Latest Blog Article: Owning Your Worth - an Interview with Jane Boulware

Creating High Performing Cultures - an Interview with Mindi Cox

culture high performance Mar 14, 2024
 

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Mindi Cox, Chief Marketing and People Officer at OC Tanner, who shares her insights on fostering a high-performing culture within organizations.

We discussed the importance of prioritizing employee well-being, especially during economic uncertainty.

Mindi emphasizes the need for leaders to build strong relationships and provide support, which can lead to increased loyalty and productivity. She also touches on the shift from seeing roles as transactional to viewing them as responsibilities that bring joy and connection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mindi's Journey (00:01:09) Mindi shares her journey to leadership, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and making promises to oneself.
  • Importance of Relationships (00:12:30) Mindi emphasizes the significance of relationships and the impact on the organization's culture and long-term results.
  • Work-Life Balance and Flexibility (00:16:21) Mindi shares her personal experience with work-life balance...
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Mastering the Art of the Ask for Women in the Workplace

 

Growing up, I used to go with my dad to drop off and pick up the clothes at the neighborhood laundromat. Whenever he lost his ticket to claim his clothes, the laundromat owner would say: ‘No ticket, no wash.’ And she was not kidding!

When it comes to building visibility, impact, and the support from your leadership, if you don’t ask, you’re likely not going to get. 

This is a double whammy because our male counterparts tend to be 4 times more likely to make an ask for a raise or a higher salary when initially hired according to Women Don't Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever.

If this sounds familiar, the good news is that you’re certainly not alone. The not so good news is that you could be losing out on $1,000,000.00 during the course of your career according to the recent UC Davis study, titled Women Don't Ask: Negotiation and the Great Gender Divide.

The ability to effectively make an ask is a valuable skill that can open doors, forge...

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The Experience Mindset: A New Way to Think about Growth

#mindset growth Feb 28, 2024
 

I had the honor of speaking with Tiffani Bova, a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, former Senior Vice President of Global Growth and Innovation Evangelist at Salesforce. We dove into her career journey and the powerful concepts from her book The Experience Mindset.

Tiffani shared her perspectives on personal growth, career agility, and the importance of customer and employee experiences. Her insights are particularly valuable for female leaders looking to navigate the complexities of modern business environments with confidence and skill.

Key Takeaways:

Foundational Lessons from Sports (01:11): Tiffani attributes early life lessons from sports as key to her success. The skills of grace in victory, resilience in defeat, and being a team player have greatly influenced her professional journey.

Career Progression and Risk-Taking (03:10): Bova’s career is marked by a mix of lateral, downward, and upward moves, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and believing in...

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Prepare Mentally and Tactically to Negotiate Under Pressure

high-pressure negotiation Feb 22, 2024
 

Have you ever found yourself in a meeting, presentation, or other high pressure conversation, emotions are running high, and you’re thrown off your game? Whether you’re negotiating a raise, a new role, or to gain buy-in from your leadership, the ability to negotiate under pressure is a vital skill to have in your tool belt. Let’s explore some key strategies from the Fearless Female Leadership framework that can empower you to handle emotionally charged conversations and high-stakes negotiations and ensure that you are heard, valued, and respected in the moments that matter...

The Three Critical Steps: The Fearless Female Leadership Framework emphasizes clarity, confidence, and influence. These are foundational to any successful negotiation, especially ones that are or have the potential to be emotionally charged.

World-Class Preparation with the ABC Prep Sheet: Just like Olympians, leaders should prepare comprehensively for crucial conversations. The ABC Prep...

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Owning Your Worth - an Interview with Jane Boulware

worth Feb 15, 2024
 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jane Boulware, the Chief Marketing Officer and acting Chief Strategy Officer at The Gottman Institute, Chairman of the Board (or I should say Chairwoman) for the Boys and Girls Club, former top 150 Microsoft executive, and now author!. Jane recently shared her journey and valuable lessons from her life and from her book, ‘Worthy: From Cornfields to Corner Office of Microsoft’.

Her experiences, from overcoming poverty and self-doubt to achieving executive roles at Microsoft, offer powerful insights for female leaders and emerging leaders. Jane’s book, "Worthy," is not just about her ascent; it's a testament to overcoming personal and external limitations and embracing one's true potential.

Key Takeaways:

Inspiration Behind "Worthy" [00:01:12]:
Jane discusses her motivation for writing her book, emphasizing overcoming external limitations and self-imposed barriers, and the importance of helping others ascend in their careers....

