152 – The Ripples of Authentic Connection with Laura Barber

In this latest podcast episode, I’m joined by the straight-talking Laura Barber, founder of Ripple Impact, brand storyteller and experienced brand and insight strategist with 22+ years of experience in global multibillion-dollar businesses.

We explore confidence, the evolving nature of leadership across multinational corporations and entrepreneurial ventures, and why authenticity and cultural intelligence are your greatest assets in developing meaningful communication.

Laura shares practical, down-to-earth advice on pushing beyond your comfort zone, mastering the physicality of confidence, and stepping into leadership without waiting for titles or validation. We also explore the power of storytelling in leadership and the importance of empathy and connection in today’s global business landscape.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why confidence is a practice, not an automatic state, and how to build it deliberately
How to use body language and physical presence to project and cultivate confidence
The myth that extroversion defines leadership, and how authenticity is your unique leadership superpower
The critical role of storytelling and empathy in communication
How to stop waiting for permission and start leading now

Reflection Questions:

In what ways are you currently stepping outside your comfort zone to grow your confidence?
What physical practices might you incorporate to help project confidence in challenging situations?
Where in your leadership journey are you waiting for permission, and how can you shift that into action?

Laura Barber is the founder of The Ripple Impact, advising businesses on brand strategy and insights taken from her 22+ years of experience in global multibillion-dollar businesses, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Walgreens Boots and General Mills.

At The Ripple Impact, she helps ambitious brands unlock the power of their story and strategy so they can make waves in their industry. They partner with visionary founders, leaders and teams to uncover the deep insights, bold thinking, and human truths that shape how brands show up in the world. Whether you’re scaling a startup, evolving your positioning, or launching something new, they help you connect the dots and create impact that lasts.

She is also the host of The Ripple Impact podcast, where she goes under the surface of the human stories, those ripple moments that have created waves in business and in life.

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