Building Intrinsic Confidence – an Interview with Sophie Gelsthorpe, Chief Human Resource Officer at Sitecore
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Sophie Gelsthorpe, CHRO, Sitecore, about her journey and insights on intrinsic motivation. Sophie’s career in HR began by chance after university, influenced by her hardworking parents. She emphasizes the importance of intrinsic confidence, sharing her experience with confidence after becoming Chief People Officer at OpenTable and Kayak. Sophie advises reflecting on personal experiences, practicing self-validation, and preparing thoroughly for meetings. She highlights the need for women to fake it till they make it and suggests finding supportive peers to help build confidence.
Key take-aways from the interview:
- 0:02:32 Sophie’s early life and family background, including her parents’ divorce and their strong work ethic, inspired her ambition and drive.
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0:04:43 Sophie fell into HR by chance during university, but found it to be a perfect fit for her interests and strengths.
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0:07:15 Reloca
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Setting Your Teams Up for Success During Disruptive Times - an Interview with Natasha Engan, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Deltek
I had the honor of interviewing Natasha Engan, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Deltek, and we discussed leading high-performing teams through disruptive times. She emphasized the importance of controlling what you can, such as work ethic, attitude, and communication. Natasha highlighted the need for transparency, trust, and clear communication to build resilience among employees. She also stressed the significance of listening to customers and maintaining trust through honest feedback. Natasha advised leaders to set a positive tone, empower employees, and balance product launches with customer needs. She concluded by urging mindful communication to inspire and support teams effectively.
Key take-aways from the interview:
- 0:01:47 Focus on what you can control - your work ethic, attitude, and focus - during disruptive times, rather than worrying about external factors beyond your control.
- 0:02:36 Communicate frequently and transparently with your team to build trust, provide ...
Untapped Talent: The Rise of Skill Based Hiring – an Interview with Betty Thompson, Former CPO at Booz Allen Hamilton
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Betty Thompson, former Chief People Officer at Booz Allen Hamilton and Chairwoman of the Board at SHRM, about her journey and insights on harnessing untapped talent. She emphasized the importance of skills over degrees, citing the rising cost of education and the need for diverse workforce strategies. Thompson highlighted the value of internal talent development, leveraging AI for skill identification, and creating pathways for non-traditional candidates. She stressed the necessity for organizations to plan three to five years ahead, invest in lifelong learning, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Thompson encouraged individuals to seize opportunities rather than chase specific roles, advocating for resilience and adaptability in the evolving job market.
Key Takeaways from this Interview:
- 0:34:50 Individuals should chase opportunities that challenge them, as learning often comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
- 0:10:04 Re...
Getting Up to Speed Fast in an Executive Role - an Interview with Rachel Tuller, Vice President Global Channels at Autodesk
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Rachel Tuller, Vice President Global Channel Sales at Autodesk. Rachel discusses her career journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and overcoming challenges. She highlights her non-linear career path, starting as a technical trainer and evolving through various roles. Rachel credits her success to leveraging transferable skills and the support of mentors like James Mundell. At Autodesk, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the company culture, building trust, and establishing executive relationships. Rachel advised new executives to create a stakeholder map, have a clear plan, and leverage available resources. She stresses the balance between collaboration and confidence in driving success.
Key takeaways from this interview:
- 0:01:15 Rachel's family history of professional women inspired her to be a "fearless female" and pursue impactful work that helps others.
- 0:02:40 Rachel's career path has been a "lattice, not a ladder ...
The ROI of Being Kind in Leadership
In today’s fast-paced, results-driven world, it can be tempting to prioritize efficiency and hard metrics over softer skills like kindness. Yet, research consistently demonstrates that kindness isn’t just a “nice-to-have” quality in leadership—it’s a transformative tool with measurable returns. For leaders striving to create lasting impact, embracing kindness isn’t just a moral choice; it’s a strategic one.
Kindness Builds Engaged and Loyal Teams
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s words resonate deeply in the workplace. Employees don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. Gallup research shows that managers influence 70% of the variance in employee engagement, and kindness plays a pivotal role in creating workplaces where people want to stay.
A client of mine, a senior executive in a global tech firm, struggled with high turnover on her team. Together, we worked on integrating kindness ...
