
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
A podcast discussing how to create the next generation of women leaders in the tech industry, helping you succeed on your terms and being the leader you want to be.
On this podcast, we explore the techniques, tips and strategies you can use to become a standout leader. To give you the time and credibility to focus on what you love doing instead of justifying yourself every moment along the way. I’ll be sharing with you my best insights designed to make success not just simple, but inevitable.
Whether you are on your way to the CSuite, an emerging leader or a budding Entrepreneur, this is the podcast you need to become a Lit-Up Leader and turn your tech passion into the career you love.
For free online resources for your tech leadership journey go to: https://tonicollis.com/
Latest episodes

Mar 25, 2025 • 33min
243: Struggling to Be Heard? Master Leadership Communication Strategies and Coach Upwards
Feeling overlooked in meetings? Discover how effective communication can empower your leadership. Learn about strategies to bridge communication gaps and set clear expectations. Hear a case study of a leader who transformed a micromanagement dynamic through proactive updates. Uncover practical tools for handling pushback with confidence and the crucial role of empathy in fostering trust. Mastering communication isn't just about speaking; it’s about understanding and adapting to the needs of those around you.

Mar 18, 2025 • 39min
242: Turning Imposter Syndrome into Your Secret Weapon
Struggling with imposter syndrome? You’re not alone. Many high-achievers experience self-doubt, but what if imposter syndrome wasn’t a weakness—but a hidden strength? In this episode, I explore how to reframe imposter syndrome as your superpower and how this surprising tool can help you with career growth, resilience, and innovation. Learn how to shift your mindset, overcome perfectionism, and use imposter syndrome to fuel success rather than fear. Whether you're dealing with self-doubt at work, in leadership, or in creative pursuits, these strategies will help you turn imposter syndrome into an advantage. I dive into: 5 ways to turn your imposter syndrome into a superpower Facing avoidance, self-criticism, and self-doubt The power of curiosity in overcoming imposter syndrome Perfectionism: How to use it without letting it control you How imposter syndrome fosters diverse perspectives and innovation Building resilience through imposter syndrome Practical steps to overcome imposter syndrome And more Start seeing imposter syndrome as a tool for success rather than a limitation. Tune in and start turning doubt into your greatest advantage! **Useful links** If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode242 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

Mar 11, 2025 • 33min
241: Thinking Like an Executive: Setting Priorities as an Executive
Curious about how executives really allocate their time? Discover the value of strategic thinking over tactical execution. Learn how strategic pauses can empower your team to problem-solve independently. Explore the key differences between strategy and tactics, plus essential mindset shifts for effective delegation. Uncover practical steps to build trust and let go of control. Finally, master your time management with the 30-60-10 rule to focus on high-impact work and avoid burnout. A must-listen for aspiring leaders!

Mar 4, 2025 • 41min
240: Breaking Barriers: How Cultural Identity Drives Innovation in STEM Leadership with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya
In this episode, I sit down with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, a trailblazing STEM leader, engineer, and advocate for diversity in STEM. From her early years in Nigeria to her leadership role in the U.S. energy sector, Adaeze shares how she navigated challenges, broke barriers, and turned her cultural identity into a powerful asset for innovation and leadership. We explore the role of mentorship, representation, and community in career success, along with her mission to uplift African women in STEM. Whether you're an aspiring engineer, a STEM professional, or a leader looking to foster diverse perspectives, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. We dive into: Adaeze’s career journey from Nigeria to leadership in the U.S. energy sector Overcoming challenges as an African woman in STEM How cultural identity plays a powerful role in innovation and leadership The importance of mentorship and community in professional growth How she founded African Women in STEM and her vision for global impact A real-world example of using cultural perspectives to resolve project conflicts Actionable advice for aspiring STEM leaders And more "Your Leadership Readiness Checklist" is a free resource designed to help ambitious professionals ensure all aspects of their careers are aligned. https://link.africanwomeninstem.com/LeadingWomenInTechPodcast **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya: Website address: https://africanwomeninstem.com/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adaeze-iloeje-udeogalanya/ Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/africanwomenin_stem/ Check out Adaeze’s ‘Leadership Readiness Checklist’: https://link.africanwomeninstem.com/LeadingWomenInTechPodcast Adaeze’s current read: Be your future self now by Dr Benjamin Hardy If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode240 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives. This episode was sponsored by our guest, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya. Thank you Adaeze for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Feb 25, 2025 • 39min
239: The Hidden Power of Sales: Why Every Executive Needs to Understand The Sales Org in 2025 with Colleen Watson
Sales aren’t just for salespeople—they play a crucial role in the success of every part of an organization. In this episode, I sit down with extraordinary sales leader Colleen Watson to explore why every executive, regardless of department, needs to understand the sales function for leadership effectiveness and long-term business growth. Whether you’re directly in sales or not, this conversation will change the way you think about leadership, influence, and driving business success. Join us! We dive into: How sales impacts every part of an organization and drives executive alignment Why a consistent sales methodology benefits leaders across all departments The most common misconceptions about sales—and why they’re wrong How cross-functional collaboration with sales strengthens business strategy The role of personality and communication styles in effective sales and leadership And more **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Colleen: https://go.sandler.com/watson/ Colleen’s current read: Be Your Future Self Now: The Science of Intentional Transformation by Benjamin P. Hardy The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode239 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

