Shameless Leadership
Shameless Leadership is a podcast for women, transgender and non-binary people, and their allies who want to grow as leaders. Host Sara Dean explores topics such as silencing the inner critic, dealing with imposter syndrome, overcoming perfectionism, and using your voice to advocate for yourself and others. Episodes combine practical tips, strategies, and personal stories drawn from people whose identities are often underrepresented or overlooked. The goal is to help listeners build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging within their own circles of influence. It is an independent show, not tied to a particular broadcaster.
Episodes
1013: From Working Class to Breaking Glass at Starbucks with Wanda Herndon | Leadership Stories
Very few women are looking for their opportunity to shatter glass ceilings from the time they are little girls. Wanda J. Herndon was one of the few. Raised in Flint, Michigan, in a working-class family shaped by the Great Migration, she became one of the first in her family to attend college, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Mic
1012: Integrity in Leadership: Do Your Actions Match Your Values? | Leadership Strategies
Integrity in leadership is easy to talk about when the stakes are low. The real test comes when living your values costs you something: approval, belonging, comfort, status, or social capital.
In this episode of Shameless Leadership, we’re talking about what leadership character actually looks like in practice. It’s one thing to say you support women, value inclusion, or believe in ethical leader
1011: 5 Common Communication Breakdowns Between Senior and Mid-Level Leaders | Leadership Tips
Communication breaks down between senior and mid-level leaders even when everyone is really hustling to do the very best they can in their respective roles.
In the work I’ve done with leaders and teams, I’ve had the opportunity to take a close look at what people are thinking and feeling behind the scenes - and how their thinking and feelings impact their behavior. In this episode, I share some o
1010: How Great Leaders Make People Feel Seen With Microaffirmations - with Dr. Sherri Lynch | Inclusive Leadership
I met Dr. Sherri Lynch on my first day on campus for graduate school. I was told by another professor that I should introduce myself to her. I was admittedly nervous and fumbly. Luckily, Sherri is overwhelmingly kind and open to connections of all sorts. We quickly hit it off and have had the chance to get to know each other and partner for multiple events. My obsession with her work and her commi
1009: How to Maintain Your Confidence During Constant Change and Uncertainty | Leadership Mindset
I don’t know anyone who has breezed through life since 2020. Constant change, enduring uncertainty, and frequent downright chaos have become fixtures of life. It’s taken a toll on us all.
Constant change, uncertainty, and chaos not only rock your nervous system, it can also do a number on your confidence. When you’re navigating professional shifts, economic uncertainty, and ongoing instabil
1008: 4 Effective Communication Skills Every Leader Needs | Leadership Strategies
Strong leadership communication isn’t just about knowing what to say. It’s also largely about knowing how to say what you need to say. It's about building the habits that help you communicate well when you’re frustrated, under pressure, or navigating tension. In this episode, I’m breaking down four communication skills every leader needs to practice:
Checking your assumptions before reacting a
1007: All Speaking Is Public Speaking. 3 Ps to Make It Approachable - with Dana Robinson Slote
Dana Robinson Slote and I originally connected on LinkedIn, where I stumbled upon her work and was immediately excited about some of our similar passions. In getting to know her a bit and learning more about her strengths, I knew she would be a great fit for the show. She loves to talk about things many leaders dread, such as public speaking and managing up. I love a leader who brings simplicity t
1006: 5 Ways Perimenopause and Menopause Can Affect How Women Lead | Leadership Stories
As I’ve talked about in past episodes about perimenopause and menopause (Episodes 924, 954, and 968), the transition from perimenopause to menopause took me down - HARD. Since navigating this journey myself, I’ve become hyperaware as clients start to share common difficulties at work that might also be connected to menopause (poor focus, forgetfulness, irritability, lack of patience, chronic fatig
1005: The Hidden Costs of Leaving Too Much Unsaid at Work | Leadership Mindset
What happens when too much goes unsaid at work? The conversations we avoid don’t simply disappear. Over time, unspoken concerns can become resentment, erode trust, and cause people to disengage from their colleagues and their work. Even when no one is openly arguing, unresolved tension can quietly shape how a team communicates, collaborates, and makes decisions. The long-term costs are even more s
1004: 5 Change-Management Mistakes That Are Exhausting Your Team | Leadership Strategies
Change is inevitable and, these days, seemingly constant. The responsibility to manage change effectively is a large one that can weigh heavily on the shoulders of a conscientious leader. There are many ways to get it right and many ways to get it wrong when it comes to guiding your team or organization through change.
