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Lean In To What Scares You - an Interview with Tamesa Rogers, Former Chief People Officer, Netgear

leaning in Feb 27, 2025

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Tamesa Rogers, the former Chief People Officer of Netgear, about her journey and the power of leaning into what scares you. This was Tamesa’s first podcast interview, and she shared incredible insights on overcoming fear, building resilience, and redefining success.

Tamesa’s leadership journey was shaped early on when she started kindergarten mid-year, feeling like an outsider. This experience instilled in her both determination and empathy, making her a leader who actively seeks to ensure others feel included and valued. She believes that fostering a sense of belonging translates directly to organizational success.

When asked about being one of the few women—or sometimes the only woman—in executive spaces, Tamesa credited her preparation and grit. She emphasized that confidence stems from knowing you are qualified and refusing to let fear dictate your actions. She encourages self-reflection, questioning negative thoughts, and ensuring that doubts are based on facts rather than insecurity.

Tamesa also discussed the importance of embracing uncertainty. After leaving her last role without a set plan, she took time to rest, travel, and reflect—something she believes many high-performing leaders overlook. This period of rest ultimately reignited her passion and helped her define what she truly wanted next.

Key take-aways from the interview:

0:01:22 – Tamesa’s early experience of feeling like an outsider in kindergarten helped shape her compassion and leadership approach.
0:05:09 – Confidence is built on preparation, determination, and refusing to let fear hold you back.
0:06:34 – Self-doubt should be examined and challenged—are your fears based on fact, or are they limiting beliefs?
0:08:02 – Taking time to rest and reset can be just as productive as action; clarity often comes from stillness.
0:14:23 – Networking and stepping outside of comfort zones can be daunting, but pushing through fear leads to unexpected opportunities.
0:17:39 – The key to overcoming fear is preparation, understanding the "rules of the game," and playing to win.

Tamesa is now looking for her next opportunity—one where she can drive meaningful change, build strong relationships, and solve complex problems.

If Tamesa’s story resonated with you, I’d love to hear yours. Let’s connect and explore how you can apply these principles to your leadership journey. Book a call with me today to take the first step toward fearless leadership.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, please email me at [email protected].

If you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, build cohesive, high-performing teams or navigate challenges with greater confidence and/or influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Also, if your company would like to be a part of the 10 company book speaking roadshow for my new book, The Fearless Female Leader, I’d love to discuss it with you!

Cheering you on always!!
- Sheryl