Episode 20 How to Successfully Challenge Upwards in Your Leadership Role

In this episode, Sarah dives into the art of challenging upwards — how to voice your concerns or alternative views to senior leaders without damaging your career or key relationships. Whether it’s pushing back on a strategy, highlighting risks, or setting boundaries, she shares practical strategies to navigate these tricky conversations with confidence and empathy.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable — intro to the podcast and today’s topic[00:02:00] Why challenging upwards can feel difficult — the fear of damaging relationships or careers[00:03:00] Real-life examples: My leadership experience at Amnesty International and recent client stories[00:05:00] The importance of positioning — it’s not about disrespect, but offering an alternative view[00:06:00] Connecting with your values and choosing your battles wisely[00:07:00] Building strong relationships with senior leaders to create trust and credibility[00:08:00] Developing cognitive flexibility — seeing different perspectives as a leadership skill[00:09:00] Understanding your unconscious needs — are you driven by the need to be right or liked?[00:10:00] Recognizing emotional triggers and giving yourself time to respond thoughtfully[00:11:00] Crafting your message — using facts, logic, and data to resonate with senior decision-makers[00:12:00] Language matters — why “and” is more powerful than “but”[00:13:00] The importance of bravery — standing firm as a leader while remaining professional[00:14:00] Quick recap of strategies for challenging upwards[00:15:00] How I can support you with leadership coaching — connect with me on LinkedIn or my websiteUseful LinksSign up for Weekly Career InspirationLearn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching ProgrammesBook a Free 121 Clarity CallJoin The Love What You Do Facebook GroupConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRate & Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected], you are capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock your extraordinary potential. Be unstoppable.