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
As women, we face a unique challenge when it comes to public speaking: the double bind of being expected to project both authority and warmth, confidence and relatability. It's an unfair and often unconscious bias, but one that can leave us feeling like we're constantly walking a tightrope between being "too much" and "not enough."
I was five years into my executive coaching practice when I was invited to lead a workshop on “Coaching Skills for Human Resource Leaders” at a global conference. As the room filled up with participants, I identified a few colleagues who had already been coaching professionally for more than a decade. I felt self-doubt start
This post is co-authored by Loren Margolis, MSW, leadership faculty at the State University of New York and executive coach at Training & Leadership Success, a global leadership development firm. I had just completed my third year at my former company and was having my annual performance review. I shared my accomplishments with my manager
When my daughter Sophie was six years old, she confessed to me that she trusted me the second most in the whole world. I was both flattered and, I admit, a little confused. Who did she trust more than me? Her dad? Her grandma? Her twin brother Jake? And when I asked her, “Who do
“We couldn’t do this without you.” “You’re our rock star.” “Don’t ever even think about leaving, ok?” If you’ve ever heard one or more of these from your boss, you probably felt pretty good. Being seen as indispensable at work can make you feel important and significant, and give you a (perhaps misguided) sense of
As a small-business owner for the past 20 years, I have found one activity equally frustrating and fulfilling: following up with prospects and clients. "Hey there ... I'm just checking in." "I haven't heard from you in a while ... " "Are we in a fight?" It's frustrating because sometimes I don't hear back, leaving me
As a frequent speaker at conferences and retreats, I am used to having a photographer in the room taking pictures. And for many years, I was also used to making this quip when my photo was being snapped: “I’m glad I put on my Spanx,” referring to the restrictive undergarment that aims to smooth out
