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Women Taking the Lead

The Women Taking the Lead podcast is a resource for women leaders, allies, and organizations looking to promote more women into senior leadership. Episode formats include specific leadership challenges, "on-air" coaching with women leaders, and interviews with internal talent and organizational development leaders. Women Taking the Lead inspires women to overcome self-doubt and lead with confidence, integrity and a sense of humor.
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Now displaying: February, 2016
Feb 28, 2016

Kim Eisenberg is a Career Counselor and an Organizational Development Consultant who helps people and businesses create healthy relationships with work. She blends her expertise in corporate career services, counseling, and organizational leadership to deliver candid, strengths-based approaches to career and business development.

Playing Small Moment

Kim noticed her playing small moment after she first started her own business. Kim was fearful that she wasn’t making enough money, so she went out and got herself a full-time job. This job was a step down from what she was doing in the past and ended up being a complete disaster after only one month.

The Wake Up Call

Although Kim doesn’t like to focus on aha moments, she does remember some wake up calls. While Kim was working at the full-time job mentioned, she received high praise from one of her clients that she was coaching at the time. During this time, Kim also heard one of her research papers was being published by a peer review journal.

Style of Leadership

Kim has two different styles of leadership: situational and strength-based. She realized that people perceive themselves as much smaller than the world perceives them. Kim loves to delegate and feels that being the boss doesn’t mean she knows it all. Kim surrounds herself with people who have talents that she doesn’t have.

What Are You Excited About?

The launch of her programs geared toward woman negotiating. Kim doesn’t just mean negotiation for jobs; she is talking about all aspects of life.

Leadership Practice

Kim practices active listening. She believes the more substance the better. She also practices being a leader who can be in the present moment with people and not think about her own agenda.

Book to Develop Leadership

Body of Work by Pamela Slim

Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Kim would tell her younger self that the entire world is not falling apart. Just hang in there and keep chipping away at it.

Inspirational Quote

No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Strive to be happy.

— Excerpts from the poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Interview Links

www.kimeisenberg.com

https://www.facebook.com/KimEisenbergConsulting

https://twitter.com/kim_eisenberg

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimeisenberg

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/kim-eisenberg/

Feb 24, 2016

To celebrate the 100th episode on Women Taking the Lead I've collected and strung together the first 100 quotes shared on this podcast by our amazing guests.

https://womentakingthelead.com/100-quotes/

Sign up for this free webinar on How To Be Recognized and Rewarded for the Work You Do: https://womentl.com/webinar-interest 

Feb 21, 2016

Carl helps coaches to get clear and visible, and to get clients through heart-centered entrepreneurship, so that they enjoy freedom and wealth. Carl believes that clarity is crucial to business success. His mission is to help coaches build a solid business that fully reflects their vision, skill set and strengths. So they can attract the right customers.

Carl has more than 20 years of experience, in marketing and communication in the UK and The Netherlands, working for major companies like Air France and British Telecom. He is also a certified life coach and motivational speaker.

 

A Woman Who Has Influenced Your Life

Carl has been influenced by many women throughout his life. However, one person really strikes a chord with him, his mentor Jennifer Hermenes. She taught him how to sell using his heart and how to serve people not just sell them.

 

What He Sees That Hold Women Back

Carl has noticed a trend; women seeking help and comradery from other women. He suggests you need to encourage everyone to work together and to not exclude others.

 

What He Has Learned from Women

Working with many women in his life, Carl has learned how to use his intuition. Carl is grateful to those women that have taught him how to hone in on this skill.

 

What Changes Does He See That Are Necessary for Women to Step Up as Leaders?

Carl says women should not be afraid to get in front of a camera and get themselves visible. He suggests recording a 30-second video on standing for what you believe in.

 

What He is Excited About

Carl is excited about his 2nd Business, Retreat for Women in Tuscany. It’s a week-long retreat to get women out of their everyday habits and focus on how to market using a heart-centered connection. You can find more details at eatpraylearn.com.

 

Inspirational Quote

“You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Interview Links

www.carlbrooks.com

eatpraylearn.com

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/carl-brooks/

Feb 19, 2016

What is the definition of a leader and what am I talking about when I refer to “taking the lead?”

In my view a leader is not limited to the person heading up a group. It is well recorded in history that certain famous individuals became leaders, not because they sought the role. Rather, they were living according to their values and following their conscience and that inspired others to join them on their journey and they were nudged into taking authority.

I remember from my corporate days learning the distinction between the position of leader and the actual leader. Though often the same person had the position of leader and was the actual leader, it wasn’t always the case.

The person who had the title or position of leader was not always the person that eyes wandered to when important announcements were being made. The person the eyes wandered to, that was the person that people were actually taking their cues from. However that person responded to the announcement would influence how other people responded.

So what had this person be so special?

Well, they usually were really good at forming close relationships. They didn’t have to be outgoing but people had a sense of who they were as an individual and where they stood on common issues.

They were responsible. Meaning they would respond to what was going on around them. They weren’t waiting for someone to give them direction. If they saw a problem they would get involved. Appropriately or inappropriately, it didn’t matter; they were somehow involved.

These people had an awareness of themselves. They knew what they liked and what they didn’t like. Though they could compromise and collaborate with others they didn’t comply because they didn’t have an opinion – they were just choosing their battles and thinking about the good of the group.

This awareness also extended to their strengths and weaknesses. Though we are all continually getting to know more about ourselves these individuals seemed to have a better sense of what they wanted to call attention to and what areas or characteristics to downplay.

They also knew their sphere of influence. They knew who would go along with their ideas and who would need convincing and how to convince them.

Sometimes these individuals could be convinced to take on the position of leader if they didn’t have it already and sometimes their preference was to lead from the trenches.

In my view, someone is “taking the lead” when they are responding to what is going on inside them or around them. They are not waiting for permission to respond or to respond in a way that feels good for them - they are responding.

When I first started the Women Taking the Lead podcast my thought was I wanted to inspire women to take initiative and be change makers in their professions or their businesses. But since launching my intentions have broadened.

I want to inspire women to take initiative and be change makers in any area of their life they are drawn to.

And here is what I know: when you make changes in one area of your life it ripples over to other areas because in order to cause change we have to change who we are being. When we change who we are being in one area we naturally take that evolved version of ourselves into other areas.

If you are taking the lead in your health and wellness and are gaining confidence in that area, that will ripple into having more confidence in your finances, your relationships, your spiritual awareness and so on.

If taking the lead for you means you’re going to do something about the lack of fun you’ve been experiencing lately I’m here to support you. I know that by making sure you are having more fun you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm overall that you can put toward anything you’d like.

If taking the lead means you finally say no to that group or association that no longer serves you, I’ve got a virtual high-five for you. Because I know that by saying no to this obligation you’ll be able to say yes and give more of yourself to the things that are truly important to you, reflect your values and feed your soul.

Here are some steps you can take to begin taking the lead in your life:

  1. Take stock of where your attention is drawn

Your attention might get pulled in certain directions because you want more or you want less of whatever is getting your attention.

For me, right now my fitness and nutrition keep pulling on my attention – mostly because I would like to feel tired less and have more energy.

  1. Visualize what you want

How would life be if you had more of what you want and less of what you don’t want?

Really imagine the details of what that would look like.

How would it feel in your body? How much fun would you be having? What would you be doing with your extra time, energy or money?

  1. Set some goals

Choose goals wisely and choose goals that are worthy of you. Choose goals that will take you from where you are now to what you visualized.

For the example I gave above, I’m being more active and moving more. I’m getting more vegetables in throughout the day and I’m cutting back on alcohol. Alcohol for me is an energy drainer but it may not be for you. Pay attention to your body when you consume different foods and drinks

  1. Declare your intention.

Don’t keep it to yourself, tell others about it. Talking about your goals out loud will make them more real and will give you some energy and momentum.

  1. Lastly, take action.

Respond. Respond in a way that is true to you and honors your values. Continue to share your progress with trusted friends and partners.

Now that’s what I call taking the lead in your life.

Do you have a particular area in mind?

https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-title/

Feb 17, 2016

Entrepreneurs and executives seek the business coaching, training and keynotes of Penny Zenker for her strategic thinking and ability to transfer these skills to others. Penny is one of the very few business and entrepreneurial coaches that merges her own high level success with extraordinary coaching skills to offer motivated individuals an exceptional resource. 

Playing Small Moment

Penny undervalued herself after selling her IT company. She was working too many hours, so she decided to work for another Tech Company. After getting hired, she realized they wanted her to become the CEO of the company. Penny was dripping with fear and felt like she was over her head. She ended up staying with her job for longer than anticipated because her boss, who became her mentor, explained what his real expectations were.

