Advertise on podcast: Penny Haslam Podcast - Communication and Confidence

Penny Haslam Podcast - How to have more effective leadership conversations.  Why do capable, experienced leaders sometimes fall flat in senior meetings? In this episode, we explore why leadership conversations can so easily lose impact and what leaders can do to change that. From highly technical experts who struggle to command the room to fast-tracked leaders who have never developed their personal impact, Penny unpacks why this is such a common and costly issue for organisations. You’ll hear practical, real-world advice on how to sharpen your leadership presence by shifting your focus from what you want to say to what your audience actually needs to hear. Penny shares how to frame messages around your audience’s pains and gains, use clear and human examples instead of overwhelming detail, bring more energy and clarity to your language and join the dots so your message connects to the bigger picture and really lands. This isn’t about becoming a slick presenter. It’s about becoming a more aware, intentional communicator who helps others think clearly, decide confidently and move forward together. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast – Why doesn’t my team remember what I say? And how to fix it. Leaders often assume that if they’ve said something once, clearly and confidently, it will stick. But real life doesn’t work like that. Messages fade. Priorities blur. People get busy, distracted and overloaded. Before long, the thing you thought you’d landed has quietly vanished. This episode explores why that happens and what you can do about it. Penny takes a closer look at the forgetting curve – the natural drop-off in retention we all experience – and explains why even the best messages disappear faster than you think. But this isn’t a gloomy story about human frailty. It’s a practical guide to helping people remember, understand and act. You’ll hear how repetition builds clarity rather than boredom, why stories are far more memorable than statistics and how tailoring your message to what matters to each group makes it far more likely to land. This is a simple rethink of how leaders communicate when the stakes are high. No shouting louder. No complicated frameworks. Just smart, human techniques that help your message stay alive long enough for people to act on it. If you’ve ever wondered why you keep repeating yourself, or why important updates seem to evaporate, this episode offers a clear, confidence-building way forward. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast – The simple goal setting tool that sets your team up for success When goals feel too big, too vague or too overwhelming, people stall. They lose momentum. They quietly give up. And leaders are left wondering why bright, capable colleagues aren’t moving forward. This episode takes a fresh look at goals and how we help others achieve them. Not with grand strategies or complicated systems, but with a simple paper-based tool Penny uses in her masterclasses – one that turns vague intentions into clear, doable steps. It’s practical. It’s human. And it works because it breaks the habit of setting huge all-or-nothing goals that people abandon the minute real life gets busy. You’ll hear why small wins matter more than big declarations, how to support colleagues who’ve lost their spark and why confidence grows fastest when progress is visible and celebrated. This is an easy rethink of how you and your team approach goals – and a shortcut to getting things done. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - Workplace Confidence Book - Sample Chapter. This time, something a little different — I’m sharing a sneak preview from my forthcoming book Workplace Confidence, arriving in 2026.  Over the past seven years, I've had so many organisations come to me asking for help with confidence. They've realised that when self-belief is missing, progress slows right down. Confidence isn't just a nice-to-have for colleagues — it's actually a commercial advantage. Because when people at work have self-belief, the whole organisation starts to believe in itself too. So, in this episode, I’m reading from a chapter called Who’s on your bus? It’s all about trust, psychological safety and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - How to build confidence when you don’t have the answers. Have you ever been dropped into a situation where everyone’s looking to you… And you’ve got no idea what to do? Not because you’re unprepared or not up to it, but because the answer just isn’t clear. There’s no obvious right move. Just pressure, people and the uncomfortable weight of not knowing. That feeling? It’s common. Especially if you lead others. In this episode, why building confidence without certainty is a skill worth practising. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - How to plan a theme for your business event. Penny unpacks how to plan a theme that makes your business event truly memorable. Whether you’re running a company away day, an all-staff conference or a client gathering, she shares practical advice on creating a theme that connects, inspires and delivers lasting impact. Drawing on her experience speaking at hundreds of events, Penny reveals the common pitfalls organisers fall into — and how to avoid them. She explains how to define your event’s purpose, explore the factors that influence your theme, and elevate it so it becomes the golden thread running through everything from the keynote to the coffee break. You’ll hear why great themes don’t just sound clever, they mean something — giving people clarity about why they’re there and what they’ll take away. Penny also shares stories from the stage, including how one company turned “Connect and Learn” into a living, breathing experience that united its community. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - The power of colleague-led learning. In this episode, Penny explores the power of colleague-led learning and how it can transform confidence, communication and culture at work. You’ll hear the story of Beazley, a global insurance firm where employees created their own learning group called Beazpoke. What started with a handful of colleagues practising short presentations has grown into a 100-strong network building skills, giving feedback and cheering each other on. Penny shows why this approach works so well: it’s low cost, builds trust and delivers real-time learning that sticks. She also shares how you can start something similar in your own workplace, whether it’s a presentation club, a manager support circle or even a “pitch club” for sales teams. How to start a workplace mastermind group. If you’re curious about how to build confidence and skills without waiting for the next formal training programme, this episode is packed with inspiration. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - An introduction to difficult conversations at work. Why do we avoid difficult conversations at work – and what happens when we do? In this episode, I’m joined by leadership coach Heather Wright, who tells me why fear holds us back, what it really costs when we stay silent, and how leaders can build a culture where challenge feels safe. From setting expectations early to framing feedback well, Heather shares practical ways to turn conflict into creativity, trust and better results. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - The value of val-yous. In this episode, Penny Haslam invites you to think about your personal values, what she calls val-yous (spelled that way to put you at the centre of it all). You’ll hear why it’s not just about company slogans or posters on the break room wall. When you take time to reflect on what really matters to you, everything changes. Decisions feel easier. Confidence grows. You stop second-guessing and start showing up with purpose. Penny shares the surprising research behind this simple idea, along with practical ways to explore your own Val-Yous—and how to encourage others to do the same. If you lead others or want to lead yourself better, this one’s for you. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - Why presentation skills training isn't always the answer. When someone in your team struggles to speak up or seems unsure of themselves, it’s tempting to reach for a quick solution: presentation skills training. It’s neat. It’s available. And it feels like you’re taking action. But in many cases, it’s a veneer-thin fix. Yes, presentation skills training can be great for learning how to structure a talk, use slides well or engage an audience. But if the real problem runs deeper, it won’t help. In fact, it might do more harm than good. Because more often than not, it’s not a skills issue. It’s about confidence. Or culture. Or the way people are heard - or not - in your organisation. In this episode a rethink what’s really going on. Watch the video: Why presentation skills training isn't always the answer. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - How to ask great questions. Questions, we ask them all the time, don’t we? In meetings, in conversations with colleagues, when we’re getting to know clients, and even when we’re networking at events. But how often do we actually stop and think about the questions we’re asking? How to ask great questions Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - Five ways HR leaders can elevate their influence. In this episode, we’re tackling a big challenge: why HR expertise is so often missing from the boardroom and how you can change that. With workforce issues topping strategic priorities, it’s time for HR leaders to step up and claim their seat at the table. Penny shares five practical ways to boost your influence, build strategic relationships and confidently link HR initiatives to business goals.  Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - Coming 2025: Workplace Confidence - The Book. I've recently started work on my third book which will probably be called Workplace Confidence. It's all about building self-belief for you, your team and your organisation. In this episode a sample from one of the "how to" chapters on self-talk.  Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - Beat the self-belief thief. In this episode, confidence thieves. Those people or moments that swoop in and swipe your self-belief right out from under you. They’re real, persistent and they can strike at any time. But don’t worry, I’ve got some great advice to help you spot them, protect yourself and even bounce back stronger. Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.

Penny Haslam Podcast - How to ask for feedback. In this episode Penny reflects on a personal feedback disaster and offers her best advice on how to choose the right time, place and person to comment on your work.  Hear all episodes of the Penny Haslam Podcast.