156. Who Gets Heard at Work - And Who Doesn’t with Victoria Rennoldson
In this episode of Ways to Change Your Workplace, Prina Shah is joined by London-based communication coach and cultural intelligence trainer Victoria Rennoldson for a powerful conversation about voice, silence, and the hidden dynamics shaping who gets heard at work.
Victoria shares insights from her own corporate career and her current work with global leaders and multicultural teams, unpacking why some highly capable people stay quiet in meetings while others dominate the conversation - and what this costs individuals, teams, and organisations.
This episode explores how cultural norms, communication styles, and leadership habits influence participation, inclusion, and career progression, particularly in virtual and globally dispersed workplaces.
In this episode, Prina and Victoria explore:
• Why being quiet is often misinterpreted as disengagement or lack of confidence
• How dominant voices shape meetings - especially in virtual environments
• The cultural assumptions behind how meetings are run and voices are valued
• Why communication is more than speaking - it requires listening and processing
• How multilingual and multicultural professionals are often overlooked despite strong performance
• The link between voice, belonging, and psychological safety
• How miscommunication and misinterpretation erode team and organisational culture
• Why people get stuck in their careers despite ticking all the boxes
• The role of leaders in creating an equal share of voice within teams
Victoria introduces the concept of cultural intelligence (CQ) and explains how understanding behavioural preferences, communication styles, and non-verbal cues can transform team dynamics. She shares practical examples of how small adjustments in awareness, body language, and meeting design can lead to better connection, trust, and outcomes.
About the guest:
Victoria Rennoldson is a communication coach and cultural intelligence trainer, and the CEO and Founder of Culture Cuppa. She works with current and future global leaders to elevate and amplify their communication, and supports multicultural teams to build connection,
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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah
