If you’re leading global or cross-functional teams and finding your meetings fall flat, with cameras off, periods of silence and little interaction, this episode is for you.

In today’s podcast, I look at the culturally-driven behavioural preferences that could be silently shaping the level of your meeting engagement. Whether you're hearing from only one or two dominant voices, or struggling to encourage participation at all, this isn’t only a communication issue, it’s a cultural one.

I share how understanding and applying your Cultural Intelligence (CQ) can transform your meetings from disengaged to dynamic.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why silence in meetings doesn’t always mean disinterest.
• Which behavioural preferences shape who speaks up in the meeting.
• The impact of power distance and hierarchy on meeting dynamics.
• The behavioural preferences that can cause friction or frustration.
• Practical ways to design more engaging meetings to encourage contribution and participation.
• How to use Cultural Intelligence to build team connection and collaboration.

Reflection Questions:

• Which of the behavioural preferences do you recognise in yourself?
• What preferences might be influencing your team’s meeting dynamic?

To go further and explore more of the communication skills every global leader needs, download my free resource: Global Leader Impact. It’s designed to help you lead with clarity and cultural intelligence: https://culturecuppa.com/leader

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

In this podcast episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest time drains for global leaders: ineffective meetings.

We’ve all sat through meetings that drift with no clear outcome. But with the right communication strategy, your meetings can become high-impact spaces that drive action, connection, and leadership growth.

In this episode, I share my practical 5 Ps framework for meeting clarity, a tool I use with my clients who want to lead with purpose and build connection. This is how to stop wasting time and start getting results.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The real cost of ineffective meetings, and what to do about it.
• Why clarity is essential for leadership communication and global team impact.
• The 5 Ps and how to use them.
• Simple strategies to put them into practice.
• How to prepare quickly and effectively, even when time is tight.

Reflection Questions:

• How much clarity do your meetings currently have?
• Which of the 5 Ps could help you shift from drift to direction?
• What will you do differently to make your next meeting count?

For more on developing the communication skills every global leader needs, explore my free training resource Global Leader Impact. Download it now at: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

In this podcast episode, I’m diving back into a crucial but often overlooked communication skill: active listening.

It sounds simple, but in reality, truly listening, especially in fast-paced, distraction-heavy environments, is far from easy. Whether you're in a virtual meeting or face-to-face, your ability to listen well is a key part of your global leadership impact, helping you build trust, demonstrate emotional and cultural intelligence.

We explore what it means to make a conscious choice to listen, how to manage the distractions that pull your attention away, and why showing you’re listening (even without speaking) is essential for career growth and leadership development.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why active listening is a cornerstone of effective communication.
• The three types of distractions you need to manage.
• How to show you're fully present, through body language and non-verbal cues.
• What “intelligent listening” looks like, and how to read between the lines.
• Simple techniques to bring your focus back when your mind drifts.

Reflection Questions:

• How intentional are you about listening in meetings and conversations?
• What distracts you most, and how could you manage that better?
• Which strategy will you try first to strengthen your listening skills?

For more on developing the communication skills every global leader needs, don’t forget to explore my free training resource Global Leader Impact. Download it now at: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

AI, automation and rapid digital change have transformed work, but what does this mean for the future of leadership? In this episode, I’m joined by Zahra Shah, AI expert and leader, to explore the leadership, communication and cultural skills leaders now need to grow and adapt to.

We talk about the ethical and practical sides of AI, how to adopt it effectively in your organisation, and why strong human skills like empathy, cultural intelligence and critical thinking will define the next generation of leadership.

Zahra also shares her inspiring journey to becoming a director on several boards, encouraging and supporting diverse women into leadership, and her own leadership lessons, including how she built resilience through challenge and change.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to lead effectively alongside AI.
• Practical and responsible ways to start integrating AI.
• Why emotional intelligence, empathy and critical thinking matter more than ever.
• Resilience lessons through challenge and change.
• Supporting diverse voices through culturally intelligent leadership.

Reflection Questions:

• How are you adapting your leadership for AI?
• What skills do you need to grow for the future?

Boost your leadership communication skills with my free training resource to accompany the podcast, Global Leader Impact. Download it now athttps://www.culturecuppa.com/leader and strengthen the key communication skills you need.

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Connect with Zahra Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahra-shah
• Follow Zahra Shah on X (Twitter): https://x.com/ZahraSh00153113
• Follow Zahra Shah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahra_o_shah/?hl=en
• Connect with Zahra Shah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zahra.shah.1694/
• Follow Zahra Shah on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zahrashah9750
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

When your idea, recommendation or initiative needs a ‘yes’, but you’re hitting a block, it’s not only about repeating yourself or speaking louder. It’s about how you frame your message.

In today’s podcast episode, I explore a powerful, practical approach for professionals who want to influence more effectively in their organisations.

Drawing on my work with leaders navigating complex, multicultural environments, I share 6 key positioning frames that help you communicate your ideas and connect more strategically with your audience, elevate your message and get the buy-in you need.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The six Influence Frames and when to use them.
• Why framing is essential for fast-changing, high-stakes environments.
• How to align your message so it lands and connects.
• Understanding the value for internal and external stakeholders.

Reflection questions to consider:

• What project or idea do you need support for right now?
• Which of the six frames resonates most?

This is about your leadership communication and I’d love to hear how you apply these frames to your current challenges, message me directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarennoldson/ to let me know.

To go deeper and strengthen your Global Leadership communication skills, download Global Leader Impact, my free training resource to accompany this podcast, at https://culturecuppa.com/leader .

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

Let’s face into a topic that’s on many minds right now: how to genuinely stand out and communicate your value in a highly competitive and rapidly changing job market. With widespread layoffs, redundancies and restructures, and evolving hiring processes increasingly influenced by AI screening, simply updating your CV or LinkedIn profile won’t cut it anymore. Instead, standing out starts much earlier, with self-leadership and knowing your unique value.

In this latest podcast episode, I share practical strategies to help you identify your core talents, reflect on your career highs and lows, and align your job search with what truly brings you joy and purpose. By embracing this approach, you can build a compelling personal career narrative that will resonate deeply.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why standing out begins with self-leadership.
• How to recognise and articulate your unique talents and strengths.
• The importance of mapping your career highs and lows.
• Understand your individual leadership style.
• Owning your career narrative.

Reflection Questions:

• What unique talents and strengths truly set you apart as a global leader?
• How have your career challenges shaped you?

Boost your leadership communication skills further with my free training resource to accompany this podcast, Global Leader Impact. Download it now at https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader and deepen your development in key leadership communication areas essential for career growth and impact.

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

Navigating redundancy with resilience, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, and what impactful learning and development looks like in today’s hybrid, fast-moving world.

In this podcast episode I am joined by Learning & Development specialist, Valerie Merrill, who shares her personal journey of being made redundant multiple times, how it led her to becoming her own boss, and why she believes redundancy can be a pivotal moment for reflection, reinvention, and growth.

We explore the realities of transition, if you’re considering starting a business, adapting to AI-led change, and why inclusive, human-focused Learning & Development design is more essential than ever.

With over 35 years in training across industries, Valerie has a wealth of experience and knowledge identifying the right learning interventions to achieve team and organisational goals in learning and development, while focusing on return on investment.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to reframe redundancy as an opportunity rather than a setback.
• Practical strategies for staying resilient and taking action in uncertain times.
• How to assess whether running your own business is the right move.
• Where AI is making the biggest impact in learning and workplace communication.
• Why inclusive, adaptive learning design matters more than ever.

Reflection Questions:

• How do you respond to unexpected change: do you resist it or explore it?
• Could moments of uncertainty be your opportunity to grow or pivot?

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Connect with Valerie Merrill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/
• Visit Valerie Merrill's website: https://www.merrillconsultants.com/
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

In this episode of the podcast, I explore a vital, current topic: how AI tools can genuinely support and enhance your communication skills as a global leader. This is not about replacing you, but rather empowering and improving the way you communicate.

Drawing on real-world examples, hands-on experimentation, and what the latest research is saying, I break down how to use these tools effectively, and importantly, what not to do with AI.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• AI supports, it’s not there to replace your communication skills.
• Why AI can give productivity boosts that are a game-changer for leaders.
• What it means to use AI as a ‘thinking partner’ and ‘download partner’.
• The critical do’s and don’ts when integrating AI into your communication.
• How to maintain your humanity, tone of voice and presence while using AI.

Reflection questions to consider:

• Which of the AI uses shared in this episode will you try next?
• How can you maintain your personal communication style while using AI tools?
• What boundaries do you need in place to use AI effectively?

Download your free leadership resource to accompany the podcast, Global Leader Impact, to continue developing your future communication skills: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• To follow Simon Olsen and learn more about his work, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-olsen-582aa74/
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: victoria@culturecuppa.com
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com