Build Influence Without Being Seen as a Threat (Part 1 of 3): Strategic Empathy
If youâve ever shared a strong idea and felt the room tense or held back because you "didnât want to step on your bossâs toes," youâre not alone. Your voice matters A LOT, so letâs make sure itâs heard, valued, and respected. This series is doing just that while ensuring you are not held back or blocked by being perceived as a threat: Strategic Empathy.
Why âstrategic empathyâ?
Strategic Empathy isnât just kindness, itâs preparation. It shows you understand and care what matters to the person (their priorities, pressures, and wins). When people feel seen and understood, they feel safe and therefore more open to your ideas, input, and requests. Strategic empathy is the runway to have your influence take off.
Plan as if youâre in their seat.
Before a key conversation, step into their role and ask:
- Whatâs mission-critical for them this quarter?
- Whatâs at risk (budget, headcount, credibility, timeline)?
- What would make this quarter a 10+?
Shape your message to help them win. L...
Seek Yourself Through Service - an Interview with Carrie Davis, Vice President Employee and Patient Experience, Hanger
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Carrie Davis, Vice President of Employee and Patient Experience at Hanger, about her journey and her inspiring message on âSeeking Yourself Through Service.â Carrie shared her deeply personal story of being born with a congenital upper limb difference and how that shaped her resilience, leadership style, and passion for creating belonging.
From hiding her true self as a child to now proudly embracing her identityâeven turning her prosthesis into a sparkling symbol of confidenceâCarrieâs story is a masterclass in authenticity, courage, and servant leadership. She emphasizes that true leadership is not about titles or ego, but about intention, empathy, and lifting others up.
Carrieâs wisdom is a reminder that whether challenges are visible or invisible, we all have the ability to create ourselves, step into courage, and lead with compassion.
đ Key Takeaways from the Interview with Carrie Davis:
-
...
The Resilience Required to Own Your Power - an Interview with Kim Beauvais, EVP, HR & Business Operations, FOX Sports
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Kim Beauvais, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Business Operations at FOX Sports, about resilience, leadership, and the importance of owning your power.
Kim credits her early upbringingâwhere the word âcanâtâ wasnât allowed in her householdâas a foundation for her mindset. From her time as a Division I soccer player to becoming a senior executive in the male-dominated world of sports, Kim has embodied a âcan doâ philosophy that continues to shape her leadership.
Throughout the conversation, Kim emphasized resilience not as a fixed trait but as a practiceâsomething strengthened over time, much like building physical endurance. She shared candid insights on handling self-doubt, failing forward, and the power of surrounding yourself with a trusted circle of peers who both challenge and uplift you.
Her advice resonates not only for women in media or sports but for all leaders striving...
Get Compensated for What You're Worth (Part 3 of the 3-Part Video Series): "The Power of Practicing Your Ask"
Preparation is powerful. But hereâs the trap I see so many fall into: they spend all their time practicing the âwhyâ behind their ask⌠and almost no time practicing the âwhat.â
When negotiating salary, budget, or new opportunities, leaders will confidently talk about their accomplishments and impact. But when the conversation turns to âSo what are your salary expectations?ââtheir voice changes, their tone drops, and their confidence wavers. Yes, making a bold ask, especially a pecuniary one, is uncomfortable, but it does not have to be!
Here are three ways to sound even more confident making a big ask::
- Say the numberâor the resourceâout loud, multiple times.
- Slow your speaking. Â
- Land the plane. End with a steady, descending tone that conveys confidence (An ascending tone conveys asking permission and uncertainty.).
In order for others to be confident that our âaskâ is a good idea, we must be confident in ourselves first. Remember, the research tells us that only 7% of what ...
Get Compensated for What You're Worth (Part 2 of the 3-Part Video Series): "Turning Resistance Into Your Superpower"
Have you ever noticed that right when youâre about to ask for something importantâlike a raise, more resources, or a new opportunityâresistance shows up?
Maybe itâs worry, fear, or imposter syndrome whispering in your ear. Most of us, understandably, see these emotions as negative. . But what if they were actually superpowers in disguise?
Resistance is often our egoâs way of trying to protect us. But instead of fighting it, you can reframe it into wisdom and fuel.
Hereâs how:
â First, notice the emotion: âI notice I feel worried.â
â Next, assume success is inevitable: âIf I already had the outcome I wanted, what would this emotion advise me to do in order to be my best or improve?
One of my clients used this exact approach in a salary negotiation at a fast-growing startup. By reframing her worry, she did deeper preparation, clearly articulated her value, andâmost importantlyâpositioned herself as the solution to the CEOâs biggest problem.
