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GrowthReady Podcast
GrowthReady Podcast
What does it mean to be ready to pursue growth? Should we pursue growth when we don't feel ready? And how do we achieve optimal growth by readying ourselves for everything that comes with it? The Growth Ready Podcast seeks to form a true appreciation for all facets of the growth process as we learn from high performers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Hosted by Steve Mellor, a seasoned high-performance executive coach and former US Olympic swim coach, each episode explores the pivotal moments that define true growth and the work that went into getting ready for it. Through candid conversation and detailed personal accounts, guests share their unique experiences of overcoming challenges, embracing transformation, and what it takes to get ready for every step of their growth journey.
April 29, 2026

Episode 317: Your Voice Is Your Edge: Dr. Leslie Gordon on Confidence, Presence, and Speaking Up

Episode 317: Your Voice Is Your Edge: Dr. Leslie Gordon on Confidence, Presence, and Speaking Up
GrowthReady Podcast
Episode 317: Your Voice Is Your Edge: Dr. Leslie Gordon on Confidence, Presence, and Speaking Up

What if the thing holding you back isn’t a lack of expertise, but the fact that your voice hasn’t caught up to what you know?

In this episode, Steve Mellor sits down with Dr. Leslie Gordon, a speech, voice, and accent expert who helps high-performing professionals speak with more confidence, presence, and impact. Leslie introduces the idea of the “growing edge,” a powerful replacement for the word “weakness,” and explains why real growth requires more than mindset. It requires action, repetition, awareness, and the willingness to step into unfamiliar territory.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever left a meeting thinking, “I should have said something,” or who knows they have something valuable to contribute but struggles to make their voice match their expertise.

  • Why “growing edge” is more useful than calling something a weakness
  • Why high performers struggle to speak up, even when they know their stuff
  • How self-evaluation can help growth or quietly block it
  • How to work with the inner critic using Leslie’s “name it to tame it” strategy
  • Why presence, breath, and body tension shape how your message lands
  • Why confidence is built through action, not simply something you either have or don’t have

Connect with Dr. Leslie Gordon:

Website: https://www.leslie.gordon.speech/lesliegordonspeech.com

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The Growing Edge: Why Your Expertise Isn’t Enough Until Your Voice Can Carry It

There comes a point in every high performer’s journey where talent is no longer the question. You know the work.You have the experience.You have earned the room. And yet, somewhere between what you know and what others receive, something gets lost…