What I see too often is leaders announcing a new direction, initiative,
1003: How to Better Position Your Top Strengths as Your Leadership Edge
While every leader I work with is deeply talented, many struggle to self-identify their own areas of excellence and what sets them apart. If we want to be strategic problem solvers, we need to know, identify, and share what sets us apart.
In this episode, I'm sharing how to identify and then strategically position your leadership strengths in a way that allows them to become your greatest l
1002: 4 Career Growth Strategies That Are Actually Working Right Now | Leadership Strategies
If you're a woman leader looking to grow your career, build executive presence, increase your visibility at work, or develop your leadership skills, this episode is for you. I'm sharing four strategies my executive coaching clients are using right now to create career opportunities, establish thought leadership, strengthen their personal brand, and advance their careers—even in today's challenging
1001: Cultural Intelligence and Women in Agricultural Leadership with Jacqui Gordón Núñez | Women in Agricultural Leadership, Cultural Leadership
Jacqui Gordón Núñez and I met when we were both speaking at the same women’s leadership event last spring. From the moment she took the stage, I knew I wanted to interview her. She has an incredible story and such a deeply rooted leadership philosophy that the world needs to hear. She is passionate about her work and how the work she does in agriculture impacts the world in ways we don’t consider
1000: 10 years. 1000 episodes. What I Never Saw Coming.
For the 1000th time, I sat down and hit record. This is a goal I have worked toward for 10 years. When I launched the podcast on March 15, 2016, my goal was to “feel this out.” I wanted to see if I liked podcasting as a medium for coaching, community building, and exploration. I quickly knew this was going to be my jam.
If you don’t know the origin story of this show, you might be surprised
999: The Most Underrated Leadership Skill: Why Having FUN Drives Results | Leadership Strategies
I’ve worked with high-achieving women for over two decades. I think I attract high-achieving women because this is an attribute I deeply relate to - sometimes to my own detriment.
One of the things I’ve noticed my clients and I can struggle with is FUN. High achievers tend to take things seriously. Like, very seriously. We are intense and motivated to make everything great, if not perfect. This
998: 4 Management Mistakes That Are Trapping Leaders Right Now | Leadership Tips
Middle managers are getting squeezed from both directions right now. While this isn’t entirely new, the pace of change amid constant adaptation and uncertainty makes this season uniquely challenging. While you’re trying to keep senior leaders happy, your team needs clarity, support, and meaningful leadership. This can feel overwhelming, to say the least.
In this episode, I'm breaking down four ma
997: Stop Holding Yourself Back: How to Become the Most Referred Voice in Your Industry | Leadership Mindset
Does visibility follow opportunities, or do opportunities follow visibility? The (perhaps hard) truth is that the opportunities you desire likely require visibility first. And… Creating that visibility lands squarely on you. Most people aren’t randomly discovered for their talent and unique perspective. The people who are platformed and promoted have intentionally and strategically made themselves
996: What Will You Be Known For (That AI Can’t Replace) | Leadership Strategies
In the age of AI (yes, I kind of roll my eyes when I say that), you have a massive opportunity to double down on YOU. You are an original - literally one in eight billion… I want you to be strutting your stuff like that means something to you. Because if it means something to you, it will mean something to those around you, too.
AI cannot replicate you. No version of AI can create the unique ove
995: Thought Leadership in the Age of AI: The Skill That Protects Your Career | Leadership Tips | AI, Thought Leadership
There is no denying that artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we work, communicate, and lead, leaving many professionals wondering how to future-proof their career in an increasingly automated world. While AI can generate information in seconds, we desperately need leaders who can make meaning of information, influence others, and inspire action. This is the work of thought leadership.