The Wake Up Call

One of Penny’ wake up calls was when she ended up in a big fight with her 3-year-old. She realized she wasn’t giving him the attention and the presence he needed, because she was focused more on her work.

Style of Leadership

Penny has a coaching style of leadership. She comes from a place of curiosity and uses a collaborative way of coaching.

What Are You Excited About?

She is excited to announce that at the end of February, she is launching her new TV Talk Show, called Excellence Success.

Leadership Practice

Penny’s leadership practice is viewing the big picture and the whole picture by stepping back and getting perspective.

Book to Develop Leadership

Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Penny would tell her younger self to compare herself to the best version of herself. She has a book coming out next year called Compared to What, which speaks to this idea.

Inspirational Quote

Stop managing your time and start managing your energy.

Interview Links

http://p10app.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PennyzPerspective/

https://twitter.com/pennyzenker

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennyzenker/

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/penny-zenker/

Feb 14, 2016

Cloris Kylie is a performance coach and branding expert. She helps coaches, authors, consultants, speakers, and other service-based professionals expand their client base through the power of social media, mass media, webinars, speaking, blogging, podcasting, and networking. Cloris has been featured on television and radio, and her articles have been published on websites with millions of followers.

Playing Small Moment

While Cloris was on a job interview, she realized the culture wasn’t a good match. She ended up getting the job; however, when they called to make her an offer, she thought about it and said no thanks she was no longer interested.

The Wake Up Call

Rebranding herself was Cloris’s wake up call. She realized she needed to cater to a specific niche. This made her message less confusing to her audience.

Style of Leadership

Inclusion is Cloris’s style of Leadership. The sign of a good leader is, wake up and say “I’m a better person today than I used to be.” You need to take the constructive criticism, breathe through it and thank the person, and then you can begin to unpack it.

What Are You Excited About?

Cloris has two major things happening in her business. One is the launch of the Lead Generation Academy; the second is the two-day event she has coming up on May 21-22 called the Client Attraction Bootcamp. Both of these events are focused around how to build and own your list of contacts.

Leadership Practice

Get out of your comfort zone and take chances that might seem scary at the time.

Book to Develop Leadership

The Power of No by James and Claudia Altucher

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Give yourself time and space to think about a decision. Don’t do something you don’t want to do because you think it is something you have to do.

Inspirational Quote

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Chinese Proverb

Interview Links

https://www.cloriskylie.com

Live event: https://myplatform.info/client-attraction-bootcamp

Free eBook to expand your client base at https://myplatform.info/free-pdf-ebook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloriskylie

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cloriskylie

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/cloriskylie

https://womentakingthelead.com/cloris-kylie/

Feb 10, 2016

From climbing the corporate ladder to entrepreneurship, Erica Castner is not a stranger to the professional development world. She is the founder of Queen of Results Business Coaching & Consulting, a company dedicated to helping CEO moms go from "I wish I could" to "I know I can" and communicate their message with power and poise.

Erica is a member of: the National Association of Professional Women, the Dress for Success SW Florida Advisory Board, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Above Board Chamber of Florida, and the American Business Women's Association.

Playing Small Moment

When the chaos started to consume her life, Erica came to the realization that she needed to take control.

The Wake Up Call

Not worrying about what others think was Erica’s wake up call. We all have a story; there are good, bad, and indifferent parts to each story. You can choose to lead with only the good, but there is no grit to that.

Style of Leadership

Erica’s style of leadership is leading with a team mentality not a dictatorship.

What Are You Excited About?

Erica is launching The Queen Bee Revolution, hoping to end the worker bee mentality.

Leadership Practice

She asks herself three questions each night: “What are the things I did really well today?”, “What were the things I could do better?” and “What are my intentions moving forward into the next day?”

Book to Develop Leadership

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

To trust herself first and foremost. What you feel in your gut, will probably work out in your favor.

Inspirational Quote

“You were a warrior; you go through the finish line not to it.”

Robert be Apel

Interview Links

Website: www.thequeenofresults.com

Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/blog-podcast-queen-results/id964825673?mt=2

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thequeenofresults/?fref=ts

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/powermomsproclamation/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/QueenofResults

Feb 7, 2016

Lori believes that developing people’s true potential is the single most important job of any leader. After serving 14 years in education, she now helps entrepreneurs and new leaders build their leadership capacity so they can maximize their potential, performance and impact. 

