Own Your Story, Elevate Your Impact and Visibility - an Interview with Erika Irby, Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Erika Irby, the Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft, to explore how embracing your personal story can fuel your professional impact. Erika's energy, authenticity, and strategic insight lit up the conversation as we discussed storytelling, visibility, and fearless leadership—especially as women in tech.
Erika’s leadership journey began early—at just 17, she chose to stay behind and start college while her military family moved overseas. That moment, powered by grit and independence, set the tone for her lifelong mantra: "I will figure it out." Erika’s resilience, her trust in the universe, and her ability to turn obstacles into growth moments have shaped an inspiring career across education, tech, and executive leadership.
We also dug into the challenges women face with visibility, self-advocacy, and storytelling—especially in corporate environments. Er...
Spoken Over by Peers or Leadership?
Spoken Over by Peers or Leadership?
Have you ever found yourself as the ‘only’ in the room (or in the Zoom room)? According to the 2021 McKinsey Women in the Workplace Report, the pipeline for women in leadership is losing ground, and the frustration and emotional tax that goes along with feeling like you’re the ‘only’ adds to burn out and the resignation of our future female leaders.
Imagine if you’re a ‘double only’. The only woman AND part of a group that is further marginalized within our gender. The flame of contribution, conscious capitalism, compassion, and invaluable perspective and knowledge is likely extinguished or dimmed even more rapidly.
Whether you’re an ‘only’ or a ‘double only’, how can your voice be amplified even more for the greater good of our cultures, companies, and the women coming after us?
Let’s start with having a bigger voice at your next meeting or presentation and empowering our female colleagues to do the same.
From a human performance perspective, here’s h...
Podcast Episode #98: "Growing Visibility for Women in Wealth Management" - an Interview with Brie Williams
Growing Visibility for Women in Wealth Management
In case you missed my LIVE interview with the remarkable Brie Williams (Vice President, Head of Practice Management at SPDR Exchange Traded Funds - State Street Global Investors), here are a few of the wisdom gems she shared:
- Having an open mind and willingness to try something different, even if it's not what you've envisioned for yourself
- Learning to get comfortable in failing fast and failing up
- Building your confidence and strengthening your resilience through self-doubt and anxiety
- Using your network of colleagues and partners as a safe forum for trying out your ideas
- The importance and value of the give and take of the sponsorship/mentorship relationship
- Being authentic to yourself and embracing the many shapes and sizes of diversity.
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 influence for real change, join our community at...
No Tricks, Just a Treat!
"3 Strategies for Women to Take Control of Their Visibility and Impact"
Have you ever had the courage to speak up in a crucial conversation or to your leadership and then felt like someone pooped in your cereal? (I know that’s gross, but I cannot take credit! A recent C-level client said it yesterday:).
If so, I am EXTREMELY excited to share this with YOU! On November 5, I’ll be hosting a global live masterclass for VMware’s 6000 member Women in Leadership group, and I wanted to give my Limitless Leader family access to these important tools!
So, here’s the treat...:ghost:
A sneak peek of the outline...
Why?
Because it’s YOUR time to speak up, be heard, and share your unique area of genius even more.
While we have come a long way in terms of equality for women in the workplace, we are not there yet and likely will not be in our lifetime.
According to the recent (September 27, 2021) McKinsey report, 1 in 3 women are considering leaving the workplace.
“Women are rising to the mo...
Check Out My Recent Blog Article / Video / Podcast Posts
Categories
All Categories#executivewomen #influence #fearlessfemaleleadership #ffl1mm #womeninleadership
#fearlessfemaleleader #gratitude #womeninleadership #holidaymessage #sherylkline
#fearlessfemaleleader #newyear2025 #womeninleadership #leadershipimpact #ffl1mm
#fearlessfemaleleaders #beauthentic #careerconversations
#fearlessfemaleleaders #chiefpeopleofficer #servantleadership #womenofinfluence
#fearlessfemaleleaders #ffl1mm #womenwholead
#fearlessfemaleleadership #ffl1mm
#fearlessfemaleleadership #womeninleadership #unlockpotential #boldleadership #ffl1mm #altoslabs
#ffl1mm #fearlessfemaleleaders #womeninleadership #negotiation101
#highstakesnegotiations #csuiteleadership #emotionalagility #fearlessfemaleleaders #ffl1mm
#leadershipadvice #supportsystem #empoweredwomen
#selfcare #ffl1mm #worklifebalance #productivity