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Unlocking the Power of Leadership - My Conversation with Ideagen CEO George Sifakis at the 2023 Global Acceleration Summit

leadership Feb 06, 2024
 

Last Fall, I had the honor of being interviewed by George Sifakis, the CEO of Ideagen, for their 2023 Global Acceleration Summit. The summit’s focus? Assessing the progress of the United Nations’ 17 Social Development Goals at the halfway mark to 2023.

It was a riveting experience, and I’m thrilled to share some key takeaways with you:

Key Takeaway 1: The Importance of Mental Toughness in Leadership
Think about one person who has inspired you. Chances are, they exhibited a level of mental toughness that drew you in. During the interview, we dove into the concept of mental toughness, especially for women in leadership. It’s not just about being resilient; it’s about being emotionally agile and prepared for any situation. I’ve even been studying FBI hostage negotiations to equip leaders with the skills to be heard, valued, and respected.

Key Takeaway 2: The Role of Personal Stories in Shaping Leadership
Personal stories aren’t just for memoirs;...

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Building Your Authentic Brand - an Interview with Cheryl Cook

 

In case you missed my interview with the incredible Cheryl Cook, Senior Vice President at Dell Technology, here are some key takeaways, or you can watch the entire interview above:

  • Embracing Challenges and Risks: Moving across the country at 21, Cheryl’s career is a testament to the growth that comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing new challenges.
  • Navigating the Zigzag Path to Success: Her path to becoming a Senior Vice President was a series of opportunities and lessons, highlighting the importance of being open to new experiences.
  • Courage Over Fear: A key element in Cheryl’s success has been recognizing fear and choosing to move forward regardless, a trait essential for effective leadership.
  • Authenticity in Personal Branding: Cheryl stresses the importance of authenticity in building trust and credibility, crucial for establishing strong professional relationships.
  • Trusting Your Instincts: Cheryl advises trusting your gut, especially when...
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Gavriella Schuster Interviews Me About Strategies to Navigate Career Crossroads

 

As female leaders, we often find ourselves at life's crossroads, where the roads of impact and bold decision-making intersect. This was exactly the focus when Gavriella Schuster, former VP One Commercial Partner at Microsoft and equality advocate, interviewed me.

Gavriella expressed a sentiment many of us feel at crucial career junctures – the wish for a process to guide her.  If you’re thinking about gaining clarity on ‘what’s next’, it’s my sincere hope that you’ll find our conversation helpful.

Key Takeaways:

Embracing the Normalcy of Transition: Gavriella’s story at Microsoft is a powerful reminder that feeling uncertain about major career moves is normal. It's a sign that you’re ready to explore new horizons. 

The Importance of a Guided Process: Reflecting on her own experiences, Gavriella wished for a structured approach like the Fearless Female Leadership Journey. Such a framework can provide clarity and...

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Mental Preparation Prior to Influencing Under Pressure

curiosity empathy optimism Jan 17, 2024
 

Navigating high-pressure situations in the corporate world demands more than just skill - it requires mastery in the art of influence. As leaders, especially women leaders, it’s essential to communicate with clarity and impact.

Introducing the "ECO" Mindset Model – a transformative approach to influencing under pressure:

"E"mpathy: Step into their shoes. Understand their pressures and motivations.
"C"uriosity: Cultivate genuine interest in their perspective, wrapped in compassion.
"O"ptimism: Envision the best outcome. Let positivity guide your decisions.

Interested in refining your influence skills or seeking guidance on your leadership journey? I’m here to support and guide you. Feel free to send me a message for insights on leadership and influence – let’s elevate your leadership together.

Enjoy the video, or you can listen in on my podcast here.

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Building Work Life Integration - an Interview with Michelle Ragusa-McBain

work-life Jan 09, 2024
 

If you have not met Michelle Ragusa-McBain, this will be your chance to get up close with a distinguished and influential female leader in the global technology channel, a relationship-builder extraordinaire, and an all-around fun and compassionate human being! Michelle's journey, marked by resilience and determination, has been nothing short of remarkable. From her family's immigration to the United States to her groundbreaking achievement as the first in her family to attend college and earn an MBA, her story is a testament to the power of unwavering commitment.

In this conversation, Michelle dives into the intricacies of her career path, being a mother, and emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the pursuit of purpose in the tech industry. Her wisdom transcends her own experiences, offering invaluable guidance for those seeking to leave their mark in the world of technology.

Here are the key takeaways from the interview:

The Power of Resilience (00:01:31): Michele's...

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