Lori has worked with top online entrepreneurs, local small business owners and highly successful professionals to provide business strategies, personal development and leadership coaching. Her mission is to change the world through leadership and influence.

Playing Small Moment

Lori has a track record of staying in relationships too long without realizing it was time to leave. She would recognize there had been a long lasting problem after she had stepped out of the relationship.

The Wake Up Call

Lori felt that she wasn’t receiving the mentorship she needed, she wasn’t being pushed to grow. Her next step was hiring a life coach. Lori’s life coach asked why she kept going to a place that wasn’t allowing her to grow, which opened up her eyes to the situation.

Style of Leadership

Lori creates a supportive and positive environment, but also giving it to them straight and laying out her expectations clearly.

What Are You Excited About?

Lori is excited about her new launch of a 14-day challenge with 14 micro-actions that leaders can take to improve their impact.

Leadership Practice

Lori surrounds herself with like minded people to keep up her success.

Book to Develop Leadership

May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

If Lori could tell her younger self one thing it would be to research scholarships and be careful with the money she invests into college.

Inspirational Quote

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” - Martin Luther King

Interview Links

www.theleadershipinfluence.com

https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipinfluence

https://twitter.com/HeislerLori

 

If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

Feb 6, 2016

Commitment.

Committing to ourselves.

It’s so easy as women to advocate and commit to others but when it comes to doing this for ourselves – we back away.

Why is that?

I believe it’s because we are hard-wired to take care of others. We are also nurtured to do this. We are rewarded as children for doing thoughtful things for others but not for speaking up and asking for what we need or want.

We may have even had an experience where we were chastised for asking for what we needed or wanted.

When I was growing up making sacrifices for others was always acknowledged and celebrated. And it should be; it’s wonderful.

But there is something I believe must come first. There has to be a commitment to you and as much as I cringe saying this because of my conditioning, you have to come first.

If you don’t come first everything else will suffer as a consequence. Click to Tweet!

I’ve been struggling with this one. I have to be completely transparent that there is a part of me that resists commitment altogether.

I sometimes joke that it’s because I’m Sagittarius. I love my freedom too much to tie myself down to too many commitments and that it’s probably the reason why I’m single.

I make plans to meet up with friends for dinner and I’m really excited about it. Then the day comes and in the afternoon I get overwhelmed with the desire to just get into my pajamas at the end of the day and watch reruns of The West Wing.

I feel a pang of regret that I’ve made plans for the evening but my commitment and my integrity – that I’ve given my word – wins over and instead of pajamas and TV I’m with friends laughing enjoying a good meal and I don’t regret it.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always something fun that I’ve committed to and sometimes it’s just the satisfaction that I was true to my word that rewards me for overcoming any desire to be somewhere else or do something else.

Making and keeping commitments, especially to yourself, will help you to keep moving forward in the direction of your dreams despite any short-lived cravings to play it small, play it safe and play it comfortable.

Here are some things you can do if you struggle with making and keeping commitments to yourself:

1.     Make Sure What You Are Committing to is 100% Relevant

How often have you found yourself committed to something that has no real value or meaning to you. These are the times you find yourself saying, “I don’t even know why I agreed to this?”

Be very clear on what you value and what your goals are and only make commitments that are a reflection of them.

Everything else is a “no.” And if you find yourself saying “yes” when you really wanted to say “no” take a look in the mirror and uncover what it was that compelled you to say yes. This can often range from a need to be liked to avoiding conflict.

Just know that whatever compelled you, in that moment, you gave it more power than your values and your goals. Think about how you can handle that situation differently in the future so when it comes up again, and it will, you will be able to navigate it with more power and ease.

If your commitment is relevant, if it does reflect your values and goals, it will be much easier to overcome the urges to break the commitment. You can remind yourself why this commitment is important and how it will improve your life in the long-term.

2.  Focus on What You’ll Enjoy About the Commitment

I’m in a phase right now where I have gotten off-track with my workouts and I’m trying to get back to the level of fitness I was at over the summer. Over the holidays and when I was in an intense period of catching up after the holidays my workouts took a nose-dive and I knew I needed to get back into a rhythm.

Knowing this would be a struggle, I committed to - at the very least - getting 10-15 minutes of cardio in everyday to start building up my endurance again. Easy, right?

Wrong.

Every day there was “one more thing and one more thing” that needed to get done before I could do my workout and before I knew it there wasn’t even 10 minutes to workout. Iin fact I was running late and barely had time to take a shower and get ready before I need to race out the door.

