The particular challenges
women face, and how to meet them
Research consistently shows that women often face a distinct and unfair set of communication challenges in professional life, from being judged more harshly for assertive speech to the double bind of being seen as either too aggressive or not authoritative enough.
Catie has navigated this territory throughout her career as a professional broadcaster and presenter in male-dominated industries. She brings a grounded, research-informed and practical approach. This is not about changing who you are. It is about giving you the full toolkit — so you can choose when and how to use it.
Practical coaching, grounded in research
Upspeak & vocal authority
Research shows that rising intonation on statements (upspeak) and higher pitched voices, disproportionately affects how women's authority is perceived. We work specifically on ending statements with conviction, using breath control and deliberate pitch drops to project certainty without sounding aggressive. The shift is subtle and the impact is immediate.
Handling interruptions
Being interrupted is not a reflection of what you are saying — it is a social dynamic that can be navigated. We practise concrete techniques: holding the floor, re-entering after an interruption, using volume and pace to signal that you have not finished, and the specific phrasing that reclaims space without generating conflict.
Presence under pressure
Women report higher levels of presentation anxiety than men in most professional settings. We address nerves at the physiological level — breathing, posture, preparation rituals — not by telling you to "be more confident", which is both unhelpful and patronising. Confidence is a skill. It is built through preparation and practice, not personality
Apologetic language
Hedging phrases such as "I just think…", "This might be wrong but…", "Sorry to ask…" — are far more common in women's professional speech and measurably reduce perceived expertise. We help you identify your own patterns and replace them with language that is direct without being blunt, and confident without being combative.
The authority / likeability tension
Decades of research confirm the double bind: women are expected to be warm and collaborative, but authority is associated with directness and dominance. These are not impossible to reconcile. The most effective communicators, of any gender, are warm and direct. We show you how to hold both.
Media and on-camera presence
Women are judged more harshly than men on appearance and vocal qualities in broadcast settings. We prepare women specifically for camera and microphone — what to wear, how to manage the physicality of an interview setting, bridging techniques that keep you on message when a host is adversarial, and how to project warmth and authority simultaneously on screen.