When Leaders Won’t Listen

Leadership isn’t something most of us are taught. Many of us are promoted because we’re good at the job, then left to figure out the rest on our own. In this episode of Lead Brightly, Kath Reynolds opens up about her thirty years in leadership roles across finance, recruitment and entrepreneurship, and the surprising truth she learned about confidence along the way. What looks strong on the outside often feels very different on the inside. Kath reflects on the years she led by trying to be liked, the moments her confidence quietly eroded, and the pivotal times she found herself shrinking in rooms she should have led with certainty. She shares the impact of toxic leaders, why loud confidence can mask deep insecurity, and how losing your confidence can change how you show up at work, in meetings, and even inside your own business. This conversation dives into the emotional reality of leadership: not being heard, protecting everyone but yourself, hiding fear behind competence, and the ripple effects leaders unintentionally create. Kath also explores the point where she realised her confidence had slipped away, the talk she didn’t give, and how she finally found the courage to ask for help after years of trying to carry everything alone. If you’ve ever questioned your ability, felt sidelined, or wondered why confidence disappears even when you know you’re capable, Kath’s story will feel deeply familiar. This is a conversation about rediscovering your voice, rebuilding inner validation, and remembering that leadership grows when we stop doing it alone. Sign up to our Brilliant Newsletter today and receive monthly tips, tools and offers to help you develop the right level of confidence and skills to Lead Brightly© https://www.brightandbrilliant.com/su... Sarah on LinkedIn –   / sarah-farmer-coach   Bright and Brilliant – https://www.brightandbrilliant.com/ Bright and Brilliant on LinkedIn –   / emr-consulting-sarah-farmer   Lead Brightly podcast links: YouTube –    / @leadbrightlypodcast   Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/1vrgSek... Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Amazon Music – https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/2... Buzzsprout – https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378790 #leadership #confidence #womeninleadership #leadbrightly #selfawareness #authenticleadership #impostersyndrome #teamculture #workplacewellbeing #careerconfidence #emotionalintelligence #resilience #growthmindset #burnoutsupport #leadershipdevelopment For more information on the following topics, give us a follow: leadership confidence at work how to rebuild confidence after burnout women in finance leadership journeys dealing with toxic leadership and culture creating collaborative teams that thrive when leaders will not listen loud confidence hiding insecurity feeling unheard in your own business imposter syndrome in senior roles balancing business ownership and resilience setting healthy boundaries as a leader asking for help as a leader building emotionally intelligent leadership support for burnt out business owners finding your voice again at work [00:00:47] Leading Without Training [04:17] When Being Liked Isn’t Enough [06:23] Creating Collaborative Teams That Thrive [09:34] Leading With Too Much Confidence [12:35] When Leaders Won’t Listen [13:56] Going Around the Problem [15:59] The Ripple Effect of Leadership [16:40] Loud Confidence Hides Insecurity [17:50] The Confidence You Don’t See [19:58] External Validation Isn’t Enough [21:37] Realising You’ve Lost Your Confidence [22:37] The Talk That Never Happened [23:29] Running a Business Takes Resilience [25:32] Feeling Unheard in Your Own Business [26:06] Eyes Rolling in the Room [28:24] When You Leak Your Doubts [29:18] Stop Whinging and Get Support [31:33] Protecting Everyone But Yourself