Wendy. Leslie. The other Leslie. Michael. Ellen. Signy. Priya. Ben. Mark. Juliann. Every female leader needs a support system to thrive – and those names represent (a subset of) my support system. I'm talking about our own personal cheerleading squad - the unsung heroes who have our backs, lift us up, and help us soar
When someone brings up a controversial topic at work, most of us fantasize about diving under our desks or suddenly developing an urgent need to attend to our emails (or at least I do). Why? Because we're afraid of saying the wrong thing, hurting someone's feelings, or ending up in a conversation we can't navigate
Picture this: You're about to lead a major presentation, and you're doing that thing I call the "Professional Woman's Pre-Meeting Meditation." You know the one – where you're mentally rehearsing how to sound confident (but not bossy), friendly (but not frivolous), and authoritative (but not aggressive). Oh, and don't forget to smile! But not too
Ah, 21 years. That magical moment when you know each other inside and out, when you can finish each other’s sentences—and yet, that very familiarity can dull the spark, the intrigue, the excitement. Whether it’s a long-term relationship or a long-term business, the challenge is the same: How do you keep it fresh? How do
You know, those gut-wrenching moments when a project flops, a promotion slips away, or a client takes their business elsewhere? I do. We all do. And bouncing back from setbacks can be extra challenging for women. No, it's not just in our heads. Research shows that we often face higher scrutiny and harsher judgment for
Let's be real: The world feels a bit like that time I tried to roast chestnuts without scoring them first – 100% explosive and 100% hot mess. Your clients aren't just dealing with business challenges – they're navigating a landscape where every headline brings a new crisis, uncertainty is the only certainty, and "How are
We've all got them: those persistent, frustrating behaviors that feel as comfortable as your favorite sweatpants and just as hard to give up. And just like those sweatpants, they're probably not serving you well in professional settings. Here's the thing about ingrained habits: They're not just behaviors – they're coping mechanisms. That late-night email checking?
Saying "no" at work can feel harder than solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. Research shows that women struggle more than men to say no, especially in the workplace. A study by Stanford professor Laurie Rudman found that when women declined requests, they were perceived as "less likable" and
Today, we're diving into a topic that might make you want to hide under your desk: conflict. I know, I know - just the word alone can make us break out in a cold sweat. But here's the thing: research shows that avoiding conflict is doing us no favors in our quest for leadership success.
As women, we bring something special to the leadership table, especially when it comes to handling conflict. The Center for Creative Leadership found that we're 40% more likely to use collaborative approaches during disputes and 35% more likely to seek understanding before taking action. I know I strive for this with clients and colleagues (and