994: Sage Hobbs: Naked Communication: Courageously Create the Relationships You Really Want | Leadership Strategies
Sage Hobbs is an author, facilitator, and coach whose work combines her background in counseling psychology with a passion for helping people communicate with clarity, courage, and compassion. She empowers leaders and teams to navigate challenges, build trust, and strengthen the relationships that drive personal and professional success.
Sage began her career as a school counselor. This experienc
993: Vulnerability in Leadership: Are You Armored or Daring? | Leadership Tips
We all have gaps in our leadership skills and capabilities that can be tough to spot on our own. But once seen, we cannot unsee these gaps, and we know we must take responsibility for our own growth and development. In this episode, I'm digging into Brené Brown's framework of Armored Leadership versus Daring Leadership from her book Strong Ground, with the hope that you will be able to spot some o
992: Three Grad School Takeaways That Might Help You as Much as They Helped Me | Leadership Stories
I’m five days out from graduating with my Master’s in Organizational Leadership. I’ll be honest, I am tired. Like, bone tired. I think the last four months have been a never-ending adrenaline rush to get to the finish line of grad school while also managing a full-time (and fully intense) work schedule and parenting during a busy baseball season. It’s been a lot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a lo
991: Emily Scherberth: Why Leaders Are Afraid to Ask For Feedback | Leadership Stories
I had the pleasure of meeting Emily Scherberth when we were in an Organizational Change & Transformation class in our Master’s in Organizational Leadership program. I knew right away that Emily was whip smart and someone I wanted to geek out with and learn more from. When Emily shared her recent research on feedback, vulnerability, and leadership - and the glaring gender differences, I knew I want
990: 6 Rules to Ruthlessly Manage Your Time As A Woman Leader | Leadership Tips
In this episode, I'm sharing strategic time-management tips for women ready to stop letting their calendars control them. We're talking ruthless prioritization, time-blocking, unscheduling, and the specific strategies that women in leadership use to reclaim their focus without burning out. This conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity tips to explore the mindset shifts that actually cha
989: 5 Questions That Make Difficult Conversations Less Terrifying | Leadership Strategies
Difficult conversations are something most of us avoid, delay, or overthink. I get it. Who wants to get super uncomfortable - on purpose?! But what if you could reframe difficult conversations as a massive opportunity to grow your leadership skills? In this episode, I share how I approach these conversations through a simple 5-question framework that centers on emotional intelligence, intentional
988: Loren Mayor: How to Build a Non-Linear Career with Impact and Integrity | Leadership Stories
When Loren Mayor’s team reached out to me about Loren guesting on Shameless Leadership, it was a quick and easy YES! For decades, Loren’s work and legacy have been guided by her values of impact, strategic problem solving, and connection. Her secret leadership sauce will help you think more deeply and intentionally about what it means to show up in your gifts and in the service of meaningful work.
987: Sumur Williams: ADHD in Women: Why High Performers Are the Last to Get Diagnosed | Inclusive Leadership
Ever since my own ADHD diagnosis in my mid-forties, I’m on the lookout for other women who are talking about their later-in-life diagnosis. I stumbled across Sumur Williams on LinkedIn, and her posts on ADHD consistently resonated with me. So, I reached out to ask her to join me on the show to talk about high-performing women who have ADHD.
