’ll default to what matters to someone else: money, applause, audience size- the stuff that’s easy to hyperfixate on because it’s easy to quantify and track. And when you’re winning by those standards, you’ll still feel unsuccessful on some level - because they’re not YOUR standards.

I’m not saying stuff like money or audience size or ticket sales don’t matter. Of course they do. But those can’t be your only measure of success because those aren’t what will sustain you when the going gets tough.

It’s often the stuff that’s harder to quantify - fun, impact, creative growth, pride - that make a goal worth pursuing.

The metrics that matter most are usually the ones only YOU can see.

Thank you, Ryan Holiday, for having me on your podcast The Daily Stoic! I absolutely loved talking about the Let Them Theory with you. I can’t wait for people to tune in to our conversation - I’ll link it in the comments.

The worst part about overthinking is that it feels productive.

It feels like you’re “working through it.”

But you’re not solving anything - you’re just spinning.

The good thing is overthinking is just a stress response, and you can teach your brain to respond differently.

To stop spiraling, to let a thought pass without chasing it, to make a decision and MOVE.

This is why I write my newsletter.

Every Monday and Thursday, first thing in the morning, I send one science-backed tool that helps you interrupt overthinking, trust your decisions, and get out of your head - whether you’re stressed about work, worried about your health, or are wondering how to repair a relationship.

If you’re tired of your mind running the show, join me here: https://lnkd.in/ek_8wyaX

I specialise in helping professional women 40+ who feel stuck, undervalued, or overlooked in their careers to reclaim their confidence, develop leadership presence, and build a personal brand that ensures they’re seen, heard, and respected. 

Through One-on One Coaching and  my flagship "Invisible to Influential Cohort Programme", I guide my clients to:

➡️ Strengthen their leadership presence and command respect in any room.
➡️ Build a personal brand that aligns with their values and career aspirations.
➡️ Enhance visibility and influence on platforms like LinkedIn to attract opportunities.
➡️ Future-proof their careers by developing adaptability, relevance, and confidence in their value.

I’m passionate about empowering women to stop playing small, embrace their unique strengths, and lead with purpose. 

My clients don’t just find jobs—they create careers where they thrive!  🔆 🔆 🔆 🔆

Personal Brand and Leadership Coach

At M2M, our goal is to help you and your organisation Move to More. Are you ready to build better business with exceptional people?

🟢 Employers
There's no talent shortage. Employers need to look where their competitors are not looking. M2M can help you unearth the right people with the best attitude and skills to move your business to more.

✅ Free yourself from recruiting and focus on growing your business
✅ Find productive, positive and proactive people to power your business
✅ Maximise your teams’ potential with training, coaching & development programs
 
➡️ Find out more: www.m2m.co.nz/im-hiring/


🟢 Whakapakari
See what others don't. Recognise opportunities, people, and roles that others miss. The old way of hiring is hit-and-miss. M2M creates a strategy that positions employers to attract and retain the best person for the role—the hidden diamonds that move your business to more.

✅ Unleash Whakapakari in your business and career
✅ Find, coach and recruit peak performers to power your business
✅ Enjoy the benefits of M2M’s TrustHire guarantee 

➡️ Find out more: www.m2m.co.nz/get-in-touch/

 
🟢 Job Seekers
Frustrated that employers can't see what you have to offer? Your confidence taken a knock? Too many job interviews and few offers, if any? Missed out on a job that should have been yours? CVs disappearing into a black hole? M2M will coach and guide you to high performance in your job interviews, career, and life.

