121 - Embracing your Leadership Journey with Aurélie Marais
Cultural Communication Confidence
Release Date: 03/03/2025
145 - Stop wasting time: meetings with clarity
Cultural Communication Confidence
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...
info_outline
144 - Listening 101 for Better Communication
Cultural Communication Confidence
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...
info_outline
143 - Lead with AI with Zahra Shah
Cultural Communication Confidence
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...
info_outline
142 - The 6 Frames of Influence: Strategies to gain Support for your Ideas
Cultural Communication Confidence
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. ...
info_outline
141 - Facing Transition: Stand out in the Job Market
Cultural Communication Confidence
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,...
info_outline
140 - From Redundancy to Reinvention to the Rise of AI with Valerie Merrill
Cultural Communication Confidence
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...
info_outline
139 - AI as your Communication Ally: Practical Tips and Insights
Cultural Communication Confidence
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...
info_outline
138 - The Essential Communication Skills for Future Global Leaders
Cultural Communication Confidence
Communication is your most powerful tool as a leader. It’s how you share your vision, engage your team, influence decisions, and build your personal brand. From one-to-one conversations to addressing large audiences, your communication style shapes your leadership presence and determines your career trajectory. In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the communication skills that are essential for today’s and tomorrow’s global leaders. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or stepping up into leadership, mastering these skills is the key to maximising your impact through the way you...
info_outline
137 - Get noticed: Strategies for Career Visibility
Cultural Communication Confidence
How do you get noticed by senior leaders when you’re getting ready for promotion? How do you communicate your value beyond your local team or region? In this latest podcast, I’ll guide you through the practical steps to grow your visibility and impact, even before you're ready for that next career move. This is not about shortcuts or quick wins. It’s about investing in your career visibility strategies now, so you can confidently be ready for future leadership opportunities. This is your chance to build connections and put yourself on the radar for global leadership roles. What...
info_outline
136 - The leadership mindset to make Partner with Simon Olsen
Cultural Communication Confidence
What does it take to make partner in one of the world’s leading accountancy firms? Learn about leadership mindset from the inspiring career journey of Simon Olsen, partner at Deloitte, who shares his invaluable insights in this latest podcast episode from his 26 years of experience. Simon discusses his path to leadership, highlighting the importance of boldness, determination, and the ability to adapt culturally in an ever-changing global landscape. With a wealth of experience working across diverse cultures, Simon reflects on how these experiences have shaped his leadership style and the...
info_outlineIn celebration of International Women’s Day, I am excited to welcome a series of women senior leaders onto the podcast, starting with Aurélie Marais, Head of Strategy & Transformation for Sizewell C, nuclear energy company.
Aurélie shares her very personal journey towards becoming a leader, sharing her own definition of leadership mindset and action. We explore the importance of mentorship on that journey, and the continuous development of communication and cultural skills as essential components of effective leadership in a diverse, global organisation.
In our conversation, she highlighted the necessity for leaders to engage their teams through high-quality conversations and to be aware of their own biases and worldviews. Together, we reflected on the evolving nature of leadership and the skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Currently serving as the Head of Strategy and Transformation for the Civil Works Alliance delivering the Sizewell C nuclear plant project, Aurélie Marais has over 20 years of experience in turning strategy into action and results in media, energies & services and construction sectors. She fosters innovation and helps organisations and people adapt their ways of working as well as enhancing performance in complex, multicultural, and rapidly evolving environments.
What you will learn in this episode:
- The distinction between leadership status, mindset and actions
- The significance of mentoring and being mentored in personal and professional growth
- How to cultivate a mindset that embraces diversity and inclusion
- Communication skills as the cornerstone of successful leadership
- Strategies for navigating cultural differences in global teams
- Preparing for the future of leadership in an environment of constant change
- Understanding and reframing imposter syndrome as a sign of growth
Resources:
- Connect with Aurélie Marais on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaraismachurat/
- Learn more about my Global Leader Communication programme: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
- 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: [email protected]
- Website: https://culturecuppa.com