Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

444: The 1 Secret Skill That Will KILL Your Fear Of Criticism

Aug 8, 2025

Do you fear criticism while sharing your ideas? Discover five introvert-friendly techniques to transform that anxiety into confidence. Learn from Google's Ruth Porat on using transparency and calm authority. This discussion emphasizes the importance of reframing negative feedback and developing strategic clarity for effective communication. By the end, you'll see how mastering this secret skill can elevate your career and empower you to express yourself boldly in any meeting.

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ANECDOTE

Ruth Porat's Leadership Example

Ruth Porat moved from banking to tech and faced criticism for stifling innovation with cost-cutting measures.
Instead of being defensive, she held transparent town halls and used data to clarify her strategy and invite feedback.

ADVICE

Prepare Thoroughly for Criticism

Prepare thoroughly for meetings by anticipating priorities and objections to your ideas.
Get one-on-one feedback from colleagues to gauge how your ideas might be received.

ADVICE

Reframe Criticism as Collaboration

Reframe criticism as an opportunity to collaborate and improve your ideas.
Use responses like restating objections to show understanding and invite collaboration rather than defensiveness.

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Ever hold back your brilliant idea because you’re terrified of criticism? Learn how to take criticism to make your voice stronger, not silent.

If you're an introvert who dreads meetings because you’re afraid your ideas might get shot down, this episode is your roadmap to confidence. Discover how to reframe criticism, own your voice, and speak up without compromising your calm presence—all while learning from the real-life leadership playbook of Google’s leader, Ruth Porat.

To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

🔑5 introvert-friendly techniques to handle criticism without shutting down

🪝Examples from President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, Ruth Porat using transparency and calm authority

💰A secret skill you as an introvert can easily master that will stomp out your fear of criticism and catapult your career

Hit play now to learn how to transform fear of criticism into your greatest communication strength

So look—if you’ve ever found yourself biting your tongue in a board meeting or with a senior leadership audience, afraid your idea will be torn apart and it's left you feeling frustrated and invisible despite all the work you put in... but what you really want is to speak up with confidence and be seen as the strategic thinker you are—that’s exactly why we created the Executive Presence Online Scorecard.

This scorecard is based on the 4 pillars in my Executive Presence Mastery System, designed to help you pinpoint what’s holding you back and what to focus on next to communicate with calm authority like Ruth Porat. Here’s the link to the Executive Presence scorecard — NOT widely available.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.