Sumur Williams is the founder of The Unpolished Brain,
986: Why Women Leaders Freeze in High-Stakes Moments (and What to Do Instead) | Leadership Mindset
Why do many women leaders freeze in high-stakes moments even when they know exactly what to say? If this is you, you’re definitely not alone. This episode breaks down what is really happening in these moments and the communication skills gap that holds women back in leadership: the freeze response, the over-explanation, and the impulse to soften a message until it loses all its power. If you're a
985: How to Build Communication Skills That Make People Trust You | Leadership Tips
If you’ve ever wondered how to improve communication skills without overthinking it, this is for you. I’m breaking down simple, practical ways to strengthen your communication skills so you can create deeper connections in your everyday conversations. Through small, intentional shifts, like acknowledging people in real time, expressing genuine gratitude, and demonstrating active listening, the way
984: Top 5 Mindset Shifts of Powerful Women Leaders | Leadership Mindset
Sometimes the biggest obstacle holding you back in your work and leadership isn’t related to your skillset at all. It’s your mindset. When your mindset is your obstacle, there is usually a pretty straight line to your dissatisfaction, and perhaps even hopelessness. This isn’t an indication you’re doing anything wrong. You’re human. You’re probably tired and overwhelmed. You feel short on time, ene
983: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: 5 Skills Most Leaders Skip | Leadership Strategies
Emotional intelligence is that thing that most people agree is important but few understand how to develop. It can feel tricky - and vulnerable. In this episode, I’m breaking down emotional intelligence skills in a highly practical way. Most leaders assume EQ means “stay calm” or “be nice,” but real emotional intelligence is far more active than that. It’s a set of tangible skills that help you bu
982: Questions Ambitious Women Ask Themselves to Guide Success | Leadership Tips
Ambition looks different for every woman. In this episode, we dive into the questions ambitious women ask themselves to define success on their own terms. Whether you're navigating leadership challenges as a woman leader or redefining your personal growth journey, these self-reflection prompts will help you clarify what ambition means to you in this season and set goals that actually align with yo
981: The Silent Culture Killer: A Psychological Safety Assessment for Leaders | Inclusive Leadership
What if your team isn’t getting along as well as you think? What if… they’re just hiding? In this episode of Shameless Leadership, we’re talking about what your team might be hiding behind a facade of niceness and seemingly quiet contentment.
When employees don’t feel psychological safety, they edit themselves, downplay ideas, avoid disagreement, and stay quiet in meetings. Silence gets mistaken
980: Katie Seltzer: Dismantling Systemic Barriers in Education and Leadership | Inclusive
I was recently given the opportunity to step into some volunteer work at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Seattle. While I suspected I would find this work meaningful and enjoyable, I didn’t expect to be so overwhelmingly impressed with every aspect of the Cristo Rey mission and how their work is setting up students to be incredible leaders from such a young age. As this work has quickly become v
979: Why Leadership Resilience is a Trap for Women | Leadership Mindset
Perhaps we need to stop celebrating resilience. Because we may actually be celebrating toxic resilience. Hear me out. In the corporate world, telling a woman she is resilient is often just a polite way of saying, “We are going to give you an impossible workload, broken systems, and no support… and we expect you to smile through it.”
In fact, if you’re complimenting my resilience, I may question
978: 5 Leadership Skills for Women That Accelerate Careers | Leadership Strategies
How often do you take action in a way that makes you think, “This is going to get me where I want to go!”
My guess is that you’re not taking these kinds of strategic action steps often enough, AND you’re probably taking many other action steps each day that are not helping advance your career growth. In fact, you may be stuck in a vicious (exhausting?!) cycle of over-giving, over-producing, and
977: What Leaders Should (And Shouldn’t) Say When the World Is a Mess | Inclusive Leadership
When the world feels heavy and chaotic, I hear the same question from leaders over and over again: “What do I say?” In this episode, I talk about why that question matters and why saying nothing can be just as harmful as saying the wrong thing. When the people we lead are overwhelmed, grieving, angry, or exhausted, pretending it’s business as usual erodes trust and undermines our integrity as lead
976: Why Meaningful Work Matters So Much (And How to Do More of It) | Leadership Stories
“Work that is meaningful has the power to change not just what we do, but who we become.” Gloria Steinem
Meaningful work isn’t just about what you do for a living—it’s about how your values, strengths, and sense of purpose show up in the world. Meaningful work is where your strengths, values, and actions intersect to drive a sense of purpose. In this episode, I explore why meaningful work matter
975: 6 Leadership Trends That Are Shifting in 2026 | Leadership Mindset
Leadership in 2026 is asking more of us. But, not necessarily in volume, output, or productivity. It’s asking more from us in terms of depth, awareness, nuance, and intentionality. The old leadership rules simply aren’t holding anymore - which is a good thing! In this episode, I break down six leadership trends I’m seeing shift in real time and what they mean for how we communicate, build trust,
974: How to Navigate Leadership Visibility and the Responsibility of Being Seen | Leadership Strategies
Leadership visibility sounds empowering, even exciting… until you’re the one being seen. In this episode, I’m talking about why stepping into new levels of visibility so often triggers discomfort, imposter syndrome, and a very loud inner critic, especially for women and others who were never encouraged to take up space or were judged for doing so in the past. I share a recent conversation with a f
973: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: The “Ambition Gap” is Gaslighting Women. Again.
