Leadership Companion Blog

Starting a new position can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience, especially for women striving to carve out their place in leadership roles. As you stand on the precipice of this new chapter, it’s crucial to approach it with both confidence and strategy. I have a number of women promoting into new positions and I’m thrilled to be on this journey with them. Often in this transition season, I’m asked “How do I start this position well?” I thought I would tackle this question this week. Here are some invaluable tips to help you navigate and thrive in your new

As a women’s leadership coach, I understand that one of the most challenging aspects of leadership is navigating through the difficult process of layoffs. It’s an experience that can be emotionally taxing for both the person delivering the news and the employee receiving it. Handling layoffs with compassion, empathy, and professionalism can significantly impact all parties involved. I’ve coached several groups of women on this topic, and I thought I would share some of their best recommendations for conducing layoffs. GET MY GOAL COMPANION 1. Preparation is Key Before initiating the conversation, ensure you are well-prepared. This means understanding the

In the dynamic world of leadership, collaboration stands as a cornerstone of effective management and success. However, navigating the delicate balance between cooperation and ensuring your contributions are valued, rather than taken for granted, can be challenging. This is especially true for women leaders who often face unique workplace dynamics. If you’ve ever felt like your peers are taking advantage of your collaborative spirit, you’re not alone. In a recent group, two women felt hurt, angry and frustrated by colleagues who have been taking advantage of their collaborative spirit. Here are some of the ideas the group came up with

In a world that is gradually breaking away from traditional gender roles, it’s essential for women to take up leadership roles with confidence and authenticity. GET MY GOAL COMPANION The other night, I led a group on the topic of being an authentic leader. During our discussion, I was reminded that the challenge often lies in navigating the unique dynamics of a male-dominated workplace. Here are some strategies that the group shared to help them become authentic leaders in their workplaces. 1. Embrace Your Unique Perspective As a woman in a male-dominated field, you bring a unique perspective to the

Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love. Coaching in the women’s space and having worked in the c-suite, I know how infrequently we put ourselves first. I thought this Valentine’s Day would be an excellent opportunity to share how to celebrate and honor the most important relationship in your life – the one you have with yourself. Here are some powerful ways to show yourself love this Valentine’s Day. GET MY VISION COMPANION Practice Self-Compassion Give yourself permission to be kind to yourself. Embrace self-compassion by acknowledging your worth, flaws, and imperfections. Treat yourself with the same understanding and

The other day, one of the women in my groups asked how much she should tell her boss about her personal life. She shared that her boss is a younger male and always asks his team to be fully transparent about life so he can help them with the balance. While that sounds like the right response anyone would want from a boss, my client has seen that those who speak up aren’t given the best assignments or information isn’t fully shared in return. She has the sense that transparency for her boss is a one-way street and she wanted

In the fast-paced world of today, women are often juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, from career ambitions to family commitments and everything in between. In the midst of this whirlwind, it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs and well-being. In fact, I was leading a group through an envisioning exercise I created and one of the women realized in the middle of it that she has totally stopped prioritizing herself. She has elderly parents who aren’t in the best of health. She has two busy teenagers, one of whom is neuro diverse, and she has a husband who

I’m not sure if it’s the time of the year, the volatility of the market or something else; however, I have been talking with so many women who are either in the throws of a career change or are contemplating making one in the next year. Making the decision to change careers can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current role or seeking new challenges, embarking on a career change requires careful consideration. As a women’s c-suite coach, I understand the importance of aligning your career with your passions and goals and I wanted to

In every professional journey, there are inevitable challenges that we face. One of the most difficult things we can face is dealing with individuals who attempt to undermine our efforts or steal our thunder. The other day a woman in one of my groups asked for help with this exact issue. While it’s a question I get regularly, I don’t think I’ve ever written on this important topic. Here are some strategies the group shared on how to navigate this complex terrain. GET MY VISION COMPANION Understand Your Triggers At the outset, the group shared that understanding your triggers is

In my last group of the year, I asked the members what their biggest triumph was for the year. I was surprised to hear each of them share about how they really rose to own their voice and advocated for themselves this past year. One woman shared that she has been woefully underpaid and she sent an email to the CEO with all of the comparative data. She acknowledged that she didn’t send it until last week and she wished she hadn’t waited so long; however, she needed that time to find her bravery and send the email. Another woman

