Latest Blog Article: Leading in Times of Uncertainty with Stephanie Royal

Why not YOU?

 

Would you believe I recorded this video  message for you BEFORE Noah Lyles won his gold medal and shared this quote on X, following his performance in the men’s 100-meter final on Sunday, Aug. 4?

Maybe that’s why I absolutely LOVE what he said:

“I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”  ~Noah Lyles

As I walked along the beach in Little Compton, RI, I started contemplating success and personal ambition.  

We were fortunate enough to be housesitting a spectacular home overlooking the ocean. Rather than think of myself as a visitor, even an imposter, in someone else’s amazing home on 10 acres of land with a private beach, I thought ‘why not me’?

The home, land, and ocean were speaking to me and saying, ‘Stop looking at your feet for the shells, look out into the vast ocean for what’s possible...

Continue Reading...

The Importance of Women in Our Evolving Workplace - Interview with Katy Conway

 

I am so excited to share this Fearless Female Leadership Interview with Katy Conway, Chief of People Officer at RGP.  It was such an engaging and compelling conversation. 

Katy shares her inspiring journey to becoming a Chief People Officer, emphasizing the pivotal role of female leaders in the workplace. She reflects on the influence of her grandmother, who exemplified leadership without formal titles, and discusses the importance of resilience, curiosity, and user-centered design in her professional growth. 

Katy also highlights the unique composition of RGP's leadership team, showcasing the company's commitment to diversity and its positive impact on business outcomes.

Key Takeaways

**The grandmother's leadership (00:01:10)**

Katy shares her grandmother's leadership qualities and resilience, emphasizing the impact of leadership beyond formal titles.

**Curiosity and judgment (00:09:03)**

The conversation delves into the value of curiosity over judgment,...

Continue Reading...

How Not Obtaining a Perfect Life Balance is Key

perfection stress work-life Aug 07, 2024

I’ve been talking a lot recently about resetting over the summer, and finding that counter-balance between work and home life. I believe that trying to achieve perfect work-life balance is impossible and incredibly stressful. There are times that family, friends, and our health deserve more of us, and there are also times when work will require us to devote more time and therefore less time with family. 

It’s very important to realize that you don’t need to find a perfect balance. Far from it!

If you remember, I spoke to Michelle Ragusa-McBain at the beginning of the year, and she made some excellent suggestions about achieving a work-life ‘integration’.  It highlights the importance of making tough choices, investing in relationships and seeking integration rather than a perfect work/life balance.

Watch my interview with Michelle.

It’s definitely worth a re-visit (and the particular point I would like you to listen to is around 19:00)....

Continue Reading...

Unlocking Customer Success: Building Relationships and Driving Growth - an Interview with Lara Barnes

customer success Jul 31, 2024
 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Lara Barnes, a seasoned Customer Success executive with a distinguished career at Microsoft, Facebook, Oracle and Sitecore.

Lara shares her journey of building impactful Customer Success teams, emphasizing the importance of understanding the entire customer journey and key metrics for retention and growth in the SaaS industry.

We also explore Lara's personal development over the past six months, highlighting her newfound clarity and aspirations for executive leadership roles. This conversation provides valuable insights for female leaders aiming to build their focus and drive significant business outcomes through customer success strategies.

Key Takeaways:

Importance of Customer Success (00:02:30)
Discussion on understanding the customer journey and building value realization frameworks.

Consequences of Poor Customer Success (00:03:30)
Lara explains the risks of not guiding customers effectively, leading to churn and ultimately...

Continue Reading...

From Holding Back to Flying High - Interview with Rachel Madorsky

 

In this insightful Fearless Female Leader interview, I had the pleasure of speaking to Rachel Madorsky, a thought leader, clinical therapist, and coach, about her transformative journey and teachings. 

Rachel shares her experiences of overcoming personal and professional obstacles, emphasizing the importance of self-love and small, actionable steps for growth. We discuss the concept of moving from a zone of excellence to a zone of genius, encouraging women to pursue their passions with joy. 

Key Takeaways

Changing Direction by 2% (00:05:21)

The discussion focuses on the impact of small changes and mindset shifts on achieving excellent results and making progress.

Uncovering the Reasons for Holding Back (00:13:14)

Rachel explains how women hold themselves back due to the fear of risking love, safety, and belonging and the unconscious sabotage that follows.

Empowerment through Generosity (00:15:51)

The conversation centers around the idea that every door opened for oneself...

Continue Reading...

Cultivating an Influential Mindset Through Healthy Habits and Boundaries

 

You can be successful, and still feel like there is more. More for you to give and contribute, more impact to be made, and more joy to feel from your work.