The Lean In and McKinsey & Company Women in the Workplace 2025 report claims that, for the first time, women are less likely than men to want a promotion, stating that 80% of women want to be promoted to the next level, compared to 86% of men. They label this development an “ambition gap”, stating that women are currently less ambitious than men. This label is wildly inaccurate, deeply offensive
972: Jennifer R. Hudson: Leadership, Loss, and the Quiet Power of Midlife Transitions
In early 2025, my dear friend Jennifer started telling me about how she was preparing for her youngest child to leave for college. She was celebrating this parenting milestone while also preparing for the grief. Simultaneously, she was watching her father’s health deteriorate. She knew 2025 would be a year of massive change. And, it most certainly was. I had the opportunity to connect with Je
971: LEADERSHIP TIPS: 6 Rules I’m Breaking in 2026
As we head into a new year, I’m just as focused on breaking rules as I am on setting goals. In this episode, I share six leadership “rules” most of us have followed for years that I’m consciously unlearning as I step into 2026. These are the quiet, normalized rules that fuel burnout, decision fatigue, over-functioning, and self-silencing - especially for women and especially in midlife. This episo
970: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: 2026 Trends for Midlife Women That Prove Our Power Is Peaking
There is no denying that 2025 has been a doozy for women and anyone carrying a marginalized identity. AND… I’m seeing midlife women step into a completely new season of power, clarity, and momentum. We are the backbone of everything strong and sustainable, including our companies, our communities, and our families. For decades, we've been the stabilizers, culture shapers/shifters/carriers, and tr
969: LEADERSHIP STORIES: How to Find Mentors in Unlikely Places
I love having mentors. Watching and learning as others navigate the world is one of my superpowers. Sometimes I feel like a spy as I closely and quietly observe the behavior of others and think, “Oh, I want to be more like THAT.” Because I love learning and growing personally and professionally, I have hired many mentors and coaches over the years - paying well over 6 figures to learn how to im
968: Lauren Tetenbaum: The Importance of Workplace Menopause Advocacy
When I learned of Lauren Tetenbaum’s work around workplace menopause advocacy, I knew I wanted her to come on the show. Talking about menopause at work is long overdue. When there is something that directly impacts 50% of our population, 100% of us are impacted in some way. We need to be talking about menopause at work. Period.
Lauren Tetenbaum, LCSW, JD, PMH-C is a licensed clinical social
967: LEADERSHIP STORIES: 5 Lessons I’ve Learned in 50 Years
I recorded this episode on the eve of my 50th birthday. I’m writing this show description at 6:23am on the morning of my 50th birthday. 50 feels weird. Maybe because for the first 48ish years of my life, it felt one million years away. Then, suddenly it’s just… here…
For the past few months, people have been asking me what I plan to do to celebrate this monumental birthday and it’s felt over
966: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: The Truth About the Authenticity Trap for Women Leaders
In this episode, I’m exposing the Authenticity Trap for you. The Authenticity Trap is the mixed messages women get about “being themselves.” We’re told authenticity is the key to trust, confidence, and influence, yet many of us were conditioned to 1) think we need to lead like men if we want to make it to the top to serve, and 2) constantly abandon our own needs and wants to center and care for t
965: Jessica Frew: Shove Your Shoulds to Become a Decision-Making Badass
I was thrilled when I learned that past podcast guest Jessica Frew wrote an entire book on decision-making. Decision fatigue is real and so very exhausting. It holds us back from taking action, best leveraging our time and energy, and truly trusting ourselves. Jessica is a firecracker and I know this conversation will give you some great AHA’s about becoming a more decisive person.
