Beyond KPI’s: How to Ensure Women are Heard and Valued
Christine Kiefer, Senior Vice President at Experis/Manpower Group, embodies the qualities of adaptability, inclusive leadership, and dedication to excellence.
In this interview, Christine dives into the challenges she has encountered, the transformative moments that have shaped her remarkable career, and the profound importance of fostering diversity within organizations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KPIs Don’t Always Reflect Satisfaction: KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) may show success on paper, but they don’t necessarily reflect client or employee satisfaction. Sometimes, despite meeting KPIs, clients may not feel they are receiving the expected value. (Timestamp: 16:05)
Importance of Sponsorship for Women: Sponsorship, which actively supports and promotes individuals, is crucial for women’s career advancement. Having a mentor is not the same as having a sponsor, and many women feel they lack sponsorship opportunities. (Timestamp: 19:07)
Benefits of Diverse Leadership:...
How to Turn a Disappointment into a Breakthrough Opportunity
Many times I give the coaching advice, ‘It’s not about being perfect, it’s about how you respond to adversity and setbacks’.
Recently, I had a unique opportunity to follow my own advice.
I've just wrapped up a whirlwind 5-week trip to the East Coast speaking, seeing East Coast clients, cycling through Maine with family, with a finale being a dream come true: speaking at the United Nations. But as we all know, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Due to (understandable) heightened security, the venue changed last minute to NASDAQ. But here's the kicker: I learned some invaluable lessons that I can't wait to share with you.
Give Yourself Permission to Be Disappointed
Let's be real: disappointment stings. I had visualized myself at the UN, sharing my insights and experiences with a room full of global change-makers. When that vision crumbled, I felt a sense of loss. But here's the empowering part: it's absolutely okay to feel...
From Dream to UN Podium: The Power of Persistence and Vision
Sometimes our gut and our heart speak to us and guide us towards something important that we’d like to accomplish.
Just a few years ago, 2019 to be exact, speaking at the United Nations was a far-fetched dream. I thought that if I could speak on behalf of Sustainable Development Goal #5, Gender Equality, I’d somehow be able to empower even more women to have a bigger voice and impact.
There were all sorts of reasons why this dream made NO sense, why it was unlikely at best and why it was NOT likely to happen. But dreams have a funny way of becoming reality when you're committed to doing what it takes for ‘what’s next’. Let's dive into how the journey unfolded and the actionable lessons you can apply to your own path.
Visualize Your Goals
In 2019, I set a goal in my speaking mastermind with Bo Eason. I wanted to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal #5: equality for women and girls. So, I drew a picture—husband,...
When the Mic Went Silent: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
Have you ever prepared impeccably for a big moment, and then something out of your control goes horribly wrong?
Just a few weeks ago, I had the honor of being a Mega Session speaker at the 2023 CREW Network (women in construction) Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. The room of 500 was packed, super engaged audience. Amazing!
But what happened next was nothing short of terrifying AND magical. The audio, crucial for the interactive finale of my talk, failed. The A/V team came up, but could not fix it. 
Should I start singing Alicia Keys, ‘This Girl is On Fire’. Bad idea, considering my vocal ability. I decided to do the finale, an interactive visualization activity, without music. Not ideal, but the show must go on.
Then, an attendee in the session came to the stage and handed me her phone, and said, ‘HOLD THIS TO YOUR MIC!’. She had pulled up ‘This Girl is On Fire’ on Spotify.
Everyone clapped and stood up as I led them through...
Podcast Episode #117: "Delivering Tough Feedback Effectively Across Organizations" - an Interview with Brenda Hudson
Delivering Tough Feedback Effectively Across Organizations
In case you missed my LIVE interview with the phenomenal Brenda Hudson (Senior Vice President Commercial Sales, Sales Enablement, Learning and Development at Insight), here are a few of the wisdom gems she shared:
- Tuck away all the behaviors you’ve experienced that will not exhibit.
- Have grace, honesty, clarity, and compassion.
- Be sure to share ‘why’ you’re sharing the feedback you are.
- Exhibit gratitude for the recipient of the conversation.
- An inability to build trust will restrict your elevation in your career and in life.
- Listen, be authentic, and align your actions with your words to build that trust.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up and go against the grain when it’s a win/win/win for the other person, you, and your company.
