Why Women Leaders Need the Right Support to Thrive
We need female leaders to have a bigger voice at the table, now more than ever. Full Stop.
As female leaders, we face incredible opportunities and challenges, and the research tells us that it’s magnified for women who are further marginalized within our gender. But one thing I see time and again, even among the most successful women, is that too many of us are navigating our journeys without the confidential support we deserve. Without the right coaching, it’s easy to miss out on opportunities, undervalue ourselves, and struggle to reach the impact and influence we know we’re capable of.
The truth is, the journey to the top doesn’t need to feel so isolating or uncertain. Let’s talk about what’s really at stake when we or our team does not have the right support and guidance.
~ Not Earning What You’re Worth
It’s a well-known fact that women, even at the executive level, are often underpaid compared to their male counterparts. Women earn roughly 83 cents for every dollar men earn*. ...
Leading in Times of Uncertainty with Stephanie Royal
In this podcast episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Stephanie Royal, Chief People and Culture Officer at the Robin Hood Foundation. Stephanie’s journey and experiences provide a powerful reminder that leading with authenticity, resilience, and purpose is essential, especially in today’s ever-changing landscape. Together, we unpacked the importance of embracing our unique leadership journeys, navigating cultural and societal expectations, and finding strength in community and self-care.
Here are five key takeaways from our conversation:
- Embrace Your Unique Journey (1:17)
Stephanie’s journey to becoming a leader wasn’t linear. Inspired by strong female role models, she learned early on the importance of carving her own path. Despite societal and familial expectations, Stephanie emphasized that we must give ourselves permission to pursue the career and life paths that align with our values. "You do you," as we like to say, because it’s your life to live and your legacy to bui...
Your Secret Weapon in High-Stakes Leadership - Influence with Impact
Your Secret Weapon in High-Stakes Leadership
As Fearless Female Leaders, we’ve fought hard to get where we are. We’ve broken through barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and earned our seat at the table. Sometimes there is an uncomfortable truth — once we’re at the table, the challenges don’t stop. High-stakes conversations, negotiations, and pivotal decision-making moments continue to test our resilience, confidence, and ability to lead under pressure.
One thing I’ve noticed in my work with executives across industries is this: Emotional agility is often the difference between a leader who influences with impact and one who struggles to get buy-in.Â
But what is emotional agility, and why is it crucial for us as women in leadership?Â
I spoke about this in a recent LinkedIn post, and so I wanted to continue the conversation.Â
Let’s break it down and explore how mastering emotional agility, especially when there is a lot at stake, can not only help to lead more effectively but also g...
Developing Resilience when it’s Time to Rise with Anne Pao
In this insightful episode, I had the pleasure of connecting with Anne Pao, CEO and founder of Ignite Consulting, to explore resilience and the critical role of self-care in leadership. Anne shares her journey from a challenging childhood to a successful corporate career, emphasizing the importance of taking pauses to recharge.Â
Anne dives into the necessity of integrating self-care routines, the power of sleep, and redefining productivity to include rest. Her experiences offer valuable lessons for female leaders on sustaining resilience and achieving long-term success by prioritizing well-being and trusting oneself.
Key Takeaways
Introduction to Resilience (00:00:01)
The importance of resilience, especially in Q4.
Running Away Decision (00:04:02)
At 12, Anne considers running away but chooses to focus on academics instead, demonstrating resilience.
Burnout and Recovery (00:10:36)
Anne shares her experience with burnout during the pandemic and the importance of taking a break f...
Ready for Your Next High-Stakes Negotiation?
After Monday’s LinkedIn post on navigating high-stakes negotiations, I thought it’d be the perfect time to revisit a blog that goes deeper into strategies for handling these critical conversations with confidence and clarity.
In this post, I share insights I picked up from a slightly terrifying—but amazing session with Chris Voss and his team of NYPD and FBI hostage negotiators.Â
It was a powerful reminder that our ability to remain calm, collected, and prepared in emotionally charged discussions can be a game-changer—both in the boardroom and beyond.
Here’s a quick preview of what I cover:
- Why lack of preparation is our biggest hurdle—and how a little foresight can eliminate most of the stress around tough conversations.
- The ABC Prep Framework: Plan A (Total Buy-In), Plan B (Partial Buy-In), and Plan C (Push Back)—so you know how to respond no matter what happens.
