How do you turn self-doubt into clarity, confidence, and a credible voice in your field?
In this episode of Powerful Introvert, I sit down with Claire Alvis—founder of Silent Partner Consulting and writer of the Substack newsletter The Quiet Expert—to explore how quiet professionals can turn inner uncertainty into visible impact.
Claire’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line. From live TV production to restaurants to operations leadership at Deliveroo, her career spans industries and experiences. But with each transition came a familiar voice of self-doubt: “Am I really good enough to be here?”
Instead of trying to silence that voice, Claire studied it—and turned it into a strength. Now, she helps others do the same, coaching professionals to uncover their unique expert signature and communicate their impact without self-promotion that feels fake or flashy.
Whether you’re job hunting, running a business, or seeking a promotion, this episode offers a roadmap to claiming your expertise and building a personal brand rooted in authenticity, not ego.
🎙️ Key Lessons
• You don’t need a linear career to have real expertise
• Your failures are part of what make you credible—don’t hide them
• Expertise = what you know + how you think + what you’ve lived
• Self-promotion doesn’t have to feel gross—start by telling your story
• Visibility isn’t about ego—it’s about clarity, connection, and service
• Great leaders shine a light on others, not just themselves
• Data + storytelling = quiet influence
• The “quiet 50%” of your career often contains your greatest value
🕒 Episode Breakdown
(00:00) Meet Claire Alvis and her path to tech leadership
(02:00) Growing through self-doubt, not confidence
(05:00) Curiosity as a leadership engine
(08:00) Navigating imposter syndrome at the executive level
(12:00) Discovering a leadership style rooted in humility
(15:00) How Claire learned to self-promote authentically
(20:00) Job hunting after a failed startup—and telling the full story
(23:00) The “expert signature” and why yours is unique
(26:00) Communicating impact inside a company
(30:00) Visibility as service, not self-centeredness
(32:00) Where to find Claire and keep learning
🔗 Connect with Claire Alvis
Substack: The Quiet Expert
LinkedIn: Claire Alvis
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