What if making a difference didn’t mean becoming the loudest person in the room? What if the qualities you’ve been encouraged to change were some of your greatest strengths?

In this episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, Nikki talks to Jennifer Marcou, leadership coach, speaker and author of Lead with Quiet Confidence: A Practical Guide to Success for Introverts. A former senior executive at Microsoft and American Express, Jennifer shares her journey from being told she was “too quiet” to helping others find their voice and lead in their own way.

Together, they explore how we can challenge narrow ideas of leadership, recognise the value of listening and reflection, and create spaces where different people can contribute. Jennifer offers practical ways to speak up, build confidence and make your work visible, while staying true to yourself.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: you can change your behaviours without changing who you are.

In this episode, we explore:

🌱 Understanding introversion — moving beyond stereotypes and recognising what helps you thrive.

💡 The strengths of quieter leaders — listening deeply, reflecting and joining the dots.

🗣️ Finding your voice — small steps to contribute in meetings without needing the perfect idea.

🤝 Creating inclusive spaces — giving people time to prepare, think and share ideas afterwards.

🔋 Managing your energy — making space to recharge and recognising your own needs.

✨ Putting purpose first — reframing visibility as a way to serve the change you care about.

This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt too quiet, overlooked or under pressure to become someone else to make an impact.

Connect with Jennifer and explore her work:

• Jennifer’s website, coaching and newsletter
• Lead with Quiet Confidence — book details and buying links
• Follow Jennifer on LinkedIn