Communicating with Confidence When You’re Under Pressure

Communicating with Confidence When You’re Under Pressure

From HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

May 7, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 160

About this episode

Muriel Wilkins discusses communication techniques for leaders under pressure.

Communicating clearly sets you up to have the leadership impact and influence you need to drive change. But what if you’re running on empty? Expressing your ideas and giving direction when you’re sleep-deprived, burned out, or simply overwhelmed can feel nearly impossible. So, what helps? Leadership development coach Muriel Wilkins, author of Leadership Unblocked and host of the podcast Coaching Real Leaders, talks us through communication techniques that meet you where you’re at mentally and emotionally so that you can rise to the moment (even when you’re worried you can’t).

People in this episode

Guest: Muriel Wilkins

Topics covered

  • communication
  • leadership
  • stress management
  • personal development
  • influence

Keywords

  • communication
  • leadership
  • pressure
  • techniques
  • influence
  • burnout
  • clarity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Leadership Unblocked, Coaching Real Leaders

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