Ever freeze mid-sentence in a meeting? Start rambling when challenged? Or walk away thinking, “Why didn’t I speak up?”

You’re not alone. This episode is going to be your go-to toolkit for navigating those high-pressure moments with more clarity and confidence.

In this episode, I unpack what pressure really does to high-achieving women — and more importantly, how to coach yourself through it in real time, even when your heart is racing and your voice feels like it’s vanished. If you’ve ever wanted to feel more grounded, more articulate, and more in control under fire, this one’s for you.

"Leadership isn't about what you say out loud, it's about what you say to yourself before you open your mouth." — Toni Collis

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why freezing, rambling, or going silent is NOT a sign of incompetence
• How to interrupt the “pressure spiral” before it derails your confidence
• Micro self-coaching tools — no journaling required
• Shifting from reactive to grounded leadership in high-stakes situations
• How to apply my “Hold, Don’t Carry” method so you stop replaying every meeting in your head
• Using the Say It Like a Leader script pack to pair inner clarity with outer confidence
• And more!

This is for you if:

• You’ve ever walked out of a meeting replaying every word
• You freeze, clam-up and worry about speaking up
• You get frustrated when interrupted or dismissed
• You want to build executive presence without faking it
• You’re navigating pressure, visibility, or senior rooms and want to show up powerfully — even when interrupted, dismissed, or put on the spot

**Useful links**

• Download the free companion guide: Say It Like a Leader: https://tonicollis.com/sayitlikealeader
• Want to learn more about the concept of Hold Don’t Carry? Listen to Episode 195: Hold Don’t Carry with Lindsay White here: https://tonicollis.com/episode195
• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode258
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

Are you wasting precious time in your job search without realizing it?
In today’s volatile job market, especially for women in tech, using the wrong strategies can cost you months of progress—and countless missed opportunities.

Before you polish that resume or fire off another LinkedIn message, hit pause. This episode lays out the real dynamics of today’s job market and gives you a proven playbook to navigate it with clarity, confidence, and intention.

We dig into the tough truths about what’s changed, why old advice doesn’t work anymore, and how women in tech can stand out by leading with strategy and resilience. From AI-filtered resumes to hidden opportunities, we break it all down—so you don’t waste your energy doing the wrong things.

“If you're struggling, get help. Learning how to do this well, learning how to interview well, is not something you're taught in school.” — Toni Collis

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the current job market is unlike anything we’ve seen—and what that means for you
• How US elections and AI have reshaped hiring in tech
• The biggest myths holding women back in their job search
• What kind of leadership is in demand—and how to show you’ve got it
• Practical job hunting strategies tailored for women in tech
• How to navigate applicant tracking systems and stand out from the crowd
• An 8-step “job hunt recipe” to boost your odds of landing the right role
• Networking—that actually works
• Using data to track your job hunt and improve results
• How to build resilience, manage stress, and stay confident through rejection
• And more!

Looking for a better way to navigate your job search?

If you're tired of sending out endless applications with little response, this episode breaks down what’s actually working in today’s market. From mindset to strategy to real-world results, you’ll walk away with clarity on how to move forward—smarter and more effectively.

**Useful links**

• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode257
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

Are you still sending out resumes and hearing nothing but crickets?

If you're stuck in the old "apply and hope" cycle, it's time to break out. The job market in 2025 rewards the networked, not just the qualified.

Most people think of networking as a time-consuming chore or an awkward event—what if it's actually your most powerful leadership tool?

Whether you're actively job hunting or simply keeping your options open, your network is your future. And it doesn’t require hours of small talk or massive LinkedIn posts. It’s about small, intentional actions that open doors.

In this episode, I dive deep into why networking—with intention and strategy—is your most important asset in the 2025 job market. From connecting with recruiters to rethinking how you engage with your peers, you’ll walk away with practical ways to shift from invisible to irresistible.

“Networking doesn’t have to take a lot of time. It’s small, consistent action every single day.” — Toni Collis

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why job seekers are hearing crickets in today’s market
• How “micro-networking” fits into a busy schedule—even with a full-time job
• The difference between transactional networking and genuine connection
• How to reframe discomfort around networking and make it part of your leadership identity
• A step-by-step networking recipe for 2025 that actually works
• The powerful role of recruiters and how to build meaningful connections with them
• Tools and systems to stay organized and follow up effectively
• How to use your existing network to create new opportunities
• And more!

Want to take this further?

Try reaching out to just one person today with a genuine message—and track your follow-up. Need a tool? Use a simple spreadsheet or personal CRM to manage your outreach.

**Useful links**

• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode256
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.