Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Amplifying Women’s Voices in Leadership
Darlene Hawley
The Inner and Outer Voice Skills Every Woman Needs to Lead with Courage and Clarity
Have you ever sat in a meeting with a brilliant idea burning inside you… and still said nothing?
You rehearsed the words in your head.
You waited for the right moment.
You knew what you wanted to say would help the team.
And yet, your throat tightened.
Your body felt on fire.
Your voice hesitated.
And the moment passed by.
If you’ve been there... you’re not alone.
In fact, this single experience is the moment that reshaped my entire career.
The Day I Lost My Voice in a Room Full of Leaders
Early in my leadership journey, I sat at a long conference table surrounded by our store leadership team.... the kind of room I had worked hard to earn a seat in.
The conversation shifted to a decision I knew would impact my operations team. I had insight. I had data. I had a recommendation that would save money, time, and, honestly, a whole lot of unnecessary stress.
But when I pulled the courage to speak, something so familiar happened to me.
My throat tightened, and I could barely swallow.
My palms got sweaty, and I felt clammy.
My heart started pounding so loud that I wondered if anyone else could hear it.
I opened my mouth… and the sound didn’t come out.
Not one syllable.
I said nothing.
And afterward, as I drove home, I cried the entire way out of pure frustration... not because I lacked the skill, the knowledge, or the desire… because I couldn’t understand why my body wouldn’t let me use my voice.
I didn’t know it then, but that moment was a turning point.
Not just for my leadership journey... but for my life’s mission.
Because I knew:
If I felt this way, other women did too. Especially women in rooms where representation is scarce, expectations are high, and stakes feel even higher.
This is why I do the work I do today.
The Silent Struggle of Women Leaders (That Few People Talk About)
Women leaders... whether in corporate roles or running their own businesses... are often:
The ones everyone looks to for emotional support
The ones carrying invisible mental loads at home and work
The ones trying to be confident without being labeled “too much”
The ones trying to be assertive without being seen as aggressive
The ones managing nervous system responses that nobody else sees
And yet, we’re also the ones who often question our own voice the most.
Not because we aren’t capable.
Not because we don’t know what we’re doing.
But because we've been conditioned... to navigate leadership with an internal conflict:
“Speak up… but not too loudly.”
“Be confident… but stay likable.”
“Be bold… but not intimidating.”
It’s a double bind so many women know intimately.
And it’s why amplifying women’s voices isn’t a soft leadership skill... it’s transformational leadership work.
A Different Way to Lead
When I became a certified Step into Your Moxie® facilitator, something clicked into place that I knew the world needed:
This wasn’t about becoming louder.
It was about becoming more YOU.
More aligned with your values.
More grounded in your nervous system.
More masterful with your message.
More confident in both the inner and outer voice.
More courageous in the moments leadership calls for.
Step into Your Moxie® is the only vocal empowerment framework I’ve ever seen that blends:
~Communication psychology
~Nervous-system regulation
~Storytelling
~Leadership presence
~Emotional resilience
~Speaking effectiveness
~And trauma-sensitive, inclusive facilitation
It is inner work + outer expression both blended together.
And every time I teach it... whether in a corporate team setting, with entrepreneurs, or in a room full of rising women leaders, I see the same thing happen:
Women remember their power.
Women reclaim their voice.
Women stop apologizing for taking up space.
Women stop outsourcing their confidence.
Women become the leaders they already are — but finally feel.
Why Women’s Voices Matter Now More Than Ever
We are living in a time where:
Team members expect psychologically safe workplaces
Employees crave leaders who communicate clearly and compassionately
Organizations are begging for better collaboration, feedback, and decision-making
Markets are shifting faster than people can process
Crisis moments are becoming more common
Burnout is a daily reality
And in the middle of all of this?
Women’s voices often go unheard... not because they’re shy, but because they’re overlooked, interrupted, or minimized.
Leadership development has historically focused on external skills:
“How to present.”
“How to negotiate.”
“How to lead a meeting.”
Important? Absolutely.
But leaving something out...