Jessica F
964: LEADERSHIP STORIES: How to Leverage Curiosity to Create Connection as a Leader
"Sara, I tried one little thing you recommended in our session and it totally changed my interaction with a team member!"
Back story…I was leading a training for a leadership team recently and we talked about how to practice active listening in leadership. One of the leaders decided to put one of my recommendations into action immediately (Gold Star for this leader!) and he was so excited about
963: LEADERSHIP TIPS: Why Women Should Brag Like A Boss
When it comes to giving yourself credit for your wins and accomplishments, how would you rate yourself? Are you a strong self-promoter? Do you share your accomplishments with others and routinely make it known that you’re up to great things? Or, do you tend to shy away from shining too brightly in front of others?
As women leaders, we’re often taught to keep our heads down, work hard, and let
962: La Tonya Roberts: Being Authentic vs Being “Good” as a Woman Leader
One of the trickiest parts of leadership for women, and even more so for women of color, is the tension between being authentic and being “good”. When we focus on being “good,” we often self-sacrifice and push ourselves to uphold someone else’s vision of who we “should” be as a leader. This can be exhausting, unsustainable, and even damaging to our sense of self over time. I am so grateful that
961: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: The Shameless Leadership Ascent: A Transformative Leadership Roadmap
Who doesn’t love a roadmap or a step-by-step blueprint to get from Point A to Point B?! Sometimes, as we are just going about our daily lives, we don’t realize that we are, in fact, following a path without even realizing it. As I’ve been helping leaders build out intentional journeys in growth over the last few years, I’ve realized a handful of key steps that come together to create a powerful
960: LEADERSHIP STORIES: Top Struggles of My Business Coaching Clients Right Now
This episode is especially for business owners and consultants, but the themes will resonate with anyone navigating leadership in challenging times. No matter your role, the struggles we face are often more similar than different, and there’s always something to learn from the stories of others.
Recently, my business coaching clients and entrepreneurial colleagues have been sharing struggles that
959: Michelle Desmond: Why We Need to Talk About Death, Loss, and Grief at Work
I met Michelle Desmond a few months ago at a birthday gathering for a mutual friend. As Michelle started talking about her work in dying, death, and grief, I had question after question. I realized quickly I had to get her on the pod. I was so excited and grateful when she said yes. This is such an important topic that impacts every single human, yet very few ever talk about it.
Michelle is a co
958: LEADERSHIP TIPS: What Emerging Leaders Really Need—But Aren’t Getting
"Sara, some of my newer leaders are really struggling. I know they want to shine, but they need support, and I don't have the time or skills to give them. Can you help?"
This is a conversation I've found myself in more and more over the last year. So, how did we get here?
More and more managers are being promoted into leadership roles without the training or support to succeed. In this episode
957: Jamie Lee: How to Amplify Self-Advocacy to Claim Your Power
Jamie Lee is an executive coach who specializes in women and underrepresented leaders who are "allergic" to risky conversations and office politics. She focuses on helping them get promoted and better paid without compromising their integrity or throwing anyone under the bus. In her practice, she blends proven self-advocacy strategies with evidence-based neuroplasticity tools.
For over a decade,
956: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: The Leadership Advantage of Owning Your Failures & Fumbles
Public failures and fumbles are painful to say the least.
I’ve recently had a handful of clients come to me feeling crushed after making a mistake, fumbling, or failing publicly. The most prominent outcome in all of their stories? SHAME. Their instinctual behavior to manage the shame? Hide, deny, or deflect.
Fun fact, people don't actually trust leaders who never admit to making mistakes. Mista
955: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: What Actually Makes Someone a Thought Leader?
