Game Changers with Molly Fletcher
How to Lead Without Waiting for Permission with Shelley Zalis
May 8, 2025
Shelley Zalis, Founder and CEO of The Female Quotient, is a trailblazing entrepreneur dedicated to workplace equality. She discusses her journey from a career setback to leading a global movement for women in business. The conversation delves into the importance of courage in leadership, the necessity of diversity in innovation, and the urgent call to address the gender pay gap. Shelley encourages breaking outdated rules to foster personal growth and advocates for inclusive leadership that combines empathy and ambition.
46:11
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Quick takeaways
- Shelley Zalis asserts that true leadership involves balancing empathy with results, emphasizing the importance of understanding employees' lived experiences for effective workplace policies.
- Zalis champions the need to revolutionize outdated workplace norms to foster diversity and inclusion, enabling both men and women to thrive and drive meaningful change.
Deep dives
The Journey of a Chief Troublemaker
Shelly Zalus emphasizes the importance of following one's heart and intuition in professional journeys, advocating for breaking away from traditional career paths. Despite her humble beginnings in market research, she was determined to forge her own way, which resulted in pioneering online research. Zalus recounts how she faced challenges, such as a demotion, after refusing to agree with a misjudged performance review that did not acknowledge her relationship-building skills. This defining moment led her to start her own company, illustrating how embracing one's unique talents can lead to transformative changes in their industry.