- Real-world examples of how women leaders have turned even the toughest “no” into a strategic advantage.
So, if ...
Enhance Influence in Negotiations: Unleashing Your Inner Champion - Negotiations 101
Enhance Influence in Negotiations
Emotions are running high which is 100% understandable. For many companies, earnings are down, and there is a lot of disruption happening around us.
The ability to navigate negotiations with finesse and confidence, especially now, is paramount. For female leaders, this skill is not just about securing favorable outcomes but also about asserting influence and maintaining productivity and profitability under pressure. In this 3-minute video, I share my tips on how women can enhance their negotiation skills through emotional agility and strategic preparation.
Understanding the Challenges
There are two primary challenges that can get in the way of our ability to influence: Over-communicating can dilute the message and reduce the perceived authority.
Emotional Reactions: Displaying anger or annoyance, while understandable, can undermine the negotiation process, especially with leadership.
The Power of Emotional Agility
Emotional agility is the runway...
Being an Executive and Being Happy with Larissa Thomas
I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Larissa Thomas, Vice President of Talent and Effectiveness at Electronic Arts.Â
We dive right into career fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of defining personal happiness and success.Â
Larissa shares her journey, highlighting struggles with confidence and societal pressures. She underscores the necessity of self-care and resetting to achieve mental clarity.
We also touch on cultivating happiness, setting realistic expectations, and focusing on personal growth.Â
I hope this episode inspires you, as a fearless female leader, to take charge of your career, prioritize well-being, and redefine success on your own terms.
Key Takeaways:
Defining Personal Success (00:03:28)
Larissa discusses the importance of defining her own version of success rather than following corporate norms.
Crafting a Career Change Plan (00:08:15)
Larissa details her process of planning a career change, focusing on strengths and desired work environments.
Co...
The Future of Companies Depends on all of Our Voices Being Heard - Negotiations 101
Gaining buy-in 101: The future of companies depends on YOUR and YOUR team’s voices being heard.
Women have been in leadership since the beginning of time, and wouldn’t you agree that it’s important now more than ever for YOUR voice to be heard?
For your voice to be heard by your leadership and to gain buy-in, it’s important to understand the importance of learning and caring about the other person's perspective and feelings to establish trust and influence effectively.Â
So how can you do this?
Whether it's for an idea, promotion, or salary negotiation, it’s not always about us. That’s right. Communicating our experience and expertise is vital, but it’s not what we lead with. If we do, it’s like asking someone to marry you after the first date, not likely to work out well!
The first thing that is important is to get to know the other person involved in the negotiation and make sure you are speaking to something that they care about.
Prepare as if success is inevitable and prepar...
Are you laying the groundwork now to hit the New Year running?
World-class performers lay the foundation for success early, when everyone else is too busy or worried about their current circumstances. I’m talking about laying the groundwork for your best year ever in 2025.Â
This isn’t about making resolutions. It’s about building a world-class plan and the habits to support it that will set you up for success in the coming year.Â
Whether your goal is to get in the best shape of your life, land a promotion, or strengthen your relationships, there’s one proven way to make real progress now, so you’re ahead of the game when January rolls around:
**Let’s Uplevel Our Accountability!**
Here are a few research-backed tips to help you get started, inspired by Dr. Anders Ericsson, author of *Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise*:
- Find a Mentor or Coach to Hold You Accountable:
Ideally, this person should be an expert in the area you want to improve. Once you reach a certain level of skill, it’s tough to make significant progress without ex...
Competency Architecture for High Performing Teams to Avoid Burnout and Attrition
I am honored to share this conversation with you that I had with Chrissy Medeck, Senior Vice President at B.O.K Financial, about combating workplace burnout and attrition through competency architecture.
Chrissy shares her leadership journey and introduces competency architecture as a framework to help employees identify necessary skills, behaviors, and knowledge for success.
Emphasizing strengths-based development, Chrissy advocates for clear career pathways and recognizing transferable skills. Our discussion highlights the importance of integrating competency architecture into organizational culture to enhance employee well-being, engagement, and productivity, ultimately fostering a more resilient and successful workforce.
Key Takeaways
Addressing Imposter Syndrome (00:04:29)
Exploration of how awareness and support can help combat feelings of inadequacy, particularly in women.
Challenges of Burnout and Attrition (00:06:23)
The speakers discuss the widespread issue of burnout and ...
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