The Silence Tax: And How to Stop Paying It
Have you ever walked out of a meeting wishing you had spoken up? Said thank you when you wanted to ask for more? Softened your point until it no longer sounded like you?
That is what silence looks like. From the inside, it often feels like being professional, easygoing, or patient.
But it comes at a cost. In the opportunities that went to someone else. In the hours spent afterwards replaying what you should have said. In the confidence that quietly erodes every time you choose silence over your own voice. That is the Silence Tax.
Most leaders know that speaking up matters. But knowing it and actually doing it are two very different things.
This free one-hour class is designed to help you close that gap.
In this free class you will discover:
Where silence is showing up in your own work, through one real, recent moment
What it has cost you across your career, your energy, and your sense of self
One sentence you can use this week to start reclaiming your voice
On Tuesday, November 3 at noon Eastern, join Lesley Hawkins for an honest conversation about what staying quiet costs you in your career, your energy, and your sense of self, and what changes when you decide to stop paying it.
OWN YOUR WORTH
Define It!
Trust it!
Love It!
I help leaders and organizations lead on their own terms through keynotes that spark courage, workshops that develop tomorrow's authentic leaders, and honest conversations about the pivotal moments that shape who we are.
Brands I have worked with:
How we partner
Keynote Speaking
The Courage to Define and Own Your Worth
Transform your organization’s approach to leadership with a story-driven keynote that equips you with the confidence and skills to advocate for yourself, take calculated risks, and lead authentically.
Workshop
The Leadership Mirror
Where women build the courage to define and own their worth, through frameworks, peer coaching, and exercises that change how you show up.
Podcast
The Lesley Hawkins Podcast
Anchored by one question, “What’s one pivotal moment in your life?”, I hosts candid, personal conversations that reveal the turning points that shape who we are.
“Lesley is an exceptional keynote speaker who truly connects with her audience. Her message is powerful, relevant, and delivered in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand. From the moment she took the stage, she had the room fully with her—thoughtful, authentic, and impactful.
If you are looking for a speaker who will resonate deeply with your audience and leave them inspired, Lesley is an outstanding choice. I would not hesitate to hire her again.”
Nathalie Lavallee, National Golf Course Owners Association
Meet Lesley
I spent years believing that fitting in was the path to success. Then I discovered that conformity isn't leadership, it's a performance.
With 30 years of leadership experience with some of the top brands in sport, I learned that the people who make real impact are those who have found the courage to show up as themselves. That shift in perspective changed not just how I led, but what became possible for the people around me.
Now I help leaders and organizations experience that same transformation. Through keynotes, workshops, and conversations, I work with people who are ready to stop performing and start owning their voice, because when we show up with authentic conviction, teams come alive, confidence replaces doubt, and business thrives.