Feb 18, 2025 • 29min
238: Thinking Like an Executive: From Firefighter to Strategist
Discover how to elevate your leadership from reactive firefighting to strategic thinking. Uncover the story of a Director of Engineering who transformed her approach, gaining a promotion in just eight months. Learn the power of authentic confidence to delegate tasks and tackle imposter syndrome. Explore methods for making high-impact decisions with long-term benefits. Shift your mindset from identifying problems to embracing solutions, as you develop a vision-driven leadership style.

Feb 11, 2025 • 41min
237: The Missing Leadership Skill: How Facilitation Transforms Modern Leadership with Therese Miclot
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a true change agent as a leader? Or how to future-proof your leadership career in 2025 and beyond? In a world where technical skills alone are no longer enough, the ability to facilitate conversations, drive alignment, and unlock the potential of teams has become the missing piece in modern leadership. Today’s guest, Therese Miclot, shares the one skill that sets impactful leaders apart: facilitation. We explore why facilitation is essential for scaling organizations, fostering engagement, and leading with impact—and provide practical tips on the art of inclusive meetings, including how to balance authority and approachability and why great facilitators make the best problem solvers. Whether you're leading a small team or a global organization, facilitation can be your secret weapon for driving change and future-proofing your career. Don’t miss this conversation! We dive into: How facilitation skills can future-proof your career, helping you become a more adaptable, resilient, and sought-after leader in any industry Practical facilitation techniques for removing obstacles and making meetings more productive and inclusive Why self-talk is your hidden leadership nemesis and how it shapes your ability to facilitate effectively The power of trust-building and executive presence—and why the most effective leaders don’t just talk, they activate others through facilitation And more **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Therese Miclot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresemiclot/ https://www.thefacilitationadvantage.com/ https://www.theresemiclot.com/ If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode237 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives. This episode was sponsored by our guest, Therese Miclot. Thank you Therese for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Feb 4, 2025 • 35min
236: The Executive Mindset Gap Part 1: Why You’re Struggling to Think Like an Executive
Explore the secrets behind developing an authentic executive mindset. Discover how executive presence can transform your leadership style. Learn to combat imposter syndrome and embrace self-kindness for personal growth. Understand the importance of taking uncomfortable actions and making mistakes for career acceleration. Get ready to reflect on your self-perceptions and boost your confidence in professional environments.

Jan 28, 2025 • 23min
235: Why You May Be Overlooking Your Emotional Intelligence Needs
You don’t want to overlook the emotional intelligence aspect of your leadership in 2025! Leaders with high emotional intelligence (EQ) are more likely to foster greater employee satisfaction and achieve up to 20% higher productivity. Yet, many leaders overestimate their EQ. In this episode, I explore why emotional intelligence is vital for modern leadership and how you might be falling short in surprising ways. Join me as I explore the link between emotional intelligence in leadership and leadership success, including the connection to employee retention, team performance, and overall workplace dynamics. Through real-life emotional intelligence workplace examples and my 3-part approach to improving EQ, I will provide you with helpful leadership self-awareness techniques to help you improve your leadership EQ. Whether you’re focused on emotional intelligence in tech leadership or strengthening your executive presence, this episode will show you how confidence and EQ will play a pivotal role in elevating your leadership this year. I dive into: The positive impacts of improved emotional intelligence Common misconceptions about EQ The relationship between confidence and EQ My 3-part approach for improving your EQ Self-awareness techniques for tech leaders The Notice, Pause, Reframe framework for building higher self-awareness And more **Useful links** If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode235 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

Jan 21, 2025 • 32min
234: Mastering LinkedIn for Career Advancement: Proven Strategies for Job Market Success
In this episode, I dive deep into why LinkedIn is an essential tool for career growth and job market success and break down what's working, what's not, and how to make the platform work for you. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode will give you actionable insights to elevate your LinkedIn game, including my top tips for analyzing LinkedIn metrics and optimizing your profile so you can open doors to new opportunities. Ready to transform your LinkedIn profile into a powerful career advancement tool? I dive into: The impact of networking and LinkedIn on career advancement My advice on how to analyze and use LinkedIn metrics to achieve results The three most important sections of your LinkedIn profile Practical tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile for job-hunting success Tidying up the skills section of your profile (and some tips for skill endorsement) Specific strategies for effective networking on LinkedIn And more **Useful links** If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode234 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.