You know that first impressions matter... but how you sound is a major part of that first impression. When you have the title, you need the credibility and confidence to back it up. And that comes with understanding how you sound while speaking.
In today's episode, I'm sharing the three simple changes I help my clients make that make the biggest difference in their confidence and how they sound. The best part? You can make these changes on your own, starting today. And I'll teach you how. If you want to dive deeper in understanding how your current communication skills show up in your executive presence (or lack thereof), come download my free executive presence workbook here: www.christinaaidy.com/worksheet
Ever finish a conversation thinking something about it was just a little off, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it? That's likely because you were picking up on the other person's non-verbal cues that didn't match what they said to you. Non-verbal cues matter more than your words do - before they happen ALL THE TIME, without you even realizing.
But there is a difference between picking up on others' cues and learning to be mindful of your own. When you learn to understand what your own body cues are saying to others, this will help you convey the right message to the person you're speaking with - the message you actually intend to make. This is SO important, especially as a leader or founder, who carries more authority and responsibility in the business.
Today's episode is actually from the non-verbal cues module from my Intentional Communication Mastery course, designed specifically to help you communicate with more confidence using psychology and behavioural science. The full course is now part of my community, Club Coherence (you can join today for one low monthly fee and cancel anytime) at https://club-coherence.mn.co
If you feel like you've tried every possible tip to feel less anxious before speaking and they STILL don't work, this episode is for you. Today, I unpack the number thing that's overlooked to actually help you feel more calm, confident, and in control - especially while speaking or showing up in front of others.
👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:• How your nervous system regulation is the hidden key to your confidence• 3 techniques most people skip (which is why they don't see results)
🔗 MENTION: Club CoherenceClub Coherence is your space to turn overthinking into clarity and nerves into confidence, so you can stop second-guessing how you look and sound and develop confident authority that feels good and gets remembered. Join here: https://club-coherence.mn.co
Feeling like you're in a constant state of stress and reactivity, unable to slow down and catch your breath? You're not alone. In today's episode, we're developing your emotional intelligence skills like a top executive, so you can stop performing on autopilot and start developing emotional mastery like a pro.
👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why having good emotional intelligence feels so HARD
• My CALM technique to start working on your emotional mastery
• 3 luxurious ways to develop your emotional mastery and EQ so you can show up in control and with confidence.
🔗 MENTION: Club Coherence
Club Coherence is your space to turn overthinking into clarity and nerves into confidence, so you can stop second-guessing how you look and sound and develop confident authority that feels good and gets remembered.
💥 Join here: https://club-coherence.mn.co
📌 CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram → / drchristinaaidy
Linkedin → / christinaaidy
⏱️ TIME STAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:09 Emotional Intelligence (why it’s hard to develop)
04:10 My CALM technique for high EQ
07:30 The importance of nervous system regulation
09:35 Technique 1 for high EQ
10:57 Technique 2 for increased productivity
13:31 Technique 3 for regulating your EQ
16:51 Why you need to improve your emotional intelligence
17:52 Next steps: Club Coherence
In this episode of The Self-Led Leader, I'm talking about the importance (and power) of self-reflection in today's fast-paced world. It's one of the most effective - and overlooked - skills that will give you way more ROI than you expected, consistently.
I talk about why self-reflection is so hard (and why you were never taught this skill), how it can give you tangible results you already crave, and share practical steps to build a sustainable self-reflection practice.
Self-reflection doesn't just help you understand your own emotions, but it also improves your decision-making, communication, relationships, and even reduces burnout.
So, yes: be selfish and think about yourself. Specifically, start thinking about your thinking. I can't wait for you to share your breakthroughs!
Have you ever second-guessed yourself because you assumed you may not "have what it takes" to succeed in your dream role? The good news: you were likely wrong.
In this episode of The Self-Led Leader, I dismantle three common misconceptions about personality and explore how understanding and optimizing your personality can actually lead you to develop a more authentic leadership style.
Listen now to discover the big six personality traits from the HEXACO model and learn how you can leverage your natural strengths to improve your leadership presence.
I can't wait to hear about your breakthroughs.
---
Get my FREE executive presence workbook:
www.christinaaidy.com/worksheet
---
Learn more about the HEXACO model here:
https://hexaco.org/scaledescriptions
Welcome to the Self-Led Leader!
If you struggle with speaking confidently, whether in meetings, on Zoom, or in everyday conversations, this episode is for you.
In this reflective episode, I’m sharing:
The hidden reason you might be holding back when you speak (it’s not what you think)
How your past and present environments quietly shape your confidence
The real first step to building calm, authentic presence when you speak
The real reason people doubt themselves and lack confidence speaking? It often comes down to your environment.
