Welcome to the latest edition of The Leadership Lens, a monthly newsletter from Mary Langan and Chris Kerwin. Leadership can be exciting and rewarding, but also challenging and frustrating. We share ideas and practical tools to help you navigate those highs and lows and lead with confidence.
This month, we’re exploring why speaking up and being visible isn’t optional for leaders, it’s essential.
I recently explored this topic on the Bloom Talks podcast with Susi Castle. If you prefer listening, you can find the full conversation here. Or read on for the key insights and practical tools.
The Visibility Gap
How many times have you been to a conference and seen just one woman on the panel? How often do the same voices dominate industry conversations while brilliant people stay silent?
An uncomfortable truth: there are now only seven female CEOs in the FTSE 100. Research by EY shows that the number of women holding executive positions across the FTSE 250 fell by 11% last year.
I (Mary) started my career almost 40 years ago in a workplace that felt full of possibility. I had female role models. I believed we were moving forward. Seeing progress slide backwards is deeply frustrating.
After 15 years of coaching leaders on their presentation skills, I’ve learned this: many talented people—particularly women—hold themselves back from opportunities to be seen and heard. They avoid panels, decline speaking opportunities, and stay quiet when they should be stepping forward.
This matters because visibility isn’t vanity. It’s strategy.
Performance Isn’t Enough
Harvey Coleman’s P.I.E. model shows that exposure (not just performance) drives around 60% of promotions. Performance gets you in the door. Being seen gets you ahead.
Research backs this up. A 2021 study by Yale and MIT found that women consistently received higher performance ratings than men, yet were judged as having less leadership potential. Research from Harvard and Wharton shows women are significantly less likely to self-promote, even when they outperform others.
When talented people avoid speaking opportunities, they become invisible at exactly the moments that shape how leadership potential is perceived. While this affects many leaders, the research shows it disproportionately holds women back.
Transformation Is Possible
Over the years, I’ve coached senior leaders who avoided presenting despite deep expertise. One was a woman who had built an insurance law firm from two people to 120, confident, capable, and highly respected.
As chair of her industry branch, she had to open their annual conference in front of hundreds of people. The prospect terrified her.
We worked together and prepared carefully. The first year, she nailed it.
The second year, she had a full-blown panic attack on stage.
Mid-speech, she had a choice: grip the lectern and get through it word by word, or be taken off in an ambulance and never present again. She chose to keep going.
Today, I regularly hear her on Radio 4 as a trusted talking head.
Not every transformation is dramatic. One professional worried her accent would hold her back – English wasn’t her first language. After one coaching session, she realised it was fine and that she had valuable things to say. She started with small panels and now speaks regularly at major AI conferences.
These aren’t exceptional people with rare talents. They’re professionals who decided to push past discomfort and build a skill.
How to Start: The ACE Method
Presenting well is a skill, like learning a language or a sport. Over the years, I’ve developed a framework that makes preparation more effective: ACE – Alignment, Clarity, Engagement.
Alignment means understanding your goal and your audience. Why are you presenting? What do you want them to think, feel, or do? Step into their shoes, what do they care about?
A helpful reframe: you’re not the hero of this story. The audience is. You’re there to serve them. Shifting from “all eyes on me” to “this is about them” makes presenting easier.
Clarity is about structure. Tell people what you’re going to say, say it, then tell them what you said. Stick to three key points supported by stories and facts. Clear structure also helps calm nerves.
Engagement comes from stories. We’re hardwired to remember them, especially personal ones.
Managing Nerves
Nerves are often the number one thing that holds people back. Most people experience them, including me. They’re a sign you care and they can be managed.
Slow down and pause. When we’re nervous, we rush. Speaking more slowly and pausing helps you appear confident and gives the audience time to absorb what you’re saying.
Use notes. Years ago, I relied on memory alone. Then menopause brain fog hit. Now I use prompts. Even if you forget something, it’s rarely a problem.
Practice. Great presenters make it look easy, but most spend significant time rehearsing. Practice out loud. Record yourself.
A personal story: about 10 years ago, I was pitching to one of the UK’s largest organisations. High stakes. No slides. No notes. Midway through, I completely forgot what I was going to say.
I simply said, “Sorry, I’ve lost my train of thought,” and continued with another point.
We were pitching against the team that coached the London 2012 Olympic Bid. When we won, I asked why they chose us.
They said it made us look human. I didn’t panic, and they felt the people I’d be training could relate to me better because of that moment.
Your Next Step
Commit to speaking once in the next three months. Start small, this might mean contributing more in team meetings or volunteering for a panel.
Choose a topic you’re comfortable with, tell someone your intention, and look for safe spaces to begin. Be kind to yourself. Presenting well is a skill, and confidence comes with practice.
The Bottom Line
Female voices remain underrepresented on conference stages and industry panels. This isn’t only about gender equality – though that matters enormously. It’s about making sure the best ideas are heard and the most capable leaders are recognised.
Visibility isn’t optional for leadership. If you don’t step forward, someone else will and they may have far less expertise.
This month’s challenge: Where will you speak in the next three months? What topic will you share? Tell someone today and make it real.
About the Authors
Mary Langan is an executive coach and experienced facilitator who helps leaders build confidence, lead through change, and strengthen team connection.
Chris Kerwin is a former Group Managing Director, now a coach and leadership expert with deep digital and commercial expertise, having led large teams through transformation in media.
Together, they blend strategic insight and coaching know-how to help leaders grow, align teams, and turn ideas into impact.
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Build Your Speaking Confidence with Mary
Want to build your confidence as a presenter? Whether you’re preparing for a high-stakes pitch, stepping onto your first panel, or helping your team communicate with more impact, I’d love to help.
Get in touch to explore presentation coaching, or our Presenting with Impact team workshop mary@nuatraining.com