To be notified for future interviews be sure to connect with me here on LinkedIn AND to learn more about how to build the mindset and ...
Feeling Uncertain About What's Next? 4 Simple Strategies ...
"It’s the Nature of Babies to Be in Bliss.”
- Deepak Chopra
Life was pretty simple as a baby. We did not have expectations, responsibilities, comparisons, or judgments placed upon by ourselves or by others, and it was our nature to be curious, have our basic needs met, and follow our bliss or what made us happy. We didn’t overthink, worry about what others think, or get stuck because of some past trauma (that we were possibly unaware of.)
Somewhere along the line, we were influenced by our parents, friends, siblings, society, media, colleagues, partners etc. So, when we’re feeling uncomfortable or like it’s time to shift, it can be challenging to truly determine with utmost clarity and confidence what’s next or when to pull the trigger.
Whether you’re an executive thinking about leaving your corporate career, or you are a twenty-something about to wrap up college and trying to figure out what’s next like my amazing daughter Megan,...
Building The Mindset To Thrive In The New Normal
As we navigate through these turbulent times, it's crucial to arm ourselves with the right mindset and strategies to not just survive, but thrive. The economic landscape has shifted dramatically—workforce reductions, soaring prices, and market volatility are just the tip of the iceberg. But guess what? The challenges we face today make the insights I shared in my Forbes article even more relevant and urgently needed.
Why am I revisiting this article now? Because the core principles of resilience, adaptability, and leadership are timeless. They are the bedrock on which we can build sustainable success, no matter the external circumstances. And let's face it, the 'new normal' is an ever-evolving concept that requires us to be on our toes, ready to adapt and pivot at a moment's notice.
So, if you're feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, or if you're pondering how to lead effectively in this climate, I invite you to have a look into this piece. It's packed with...
Taking the Leap from Leader to Advisor
Heidi Melin, a Strategic Marketing Leader, Board Director, and Go-To-Market Advisor, has navigated the complexities of the business world with unparalleled finesse. Her career has evolved from operational roles to advisory capacities, making her a go-to expert for those contemplating a similar transition.
This interview is a goldmine of practical advice and actionable insights. If you're an executive mulling over your next career move or an up-and-coming leader looking to expand your skill set, Heidi's experience offers a roadmap worth following. Don't miss the opportunity to glean wisdom from a leader who's been there, done that, and continues to redefine success.
TIMESTAMP:
- 2:54 - Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities
- 8:15 - Explore Unconventional Paths
- 12:44 - Deep Connections Open Doors
- 14:49 - Self-Assessment Guides Career Choices
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities
Being receptive to opportunities that come from unexpected places...
The Surprising Power of Constructive Criticism and Partnerships
Many times, to have an even greater impact in our roles, we need to partner with others, especially with our leadership. Having a bigger voice and gaining buy-in from your leadership, especially when there are many competing interests can be tough.
Today, I want to share an exciting sneak peek in my journey—one that shares the transformative power of collaboration and partnerships. It's a story about how I came to join forces with Rali, a remarkable software company that shares my passion for fostering positive change. Through this experience, I have learned the profound importance of collaboration and the potential they hold to unlock limitless possibilities. Join me as I recount the steps that led me to this decision which just may help you as well!
But first, I wanted to share that the Fearless Female Leadership journey was initiated because of some not so easy to swallow constructive criticism. So, the next time you receive constructive criticism (from someone who has your...
Bring the Best Out of Your Team
Aleta Jeffress, Senior Vice President at CGI, is a seasoned professional with a diverse array of experiences who embodies the principles of continual learning, discipline, and the power of a positive mindset. From her emphasis on the importance of professional growth to her insights into building and nurturing successful teams, Aleta's journey stands as an amazing example for those aiming to succeed in our new work climate.
In this insightful interview, Aleta dives deep, offering a fresh perspective on leadership, mindset shifts, and the art of team-building. As you listen, you'll find Aleta's wisdom not just enlightening but also a compelling call to action.
TIMESTAMP:
[7:40] Continual learning and professional growth
[11:43] The importance of discipline and consistency
[12:41] Shifting from a lack mindset to an abundance mindset
[16:04] Building and nurturing a successful team
[24:20] Focusing on your wins
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Continual Learning and Professional Growth: It's crucial to...
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