Because when a woman’s nervous system is activated…
When she is the only one like her in the room…
When she questions her belonging…
When she fears backlash for speaking strongly…
It doesn’t matter how many public speaking tips she memorizes... her body will shut down her voice.
This is where real empowerment begins:
Healing the inner voice so you can fully trust your outer voice.
The Leadership Shift
Here’s what happens when a woman learns how to regulate, speak, and lead from her moxie:
✔ She stops spiraling in self-doubt
She recognizes the inner critic.
She learns to reframe the narrative.
And she chooses courage over silence.
✔ She communicates with clarity... even when uncomfortable
Difficult conversations.
Performance reviews.
Client boundaries.
Feedback that needs to be given.
She no longer avoids important dialogue... she leads it.
✔ She speaks with presence, not perfection
Her voice carries weight.
Her ideas land.
Her storytelling resonates.
Her leadership feels human and relatable.
✔ She influences without forcing
Because she speaks from grounded intention, not reactivity.
✔ She models leadership that makes others feel safe to speak too
When one woman uses her voice, she creates permission for others to do the same.
This is how we transform teams.
This is how we transform organizations.
This is how we transform communities.
One voice... brave, clear, grounded, embodied all at the same time.
A senior leader came to me recently because she felt overlooked in meetings.
She had ideas, but the louder voices in the room always won.
She told me:
“I’m exhausted from feeling invisible. I’m tired of being talked over. I don’t want to shrink anymore.”
In our work together, she didn’t need a script.
She didn’t need to “sound more professional.”
She didn’t need to fake confidence.
She needed to:
Regulate her nervous system so her body didn’t shut down
Reconnect with the inner voice that knew exactly what she wanted to say
Practice speaking from grounded presence
Build the courage to share her ideas earlier instead of waiting for the perfect moment
Within a month, she was leading meetings with calmness and clarity.
Her team began seeking her opinion.
She was asked to present at a regional leadership retreat.
Not because she became someone new.
But because she became more of herself.
This is the power of moxie.
Take a breath and ask yourself... and be honest:
1. When was the last time I held back something important because I didn’t feel ready or confident enough to say it?
2. Where am I still avoiding the conversations I need to lead?
3. Who am I when I’m fully expressed, and what would change if she led more of my daily decisions?
4. What am I tired of tolerating in my communication, leadership, or self-doubt patterns?
5. If I trusted my voice fully… what would I stop apologizing for?
Let these live in your journal for a moment.
Let them stretch you.
Let them guide you toward the next version of your leadership.
If You’re Ready to Strengthen Your Voice and Step into Your Moxie®…
I help women leaders and entrepreneurs:
✨ Regulate their nervous system
✨ Communicate their message with clarity
✨ Strengthen their inner and outer voice
✨ Show up more visibly and courageously
✨ Lead with authenticity, confidence, and presence
Ready to Strengthen Your Voice and Lead With More Confidence?
If reading this stirred something in you... a nudge, a curiosity, a “yes, this is exactly what I need,” there are a few powerful ways we can work together:
1️⃣ Work With Me 1:1
Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your visibility or an executive navigating high-stakes leadership moments, private coaching gives you personalized support to:
~Regulate your nervous system
~Clarify your message
~Strengthen your presence
~Communicate with more confidence and impact
This is deep, transformative work designed to meet you exactly where you are.
2️⃣ Bring Me Into Your Organization
I partner with teams and companies to lead experiential communication and leadership trainings that help your people:
~Speak up with clarity
~Navigate difficult conversations
~Build psychological safety
~Strengthen collaboration
~Lead with emotional intelligence
These sessions blend practical tools with live coaching, role-play, and embodied learning — and they create lasting culture shifts.
3️⃣ Join the Waitlist for My New Membership
If you want ongoing support in a community setting, you can join the waitlist for The Visibility & Confidence Boost, my new coming in 2026 membership designed to help leaders and business owners:
~Stay consistent with their visibility
~Build confidence month by month
~Strengthen their voice
~Show up more boldly, consistently, and strategically
It’s a space to practice, grow, and be supported as you become the most confident, visible version of yourself.
If you’re ready to speak up more boldly, influence with more confidence, and lead with your full voice… I’d love to support you.
✨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.
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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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