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Building a better work-life.
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Happy Monday 🎉
You know that frustrating moment when you leave a big professional opportunity knowing you had something valuable to contribute, but somehow didn’t capture your true worth?
Whether it’s a networking event where you felt invisible, a meeting where your brilliant idea got ignored, a presentation that fell flat, or an interview where you couldn’t showcase your expertise…
Here’s what’s really happening:
Your energy is having a conversation before you even open your mouth.
And if you’re not intentionally managing that energy? You’re accidentally undermining everything you say.
The Energy Vampire That’s Killing Your Authority
In my coaching practice, I regularly do roleplay scenarios with clients to help them practice high-stakes conversations. And I see the same pattern over and over again.
Smart, accomplished women who know their stuff but accidentally undermine themselves with one simple vocal habit: uptalk.
During a recent mock interview, a VP-level candidate with incredible results kept making statements sound like questions: “I increased revenue by 30%?” “I led a team of 15?” “I have 10 years of experience in this space?”
When I asked what she heard in the playback, she was shocked: “I sound like I’m not sure about my own accomplishments.”
The truth?
She wasn’t uncertain about her expertise.
She was nervous about the moment.
And that nervous energy leaked out through her voice, making her sound like she was asking permission to be qualified.
Sound familiar? This same pattern shows up everywhere..
- The networking event where you mumble your introduction
- The team meeting where you hedge every suggestion with “I think maybe…”
- The client presentation where you apologize before sharing your expertise
- The job interview where you downplay your accomplishments
Your Presence Is Your Professional Superpower
Here’s what most people get wrong about high-stakes moments: They think it’s about having the right content.
It’s actually about energy management.
Before you say a single word, you’re already communicating:
- How confident you are in your expertise
- How you’ll handle pressure and responsibility
- Whether you see yourself as their peer or asking for permission
The good news? You already have natural presence.
You don’t need to become someone else—you need to amplify who you already are.
So how do you discover what that authentic presence actually is?!
The 3-Question Presence Discovery
“This isn’t intellectual—it’s experiential. And it’s the difference between performing confidence and actually embodying it in any professional situation.
But what if connecting with your presence still feels challenging? Here’s where I want you to shift your focus entirely.
Stop right now and answer this honestly:
“If your closest friend was asked: ‘How does [your name] make you feel when they’re around?’ – what three adjectives would they use?”
Not how you want to make people feel. How you actually do.
Maybe it’s:
- Calm, confident, grounding
- Energized, inspiring, motivating
- Clear, focused, reassuring
- Warm, authentic, approachable
Those three words? That’s your authentic presence foundation.
Now ask yourself: How does “calm” feel in your body? Where do you sense it physically? How does “energized” sound when you speak?
This isn’t intellectual—it’s experiential. And it’s the difference between performing confidence and actually embodying it in any professional situation.
The Fighting Spirit Connection
If self-belief feels impossible right now, fight for the impact instead.
Before any high-stakes professional moment, complete this sentence: “This opportunity matters because it will allow me to…”
- Share expertise that could change someone’s business?
- Connect with people who share your mission?
- Advance work that you genuinely care about?
- Open doors for others who look like you?
That fire, that mission, that fight—that’s what fuels authentic presence whether you’re on stage, in a boardroom, or across a networking table.
But Here’s the Thing…
Presence is just one piece of mastering professional communication.
The complete transformation happens when you combine authentic energy with:
- Strategic positioning (thinking like a peer, not someone seeking approval)
- Compelling storytelling (showing, not telling your value)
- Conversation control (setting the frame instead of just reacting)
- Mission-driven messaging (connecting your passion to their needs)
And here’s the beautiful part: The same framework that transforms job interviews also transforms every other professional interaction.
Join Me Live Tomorrow
Tuesday, June 17th at 1:00 PM PT
I’m teaching my FREE Pitch Not Interview framework— a fresh approach hat will teach you how to leave a memorable impression in every interview, every single time.
You’ll discover:
- How to think like a consultant making a case (not someone hoping for approval)
- The visual proof techniques that make you unforgettable
- How to control command by setting the frame
- Authentic authority strategies that work in any room/Zoom
Plus: Live demonstration with a volunteer so you can see the transformation in real-time.
Bonus for live attendees: My complete slide deck + $100 off the full program
Can’t make it live? No problem—you’ll get the recording and recap.
One Last Thing
Whether you’re job searching, building your business, or advancing in your career—the ability to show up with authentic authority is the skill that changes everything.
Most people focus on what they’re going to say. The real pros focus on how they’re going to show up.
Tomorrow, I’m teaching you both.
We got this – together 💪
x Claire
P.S. This isn’t about “fake it till you make it” or memorizing scripts. It’s about strategic authenticity—being genuinely yourself in the most compelling way possible, no matter what professional situation you’re in.