The path to success is often littered with challenges, and one of the most significant obstacles many people face, including women executives, is self-doubt. While it can be crippling, it’s important to know that you’re not alone in this struggle. In fact, even the most successful women have battled self-doubt. GET MY GOAL COMPANION 1. Sheryl Sandberg As Facebook’s COO and the author of “Lean In,” Sheryl Sandberg has been an inspiration to many. However, she has openly admitted to struggling with self-doubt, or what is commonly known as the “Imposter Syndrome.” Sandberg once said, “There are still days I

In the world of leadership, how you finish is often just as important as how you begin. As a women’s leadership coach, I’ve noticed a common thread among the most successful female leaders – they all understand the importance of finishing strong. The other day, one of the members in my groups lamented that an employee had just left for another company and left so many things unfinished that this executive said the employee lost a good recommendation from her going forward. I listened as others related to this in their own staff and even peers. The group then spent

A merger can be a challenging time for any organization. With the uncertainty of the future, the potential for restructuring and the inevitable culture shifts, it can feel like navigating through a storm. As a leader, your skills, resilience, and perspective can turn this seemingly tumultuous period into an opportunity for growth, both personally and organizationally. I have several clients going through mergers and acquisitions right now, so I thought this topic was timely. In fact, the other day, two women in the same group are going through a merger – one works for the parent company, and one works

As women leaders, we often find ourselves facing daunting challenges that push us out of our comfort zones. These situations can be intimidating and terrifying, but they also provide tremendous opportunities for growth and transformation. I recently faced my own fear of crying in a very big way. I was asked to deliver the keynote speech at the inaugural meeting for a newly formed women’s group at a health care company. There are about 200 members. I was trained in the courtroom for public speaking and then gave keynotes frequently when I was the Chief Human Capital Officer in a

As women leaders, it is crucial to navigate the corporate world with confidence and assertiveness while maintaining our authenticity and integrity. Developing executive presence is not about being domineering or aggressive; it’s about commanding respect, influencing others, and making an impact. One of my clients recently asked the group for tips on not being a pushover. She said that she finally realized that she wasn’t going to get a promotion because everyone viewed her as a pushover and it was time to change this view. GET MY GOAL COMPANION Define Your Personal Brand To establish executive presence, one of the

Failure is an inevitable part of life. It is through failure that we grow, learn, and ultimately find success. The other day one of my clients asked the group for tips on how to bounce back from failure. This client has been with me for over three years and is someone who can be pretty self-critical, which can spiral her down into a negative and dark place. She seemed pretty positive coming into the room, so her question took me a bit by surprise. Before anyone offered tips, I asked if there was a specific failure that brought this to

The other morning one of my group members asked for help shifting from a doer to a strategic partner. This question comes up quite often, actually, and I think it’s because we worked so hard as individual contributors to prove we could do it all; we had no one to delegate to, so we were it. However, many women realize that sustaining their pace as a doer when they become a leader is nearly impossible. Additionally, most astutely realize that they need to be seen as more than a doer to keep rising. As background to her question, my client

Last week, I shared about my client who shared the earmarks of hustle culture and, when she did, she realized she had fallen victim to it herself. This week, I’m sharing the tips the group shared to help her remove herself from the clutches of hustle culture. GET MY VISION COMPANION Redefine success and set meaningful goals Instead of equating success solely by work achievements, the group encouraged my client to take the time to define what success means to her personally. By embracing a holistic definition of success that encompasses career accomplishments as well as her overall well-being, relationships,

In today’s fast-paced world, hustle culture has become the norm. Many of us feel compelled to constantly work harder, push ourselves to the limit, and sacrifice our well-being in pursuit of success. But what if I told you that there’s a better way? One of my clients recently shared with her group how she identified that she was in a hustle culture and the group discussed things she could do to ensure she doesn’t join the culture. This week, I’m focusing on the hallmarks of the hustle culture. Next week, I’ll share steps to take so you don’t join in

One of my clients recently asked the group how to navigate her upcoming exit interview with the CEO. She is in the c-suite and was ready to spread her wings further than the company would let her. She had a few peers who definitely were happy she was leaving and she had some feedback she really wanted to share with the CEO about her concerns with those colleagues. I love that she is surrounded by amazing women who had a lot of ideas to share with her so she could approach her exit interview with confidence. Here are tips the

“I chose sober because I wanted a better life. I stay sober because I got one.” Life is full of challenges, and sometimes we need to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones to experience personal growth. One such challenge gaining popularity is “Sober October.” This movement encourages individuals to abstain from alcohol for the entire month, providing a unique opportunity to examine our relationship with alcohol and reap countless benefits along the way. As I’ve shared publicly about my own sobriety, I thought I would document some of the benefits I’ve found in my sober life. GET MY GOAL