They struggle to get their voice heard in meetings. They
can’t get a seat at the table for the decisions that matter.
It’s a systemic problem, not a problem with women. It’s
no wonder so many talented women experience imposter feelings!
Closing the Influence Gap empowers women leaders to successfully navigate the workplace, leading their way
and changing it for the better. It is a reference tool packed with practical strategies and a troubleshooting section
which women can draw on daily to tackle the challenging conversations, decisions and situations they face.
It shows women how they can believe in themselves in challenging situations, helps them to get the recognition they deserve as leaders and provides them with the influencing skills they need to get their voices heard and increase their impact.
If you’d like to make a bulk order for your team or organisation, please contact us.
Most books about influencing are focused on strategies, tactics and tools. And you will find plenty of those within the covers of this book, but becoming an influential leader starts with seeing yourself as a leader. I call this the inner work of leadership.
In part 1 you’ll be learning powerful new coaching tools that you can use on a daily basis to boost your confidence and self-belief. You’ll feel less alone as we explore why we all feel like an imposter at times. You’ll understand how you can stop seeking validation from others and instead find it within yourself. And you’ll be able to receive negative feedback without going into a spiral of self-doubt and imposter feelings.
In short, you will start to see yourself as the influential and inspiring leader that you are.
When you can quieten your negative self-talk and start trusting your own judgment, self-doubt will become occasional rather than constant.
By leaving behind any unhelpful habits such as perfectionism, overworking and worry, you’ll free up mental space for the things you actually want to focus on!
We all have tough days and this chapter will help you handle overwhelm, avoid burnout and handle negative feedback with grace.
Now that you are starting to see yourself as the leader that you are, it’s time to think about how you’re coming across to other people and learn how to step into your authority so that you are seen as a leader by others too.
In this section we will also look at some of the key “touchpoints” in the working day that give you the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership. We’re also going to look at some of the practical tools and techniques that will help, as well as some of the common mistakes to avoid!
By being intentional about how you are perceived by others and avoiding the mistakes that many managers unknowingly make, you’ll be able to step into a more confident leadership style.
If you’ve sat in meetings where you’ve been interrupted, had your contribution “hepeated” or been put on the spot, then this chapter’s Meeting Toolkit and tips on speaking up will be invaluable.
You’ve done the inner work and taken steps to be seen as a leader, and have now laid the foundations to successfully influence sideways and upwards. In part 3 we will be building up your influencing skills with practical coaching tools, useful insights into what may be holding you back as an influencer and, of course, the steps you can take to close the influence gap and get your voice heard.
We’ll be looking at your relationship with your manager, how to successfully navigate internal politics, and how to speak the language of senior stakeholders.
Learn how to lay the foundations of influencing by building strategic relationships, using my six-step model for influencing and noticing how you may be getting in your own way.
There is a skill to managing upwards and that is what you’re going to learn in this chapter, from partnering with your line manager to speaking the language of senior stakeholders.
Now that you’re seeing yourself as a leader, you’re being seen by others as a leader and you’ve been taking steps to increase your influence and impact, it is time to focus on developing your career. Closing the influence gap means being recognised for your contribution and potential so we’ll be looking at how you can take control of your career and the secrets to succeeding at each new level of leadership.
You can’t leave your career prospects and development in the hands of your line manager and hope that they recognise your potential. They have many other things on their mind and their priorities may not align with yours. These chapters will support you as you take steps to manage your own career.
When I coach women, either individually or within my Influence & Impact course, I create a safe space and they will often raise questions that they can’t ask elsewhere. Some of these questions may have come up for you too so I wanted to share them within this book.
Whether you’re looking to stay with your current employer or secure a new job elsewhere, there are steps you can take to prepare for that move, from improving your interview skills to becoming more visible.
Each new level of leadership brings its own unique challenges and it helps to be prepared for those and to start your new role the way you mean to go on.
What I loved about this book is how practical and topical it. Carla has done a great job at creating a companion that will always be there for aspiring and existing women leaders, guiding them through their career path. Full of practical advice and coaching tools, this is the book I wish I had been given at the start of my career.
Mylene Sylvestre
Publishing Director at The Guardian
This thoughtfully written self-help guide is the resource that women leaders are searching for. With practical solutions and coaching tools, it explains how to successfully navigate the workplace and tackle gender bias with proven strategies that work. Carla’s voice speaks as a reassuring and encouraging mentor through the pages of the book, reminding the reader that they are not alone in this journey and providing support every step of the way.
Julia Muir
Founder of Automative 30% Club and author of 'Change the Game'
A great read – useful, practical and bang on! I wish I’d read it earlier in my career. I’ll be buying it for the established and emerging leaders I am lucky enough to work with.
Kate Collins
CEO at Teenage Cancer Trust
Closing the Influence Gap provides such a practical, thoughtful and well-rounded guide for women who know they have more to offer and want to break through. Carla’s experience coaching female leaders shines through, as does her wisdom and empathy.
Harriet Minter
Author of 'WFH: How to build a career you love when you're not in the office'
This is the leadership book we’ve been waiting for – the perfect combination of practical advice, tools and guidance. It’s the ideal guide for those at the top, those aiming for the top and those starting their journey.
Donna Holland
CEO at Rockinghorse Children's Charity
