In this episode, Sarah dives into how to confidently sell yourself in your next leadership interview, without feeling fake, boastful, or uncomfortable.

Drawing on her extensive experience coaching senior leaders, Sarah shares practical mindset shifts, communication strategies, and evidence-based techniques to help you move from self-doubt to self-assurance. Whether you’re interviewing for a director or CEO role, this episode will help you show your true value with confidence and impact.

[00:00:00] Welcome & Introduction

[00:01:00] Why This Topic Matters

Inspired by a client’s recent success in securing a director-level role, Sarah explains why interview confidence is a crucial skill for senior leaders and why “selling yourself” doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable.

[00:02:30] The Challenges of Leadership Interviews

How senior-level interviews differ from earlier career ones - more stages, more scrutiny, and higher expectations - and how preparation and mindset make all the difference.

[00:04:00] What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to shift your mindset from “Am I good enough?” to “How can I show the value I bring?”
• What interviewers really want to know about you
• How to convey your strengths without downplaying them
• How to communicate with impact and authenticity

[00:05:00] Reframing ‘Selling Yourself’

Instead of thinking of interviews as sales pitches, Sarah reframes them as opportunities to present evidence-based data about your value and achievements.

[00:06:00] Managing Your Inner Critic

Practical ways to silence self-doubt and build a positive mindset before interviews - from affirmations to perspective shifts. Includes real client examples of how mindset work leads to interview success.

[00:08:00] Defining Your Unique Value

How to identify your unique selling points and demonstrate how you make a measurable difference to an organisation - whether through growth, people, innovation, or efficiency.

[00:10:00] Understanding the Interview Panel

How to tailor your responses based on who’s on the panel - your future boss, HR, peers, or board members - and what each is looking for in a candidate.

[00:12:00] Communicating Your Strengths with Ease

Why humility can hold leaders back - and how to practice talking about your achievements naturally so it feels authentic, not boastful.

[00:13:00] Balancing Strategy and Delivery

A reminder that senior roles require both operational experience and strategic thinking and how to showcase both effectively.

[00:14:00] Creating Personal Impact

How to let your enthusiasm and authenticity shine through, show your human side, and build rapport with the panel. How small moments of honesty can create connection.

[00:16:00] Be Intentional About Your Impact

Tips for being deliberate about how you want to come across - whether as a visionary leader, safe pair of hands, or collaborative people person.

[00:17:00] Recap & Key Takeaways

Summary of the five key areas to focus on for your next leadership interview:

1. Reframe selling as sharing evidence.
2. Manage your inner critic and mindset.
3. Know your unique value and what the panel needs to hear.
4. Communicate your strengths with ease and authenticity.
5. Create personal impact through presence and enthusiasm.

[00:18:00] Closing & Resources

Sarah encourages listeners to connect for 1:1 interview coaching

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