I hate to be the bearer of hard truth. But then again, if you’re reading this, you’re used to it.

Here’s the thing: most leaders will never become influential leaders. Not because they lack talent or opportunities, but because they avoid doing the deeper inner work that true influence requires.

But I know you’re not “most people.”

You’re someone who wants to inspire and lead with your voice. You’re someone who want your words to mean something, to change lives. And that starts with being fully present with yourself.

Before your words can change someone’s life, you need them to change yours. And hell – do I know that most of the words we say to ourselves are not the nicest.

Words can heal. Words can also tear people down.

So before you use your words to heal others, acknowledge the impact your words have on you.

To be the kind of leader people remember, you need to feel your emotions, connect with your intuition, and strengthen your convictions.

The most powerful messages aren’t just shared—they’re lived. When your words come from a place of authenticity, people don’t just hear you—they feel you.

Substance Is the Secret to True Influence

You’ve probably seen people with charisma grab attention in a room. But here’s the thing: charisma alone doesn’t sustain influence. Substance does.

Substance is what gives you that magnetic presence, that undeniable gravitas. It’s the energy you carry into the room, the way you guide a conversation, handle challenges, and connect with others. It shows in how you embrace success without losing who you are.

When you show up as your whole, real self—flaws, strengths, and all—people are drawn to you. They trust you. They want to listen.

1. Experience Life Fully

Here’s the first step: live deeply.

You can’t inspire others if you’ve only skimmed the surface of life. Real influence comes from depth—a deep knowing of who you are, shaped by all the twists and turns of your journey.

So, let yourself feel it all:

• The joy. The pain. The moments you want to last forever and the ones that teach you who you are.
• Take risks. Step outside your comfort zone. That’s where growth happens.
• Be present in the here and now. Every moment has something to teach you if you’re willing to pay attention.

When you embrace life fully, your words carry a wisdom that no amount of theory or credentials can replicate.

2. Build a Relationship of Trust with Your Voice

Most people don’t trust their own voice. They hold back, second-guess themselves, and let doubt take over. But here’s the thing: if you don’t trust your voice, why should anyone else?

Start building that trust:

• Reflect deeply on what matters most to you. What do you believe in? What lights you up? What are you here to say?
• Reprogram the thoughts that hold you back. Replace “What if I’m wrong?” with “What I have to say matters. I don’t need to be right, I simply want to start the conversation with what I already know.”
• Practice using your voice in small ways every day. Share your thoughts with a friend, post your ideas online, or simply journal. The more you express yourself, the stronger that muscle becomes.

People with influence have trust in their voice, even if they don’t have all the answers. Start using your voice today.

3. Use Your Voice to Serve Others

Influence isn’t about being admired or celebrated—it’s about serving.

When you’ve done the inner work—when you’ve lived deeply and built trust with your voice—something amazing happens. People start coming to you. They’ll ask for your advice, your perspective, your guidance.

When this happens, start doing this:

• Learn to tell your story in a way that moves people. Great speakers don’t just inform—they transform.
• Shift your focus from “How do I impress them?” to “How can I help them?” This shift in intention changes everything.
• Show up with the genuine desire to contribute. When your words come from the heart, your presence alone can change lives.

Real impact is made in small, everyday occurrences. Stop waiting for a big stage before you serve with your voice.

You Have What It Takes

Here’s the truth: most leaders will never become influential leaders because they won’t do the hard work of looking inward. But you? You’re already on the path.

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have it all figured out. All you need is the courage to dive inward, and have the tough conversations with yourself, in order to know what is the inner work that needs to be done. And then go do it.

It’s easy to do the “Outer work” (aka the work that people see, the “doing”). It takes discipline to do the “Inner work”, because this is the work that nobody sees, plus you don’t see the instant ROI.

But it is necessary. Doing the Inner work WITH the Outer work will make you not just a transformational speaker, but just more of a good human.

Shift your inner world, and the outer world shifts with it.

If you’re committed to doing the inner work together with the outer work to lead with your voice, here’s a special invite for you 🙂

A SPECIAL INVITE

Please consider this limited-time opportunity!

As you may know, we just wrapped up the Rising Leaders House Party last month 🎉

I’ve created 3 perspective shifting lessons that will help you become more strategically-intuitive in your writing, speaking and content creation. Most importantly, it’ll guide you into the essential inner and outer work to lead with your voice, whether you’re a business owner or corporate rising leader.

Here’s what some peeps said about the course!

Here’s the thing: I’ll be putting this course out for purchase soon, and it’ll be a self-paced learning course.

But what makes it ULTRA effective is the 1-1 coaching you get with it. I won’t be offering this course with the 1-1 coaching included for long. If you’re keen to experience coaching with me (which usually only my oyv coachees in my 4-figures coaching program have access to), then this is your chance!

I’ll love to support you and get you started in owning your voice at a whole new level.

Simply purchase here, and you’ll get instant access to the lessons! You’ll then receive an email on how to book your 1-1 call with me within 48 hours.

Sign me up!

Remember, being a leader starts with how you lead your thoughts – in every moment. So make a commitment, look at the bigger picture, and never stop building a relationship with your unique voice.

Remember, you’ve light in you that the world is waiting to see. Go thrive 💗