In this episode, I leave you with two powerful reflection questions:
Where are you continuing to silence yourself because of who’s around you, or who’s been around you in the past?
What would shift if you stopped outsourcing your confidence to your environment and started building self-trust instead?
💻 Free Resources & Trainings:👉 www.christinaaidy.com/freeresources
Your voice matters. And it’s time to use it: not from fear, but from self-trust and presence.
I can't wait to hear about your breakthroughs.
Have you ever felt like your career just wasn't moving in the direction you thought it would, but you had no idea why? In this episode, I had the chance to speak with Michael Merrill, former executive at Disney and Netflix, all about leadership development and career growth. We chatted about:
- the common mistakes you could be making that actually harm your career growth
- ways specific personal development strategies can help you gain clarity on your goals and career path
- what to do to stand out as a leader, no matter what level you're currently at
... and so much more.
This episode is filled with gold nuggets of wisdom and strategy. I can't wait for you to hear it. As usual, reach out to me or comment below with your biggest breakthroughs.
---
Connect with Michael on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmichaelmerrill/
---
Connect with Christina:
www.christinaaidy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy/
Forget every cliche you've heard. In this episode of the Self-Led Leader, I challenge the common belief that social comparison is detrimental. Instead, I'm going to show you how intentional comparison can be a powerful tool for self-leadership. By understanding the psychology behind social comparisons, I'll help you understand the distinction between the different types of comparisons you're already making and how each can impact your self-perception, confidence, and motivation. I'll also dive into three common mistakes people make while comparing themselves to others, and I'll give you three powerful questions to ask yourself when you feel the self-doubt creeping in, so you can strategically turn into into a moment for growth. We all compare ourselves to others, so you may as well learn to do it well!
---
Check out my 4-day intensive here:
https://www.christinaaidy.com/challenge
------
Connect with me on social media:
www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy
https://www.youtube.com/@DrChristinaAidy
https://www.instagram.com/drchristinaaidy/
In this episode, I share the three things that are most often overlooked by leaders; three psychology hacks that change the way they lead, communicate with their team, and manage their productivity.
Listen now to discover the importance of recognizing different learning styles, mastering active listening, and managing your mental and emotional state as a leader.
By implementing these simple yet powerful shifts, you can reduce miscommunication and enhance the overall functionality and morale of your team.. and become a much better leader in the process.
Work with Christina here:
www.christinaaidy.com/coaching
Check out my active listening masterclass here:
https://www.christinaaidy.com/active-listening-training
Connect with me on Linkedin here:
www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy/
In this episode of the Self-Led Leader, I had the pleasure of interviewing Simone Schiassi, the former Global Director at Google, to explore the intricacies of modern leadership. We talked all things executive presence, emotional intelligence, and authenticity for leaders (and aspiring leaders) to see success in the workplace.
With his vast experience managing global operations, Simone provides practical advice on how to develop leadership skills that stand out, including how going back to specific basics is the most overlooked key to success - and to real leadership growth.
Tune in to understand why executive presence isn’t about being loud but about connection, being aligned, and the small moments that make you memorable. By the end, you'll walk away with actionable steps for becoming a more effective, recognized leader at work, starting today.
I can't wait to hear about your breakthroughs.
---
Connect with Simone Schiassi here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoschiassi/
Connect with Christina here:
www.christinaaidy.com
www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy
Download my free Executive Presence guide and check how good your executive presence is right now:
www.christinaaidy.com/worksheet
What if becoming a more powerful leader didn’t require doing more—but instead, doing less, more intentionally?
In this episode, I'm unpacking one of the most overlooked (and transformational) leadership skills: the art of asking better questions. You’ll learn how this simple shift can dramatically improve your team’s performance, trust, and ownership.
Whether you lead a team, a business, or simply want to communicate with more clarity and emotional intelligence, this episode will show you how to:
✔ Stop defaulting to advice-giving or fixing
✔ Use open-ended questions to uncover mindset blocks and hidden dynamics
✔ Create psychological safety in your conversations
✔ Shift from micromanager to mentor without losing control
✔ Lead with more ease, insight, and grounded authority
Because the best leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers, they’re the ones who ask the most powerful questions.
📥 Want to take this further? Download my free Executive Presence Workbook here:
https://www.christinaaidy.com/worksheet
Ready to put this into action?! Explore how we can work together:
www.christinaaidy.com/coaching
In this episode of The Self-Led Leader, I'm joined by performance coach Ramon Ghosh for a powerful reframe of the so-called “midlife crisis.” Together, we unpack why this pivotal life stage isn’t a breakdown, but a breakthrough in disguise.
