Choose Yourself to Lead: Moving Women from Influence to Power with Laura Fink

In this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi sit down with Laura Fink, CEO of Rebelle Communications. Laura Fink’s journey – from navigating delivering her TEDx Talk to helping women find their voice and thrive as leaders – is filled with hard-earned wisdom and inspiring stories. Read on to learn from Laura’s experiences as a speaker, entrepreneur, and communications expert. 

Meet Laura Fink

Laura Fink is a strategic communications expert and executive coach who helps women achieve and succeed in positions of power.

She has served as a trusted advisor to multiple Members of Congress, a Speaker of the California State Assembly and a President Pro-Tem of the California Senate. She has helped build and raise the profiles of diverse women seeking to launch and lead companies, serve on boards and commissions and run for public office.

Laura has represented scientists battling gender discrimination at storied research institutions, hotel and grocery workers raising their voices for respect on the job, and women publicly confronting those who abuse their power – from elected officials and CEOs to a sitting Supreme Court Justice.

Laura has counseled entrepreneurs, labor leaders, high profile philanthropists, attorneys and corporate executives — architecting the strategy and narrative that propels them to success.

Plan to Fail: How Not to Do a TEDx Talk

Laura jokes that she could write a book called How Not to Do a TEDx. When she was preparing for her TEDx Talk, she learned some critical lessons about preparation and memorization.

Laura was initially invited to give a breakout session at a TEDx Women workshop, and her success there led to her being invited to the main stage. Laura explained how she neglected the science of memorization when she was preparing for her talk. 

“I drew a hard blank during my dress rehearsal,” Laura shared, recalling the panic that hit when she realized she might fail in front of 500 people. Instead of letting fear take over, she devised a “plan to fail,” preparing for what to do if she blanked again. 

It worked. She explained: “Because I had that plan, I didn’t fail.”

Her TEDx went off without a hitch, but the experience left her with a good reminder to always have a plan for when things go wrong and give yourself time to prepare to let the memorization marinate.

Failing Forward as an Entrepreneur

For Laura, entrepreneurship has been a series of pivots and hard lessons. One of her biggest realizations is that she wasn’t always intentional about the kind of work she took on.

“I relied on my personality and the strength of my work to carry me,” she said. While this approach brought her success in business, it also delayed her in defining the kind of work she truly wanted to do.

Laura’s advice to other entrepreneurs? Avoid a “failure of vision.” Be proactive in pinpointing the work you love and align your business to attract the clients and opportunities you truly want. That also means you should transition out of roles or tasks that no longer serve you, even if they’re things you’re good at.

Be Careful Where You’re Useful

Laura’s early career in politics taught her a lesson she now shares with her clients: “Be careful where you’re useful.”

Initially, she found herself in fundraising roles. It was something she was good at, but she didn’t feel like it aligned with her passion for communication and the written word. It wasn’t until much later that she made the leap into the communications work she loves.

Her message to others is that just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean it’s where you belong. Take time to assess where your heart truly lies, and don’t be afraid to reposition yourself to get there.

The Elements of Great Communication

As a communications coach, Laura helps her clients craft effective speeches and develop their presence. When asked about what separates great speakers from good ones, she says two key factors:

1. Vulnerability and Emotional Connection

Great speakers aren’t afraid to dig deep and be vulnerable with their audience. “It’s simple to say, but difficult to do,” Laura explains. Authenticity requires you to embrace your true self.

2. The Power of Storytelling

Whether it’s two sentences or 60 minutes, storytelling is the hallmark of transformative communication. “It’s easier to default to lists and facts,” Laura says. “But allowing your audience to move through a story with you is what creates impact.”

Perfectionism: A Blessing and a Curse

Laura explains how perfectionism has both propelled her forward and held her back. “Perfectionism got me where I am, but it’s also prevented me from growing,” she said.

For entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives, this is great encouragement to embrace messy first drafts, accept imperfection, and focus on progress over perfection. “There’s a law of diminishing returns when you’re stuck chasing perfect,” she says.

Women Leaders: Moving from Influence to Power

Laura Fink has worked extensively with women leaders, many of whom struggle to step out of supportive roles and into top positions. Her advice? Be vocal about what you want.

“You can’t wait for someone to recognize your potential,” she explains. “You have to say it – first to yourself, then to others.”

For aspiring entrepreneurs or leaders looking to break into new spaces, Laura says that communication is so important. Whether it’s public speaking, networking, or branding, getting your voice out there can create opportunities and open doors.

Connect with Laura Fink

🔗 Connect with Laura Fink on Instagram and her website, Rebelle Communications