

Rising Together: Forbes #1 Women’s Leadership Expert on Creating an Inclusive Environment | Sally Helgesen
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Sally Helgeson, the world's foremost authority on women's leadership and the brilliant mind behind the book "Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace." Discover how an unexpected encounter at a construction conference illuminated the urgent need for practical strategies to foster inclusion, and how Sally's extensive research has crafted actionable methods for building inclusive relationships, teams, and workplaces.
Throughout this episode, we explore the various narratives that shape our professional interactions, particularly when triggered by feelings of invisibility. Using real-world examples, we discuss the importance of identifying and addressing specific triggers to prevent negative emotions from hindering constructive action. We also emphasize the value of peer support and informal coaching in reframing negative perceptions into learning opportunities. By examining the balance of contributions in discussions about inclusion and equity, we highlight the significance of seeking feedback and consulting colleagues to avoid miscommunication and foster positive development.
Sally's expertise further guides us through the challenges of navigating bias and fairness in the workplace. She shares practical advice on learning from those who self-promote effectively and turning potentially toxic situations into collaborative professional relationships. Additionally, we tackle the pitfalls of unconscious bias training and the "authenticity trap," advocating for a focus on observable actions and behaviors that lead to meaningful change. To round off the conversation, we discuss the importance of self-awareness and the nuanced use of humor in professional settings. Don't miss this compelling episode filled with valuable insights and strategies to enhance inclusive leadership.
What You’ll Learn:
• Discover the motivations behind Sally's latest book and her mission to provide practical steps for inclusive leadership.
• Learn how to address your triggers and transform negative emotions into constructive actions.
• The critical role of self-promotion in navigating your career.
• Explore the limitations of unconscious bias training and the pitfalls of the "authenticity trap."
• Understand the role of self-awareness and humor in professional settings.
Podcast Timestamps:
(00:00) – An Introduction to Rising Together
(11:17) - Navigating Triggers and Negative Self-Narratives
(18:28) - Building Inclusive Environments
(29:22) - Navigating Bias in Organizations
(39:01) - Balancing Authenticity and Professionalism
(48:51) – The Do’s and Don’ts of Humor in the Workplace
Key Topics Discussed:
Positive Leadership, Women's Leadership, Inclusive Workplace, Women in Male-Dominated Sectors, Inclusive Relationships, Triggers, Negative Narratives, Informal Coaching, Peer Support, Overcoming Barriers, The Art of Self-Promotion, Discrimination, Toxic Situations, Unconscious Bias Training, Authenticity Trap, Authenticity, Marginalization, Self-Awareness, Humor, Powerlessness.
More of Sally Helgesen?
Sally Helgesen is recognized in Forbes as the world's premier expert on women's leadership. Her distinguished career spans over 30 years as an internationally best-selling author, speaker, and leadership coach. She has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame and ranked number 3 among the world's thought leaders by Global Gurus.
Sally's latest book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace, soared to Amazon’s number one best seller in its first week and offers practical ways to build more inclusive relationships, teams, and workplaces.
Sally's remarkable success with How Women Rise, co-authored with legendary executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, examines the behaviors that most commonly hinder women's success as they advance in their careers.
Sally's other notable works include The Female Advantage: Women's Ways of Leadership, a classic in its field and continuously in print since 1990, and The Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, which has been cited in The Wall Street Journal as one of the best books on leadership of all time. The latter work is also credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business.
Website: https://sallyhelgesen.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyhelgesen/
Mentions:
Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Together-Divides-Inclusive-Workplace/dp/0306828308
More of Do Good to Lead Well:
Website: https://craigdowden.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/