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Do This Before You Try to Influence

 

When my daughter was a teenager, it seemed like every conversation ended in an argument. I could not say anything right! It was so frustrating for both of us.

Have you ever had an important conversation, either with family or with a colleague, and it just goes horribly wrong?

I have recently read Charles Duhigg's book, ‘Super Communicators’, and there are a few key take-aways that I found very interesting and incredibly important when preparing to have a crucial conversation. 

One thing that jumped out at me was the importance of understanding others' needs before engaging in conversations, whether in professional settings or family dynamics. 

Recognizing whether someone needs data, emotional support, or simply a listening ear can enhance communication whether this is in personal relationships, or at work.

Do they need a hug or empathy? Do they need an answer? Do they need data facts? Do they just need to be heard and listened to?

Approaching conversations with intentionality and...

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End 2024 Strong... Join the Fearless Female Leadership Q4-'24 Cohort

finish strong Sep 17, 2024
 

I wanted to take a quick moment to acknowledge the incredible work you’ve accomplished so far this year. I know we can be hard on ourselves sometimes, so let this be a reminder: you’re doing an amazing job!

Will you join us to finish 2024 strong?!

Let’s make sure you feel more heard, valued, and courageous in your leadership and have a clear plan to feel confident, respected, and happy in Q1 2025.

Watch this brief video (above) from me to you.

You will not be receiving many reminders and lots of emails about this. Leaders, such as yourself, take swift action, and that is who will be in this rarely offered cohort.

Learn more and save your seat on the Fearless Female Leadership Q4-2024 Cohort here, or schedule a time to discuss with me here.

To your next level of success (and joy)!

P.s. If you would like to make this cohort available to your team, please schedule a time here to ensure there is room.

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AI Unbiased: Fearless Leadership Planning for 2025 with a Strategic Mindset with Jo Tyrer

 

In this insightful episode, I had the pleasure of speaking to Jo Tyrer, Chief Revenue Officer at Kontent, to explore the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in business planning. 

Jo shares her journey to leadership, emphasizing the importance of resilience and a growth mindset. The discussion highlights the necessity of unbiased AI and its alignment with company values and ethics, drawing parallels to historical examples where lack of representation led to dangerous outcomes.

Jo dives into how companies must prioritize fairness and inclusivity in their AI strategies to avoid perpetuating biases and inequalities.

We discuss the need for clear AI strategies, transparent communication, and ethical guidelines, while understanding the perspective that Gen Z brings to the table.

Jo's expertise offers valuable guidance for all leaders aiming to integrate AI thoughtfully and responsibly into their business practices.

Key Takeaways

Finding Balance (00:09:19)

Sheryl and Jo empha...

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Navigating Job Uncertainty: Strategies for Executive Female Leaders

 

In today's rapidly changing professional landscape, job uncertainty seems to be an increasing concern, especially for executive female leaders and emerging leaders.

Here are a few actionable strategies to help navigate job insecurity with confidence and poise. 

Being proactive, creating a personal brand, and documenting profitability are all strategies to be consistent and proactive about.

Be Proactive

Acknowledge and Honor Your Emotions

The first step in being proactive is to acknowledge the current climate of economic fluctuations, political changes, and other uncertainties. It's essential to honor your feelings of fear and anxiety rather than dismissing them. By accepting these emotions, you can better confront them and take constructive action.

Assess Your Current Situation

Take a comprehensive look at your current professional situation. This involves:

  • Evaluating Your Role: Understand your position within the organization and how it aligns with your long-term career goal...
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Feeling stuck? Time For a Pause...

reset stuck unplug what's next Sep 01, 2024
 

If you’re feeling stuck or a little uncertain about what’s next, perhaps it’s time for a pause to relax and just be. Many times we try to ‘force what’s next’, when in fact we need the time, space, and rest for it to appear.

Just as we are intentional about how we prepare for high stakes or crucial conversations, it’s also extremely important to be intentional about how we rest and refuel our body and soul. Would we like to be alone, with friends, or with family? Would we like to be completely unplugged, work for an hour or two in the morning then play, or work somewhere different that fosters our creativity with some fun sprinkled in?

I took a trip recently to visit my son in Rhode Island and shot this message for you while I was there.  It’s so important to set clear intentions for both personal and professional interactions. 

I encourage you to reflect on your own levels of intentionality, including your during your times of rest and recharging. What would make the time a 10 and h...