✅ Supercharge your career and maximise your earning potential 
✅ Learn how to refine your job hunt and shine in interviews
✅ Online access our free career hub to unleash your potential and career opportunities

➡️ Find out more: www.m2m.co.nz/im-job-hunting/


☎️ Get in touch with us today!
Kathryn Sandford: 021 570 351 | kathryn@m2m.co.nz
Diella Gabelich: 021 570 357 | diella@m2m.co.nz

Managing Director

Dream Plan Act Ltd 

In my role as a Director at Dream Plan Act, I work with individuals seeking to live more fulfilling lives by implementing tools and strategies for personal transformation. By guiding clients through the change process, I help them achieve clarity, focus, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Director

Blue Sky Recruitment

Director-Auckland

Senior Consultant

Ames IT Academy

As the Relationship & Business Development Manager at AMES IT Academy, I played a pivotal role in generating growth and optimizing student numbers. By maintaining key industry relationships and collaborating with industry bodies, I helped enhance the academy's market position and revenue generation.

Relationship & Business Development Manager

Contracting

Lean & Continuous Improvement

Blueprint for Learning

I spearheaded the design and implementation of NZQA National Certificate programmes in Business and Management at Blueprint for Learning. My role involved creating and modeling assessment methodologies, implementing QMS, and evaluating moderation methodologies to ensure strategic learning and workplace assessment.

Project Manager/Facilitator

AltusQ Business and Leadership Coaching

Worked mainly with SME's within the Insurance & Professional Service Industry - Accountants & Lawyers. Also did specific Corporate work within the areas of Business Strategy, Workflow Management & Leadership Development.

Business Coach

Training Network

Business Development Manager

Department of Social Welfare

Training

A-Z Guide to Landing Your Dream Job with Personal Branding | LinkedIn & Career Development Strategist | Empowering You with the Tools for Success

Thanks for stopping by. 👋

I’m guessing you’re here because you’re asking yourself a few important questions:

→ How do I stay visible and relevant in a changing world of work?

→ How do I talk about myself without feeling like I'm bragging?

→ How do I stop being overlooked — and start being seen for who I really am?

If any of those feel true for you, you’re in the right place.

And maybe knowing a little more about me will help you find the next step forward.

I’m Kathryn — Personal Brand and Leadership Coach for women 45+ who are ready to reclaim visibility, voice, and career momentum.

After two decades plus in leadership and recruitment, I’ve seen firsthand what makes brilliant women stay stuck — and what helps them rise.
It’s not just skills.
It’s not just working harder.

It’s how you show up.
It’s how you’re positioned.
It’s the story people tell about you when you’re not in the room.

I’m not your typical coach.
I’ve been fired. Made redundant. Started businesses that didn’t work.
I’ve also built a career — and a voice — I’m proud of.

I’ve always been a square peg in a round hole — and now I help other women own what makes them different too.

Because personal branding isn’t about self-promotion.
It’s about self-respect.

And in today’s world, visibility isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a career advantage.

✨ Curious what it's like to work with me?
Take a look at my recommendations — my clients' words say it best.

If you're ready to be seen, heard, and highly sought after, DM me ‘Personal Branding’.
Let’s explore what’s possible for you.

Kathryn Sandford

This conversation meant a lot to me.
 
Serena Low 刘善明 ’s podcast is called The Quiet Warrior Podcast and that name says everything.
 
We talked about visibility, influence and personal brand.  

But not in a loud way.
 
We talked about thoughtful leadership.  

About being experienced and capable and still feeling invisible.  About building relevance without performing.
 
You do not have to become louder to become influential.  You have to become clearer.
 
Thank you Serena for creating space for real conversations about leadership at this stage of life.
 
If you are navigating change, questioning your relevance, or wanting to strengthen your influence, this episode is for you.

👉 Executive Leadership Positioning Coach | Hogan Certified Practitioner | Senior Leaders & Leadership Teams Under Pressure

The Quiet Warrior Coach | Building executive-ready visibility for senior introverted women | Advance without burnout or performative presence | Creator of The Visible Introvert | Trauma-informed S.E.E.N. Framework

7 key learnings from personal brand and leadership coach Kathryn Sandford, my guest on Ep. 113 of The Quiet Warrior Podcast:

☑️  How to go from being invisible to being influential 

☑️  Lessons on effective communication from an ex-teacher

☑️  What personal branding is

☑️  How to pivot your career later in life

☑️  Why we should all learn to be better storytellers

☑️  How to build your relevance muscle at every stage of your career (critical at a time when AI, massive job cuts, and anecdotes about ageism are making us nervous)

☑️  Practical networking tips (always talk to 1 or 3 people, never 2!)

