Meet Linnita Hosten

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linnita Hosten. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linnita below.

Linnita, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

My journey to finding confidence and self-esteem didn’t start with podiums or workshops. It began in small, quiet moments, questioning my voice and my impact on others. Growing up, I was hesitant to speak up — not because I had nothing to say, but because I worried that what I said didn’t carry much value. I saw the effect powerful voices had around me and knew I wanted to cultivate that same strength, yet it felt like such a distant skill.

The turning point came when I was faced with the challenge of leading a presentation at my first corporate job. I was terrified but knew this was my opportunity to show what I was capable of. I remember rehearsing countless times, trying to settle the tremble in my voice and the doubt in my mind. On the day of the presentation, my hands and voice trembled and my throat was severely dry but I pushed through, reminding myself that my voice mattered. To my surprise, not only did my message resonate, but my colleagues were actively listening, laughing, and closely following what I was sharing.

That experience sparked a shift in me. I began diving into every communication resource I could find. I attended workshops, shadowed leaders I admired, and eventually pursued certification as a holistic coach to deepen my understanding of authentic self-expression. Each experience taught me that confidence wasn’t something you “arrive” at — it’s a skill you keep building. Over time, I learned to harness my voice and step into my identity as a leader in communication, fully embracing the power it has to transform.

Now, I channel these experiences into my work, helping others find their voices. The years of self-doubt, practice, and growth taught me that confidence doesn’t come from a single breakthrough — it’s a journey of resilience, intentional practice, and knowing your worth.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a certified holistic coach, keynote speaker, and national thought leader in communication, with a deep passion for helping leaders harness their leadership voice to drive collaboration and productivity within their teams. Through my consultancy, Vocal Value, we work to teach the importance of communication and how it transforms both professional and personal lives.

With a decade of experience delivering presentations, keynotes, and workshops across diverse sectors — including public, private, government, and education — I’ve seen firsthand how impactful communication can elevate careers, build confidence, and transform organizational morale. I find immense joy in helping leaders become better communicators, not just at work, but also at home and with themselves.

Whether it’s a leader learning to influence their team more effectively or an individual realizing the power they hold in their own voice, these moments are what fuel my passion.

Currently, I’m focused on expanding my reach through Vocal Value by offering programs and coaching sessions, with an emphasis on creating practical tools for individuals and teams to communicate with authenticity and impact. I’m also exploring new ways to help people take these skills and apply them to their personal lives for more meaningful connections.

I believe communication is key in everything we do. If you’re interested in developing your communication skills, I invite you to subscribe to my weekly communication tips by clicking this link: https://mailchi.mp/vocalvalue/weekly-actionable-communication-tips

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are:

1. Self-awareness: Understanding who I truly am and embracing that was a game-changer. I used to look at other thought leaders and compare my abilities to their. I do not do that any more. I deeply evaluate and grow who I am. My thoughts and ideas. My body. My speaking cadence and body mechanics. Overtime, this has allowed me time groom the confidence to speak with authority, and open up opportunities for me to lead and influence- almost every where I go.
My advice for those early in their journey is to start asking yourself- who am I really. The answer to this question is what you should start to embrace.

2. Continuous Learning: Communication is a lifelong skill that evolves with experience. From my experience delivering keynotes, teaching courses, and working with leaders in various sectors, I’ve seen how crucial it is to keep honing your craft. For those starting out, my advice is to never stop learning—whether through courses, books, feedback, or simply practicing regularly. Keep refining your skills to adapt to different audiences and contexts.

3. Empathy: Being able to connect with people on a human level is essential for effective communication. When I began focusing on empathy, I realized that leadership isn’t just about giving orders but understanding and motivating others. For those early in their journey, I encourage them to develop empathy. This will not only improve your communication but will also allow you to build better relationships and trust with others.

For anyone looking to develop these qualities, I’d say practice regularly, seek out opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives, and always remain open to feedback. The more you communicate, the more you will grow and improve.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe it’s important to both embrace our strengths and actively work on areas that aren’t as strong, but the key is finding a balance. Going all in on your strengths allows you to excel and bring unique value to the table, but ignoring areas for growth can hold you back in the long run.

In my own experience as a speaker and coach, I’ve learned the power of developing both areas of strength and areas that needed more attention. Early in my career, I was focused on speaking—an area I was naturally strong in. But over time, I realized the value of also honing my skills in listening, emotional intelligence, and coaching others through their challenges.
For example, when I started teaching communication courses at universities, I had to go beyond my natural speaking abilities and learn how to adapt my approach to engage students in different learning environments. This helped me refine my teaching skills, which not only elevated my workshops but also deepened my understanding of how to communicate better with diverse groups.

I see a similar trend in the leaders I coach. Many of them are strong in areas like strategy and decision-making but struggle with connecting with their teams on a deeper level. Helping them recognize and develop their communication skills transforms their leadership style and boosts their team’s productivity.

To truly reach our full potential, it’s essential to be well-rounded, leveraging our strengths while continually striving to grow in areas where we’re not yet as strong. That’s the path to becoming a more effective leader and communicator—whether at home, work, or within ourselves.

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