When I took a look at the list of things that made up the “one more thing” they were all tasks that could have waited. I was just using them to procrastinate because I hated the reminder, when I was working out, that I was no longer as physically fit as I once was. I didn’t look forward to this and so was avoiding it to my own detriment.

I made a conscious effort to change my mindset and focus on what I do enjoy about my workout: it’s 10-15 minutes just for me, I get to listen to my favorite music or podcasts, I can focus on the progress I’m making, I can enjoy the endorphin rush and the feeling of satisfaction that comes when I’m done and I can check my workout off my list. It’s not hanging over my head for the rest of the day that I skipped my simple workout yet again.

3.    Ask Others to Hold You Accountable to Your Commitment

Many people resist accountability because it sounds like being taken to task and is just another way to feel bad about making and breaking a commitment.

However, accountability is only meant to be a check-in and not a disciplinary hearing. It’s an opportunity to communicate the status of your commitment and make any adjustments or recommitment if necessary.

Accountability is for you and not for the other person.

Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before and co-host of the podcast Happier, talks often about the four tendencies when it comes to forming and keeping habits: upholder, questioner, obliger and rebel.

You can TAKE THE QUIZ HERE to see what your tendency is.

I’m an obliger and I’m not surprised. That means that I am motivated to make others happy. I don’t like to disappoint people so accountability works great for me.

However, if your tendency is to rebel then accountability will probably not work for you.

As an obliger I also have to be cautious of over-committing, which I do often, because overcommitting will cause stress, resentment and ultimately, backing out of commitments.

Questioners will want to know everything about the commitment before they agree to it and Upholders will resist new commitments unless they can give 100% to it because they will give 100% and then some once they’ve committed.

Know what works for you and set yourself up for success.

And lastly…

4.    Choose Yourself Everyday

I had a conversation with my father one day about marriage and the long haul and getting through tough times. In his wisdom my father shared that a commitment was not something you set and forget. It takes thoughtfulness, care and nurturing.

He told me that he chooses my mother every day when he wakes up. He recommits himself to her every day.

That’s the kind of love we need to have for ourselves as well. We need to choose ourselves every day.

Every day, regardless of how you feel, you need to commit to honoring your relationship with yourself.

This is how you develop self-worth and personal power.

You are worth the commitment.

If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

https://womentakingthelead.com/commit-to-you/

Feb 3, 2016

Stacy Curtis interviews fascinating people on her podcast at WriteOfYourLife.com. Her latest project – Lifestorytelling.com, a Lifestory Laboratory (and memoir writing course) – is taking off. This life story and memoir telling project is the culmination of years working to understand the psychology and art of life story writing, and making it easy for others to write their stories. It’s valuable to trace your trouble, transcribe your tale, and transform your life.

Click to tweet: .@WriteOfYourLife is sharing her story to inspire you on Women Taking the Lead! ▶ www.womentakingthelead.com/094

Playing Small Moment

Stacy’s first husband cheated on her. After he told her he wasn’t sure if he wanted to stay with her or leave, she sat by the phone waiting for him to choose her. During a memoir writing class, she realized that she had never raised her hand. Not speaking up had become her life theme.

The Wake Up Call

Stacy ended up in a second marriage, this time with a sociopath. She signed onto her computer for her daughter and spotted her husband’s Craigslist ad, soliciting himself to couples. Stacy’s realized that her kids would end up in similar relationships if she didn’t get up to show them how to stand up for themselves.

Style of Leadership

Stacy leads by encouragement. She guides people through her course by trying new things and encouraging experimentation.

What Are You Excited About?

Stacy is excited about her podcast, writeofyourlife.com, which gives her the chance to connect with so many different people. Her work helps her learn more about herself.

Leadership Practice

Grace to herself and to others. Stacy has been given grace so many times when she has failed, so she is sure to spread it to others.

Book to Develop Leadership

One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do by Phil Cooke

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Raise your hand! Take the spotlight; you are not responsible for other people’s feelings.

Inspirational Quote

“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” ~ Thomas Edison

Interview Links

http://www.writeofyourlife.com/

http://lifestorytelling.com/

Social Media Links:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WriteOfYourLife

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/WriteOfYourLife/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriteOfYourLife

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteOfYourLife

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Writeofyourlife/posts

Instagram: https://instagram.com/writeofyourlife/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacycurtis

 

If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

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