P.S. Make sure to follow Kathryn Sandford's work here on LinkedIn.

A senior leader said to me recently:
 
“I don’t understand why the room went quiet.”
 
On paper, the message was clear.  The strategy made sense.  The numbers stacked up.
 
But the energy shifted.
 
What he couldn’t see was what everyone else could feel.
 
The pace.  The edge in his voice.  The subtle impatience when questioned.
 
Nothing dramatic.  No raised voice.  Just pressure leaking out sideways.
 
He left that meeting thinking he had been decisive.
 
The room left feeling shut down.
 
This is the gap we don’t often examine in leadership.  The space between intention and impact.
 
Under pressure, our behaviour narrows.  Our awareness narrows.  Our influence narrows.
 
Unless we build the muscle to notice it.
 
That’s the work Lili Mesesan and I are opening up in our upcoming leadership session. 

Not theory. Practical awareness tools you can apply immediately in high pressure moments.
 
If you’re presenting to boards, leading through change, or carrying more responsibility than ever, this will resonate.
 
Link in the comments.

“𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁.”
 
A senior leader said that to me recently.
 
Not anger.  Not overwhelm.  Not visible stress.
 
Just a constant low level edge.
 
Shorter answers.  Less tolerance for ambiguity.  Quicker decisions.
 
Nothing dramatic.  Just enough to change how she was experienced.
 
At senior level, emotions rarely explode.  They accumulate.
 
And when they accumulate, influence narrows.
 
Teams go quieter.  Debate reduces.  Authority starts to feel heavier.
 
Most leaders interpret this as style.
 
It is often state.
 
Unchecked state becomes culture.
 
Leadership is not just what you decide.  It is the emotional climate you create.
 
If you are not aware of your internal state, you are leading with partial visibility.
 
That’s the intersection Lili Mesesan and I are exploring on March 13.
 
What is happening beneath the surface.  How it translates into presence, judgement and commercial impact.
 
Because leadership is influence.  And influence is felt long before it is measured.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀.
 
I see this often with highly capable leaders.
 
The stakes rise. The questions stack up. They move quickly to stay on top of it.
 
Their answers are accurate. Commercially sound. Clear.
 
But the pace shifts.
 
And when pace shifts, the room shifts.
 
Not dramatically. Just enough.
 
Challenge softens. Fewer questions follow. Over time, people stop testing your thinking.
 
That’s the cost.
 
Speed can look like decisiveness.
 
At senior level, it can quietly reduce the quality of challenge around you.
 
The leaders who sustain authority understand this.
 
They don’t slow the meeting down.
 
They slow themselves down at the moment it matters.
 
A fraction of space before responding.
 
Enough to keep debate open.  Enough to protect judgement.  Enough to maintain trust.
 
Experience gives you judgement.
 
Pause protects it.
 
If you’re preparing for high-stakes conversations where scrutiny is strong, this is the space I work in with senior leaders.

𝗜 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘆, “𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲.”
 
And they mean it.
 
They didn’t raise their voice.  They didn’t lose control.  They delivered the strategy clearly.
 
But afterwards someone says,  “You seemed sharp.”  “The room felt tense.”
 
This is the gap.
 
We understand our intention.  We rarely understand our impact.
 
Under pressure, emotions compress behaviour. Pace shortens. Curiosity narrows. Tone firms slightly.
 
Nothing dramatic. Just enough to shift influence.
 
Leadership is not about suppressing emotion.  It is about being informed by it.
 