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Bulletproof, A GLI Company - A conversation with Melissa Aarskaug, Global VP at Bulletproof

 

I recently had the absolute pleasure of talking to Melissa Aarskaug, Global VP at Bulletproof, about the unique challenges faced by female leaders in male-dominated industries, specifically in technology and engineering. 

We explore the importance of resilience, supportive relationships, and effective strategies for career navigation. Melissa shares her own experiences, emphasizing the value of open communication with leadership about workload and personal needs. 

This conversation highlights the necessity of curiosity, proactive engagement, and fostering a supportive environment to empower female leaders to thrive and advance in their careers.

Key Moments:

Resilience Through Sports (00:03:32)

Melissa discusses her experience in sports and how her father helped her pivot after setbacks.

Navigating Setbacks (00:09:05)

Melissa talks about her constant setbacks and the importance of leaning into challenges.

Supporting Female Leaders (00:14:01)

The conversation shifts to how to he...

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Achieving Olympic-Level Focus: End of Summer Reset

olympics summer reset Aug 23, 2024
 

Something I heard from a female executive client yesterday is: ‘While I’m confident in my leadership abilities, I am not so good at pausing to reassess ‘what’s next’ for me or resetting my goals and legacy that I’d like to leave.’ 

As the summer season draws to an end, I find it an opportune time to reassess and realign my personal and professional goals. In the video below, I share my personal approach to my own summer reset—habits and goals I have focused on during these months.

The Myth of Perfection in Leadership

One of the key takeaways from this is the acknowledgment that even coaches and leaders are constantly evolving. I don’t buy into the myth that leaders have everything figured out when it comes to habits and routines. It’s important to understand that the journey towards improvement is ongoing and that perfection is not the goal. This perspective is crucial for female leaders who often face immense pressure to excel in all areas of their lives.

Reading

I have set a per...

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Why not YOU?

 

Would you believe I recorded this video  message for you BEFORE Noah Lyles won his gold medal and shared this quote on X, following his performance in the men’s 100-meter final on Sunday, Aug. 4?

Maybe that’s why I absolutely LOVE what he said:

“I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”  ~Noah Lyles

As I walked along the beach in Little Compton, RI, I started contemplating success and personal ambition.  

We were fortunate enough to be housesitting a spectacular home overlooking the ocean. Rather than think of myself as a visitor, even an imposter, in someone else’s amazing home on 10 acres of land with a private beach, I thought ‘why not me’?

The home, land, and ocean were speaking to me and saying, ‘Stop looking at your feet for the shells, look out into the vast ocean for what’s possible for you.’

I challenge you with the empowering question, "Why not YOU?"

What i...

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The Importance of Women in Our Evolving Workplace - Interview with Katy Conway

 

I am so excited to share this Fearless Female Leadership Interview with Katy Conway, Chief of People Officer at RGP.  It was such an engaging and compelling conversation. 

Katy shares her inspiring journey to becoming a Chief People Officer, emphasizing the pivotal role of female leaders in the workplace. She reflects on the influence of her grandmother, who exemplified leadership without formal titles, and discusses the importance of resilience, curiosity, and user-centered design in her professional growth. 

Katy also highlights the unique composition of RGP's leadership team, showcasing the company's commitment to diversity and its positive impact on business outcomes.

Key Takeaways

**The grandmother's leadership (00:01:10)**

Katy shares her grandmother's leadership qualities and resilience, emphasizing the impact of leadership beyond formal titles.

**Curiosity and judgment (00:09:03)**

The conversation delves into the value of curiosity over judgment, emphasizing the importa...

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How Not Obtaining a Perfect Life Balance is Key

perfection stress work-life Aug 07, 2024

I’ve been talking a lot recently about resetting over the summer, and finding that counter-balance between work and home life. I believe that trying to achieve perfect work-life balance is impossible and incredibly stressful. There are times that family, friends, and our health deserve more of us, and there are also times when work will require us to devote more time and therefore less time with family. 

It’s very important to realize that you don’t need to find a perfect balance. Far from it!

If you remember, I spoke to Michelle Ragusa-McBain at the beginning of the year, and she made some excellent suggestions about achieving a work-life ‘integration’.  It highlights the importance of making tough choices, investing in relationships and seeking integration rather than a perfect work/life balance.

Watch my interview with Michelle.

It’s definitely worth a re-visit (and the particular point I would like you to listen to is around 19:00).

You see, we often look at others and think ‘they’ve go...

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