June 9, 2025
Coaching, Curiosity & Change: How to Influence Without Shouting
Table of Contents
Hanna
Head of Marketing
It’s not what you say - it’s how you listen
What happens when two leadership coaches and communication pros walk into a podcast? You get a masterclass in influence, strategic relationships, and how to lead change without losing your mind (or your job).
In this episode of Marketing vs The World, Abbie sits down with Emma Duke and Chaya Mistry - two former comms directors turned coaches - to chat about everything from stakeholder resistance to why silence might just be your most powerful tool.
It’s a different kind of episode, and one that’ll hit home for anyone who's ever hit a wall trying to get an idea over the line. Whether you’re trying to convince your boss to go all-in on a bold new campaign or just trying to get the sales team to respond to your Slack messages - it’s all about relationships.
Listen to the full episode to hear Emma and Chaya’s take on how coaching skills can help you lead change at every level.
Why holding space builds trust
“It says ‘advisor’ in your job title, but don’t advise. Listen. Learn. Then lead.”
Emma and Chaya argue that the first step to leading change isn’t delivering a polished pitch - it’s learning to hold silence. The kind that gives your stakeholder space to think, process and lead themselves.
They unpack the underestimated power of presence, how to read a room (especially on Zoom), and why taking up space doesn’t always mean being the loudest voice in it.
Need a new approach for your next stakeholder meeting? Hit play and take notes - you’ll never think about ‘influence’ the same way again.
The first blocker is usually you
“We're stuck in how we used to be seen - how we used to perform. That blocks us before we've even opened our mouths.”
This isn’t just about office politics. It’s about mindset. Both guests talk candidly about how internal blockers - like old habits, job title baggage, or imposter syndrome - can get in the way of our effectiveness and credibility.
Chaya offers insight into how to stop leading on autopilot, and Emma shares practical examples of how working on ourselves first can unlock more meaningful influence in our roles.
Struggling to make change happen in your role? This episode’s got the tools to help you unstick yourself first.
Why successful change needs a systems view
“No one exists in isolation. Not a comms director. Not a marketing manager. Not even a CEO.”
If you’re trying to lead change in just one department, you’re probably fighting a losing battle. Emma and Chaya talk about the importance of systemic thinking and stakeholder relationships - especially in today’s blurred organisational structures.
They explain how listening, curiosity and good old-fashioned empathy can help us shift from firefighting mode to strategic impact - across teams, not just within them.
Want to build better partnerships across your business? Start by getting curious. And yes - there’s lots of brilliant coaching questions you can steal.
Leadership isn’t always loud
“You're the leader here. What do you want to do?”
Through personal stories and lessons from their course, Emma and Chaya explore how coaching skills - like active listening and asking better questions - can help marketers and business leaders build trust, credibility and lasting influence.
It’s not about showing off what you know. It’s about helping others get to their own answers. Even in a crisis.
Looking to build authority and influence at work? This section is full of simple mindset shifts and coaching skills that make a big impact.
The surprisingly deep world of cold water swimming
“You come out of the water and it’s like - everything else just makes sense.”
From the joy of neoprene booties to spiritual moments in the sea, Emma and Chaya’s love of wild swimming is more than a hobby - it’s a metaphor for modern leadership. Letting go. Finding calm. And showing up, even when it’s freezing.
Whether you’re a seasoned dipper or a curious observer, this part of the chat is a refreshing reminder to find presence and connection in the everyday.
It’s cold. It’s quiet. It’s magic. And there’s even a shout out to The Blue Tits swimming community.
Our Favourite Bits
Here’s a quick recap of the biggest gems from this episode - perfect if you’re short on time or just want the highlights:
Influence starts with listening. Don’t dive in with advice, hold space instead.
Challenge your own blockers. Sometimes, the thing stopping you is... you.
Get strategic, not siloed. Build partnerships by understanding how systems work.
Be present. That’s where true leadership presence begins.
Stay curious. About your industry, your role, and the people around you.
These highlights got you curious? Listen to the full episode below.
Need help holding space or shifting strategy?
If this episode got you thinking differently about leadership, influence or the way you work - brilliant. That’s exactly what Marketing vs The World is here for.
You can get in touch with Emma & Chaya at Humanly Consulting and don’t forget to check out their community page too.
For more insights and updates on the world of marketing, follow Abbie Dando and Monday Clicks. And don’t forget to subscribe to Marketing vs The World on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.
DISCLAIMER
This article has been created using various AI tools, which transcribe raw audio and transform the content into a blog post. This helps us ensure each Marketing vs The World episode is released as quickly as possible.
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