Fearless Female Leadership Blog - Mental Toughness & High Performance

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Struggling to Prepare Enough for Important Meetings?

empathy preparation pressure structure Dec 03, 2025

If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “That was a lost opportunity… I could’ve been more prepared,” please know you are not alone. It happens to even the most capable, high-performing leaders. And yet, those small windows of time (whether it’s a 15-minute 1:1 or a brief hallway conversation with a senior leader) are often the moments that matter most.

They’re the moments that shape your influence, your visibility, and the confidence others have in your leadership.

I’ve been there myself. It’s frustrating, and it can sting. But I want to make sure it doesn’t continue happening to you.

There is a proven way to walk into these interactions feeling grounded, clear, and ready. Both you and the person you’re meeting with can walk away feeling energized, aligned, and confident.

And it starts before you ever say a word.

Start by Putting on Their Goggles

When we prepare for an important meeting (especially one with an executive) we often feel pressure to talk fast, showcase ou...

Mental Preparation for Influencing Under Pressure (The “ECO” Mindset)

curiosity empathy influence optimism pressure Oct 29, 2025

If you’ve ever walked into a high-stakes conversation with a great plan yet felt your words landed flat, you’re not alone. What we think and feel beforehand shapes what others hear (through our tone, body language, and presence.) That’s why mental preparation isn’t a “nice to have”... it’s a performance edge.

Over the last decade, my work with senior female leaders has shown a consistent pattern: those who prepare their mindset before they prepare their message influence more effectively… especially under pressure.

I’d like to share a simple, research-informed framework you can use right away.

The 3 Critical Steps (That We Often Skip)

When influence matters, there are three core steps:

Gain clarity on your message
Build internal confidence for your message
Execute an influence framework with the right mental and tactical preparation
Most people skip that third step, and it can be devastating to outcomes with peers, leadership, and customers.

The “ECO” Mindset Model can help you wi...