Visibility at senior level is not about profile or polish. It is about knowing how your leadership is experienced when stakes are high.
 
Lili Mesesan and I are exploring this in our March 13 session, Informed Under Pressure: The Leadership Advantage.
 
What is happening beneath the surface.  How that translates into presence, judgement and commercial impact.
 
If you are operating at senior level, this is performance work.
 
You’re welcome in the room.  Link to webinar in comment 👇

One of the biggest barriers in senior leadership is this:
 
We feel something in the room, but we do not have language for it.
 
A board feels unsettled.  A team feels unclear.  A senior leader senses resistance.
 
But nobody names it.
 
Without language, we default to strategy.  We add more slides.  We push harder on delivery.  We tighten control.
 
And sometimes we unintentionally narrow our influence.
 
What is often needed is awareness.
 
The ability to say,  “I can feel tension rising.”  “I notice I am rushing.”  “I am reacting rather than responding.”
 
That level of awareness changes influence.
 
It slows the moment down.  It creates choice.  It protects reputation.
 
In our upcoming live session, Lili and I are exploring how leaders build that internal awareness and translate it into intentional impact.
 
Because leadership today is not just about what you decide.
 
It is about how you are experienced while deciding.
 
If this resonates with the level you are operating at, details are in the comments.

At senior level, speed can cost you influence.
 
I was sitting with a CEO after a board meeting recently.
 
She said, “I thought that went well.”
 
Technically, it had. The strategy was sound. The answers were clear.
 
But one board member had commented afterwards that she seemed impatient.
 
She was surprised by that.
 
She hadn’t felt impatient. She had felt focused.
 
What had shifted was her pace.
 
When the questions came quickly, she answered quickly.
 
And when pace increases, the pause disappears.
 
That’s usually where influence starts to change.
 
Not because capability drops.
 
Because there’s no space to choose your response.
 
The leaders who hold their authority at that level understand this.
 
They don’t rush to prove they’re right.
 
They create a fraction of space before they respond.
 
It’s barely noticeable. But it steadies the room.
 
Experience gives you judgement.
 
Pause protects it.

Intention does not protect your leadership reputation.
 
Most leaders I work with have good intentions.
 
They want to empower.  They want to listen.  They want to create clarity.
 
But intention is private.
 
Impact is public.
 
And under pressure, the gap between the two widens.
 
You can intend to be open, yet land as abrupt.  You can intend to be decisive, yet land as dismissive.  You can intend to be calm, yet create tension in the room.
 
This is not about capability.  It is about awareness.
 
Pressure compresses behaviour.  It reduces range.  It exposes patterns.
 
The question is not “Am I a good leader?”
 
The question is “How am I experienced when the stakes are high?”
 
That is the space Lili Mesesan and I are opening up in our upcoming leadership session.
 
Not performance tips.  Not personality theory.
 
Practical awareness tools that help you notice what is happening internally before it leaks into the room.
 
If you are leading in complexity right now, this conversation will feel relevant.
 
Details in the comments.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹, 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.
 
In most boardrooms, nobody tells you when your tone tightens.
 
Nobody tells you when you answer too quickly.
 
Nobody tells you when the room stops asking questions.
 
But they notice.
 
At senior level, it’s rarely a capability issue.
 
It’s what happens to your behaviour when scrutiny rises.
 
When questions come quickly, most leaders speed up slightly. Answers shorten. Space narrows.
 
Not dramatically.
 
Just enough to change how authority is felt in the room.
 
The leaders who sustain influence create a fraction of space before they respond.
 
Not to delay.
 
To choose.
 
If you’re operating at CEO or board level, that fraction matters.

taplio

The Battle

Mel Robbins

Kathryn Sandford

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMel Robbins's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreKathryn Sandford's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Mel Robbins

Kathryn Sandford

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Mel Robbins's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreKathryn Sandford's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMel Robbins's LinkedIn Performance