That shift made her ask not just credible, b...
Get Compensated for What You're Worth (Part 1 of the 3-Part Video Series): "Emotional Regulation: The First Step to Negotiation Success"
Many times leaders prepare for negotiations with facts, research, and strategy. Yet they skip the very firstâand most crucialâstep: emotional regulation.
Without it, even the most confident âaskâ can fall flat.
One client of mine recently received a dream job offer. On paper, it looked incredible. But she knew the offer wasnât as strong as it could be. The emotion on her mind was âworryâ. After a five-month search, she was afraid that if she asked for more, she might lose the opportunity altogether.
This is where emotional regulation comes in. Instead of identifying with her fear by saying, âI am worried,â she was able to reframe it as, âI notice I feel worried..â
This small but powerful shift that helps neutralize negative emotions that can get in our way.. It allows us to observe the emotion without becoming emotionally disregulated.
đ Watch the full video (above.)
If youâre facing your next big ask, pause and ask yourself: What am I feeling? Then notice it, name it, and remind ...
Get Compensated for What You're Worth: "Introduction to the 3-Part Video Series"
The research tells us that women get offered less, and rarely try to negotiate compensation packages.
Letâs change that!Â
It could be a new role, a bigger salary, additional resources, or even just the chance to lead the next big project. Yet so many leadersâno matter how advancedâfeel hesitation, worry, or even imposter syndrome when it comes time to make an ask for what they want and deserve..
Thatâs why I created this short 3-part video series: âGet Compensated for What You're Worthâ
Hereâs what youâll learn:
â
Part 1 â Emotional Regulation: The first and most overlooked step.
â
Part 2 â Turning Resistance Into Rocket Fuel.
â
Part 3 â Practicing Your Ask With Confidence.
This process is based on what Iâve taught executives, Olympic athletes, and high performers around the world. Itâs proven, itâs practical, and it works.
đ Watch the full video series starting here.
You are worthy of what youâre asking for. My hope is this series equips you with tools to not only askâbut to ask w...
Struggle with the Juggle - an Interview with Laura Butler, Chief People Officer, TTEC
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Laura Butler, Chief People Officer at TTEC, about the realities of leadership, balancing competing priorities, and the evolving role of HR in shaping organizational success.
Laura shared how her parents deeply influenced her pathâher father, who instilled the importance of working in service of others, and her mother, who created memorable experiences while raising six children. These lessons inspired Lauraâs unique approach of combining business impact with human connection.
Her career journey was far from linear. Laura once swore sheâd never work in HR, yet she discovered that technology without people fails to deliver results. That realization sparked her passion for HR as an enabling, strategic functionâone that aligns culture, trust, and leadership practices with business outcomes.
We also explored Lauraâs concept of the âStruggle of the Juggleââthe constant pressure of managing work, famil...
The Imposterâs Gift: Your Inner Critic Might Actually Be Your Ally (Part 3 to the 3-Part Series)
What if your imposter feelings werenât an enemy⌠but a friend and confidant? Not just a cheerleaderâbut a wise, honest guide imparting wisdom.
Instead of resisting it, try this:
- Acknowledge it: âI notice Iâm feeling like an imposterâand thatâs okay.â
- Ask: âIf this feeling were a trusted friend, what would it say?â
This exercise helps you defuse the shame, mine the wisdom, and access the emotional agility to lead with your full power and heart.
What if your inner critic was really your fiercest advocate in disguise? If that voice actually wanted to lift you up, what would it say? Comment below ... I would love to hear your perspective!
If youâre a leader looking to gain clarity on âwhatâs nextâ, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, letâs have a confidential conversation. http://www.sherylkline.com/meetingÂ
Cheering you on always!
â Sheryl
Super Human Growth - an Interview with Shanna Goodell, Senior Director of Enterprise Learning & Talent Development at Druva
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shanna Goodell, Senior Director of Enterprise Learning and Talent Development at Druva, about her inspiring career journey and her vision for âsuperhuman growth.â
Shannaâs path was shaped by mentors who believed in her potential and opened doors that might otherwise have stayed closed. From her best friendâs parents encouraging her to pursue college, to mentors who introduced her to organizational psychology, to leaders who gave her early opportunities, Shanna embodies the ripple effect of empowerment.
Her career reflects resilience and innovationâespecially when she pioneered flexible work arrangements to balance motherhood with professional growth. At Druva, she now champions learning strategies that integrate cutting-edge AI with the human connection that truly drives growth. Shanna believes that curiosity, trust, and vision are the key ingredients for creating âsuperhuman teamsâ that achieve beyon...
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