The Power of Influence: Gaining Buy-In as a Fearless Female Leader
Influence is one of the most powerful skills a leader can have. As women, however, it’s easy to feel that we have to work twice as hard to gain the same level of buy-in.Â
- Visibility and Advocacy: Women are 25% less likely than men to advocate directly for their own initiatives at the board level due to concerns about being perceived as overly self-promotional or self-interested (Catalyst, 2020). This hesitancy can impact the perceived value of their proposals and limit the level of buy-in they receive compared to male counterparts who are more willing to assert their ideas directly.
- Impact on Proposal Approval Rates: An EY survey showed that 48% of women in executive roles have had strategic proposals declined by the board at a higher rate than men, often due to perceived "risk" or "ambition" biases that question the feasibility or long-term impact of the proposed changes. This “confidence gap” in the boardroom can lead to missed opportunities for innovation and growth.
The trut...
Welcome to 2025: The Year of Fearless Impact - Where will your fearless journey take you?
As we step into 2025, I want to wish you a joyful, healthy, and prosperous New Year! This year holds the promise of next-level impact, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have you as part of this community of Fearless Female Leaders.
2025 is going to be a pivotal year, not just for us, but for over one million women stepping boldly into fearless leadership. When women’s voices are heard, valued, and respected, we change organizations, industries, and the world—and honestly, that’s never been needed more.
I’m also excited to share updates about The Fearless Female Leader, launching in February! If you’d like to join the VIP community, now is the time. By signing up, you’ll gain early access to exclusive resources, bonuses, and a sneak peek at the movement shaping this year.
Opportunities to Partner in 2025
A few exciting ways to get involved this year:
- VIP Book Community: Sign up to receive exclusive content, event invites, and first access to special bonuses.
- Fearless Female Lea...
Grateful for you this holiday season - Coming up in 2025
As we approach the holidays, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. This time of year is perfect for reflection—not only on how far you’ve come but also on the lessons learned and the incredible impact you’ve made.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited about how we can embrace being fearless together. Fearless doesn’t mean being without fear—it means moving forward despite it, guided by the feelings in your heart and gut.
My upcoming book, The Fearless Female Leader, is designed to help you amplify your voice, be heard, and have an even greater impact. If this resonates with you, I’d love to welcome you to the VIP pre-order community. It’s an opportunity to access exclusive extras as we gear up for an incredible 2025.
Thank you for being part of this community, for taking action even when it’s hard, and for joining the movement of over a million fearless women who are ready to step into the new year with purpose and courage.
Wishing you and your loved ones a...
Key Factors to Build Cohesive Teams - With Jen Fults, Global Chief People Officer at Alvarez & Marsal
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Jen Fults, the Global Chief People Officer at Alvarez & Marsal. Jen shared her journey of rising through the ranks, driven by a passion for people and an unwavering commitment to creating cohesive, high-performing teams. Throughout our conversation, her wisdom and practical insights highlighted the importance of leadership grounded in humanity, accountability, and clear communication.
This interview is a must-listen for leaders striving to build strong, resilient teams, particularly as we close out the year and prepare for new challenges ahead. From fostering team cohesion to addressing burnout head-on, Jen’s approach offers actionable strategies for navigating complex people challenges with grace and impact.
Key Takeaways
The Power of Grit and Resourcefulness (00:05:44)
Jen credits her success to a deep sense of grit and resourcefulness, traits she honed during her early career and as an athlete...
Breaking the Confidence Barrier: Empowering Female Executives to Lead Boldly
As women leaders, we often find ourselves navigating environments that can feel both inspiring and, at times, intimidating. Many of us have experienced the unique challenge of feeling like we need to prove ourselves, even after years of success. Confidence, unshakeable confidence—isn’t always easy to come by, especially when the stakes are high, and we’re striving to lead without compromising our values.
In my new book "The Fearless Female Leader", my goal is to empower women like you to break through the confidence barrier and step into every room with authority and purpose.
When it comes to building genuine confidence, I’ve learned that it’s not about “fake it until you make it”. Instead, it’s about mastering specific tools and practices that strengthen your self-assurance from the inside out. In the book, I cover strategies for reframing negative self-talk, establishing your non-negotiables, and leveraging your unique strengths so you can lead boldly, regardless of external pressu...
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