129 | The Eight Practices of Credible Leadership | Jenni Field

Building Better Cultures

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with Jenni Field, CEO of Redefining Communications, to discuss her new book Nobody Believes You and the critical role of credibility in leadership. They explore the eight interconnected practices that define credible leadership and examine how leaders can navigate post-pandemic organisational challenges with empathy, integrity, and self-awareness.

Jenni shares research-backed insights on how leaders can build trust, foster a supportive culture, and adapt their communication styles to strengthen their credibility. From balancing vulnerability with professionalism to embracing feedback as a tool for growth, this conversation offers practical strategies for leaders looking to inspire confidence and drive meaningful change.

KEY POINTS

• Credibility is the foundation of leadership—without it, leaders struggle to gain trust and influence.

• Post-COVID leadership requires a shift towards empathy, integrity, and adaptability.

• The eight practices of credible leadership work together—leaders must develop all of them to be truly effective.

• Leaders must be intentional about communication, self-awareness, and feedback to maintain credibility.

• A strong organisational culture is built through supportive leadership and a clear vision.

• Empathy is not just an inherent trait—it’s a skill that can be developed and strengthened.

ABOUT JENNI FIELD

Jenni Field is an international speaker, author, podcaster, researcher, and business communications strategist. She specializes in helping teams and leaders use communication to take people and organisations from chaos to calm.

From Canada to Slovenia, you’ll find her talking about credible leadership, relationships at work, and how to be more impactful with your communication.

A well-respected thought-leader in the communications industry, she is known for her optimistic outlook, energy, and honesty on any stage she is speaking on.

Jenni’s podcast, Redefining Communications with Jenni Field, provides short 15-minute episodes focusing on different business topics and providing advice to help organizations go from chaos to calm.

In 2021 published her first book Influential Internal Communication.

Jenni has led several research projects to help organisations tackle some of their biggest challenges; In 2019 she carried out the only research into communication with deskless workers, repeating it in 2023 to see the impact of the pandemic on frontline teams.

Her research in 2021 explored the role of line managers and in 2023 she researched the different practices that make a leader credible – leading to the publication of Nobody Believes You; Become a Leader People Will Follow.

SOCIAL LINKS

• Redefining Communications website
• Jenni's LinkedIn
• Instagram: @Jennifield
• X: @mrsjennifield

REFERENCE LINKS

• Books by Jenni
• Redefining Comms Research Reports
• Redefining Communications Podcast