Before You Make Another Big Decision, Listen to This Voice First
Have you ever felt a quiet inner nudge—the sense that you’re meant for something more, even when everything on the outside looks successful? Maybe it shows up as restlessness, or a dream you keep postponing for “someday.” Perhaps you feel stuck in a routine that no longer fulfills you, held back by fear of change or failure.
That’s exactly where I found myself twelve years ago.
After nearly three decades in a high-profile television career, I had what most people would call “success.” Yet deep down, I knew something needed to change. There was no roadmap—just a quiet voice that whispered:
“You’re meant for something more.”
That voice wasn’t loud, but it was persistent. Learning to trust it—above the fears, doubts, and well-intentioned advice of others—became the foundation for my personal and professional transformation.
Inner Voice vs. Inner Critic: The Leadership Lesson No One Talks About
Every leader has two voices.
One is the inner critic—the loud, relentless voice that questions your worth, replays your mistakes, and disguises fear as logic. It thrives in uncertainty and feeds on comparison, often convincing you to play it safe. If we let it, it keeps us stuck in roles we’ve outgrown and holds us back from taking risks or embracing our authenticity.
Then there’s the inner voice—your intuitive guide. It doesn’t shout. It whispers truth. It reminds you of who you are beneath the titles, the performance, and the pressure.
Your inner voice is your greatest leadership tool. When you learn to distinguish it from your critic, you stop performing and start leading. You move from perfection to presence—and from confusion to clarity.
Action Step: The next time you face a decision, pause and ask:
“Is this voice coming from fear, or from truth?”
That one question can change everything.
Why Emotional Intelligence Starts with Listening to Yourself
As an executive coach, I define The IT Factor™ as the alignment of your physical, mental, and relational self.
It’s about showing up with clarity, confidence, and purpose—what I call embodied leadership.
But that alignment can’t happen if your decisions are driven by fear or ego. When you let fear lead, you’re reacting—not leading. You may appear successful on the outside, but inside, something feels disconnected. That disconnect is a signal: you’re out of alignment with your truth.
Coaching Tip: Ask yourself, “Which voice am I listening to—the one that doubts me or the one that knows me?” True leadership presence begins with inner alignment. When you learn to listen inwardly, every outward decision becomes more intentional.
How to Rebuild Trust with Your Inner Voice
You don’t need a career overhaul to reconnect with your intuition. You just need a willingness to slow down and listen, without losing your edge.
Your inner wisdom hasn’t disappeared—it’s simply been drowned out by busyness, expectations, and self-doubt.
Here are four reflective questions to help you reconnect:
What am I avoiding that I already know I need to face?
What energizes me—and what drains me?
Where am I betraying myself by saying “yes” when I want to say “no”?
Where do I already know the answer but haven’t given myself permission to act?
Action Step: Journal on one question each day for a week. Notice what themes emerge. Your clarity will begin to reveal itself in patterns.
Your Voice Is the Foundation of Executive Presence
Many leaders come to me wanting to strengthen their executive presence—to communicate with confidence and lead with influence. But here’s the truth: presence starts before you ever speak.
Yes, your delivery, tone, and body language matter. But your mindset is what drives how others perceive you. The most magnetic leaders are those who are grounded in authenticity. They’ve done the inner work to align their thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Leadership Insight: True confidence isn’t about volume—it’s about congruence. When your inner and outer selves align, you naturally command respect and trust.
A Final Invitation: Trust the Voice That Knows You Best
If you’re in a season of transition or self-doubt, take this as your reminder: You already have the wisdom you need. Your inner voice may be quiet, but it’s steady, honest, and true.
When you choose to listen to it, everything begins to shift. You don’t have to know every next step—you just need the courage to take one aligned action.
Because the next chapter of your life isn’t waiting for certainty. It’s waiting for you to say yes.
💬 Ready to Strengthen Your Inner Voice and Leadership Presence?
Join me at BrunnerAcademy.com to explore my courses and coaching designed to help leaders like you develop emotional intelligence, confidence, and authentic communication skills that inspire transformation—from the inside out.
If you enjoyed this blog post, here are some other resources you might enjoy:
My book, "Dare To Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams Into Your Next Chapter": The winner of two Feathered Quill Book awards, and an Book Excellence award, and recommended by Forbes in 2022 as “a teaching memoir”.
My podcast, the "Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner" podcast: An award-winning and internationally streamed show that highlights powerful stories of re-creation and reinvention from guests who have taken their life experiences, and used that knowledge to create their “next chapters” and live their best lives.
My work as a keynote speaker, executive coach and communication expert. You can read more about more of my services here.
Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?
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