The Woman Who Transformed How We Think About Inclusive Leadership | Sally Helgesen | E44

Frustrated by how women’s voices were being ignored in the corporate world, Sally Helgesen started documenting the leadership styles of successful women. Her efforts culminated in the groundbreaking book, The Female Advantage, which changed the course of her career. Despite the uncertainty, Sally left her dream job for the male-dominated space of leadership coaching and speaking. Today, she is recognized as the world’s premier women’s leadership expert. In this episode, Sally shares powerful leadership lessons and offers actionable advice on pushing past fear, dealing with pushback, and staying committed to your mission.

Sally Helgesen is an internationally recognized expert in women’s leadership. She has authored several books, including her latest, Rising Together. Sally has been inducted into the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame and her work has appeared in The New York Times and Fortune, among others.

In this episode, Ilana and Sally will discuss:

- Why you must act before you feel ready

- How women’s leadership styles differ and why they matter

- How Sally’s frustration became a career-changing mission

- Navigating pushback while staying focused

- Discomfort as a catalyst for growth

- The evolving definition of good leadership

- Why success hinges on staying mission-focused 

- Sally’s tips for building a tough skin  

- Following your gut when making big decisions

- Strategies for building credibility in new, uncertain environments

- Why inclusive leadership benefits everyone, not just women

- Pushing past fear to seize golden opportunities

- And other topics…

Sally Helgesen is a speaker, coach, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert in women’s leadership. She has authored several books, including her latest, Rising Together, and the bestseller, How Women Rise, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith. She has worked with organizations worldwide, from Microsoft to The World Bank Group, to cultivate inclusive cultures. Sally’s groundbreaking work has appeared in The New York Times, Fortune, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She has also been inducted into the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, honoring her significant contributions to the field of leadership and management worldwide.

Connect with Sally:

Sally’s Website: https://sallyhelgesen.com/ 

Sally’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyhelgesen/ 

Resources Mentioned:

The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Female-Advantage-Womens-Ways-Leadership/dp/0385419112 

How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job: https://www.amazon.com/How-Women-Rise-Breaking-Behaviors/dp/0316440124

Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Together-Divides-Inclusive-Workplace/dp/0306828308 

The Female Vision: Women's Real Power at Work: https://www.amazon.com/Female-Vision-Womens-Real-Power/dp/1576753824 

The Web of Inclusion: Architecture for Building Great Organizations: https://www.amazon.com/Web-Inclusion-Architecture-Building-Organizations/dp/1587982773