The importance of clarity: Harriette Luscombe

As part of International Women’s Day 2026, leaders in Greater Birmingham share their thoughts on the power of reciprocity and support following this year’s theme of ‘Give to Gain’.

In a world full of motivational quotes and wishes, Harriette Luscombe, co founder of Coaches for Change advocates for clarity.

She helps women to define specific targets, anticipate obstacles, plan difficult conversations, and build systems that support performance.

Harriette writes about the changes she wants to see in Birmingham, how progress comes through courage, and why women need to stop chasing balance, and start chasing growth.

What changes would you like to see for women in business in Greater Birmingham?

I’d love to see Birmingham become a city where women are supported to scale, not just survive.

We talk a lot about confidence, but confidence isn’t built from motivational quotes. It’s built from hitting meaningful goals, being backed to make bold decisions, and having the right conversations — even the uncomfortable ones.

I’d love to see:

More women funded at growth stage, not just startup stage

More honest conversations about imposter syndrome in senior rooms

More sponsorship — not just mentoring, but real advocacy

And I’d love us to retire the idea that women need to achieve “perfect work-life balance” to be credible. High performers don’t have balance — they have alignment. They know what matters this season and they go after it.

If Birmingham can combine ambition with intentional support, we won’t just have more women in business — we’ll have more women building serious economic power.

What is one action you could take to challenge gender bias or stereotypes?

I can go first in the difficult conversations.

Gender bias often survives not because people are malicious, but because no one wants to make it awkward. Assumptions go unchallenged. Credit goes unclaimed. Feedback goes unsaid.

I challenge that by training — and modelling — how to have clear, respectful, evidence-based conversations.

That means:

Calling out vague feedback and asking for specifics

Naming when contributions are overlooked

Encouraging women to articulate their strengths without apology

Avoidance protects stereotypes. Conversation dismantles them.

I can help people build the confidence and skill to say the thing — calmly, professionally, and without burning bridges.

Because progress doesn’t come from staying polite and quiet. It comes from staying clear and courageous.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a woman in business and how did you overcome it?

Imposter syndrome — but not in the way people expect.

It wasn’t “I’m not good enough.” It was “I need to prove myself constantly.”

That mindset leads to overworking, over-delivering, and under-celebrating wins.

I overcame it by doing the exact work I now train:

Getting clear on my strengths

Setting measurable goals

Tracking evidence of impact

Celebrating progress properly

Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s data. Once you have evidence, the internal narrative changes.

This year’s IWD theme is Give to Gain. How will you give back to either your organisation or community to help drive more change?  

I’ll give clarity.

So many talented women stall because their goals are vague. “I want to grow.” “I want to step up.” “I want more impact.” That’s not a plan — that’s a wish.

Through workshops and training, I help women define specific targets, anticipate obstacles, plan difficult conversations, and build systems that support performance.

When you give anyone structure, you don’t just increase confidence — you increase results.

And when women achieve visible results, doors open wider for everyone behind them.

That’s Give to Gain in practice.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to women looking to succeed in your industry?

Stop chasing balance. Start chasing growth.

In personal development and workplace wellbeing, there’s pressure to be endlessly calm, endlessly available, endlessly “together.”

Success doesn’t come from being perfectly balanced. It comes from setting stretching goals, playing to your strengths, and being willing to have conversations others avoid.

And celebrate your wins properly. The hedonic treadmill is real — if you don’t pause to recognise progress, you’ll never feel successful, no matter how much you achieve.

How has being part of GBCC helped support your business or career?

Being part of GBCC has expanded the conversation.

I train Human Power - which isn’t just a wellbeing concept — it’s a business performance strategy.

Through GBCC, I’ve been able to connect with leaders who understand that resilience, strengths, and confident communication aren’t “nice to have.” They drive productivity, retention and growth.

The Chamber creates spaces where ambitious conversations happen — and that’s exactly where meaningful change begins.