Is it possible that it may be time to pivot?

There are many ways to successfully pivot, whether internally within your company or your current career, or an external pivot toward something entirely different. This is not typically easy and can require a great deal of personal influence.

Here’s how to get started with an influential mindset reset, coupled with setting healthy habits and boundaries:

1. Believe in Yourself

Your ideas, your worth, and your contribution are valuable. If you don’t believe you are worthy of influence in a new and often unfamiliar role, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to influence others. The voice that we should pay attention to the most is our own, even when it is a negative voice. So a great place to start is with strong positive daily affirmations. For example, "I take consistent...

Continue Reading...

Retaining Top Female Talent - Interview with Kristin Crossman

 

In this episode, I am SO excited to speak with Kristin Crossman, a seasoned expert in human capital management.

Kristin shares her journey, inspired by her father’s career at IBM, and her experiences at K2, a company with a significant female workforce. We discuss the importance of retaining top female talent, emphasizing the visibility of female leaders and flexible policies.

Kristin highlights the value of investing in oneself and nurturing relationships, especially in challenging economic times.

One of the most compelling points Kristen made was the significance of visible female leadership within organizations. The concept of "if you can see her, you can be her" underscores the importance of having female leaders at the highest levels. This visibility not only inspires emerging female leaders but also demonstrates that it is possible to balance professional success with personal responsibilities.

Key Takeaways

Leadership and Gender Equality at K2 (00:00:59) The positive...

Continue Reading...

Time for a Summer Reset: Reevaluate and Reenergize

Summer is the perfect time for a reset. With the slower pace and longer days, it's an ideal opportunity to step back, reflect, and make meaningful changes to enhance your well-being and productivity.

As we step into Q3, here’s how you can set new boundaries, incorporate healthy habits, and explore new learning opportunities for both you and your team to ensure a productive and profitable second half of the year.

1. Pause and Reflect:

While it may not seem productive, pausing to reflect on the past 6 months is the best thing you can do to ensure productivity within your team. Take a moment to assess whether the pace you have been running at is sustainable, and importantly, is it still going in the right direction. Are you and your team able to keep going? Or will someone drop out of the race before the finish line? Is a little course correction needed to make sure everyone can stay in the game?

As a fearless female leader, your voice is needed, especially at this time of the...

Continue Reading...

Making Your Second Act Your Main Event - Interview with Martha Delehanty

 

In this Fearless Female Leadership Interview, I am honored to have a profound and fun conversation with Martha Delehanty, Chief People Officer at Commvault. Join us and soak in the wisdom that she generously shares! Martha’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to elevate their leadership impact, and her words are sure to empower you to be even bolder in your leadership.

Martha shares her inspiring journey, emphasizing the importance of overcoming personal challenges and loss, and even leveraging them for growth. She discusses the significance of setting ambitious goals, intentional time management, and the concept of a "time journal" to track and optimize daily activities.

Martha also highlights the value of surrounding oneself with a supportive team and prioritizing self-care.

Key Takeaways

The story of Martha Delehanty (00:00:24) Martha shares her upbringing, family challenges, and how she rose above it.

Learning from...

Continue Reading...

June 2024 Wrap-Up: Recognizing and Celebrating Our Achievements

As we wrap up the month of June, it's important to take a moment to reflect on our journey and celebrate the successes we've achieved, no matter how small they may seem. In times of change and disruption, recognizing our progress helps us stay motivated and focused on our long-term goals.

Why Celebrate Small Successes?

  1. Boosts Morale: Celebrating small wins can significantly boost morale and motivation. It's a reminder that progress is being made, even if it's incremental.
  2. Builds Momentum: Acknowledging small achievements creates momentum. Each success builds confidence and encourages us to keep moving forward.
  3. Reinforces Positive Behavior: Recognizing and celebrating successes reinforces the behaviors and strategies that lead to those wins, creating a positive feedback loop.

Reflecting on Your Wins

Take some time to reflect on the past month. What goals did you set? What progress did you make? Here are a few ways to reflect on and celebrate your achievements:

  1. List Your Wins:...
Continue Reading...
Close

Before You Leave, Have You Joined the Waitlist on My New Book Fearless Female Leadership?

Get Exclusive Early Access Bonuses:

  • Get a "Sneak Peek" with a digital version of Chapter 1
  • View a digital lesson of the Fearless Female Leadership Enterprise Journey Edition
  • Gain early access to book exclusive training events during International Day of the Woman
  • Receive volume book purchase discounts
YES, I'D LIKE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST! >>
Close

97% Complete

Get Our Most Current Mental Toughness Articles, Tips, Tools, Videos and More! 

Emailed directly to you each week ... and all FREE!