Stop Over-Explaining & Start Leading with Conviction: Embrace a Leadership Mindset - 032

Stop Over-Explaining & Start Leading with Conviction - Embrace a Leadership MindsetWho is this for?This episode is for experienced women in STEM—directors, VPs, and senior leaders—who find themselves stuck in the "expert" box. If you consistently get feedback that you're not quite "ready" for the next level, or you notice that you over-explain your work while others with less expertise advance, this solo reflection from Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ is for you.Summary:In this powerful solo episode, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya tackles a critical career hurdle for many senior women in STEM: the habit of over-explaining. She explains that while showing your work was essential for proving you belong in the room, it becomes a liability when you need to lead the room. The episode contrasts two scenarios: one where a leader presents exhaustive data and options, only to have someone else make the final call, and another where the leader opens with a clear, concise recommendation, immediately establishing their authority and steering the conversation.Adaeze argues that over-explanation is not a knowledge problem but a trust problem—a lack of trust in your own conviction. At senior levels, your expertise is assumed; what decision-makers are evaluating is your ability to lead with conviction and set a clear direction. Every caveat you add is a crack in your authority, and every qualifier is a step back from your own recommendation. The episode provides a practical, actionable challenge: before your next meeting, write down your recommendation in a single sentence and lead with it. This shift from performing expertise to demonstrating leadership is the key to moving from a respected expert to an influential leader who gets chosen to lead.Key Takeaways:Belonging vs. Leading: Proving you belong in the room requires showing your work. Leading the room requires showing your conviction.Lead with Your Recommendation: Instead of walking through all your data and analysis first, open with your conclusion. It immediately establishes your authority.Conviction Over Knowledge: At senior levels, leaders are chosen for their conviction and ability to set a direction, not just for their expertise.Trust Yourself: Over-explaining signals a lack of trust in your own conclusions. Trust that your experience and knowledge are enough.Memorable Quotes:"Belonging to a room and leading the room are two completely different things." [01:58]"Every caveat is a crack in your authority." [06:20]"Leaders are not chosen for what they know. They're chosen for their conviction." [11:23]Timestamps:[01:23] The difference between proving you belong and leading the room.[02:52] Two scenarios: how you present your ideas matters.[06:43] Why over-explaining is a trust issue, not a knowledge issue.[09:29] The one-sentence challenge to build your authority.[11:33] Take the Leadership Edge Diagnostic.FAQs:Why do I over-explain if I'm the expert? It's often a learned habit from earlier in your career when you had to prove your competence. At senior levels, it signals a lack of trust in your own authority and can prevent others from seeing you as a leader.What's the first step I can take this week? Before your next high-stakes meeting, write down your recommendation in a single sentence. Practice saying it out loud, and open with it when it's your turn to speak.Connect with African Women in STEM on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the African Women in STEM Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the African Women in STEM Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEDX Talk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge DiagnosticBook a strategy call