When you hear the phrase thought leader, what comes to mind? For a lot of people, it’s someone with a massive following, a bestselling book, or a keynote spot at a big conference. But here’s the truth: thought leadership isn’t about popularity, perfection, or being the smartest (or loudest!) person in the room. It’s about having the courage to share ideas that shape or shift how others think, act,
954: LEADERSHIP STORIES: A New Me: My Personal Menopause & HRT Follow Up
A few months ago, I shared some of my personal experiences in perimenopause. Today I am back with a big update. Since the last episode on this topic, I had a severe shift in my mental health, including a raging comeback of my lifelong anxiety and panic. On top of this, I started having emotional responses to situations that I could tell were very much disproportionate to the situation, yet I cou
953: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: The Empathy Tightrope: How Much is Too Much (or Too Little?)
Empathy is one of the most critical leadership skills we can have—but like any strength, it can become a liability when it’s out of balance. In this episode, I’m diving into the dangers of both too much and too little empathy as a leader. Because here’s the truth: leaders without enough empathy lose trust, connection, and team cohesion… but leaders with too much empathy risk burnout, decision fati
952: Themba Dayton: The Power of Diversity In Building Effective and Successful Teams
I was thrilled to interview Themba Dayton, whom I was introduced to by Elena Joy Thurston, a past guest of the show and a friend. When I learned about Themba’s track record in building and guiding diverse teams, I immediately had a ton of questions for him. This conversation is a treasure trove of sage advice around the power of diversity in professional environments and why diverse teams will alw
951: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: 4 Questions to Ask Before Making a Decision
Have you ever found yourself staring down a big decision, maybe making a move, a new job offer, a promotion, or even staying in a role that no longer fits — and thought, “How do I know if this is the right move?”
In this episode, I walk you through four powerful questions I ask myself (and my clients) before making a big personal or professional decision. These questions help cut through the nois
950: Dr. Karen Hills Pruden: What Bad Bosses Teach Us About Great Leadership
Having a boss who causes harm or holds leadership values that clash with yours is rarely a positive experience. But time and again, I’ve seen how negative role models can motivate people to lead better and do better. Poor leadership often sparks a commitment to do things differently and more effectively as we grow. So maybe, in the long run, even bad leaders leave us with something valuable?
When
949: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: How to Own the Room as a Woman Leader Over 40
Last year, Google invited me to come lead trainings for Aging Awareness Week. This was a truly enjoyable opportunity to work with some brilliant leaders. When I asked about who to expect in the audience, I expected to be told, “People over 55.” Instead, I was told, “This ERG is for folks over 40.” 40! I don’t think of 40 as “aging” just yet. But, I guess it is when society and culture start to s
948: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: Why You Should Lead with Joy When the World Is on Fire
When the world feels heavy and hard, it can feel wrong or even selfish to feel joy amidst the suffering. But in this episode, we explore a powerful reframe: What if joy is not an escape, but an act of resistance or perhaps even revenge? As a leader, what if reclaiming your joy isn’t just allowed—it’s essential?
As I’ve witnessed global unraveling happening alongside so many people’s individual pa
947: Elena Joy Thurston: Burnout, Belonging & Building Brave Leadership
When I decided to start inviting guests onto Shameless Leadership, I immediately knew I wanted my dear friend and speaking colleague Elena Joy to join me. The work Elena Joy does around inclusion always captivates me. She is smart, witty, and strategic in all the best ways - as you’ll hear in this conversation. She knows what needs to be done to get the work done. Her unflinching commitment to tac
946: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: 7 Ways to Rise When Your Boss Holds You Down
Sometimes your boss is the biggest obstacle to your leadership growth. Whether they’re dismissive, manipulative, or flat-out toxic, their behavior or opinion of you does not define your worth. After watching too many women leaders suffer under harmful male leadership recently, it feels crucial to share actionable strategies to help you trust your instincts and keep your intuition grounded in truth
945: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: How Leaders Can Build Team Trust
Over the last few years, I’ve been developing curriculum and resources that help leaders establish trust with their teams and enable teammates to build trust with one another. Because different people have different needs around trust, it can feel tricky to know exactly the right formula to help build trust with others. In spite of that, there are plenty of small things you can do every single d
944: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: The Gifts of Suspending Certainty
I was recently sitting in one of my Change Leadership classes for my Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and my teacher asked us, “What would it look like if, as change leaders, we were to suspend certainty more often?” I immediately made a note to myself, “podcast episode on suspending certainty!”
As someone who craves certainty but understands that nothing is certain, I often think
943: Maria Ross: The 5 Pillars of Effective Empathetic Leadership
I met Maria Ross 12 years ago when we shared the stage at a women’s event. Her work is centered around human behavior and empathy in the workplace. What I love about talking to Maria is how she can dig into the nuts and bolts of concepts and theory while also making tricky concepts very approachable and applicable to everyone. If you want to cultivate more empathy or help others cultivate more emp
942: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: Stephanie Chung: Breaking Barriers in Aviation Leadership
Stephanie Chung is a leader, fighter, survivor, breast cancer warrior, and barrier-breaker in corporate leadership who consistently embodies resilience and courage. I knew from the moment we met online that this would be a special conversation, which is why Stephanie is the first guest to join me on Shameless Leadership!
As a pioneering woman of color in the aviation sector with 35 years of avia
941: LEADERSHIP TIPS: Consistency is Your Leadership Superpower
Consistency is pretty boring. It might be the least glamorous component of leadership. This is probably why it tends to be an underrated leadership superpower. However, consistency is a key ingredient to leadership success, primarily because it allows you to create compounding interest. Your tiny gains over time build up to massive outcomes.
Consistency also thwarts perfectionism. Showing up re
940: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: How to Overcome Visibility Avoidance
During a recent retreat I led for my business coaching clients, we had the opportunity to do a deep dive into visibility avoidance. We discussed this phenomenon that happens when we want to grow in new ways, but the prospect of heightened visibility holds us back. Sometimes, when we take steps into higher visibility opportunities, we are excited by the outcomes. But, shortly after the perceived
939: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: Redefining Executive Presence to Diminish Bias
I’ve recently been in a few conversations about executive presence with colleagues and coaching clients. These conversations keep coming up because of major misconceptions about executive presence. When we think about executive presence, we tend to think about traits that allow for high control, high volume, and high power. However, executive presence is not about dominance or taking up more sp
938: LEADERSHIP TIPS: How to Turn Panic Into Power When You Freeze in a Critical Moment
We have all been in situations where we are asked a question or called out in a moment, and we completely freeze. We can feel the room go silent as the spotlight shines brighter and brighter on us, and we can’t overcome the silence that has invaded our bodies. It feels like time has stopped, and it is up to us to make it start again, yet we feel completely unable to access the tools to do so. Thi
937: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: 4 Truths To Hold When You’re Doing Hard Things
937: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: 4 Truths To Hold When You’re Doing Hard Things
Stepping into a new challenge or opportunity as a woman in leadership can bring up all kinds of fears—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being enough. In this episode, I’m sharing four powerful truths to hold onto when you're on the edge of doing something bold, unfamiliar, or downright scary in your leadership
936: LEADERSHIP TIPS: The Alarming Costs of Avoiding Disagreement
I don’t know anyone who loves engaging in disagreements. In fact, most of the women I know avoid disagreements, conflict, and confrontation at all costs. However, there are great costs to this avoidance, including missed opportunities for creativity and innovation, poor communication and growing resentment, slower or stalled decision making, a lack of trust and psychological safety, and higher p
935: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: 6 Ways to Improve Your Growth Mindset in Tough Times
There is no denying we are in an extraordinarily tough season. When things feel heavy and hard for an extended period of time, it’s easy to feel a sense of constriction in our thoughts, mental health, and worldview. It’s easy to fall into a funk. And, it can feel impossible to pull ourselves out of it.
During challenging seasons, it is crucial that you maintain a growth mindset. While it’s i
934: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: Survivor Serves a Leadership Masterclass on Inclusion
In 934 episodes, I’m not sure I’ve ever shared lessons learned from a TV show, much less a reality show. However, the way a recent episode of Survivor has stuck with me is making it impossible for me not to talk about it here.
Before I dig in, I’ll admit that my husband and I are probably two of maybe 15 people who still watch Survivor faithfully. We have watched every season together since w
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