In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Kathryn Sandford, seasoned personal brand and leadership coach, to explore what it truly means to go from invisible to influential. Kathryn draws on her rich background in teaching, recruitment, and government to show professionals—especially introverts and quiet achievers—how to find their voice, build credibility, and shine without being loud.

We talk about the power of energy in communication, why self-trust and self-kindness are the foundations of influence, and how relevance is a muscle we can train at every stage of our careers. Kathryn also shares practical networking tips, storytelling strategies that help you stand out, and the affirmation she lives by: “I am enough.”

If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate career pivots, project confidence without people-pleasing, or become visible in a noisy world while staying true to yourself, this episode will encourage you to take that courageous next step.

Episode Highlights

• Kathryn’s introvert–extrovert balance and reframing the idea of a “social butterfly.”
• Lessons from teaching: energy awareness, clear boundaries, and credibility in communication.
• The turning point that led Kathryn out of teaching and into leadership coaching.
• How to pivot careers with courage and strategy, especially later in life.
• Building a personal brand through self-awareness, storytelling, and reputation.
• Why asking others to describe you in three words can unlock your strengths.
• The “relevance muscle” and how to strengthen it for future success.
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Key Takeaways

• Energy speaks louder than words — how you show up is as important as what you say.
• Boundaries build trust — being clear and consistent creates credibility and influence.
• Self-trust is the foundation of leadership — start by believing I am enough.
• Personal brand = reputation + influence + impact — know your story and tell it well.
• Relevance is a muscle — it needs ongoing practice, upskilling, and self-reflection.
• Networking made simple — approach one or three people, never two.
• Storytelling sets you apart — ordinary stories, told with authenticity, make you memorable.
  
  
  

Memorable Quotable

“The most powerful thing you can say to yourself is: I am enough.” — Kathryn Sandford

Resources & Links

• Connect with Kathryn Sandford on LinkedIn.
• Learn about Kathryn Sandford’s programs: Invisible to Influential and 1:1 Leadership Coaching.
• Follow Serena on LinkedIn.
• Visit serenalow.com.au for the first step to ending your visibility struggle.
• Enjoyed this episode?
  Subscribe to The Quiet Warrior Podcast and leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach even more introverts and quiet achievers who are ready to step into visibility with confidence.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

TEDx speaker, EQ coach, and author Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller joins Serena to challenge the myth that empathy is a “soft” extra. She shares her journey from French horn professor to empathy-in-leadership researcher after a toxic workplace experience, then breaks down the different types of empathy and how leaders actually apply them—especially in tough conversations and high-pressure environments.

Key Takeaways

• Empathy is multi-dimensional. Beyond “I feel what you feel,” leaders can (and must) use cognitive empathy (perspective-taking) and self-empathy (self-awareness and reflection). These forms help you understand others even without shared experiences.
• Empathy takes work—and courage. Many avoid it because stepping into someone’s world can be uncomfortable; only about a third will choose the empathy-requiring path.
• The “dual-route” model matters. Emotional empathy is fast and instinctive; cognitive empathy is slower and chosen. Effective leaders use both.
• Boundaries ≠ lack of empathy. Self-empathy means knowing your capacity and keeping boundaries so you can truly show up for others.
• Kind vs. nice. Empathy isn’t people-pleasing. It may require hard conversations (e.g., honest performance feedback) done with care so people can grow.
• Business case: When leaders genuinely employ empathy, productivity, innovation, and profit rise; performative “buzzword” empathy backfires and erodes trust.
• Empathy first, then EI tools. Consider empathy the precursor that helps you choose the right emotional-intelligence skill for the moment.
• Start with self-empathy. You can’t sustain empathy for others without it.

Practical Takeaways for Introverted & HSP Leaders

• Use cognitive empathy prompts in 1:1s: “What might this look like from their side?” (choose to perspective-take).
• Check capacity before deep talks: if depleted, set a boundary and reschedule—this is self-empathy in action.
• Replace “nice” with “kind + clear”: deliver honest feedback that enables growth; skip people-pleasing.
• Lead with empathy, then select the EI tool (communication, motivation, etc.) that fits.

Memorable Quote

“Empathy is not always very nice—but it’s always kind.”

About the book

The Empathic Leader: How EQ via Empathy Transforms Leadership for Better Profit, Productivity, and Innovation — a primer on what empathy is (and isn’t) and how to apply it in today’s AI-shaped workplaces.

Next Steps

FIND OUT MORE about Melissa’s work:
https://eqviaempathy.com/

SHARE this episode with a colleague who’s leading change.

WORK WITH SERENA:
I help introverted professional women be visible and valued without performing extroversion.

Book a private Zoom call HERE.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

What happens when an introverted woman steps into one of the most male-dominated industries and learns to stand tall in her quiet strength?

In this inspiring conversation, I speak with Dione Chan, a Filipino-Australian business owner, keynote speaker, and director of ICP Group Australia. From growing up shy with severe eczema to finding her voice in the security industry, Dione’s story is one of courage, resilience, and redefining what it means to lead as an introvert.

She shares how a viral encounter with rapper Drake became the catalyst for teaching others about boundaries and self-respect, and how her SAFE framework (Scan, Acknowledge, Find, Engage/Escalate) is helping introverts and women hold their ground with quiet confidence.

This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone who has ever struggled with people-pleasing, cultural conditioning, or the fear of speaking up.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Dione transformed childhood shyness and self-doubt into resilience and leadership
• The surprising lessons she learned from working in the security industry as an introverted woman
• Why setting boundaries is essential—and how to do it with compassion
• How cultural upbringing and people-pleasing patterns can hold introverts back
• The power of healthy anger and why it’s necessary for self-protection
• Dione’s SAFE framework for handling challenging situations with clarity and courage
• Why putting yourself first is not selfish, but essential for authentic leadership
  
  

About Dione Chan

Dione Chan is a Filipino-Australian business owner, keynote speaker, and director of ICP Group Australia. With experience across safety, security, and training, she has built a career in spaces where women are rarely seen. Drawing on her own journey from self-doubt to self-leadership, Dione now speaks and teaches on boundaries, resilience, and quiet confidence—helping others become their own first responders.

Instagram: @that_security_lady

Facebook: @That Security Lady

LinkedIn: Dione Aaliyah Chan

Website: www.icpgroupaustralia.com.au

Next Steps

If you’re ready to become visible without acting extroverted, follow me on LinkedIn for introvert-friendly strategies to grow your career.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions