Ep. 56: Stop Hinting. Start Asking. with Elizabeth Bachmann

You’re doing great work.
But are you actually being heard?

In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Bachmann, former opera director turned executive communication coach, to unpack a pattern that keeps many talented professionals invisible at work.

We explore why hinting doesn’t work, why being “obvious” to you isn’t obvious to others, and how unclear communication quietly blocks opportunities.

You’ll learn:

• Why people don’t respond to hints, only to clear asks
• The hidden gap between what you think you’re saying and what others hear
• How early experiences shape your confidence and communication style
• Why facts alone won’t get you buy-in and what to do instead

If you’ve ever thought, “They know I’m ready”… this episode will challenge that assumption.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to communicate in a way that gets you seen, heard, and taken seriously.

You can connect with Elizabeth at:

https://elizabethbachman.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbachman/

You can connect with Louise at:

https://www.louisejefferies.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-jefferies-8495a274/

In this episode, I’m joined by Dagmar Albers, who spent over 20 years in pharma and successfully reduced a company’s gender pay gap from 15.9% to 6.6%.

But this conversation isn’t really about pay.

It’s about what actually holds capable professionals back from stepping into more senior roles, especially when working in a second language.

We explore the patterns that quietly limit visibility and progression, even when the expertise is there.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the gender pay gap is more about progression than pay
• The difference between equal pay and structural imbalance
• Why many professionals wait too long before speaking up or applying
• The hidden cost of downplaying your achievements
• How imposter syndrome shows up at senior levels
• Why language mistakes feel bigger than they are
• The link between visibility, confidence, and career progression
• Cultural differences that can amplify self-doubt at work
• What needs to change in organisations and what needs to change individually

If you’ve ever held back in a meeting, second-guessed your voice, or felt like others are more confident than you, this episode will challenge that assumption.

🎧 Tune in to hear a more honest conversation about confidence, communication, and career progression in international environments.

#IntrovertLeaders
#NonNativeEnglish
#SpeakUpAtWork
#CareerConfidence

This episode communications coach Beverly McCluskey and I challenge common assumptions about leadership, communication, and confidence at work.

We discuss the difference between “hard power” and “soft power” leadership, why resilience is often misunderstood, and how introverts and non-native English speakers can lead effectively without forcing themselves into a more extroverted style.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to speak perfectly or act differently to be taken seriously, this episode will show you a more sustainable and authentic way to build presence and influence.