Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
3 Speaking Habits Holding You Back in Leadership (and How to Shift Them Fast)
Darlene Hawley
Break Free from Common Communication Pitfalls and Build Executive Presence with Confidence
Let’s be honest... leading right now feels different.
The decisions are harder.
The conversations are heavier.
And the pressure to say the right thing (and not too much) is everywhere.
Maybe you've found yourself rereading emails five times before hitting send.
Or sitting in a meeting with a lump in your throat, wondering:
Should I say something?
Is this the right time?
Will I sound too direct? Or not confident enough?
I’ve been hearing this from nearly every leader I coach... especially women.
Even when you're smart, experienced, and fully capable, there are moments where your voice shrinks back… just a little.
You feel like a bunny rabbit and want to run back to safety.
And over time? Those moments add up.
I want to shine a light on three subtle but powerful speaking habits I see getting in the way for executive women... and how to shift them, fast.
Because clarity in your communication isn’t just about how polished you sound.
It’s about how powerfully you show up. Especially when the room feels tense, the direction feels unclear, or your team is looking to you to lead the way.
1. Over-Explaining
This one sneaks up on even the most seasoned leaders.
You’re in a meeting, and suddenly you feel the need to really make sure they get it... so you share more. And more. And a little more…
And instead of building credibility, it waters down your message.
Try this:
Lead with the bottom line... your point or recommendation. Then offer 1–2 key details. Let it land. Pause (and remember to SMILE) And trust that your idea is enough without a 10-minute backstory.
2. Softening Your Message With Filler Language
This sounds like:
“I’m not sure if this is right, but…”
“This might sound silly…”
“I just think…”
These phrases are meant to protect us. But they often undercut what we’re saying before we even get it out.
Try this:
Catch yourself. Take a breath before you speak. Remove the filler. And say your thought with a full stop, not an apology.
3. Rushing Through Discomfort
You’re leading a meeting or giving feedback, and suddenly... your heart races. You feel awkward. You want to get to the other side of the discomfort… fast.
So you speed up. You push through. You skip over the deeper thing that needed to be said.
Try this:
Slow your pace. Pause after important points. Let your presence catch up with your message. The courage is in slowing down not the speed.
You’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong.
These aren’t “flaws”... they’re learned behaviors.
And like anything learned, they can be unlearned.
That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in Speak Up & Influence, my 4-week leadership communication experience for executive women, in partnership with C-Sweet.
Through live coaching, improv-inspired role play, and bold group conversation, we’ll build your confidence, elevate your voice, and shift these habits for good.
Because when you shift your voice... you shift your leadership.
Apply now: https://darlenehawley.com/c-sweet
Want to bring a colleague? Team rates are available.
Company-paid options and invoices available.
P.S. Want a taste of what we’ll cover?
Join me on June 25th for a workshop:
“Speak Up for a Stress-Free Workplace: Psychological Safety Strategies for Executive Women Leaders”
We’ll talk about the cost of silence, how stress shows up in our voices, and how to create the kind of communication culture that supports you as much as your team.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
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When you're talking but no one's listening. Have you ever introduced yourself at a networking event… only to feel like people’s eyes glazed over? One of my clients put it perfectly: “Darlene, I share who I am and what I do, but it feels like I’m invisible. People nod politely and then move on.” She had so much value to offer. In fact, she is amazing at what she did. Yet, her introduction was all over the place. Some days she was talking to potential clients, other days to possible collaborators, and sometimes even she wasn’t sure what her main point was. And that’s why it felt like no one was listening. Why This Happens It’s not because you’re not experienced enough. It’s not because you’re not interesting enough. It’s because without clarity about who your audience is in the room and what you really want to say, your voice gets lost in the shuffle of business cards and conversations. Networking rooms are full of people competing for attention. If your message doesn’t connect directly... if it doesn’t make them pause, lean in and say, “Tell me more” ... it disappears before they even leave the event. The Shift When this client and I worked together, the first thing we did was get crystal clear about: Who she most wanted to reach in the room. What those people actually cared about. How her work specifically helped them. Once she had that clarity, her introductions started sounding different... more direct, more alive, more her. And the result? People leaned in. Instead of walking away, they asked questions. They followed up after the event. They booked time with her. Because when you find your voice and know exactly who you’re talking to, you stop being forgettable. You become someone people can’t ignore. This is exactly what we’ll be diving into in Session 1 of my Attract & Stand Out Framework: Getting clear on who your audience is. Knowing what you want to say. Communicating how you help in a way that truly connects... whether you’re introducing yourself in a room or on stage. It’s not just about having the words, it’s about the confidence to say them out loud too... with presence, authority, and ease. If you’ve been walking out of networking events feeling overlooked, let this be a gentle nudge: ~ You don’t need to try harder. ~ You don’t need to stuff more into your intro. ~ You need clarity... on your audience, your message, and your voice. That’s where visibility begins. That’s how you go from overlooked to unforgettable. Think about the last time you introduced yourself at a networking event. Could the right person in the room... your dream client or collaborator... hear you and say: “That’s me. She gets it”? ________________________________________________________ 🌀 Nervous System Regulator: The 4-7-8 Reset Feeling that anxious butterfly sensation before you introduce yourself? Try this right before you speak: Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat this 3–4 times. It only takes a minute, but it tells your nervous system: You’re safe. You’ve got this. When your body is calm, your voice comes through with more presence and power... and people remember you. ✨ Ready to stop feeling overlooked at networking events? Download my free guide, 6 Steps to Attract & Stand Out, and discover how to clarify your message, show up with confidence, and connect with the people who matter most. Grab it here »
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