If you’re a high-achieving professional who’s quietly questioning your career, relationships, or identity... this conversation is your permission slip to rethink everything without blowing it all up.
Ramon and I explore the deeper psychology of midlife: how subconscious beliefs, childhood patterns, and nervous system overload can silently steer us off course. You’ll learn why this season of life can feel heavy and how to shift it with emotional intelligence, self-leadership, and strategic inner work.
We unpack:
The myths of the midlife crisis (and what’s really happening under the surface)
How to recognize the early signs of burnout and disconnection
Why external success often creates internal friction
Simple practices to reconnect with joy, purpose, and power
How to redefine performance through presence, not pressure
This episode is raw, real, and packed with insight for anyone navigating big questions, quiet doubts, or that feeling of “Is this all there is?”
I can't wait to hear about your breakthroughs!
---
Connect with Ramon Ghosh here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramon-ghosh/
Connect with Christina here:
https://www.christinaaidy.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy/
Are you successful on paper... but still feel like something’s missing?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jan Hendrik Taubert (the personal confidant to conscious entrepreneurs, investors and public figures) to explore how ambitious leaders and high performers can move beyond financial success to experience deeper joy, fulfillment, and purpose.
Together, we unpack:
The hidden emotional toll of being a high-achiever and overachievement
Why many leaders feel empty, even when they have successful careers
The power of conscious solitude, inner guidance, and emotional integration
Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or simply seeking more personal growth, this conversation will get your wheels turning and will help you redefine success on your own terms.
🎧 Listen in to learn how to create meaningful success from the inside out.
Learn more about Dr. Jan Hendrik Taubert here:
www.exclusiveadvice.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janhendriktaubert/
Connect with Christina here:
www.christinaaidy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy/
What exactly is executive presence — and how do you develop your own, authentic version of it?
In this episode of The Self-Led Leader, I break down the four pillars of executive presence: how you show up, how you communicate, how you lead others, and how you present yourself. You’ll learn why executive presence matters for career growth, leadership influence, and personal confidence — plus you'll learn a ton of practical strategies you can use to start building your own unique style of leadership presence, starting today.
Whether you're in a leadership role or stepping into one, this episode will help you develop the skills, the mindset, and the clarity to be seen, heard, and trusted at that next level.
What you’ll learn:
The true definition of executive presence (it’s not what you think)
4 core areas to assess and develop
Simple strategies to strengthen your confidence, clarity, and communication
How to identify your current strengths and areas for growth
Why executive presence isn’t about perfection but about intentional leadership
🎧 Tune in, reflect, and take your next step toward showing up as the leader you're meant to be.
🔗 Want to go deeper? Download the free Executive Presence Workbook at www.christinaaidy.com/worksheet.
Work with me here:
www.christinaaidy.com
Come say hi on Linkedin:
www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaidy
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jasmine Escalera for an open, honest, and raw conversation where we talk about what really happens when you hit a turning point in your life or career — and know it’s time to change.
We go beyond the usual personal development talk and unpack the emotional reality of reinvention: the discomfort, the identity shifts, the mindset traps, and the breakthroughs that shape the path to becoming who you truly are (and who you choose to be).
If you’re feeling like you're stuck, like there's more for you, like the life you're living now isn’t the one that’s meant to take you forward… then this episode is for you.
Some of the highlights we explore include:
This is the conversation you need if you’re on the edge of something bigger — and ready to step into your next level with clarity, confidence, and alignment.
To connect with Dr. Jasmine Escalera:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjasmineescalera
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-escalera/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasmineescaleracoaching/?hl=en
The Courage Crew: https://www.skool.com/the-courage-crew-premier/about
In this episode, I explain the foundation of self-leadership and dive into why presence starts in your nervous system, not in your title or your strategy.
If you're ready to learn what it means to lead yourself authentically and calmly, especially under pressure or with uncertainty, then you won't want this episode.
This is where leadership begins: not with performance, but with presence.
Whether you're leading a team or simply trying to show up for yourself with more clarity, this episode will help you move from reactivity to regulation—and from pressure to personal power.
---
Learn more about how we can work together here:
www.christinaaidy.com
Connect with me on Linkedin and Instagram.
Welcome to the Self-Led Leader!
Each week, you’ll hear thoughtful solo episodes and intimate conversations designed to help you:
Lead yourself through pressure and uncertainty
Speak with clarity—even when your voice shakes
Understand the psychology behind your reactions and patterns
Build executive presence that feels authentic, not forced
Communicate, connect, and make decisions from grounded self-trust
This is leadership development from the inside out.
Less noise. More resonance.
Because the way you lead yourself shapes everything else.