Bulletproof, A GLI Company - A conversation with Melissa Aarskaug, Global VP at Bulletproof
I recently had the absolute pleasure of talking to Melissa Aarskaug, Global VP at Bulletproof, about the unique challenges faced by female leaders in male-dominated industries, specifically in technology and engineering.
We explore the importance of resilience, supportive relationships, and effective strategies for career navigation. Melissa shares her own experiences, emphasizing the value of open communication with leadership about workload and personal needs.
This conversation highlights the necessity of curiosity, proactive engagement, and fostering a supportive environment to empower female leaders to thrive and advance in their careers.
Key Moments:
Resilience Through Sports (00:03:32)
Melissa discusses her experience in sports and how her father helped her pivot after setbacks.
Navigating Setbacks (00:09:05)
Melissa talks about her constant setbacks and the importance of leaning into challenges.
Supporting Female Leaders (00:14:01)
The conversation shifts to how to help female leaders stay in their careers and succeed.
Retention Strategies for Emerging Leaders (00:19:34)
Melissa offers advice on finding support systems and having open conversations with leadership.
The Impact of Praise (00:28:43)
Sharing a personal story about the lack of appreciation leading to career changes.
Feeling Heard and Valued (00:29:11)
Discussing the psychological need for acknowledgment and respect in leadership roles.
I am so grateful to Melissa for sharing her journey, and I admire her strength, determination and openness.
If I can help you or your team in any way via coaching, speaking, training, or enterprise digital curriculum, let’s connect!
Cheering you on always,
Sheryl
By Sheryl Kline, M.A. CHPC
Certified High-Performance Coach | Mental Toughness & High-Performance Strategist for Female Leaders | Best-Selling Author | CEO & Founder, The Zone Lab, LLC
Sheryl Kline has spent 25+ years building Olympic-level confidence and FBI-grade negotiation strategies for world-class athletes, Olympians, and some of the most prolific female executives in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and across the country. Her proven frameworks in clarity, confidence, strategic influence and impact (Fearless Female Leadership Framework) have been deployed inside Fortune 100 and 500 companies including Google Ventures, Microsoft, Oracle, Schnitzer Properties, Autodesk, Capital One, Pixar, VMware, Bank of America, and State Street Global Advisors to name a few.
Hands-On Experience: Sheryl has personally coached hundreds of executives, team leaders, and emerging female leaders through high-stakes negotiations, career transitions, and performance under pressure. She has led mental toughness and high-performance workshops at organizations like Structured Finance Association, WIT Network, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, SHRM, CREW Network, Women in Cloud, and Jabra.
Credentials: M.A. degree holder and Certified High-Performance Coach (CHPC). Creator of the Fearless Female Leadership Journey enterprise digital curriculum and the proprietary frameworks including the ADD Emotional Agility Blueprint, Visual Optimization methodology, and the ZONED IN mental toughness system.
Published Work: Best-selling author of ZONED IN: The Mental Toughness Required for a World-Class YOU and The Fearless Female Leader: A Proven Process to Speak Up, Be Heard, and Have an Even Greater Impact. Speaker, mastermind cohort leader, and panelist for women's leadership organizations nationwide.
sherylkline.comĀ |Ā LinkedInĀ |Ā info@sherylkline.comĀ | Substack
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