Giving Yourself Permission with Advita Patel

Loading player...
How a communications executive gave herself power to lead.

In this episode, Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) President 2025, Advita Patel, charts her journey from quitting the restraints of corporate to building a purposeful working life by stopping looking to others for validation.

Advita is an award-winning founder, communications expert, international speaker, podcaster, author, and confidence coach.

This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops.

As the founder of CommsRebel, she's helped numerous organisations cultivate inclusive cultures, through the power of effective communication.

Advita is also a co-founder of A Leader Like Me, a global inclusive communication consultancy designed to help organisations cultivate a space for everyone. She co-founded the Asian Communications Network, a community designed to help Asian communication professionals thrive through a sense of belonging and mutual support.

In 2022, she was named on the Northern Asian Power list in the UK and received the Emerging Leader Award. In 2024, she was recognised as one of the top global employee engagement and experience influencers by Inspiring Workplaces. And, in 2025, she was nominated one of PRWeek UK’s Top Most Influential Women in Communications.

In January 2025, she began her tenure as President of CIPR – the first person of colour to take on the role in the Institute’s history.

This is a powerful interview with a communications leader who has built herself a path to success and is shining the way for others to do the same.
23 Apr English Germany Management · Business

Other recent episodes

Intersectionality and Resilience with David Nath

A non-binary leader shares their experience of living diversity out loud. In this episode, chartered accountant and model David Nath talks to host Charlotte Otter about walking into a new job presenting as non-binary without first asking what the HR policy was. They talk about choosing themself, how their values…
11 Jun 44 min

Getting Systemic with Anita Lettink

Talking pay equity and transparency, AI in HR, and negotiating your salary. In this episode, Anita Lettink talks to Charlotte Otter about the EU Pay Transparency Directive and how its going to affect pay equity in the EU. Anita busts some myths about the pay gap, especially the pervasive notion…
4 Jun 46 min

Ask Me Anything with Charlotte

Getting real about reputation, leadership, and the writing process. In this episode, Charlotte answers listener questions - ranging from who's your podcast inspiration, to what's your pet peeve in corporate communications. Charlotte also talks about reputation, leadership (good and bad), and gives some insights into her book-writing process. She also…
28 May 20 min

Reputation as Currency with Vuyiswa M'Cwabeni

Your reputation enters the room before you do, so act with integrity. In this episode, Vuyiswa M'Cwabeni describes how real personal growth and transformation happens outside the comfort zone. Having had to reassess her career completely after a shocking experience (which she describes), she ensures that she lives and works…
21 May 39 min

The ADHD Leader with Paul Nolan

Diversity and Inclusion in the PR Industry. In this episode, PR agency leader Paul Nolan describes his ADHD diagnosis at the age of 42 - along with his whole family - and how that gave him insight into himself, how he manages his energy, responds to triggers, and his leadership…
14 May 40 min