Leading Women in Tech Podcast

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.

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.

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.

In this special episode, I have an honest and heartfelt coaching conversation with Madeleine Lambert, a young mom navigating the complexities of leadership, work, and family life. Together, we explore the challenges and triumphs of balancing a demanding career with personal responsibilities, touching on important topics like guilt, self-doubt, and the societal pressures of "having it all figured out."  During a candid live coaching session, we dive into the realities of conflicting priorities and explore whether Madeleine’s struggles stem from a prioritization issue or an unrealistic workload. I share actionable strategies to help her feel more in control, such as implementing a task triage system and using tools like brain dumps to capture all tasks and reduce mental clutter.  Join us for these valuable insights and let 2025 be the year you stop "should-ing" all over yourself and give yourself permission to set boundaries and pursue ambitious goals. We dive into: Madeleine’s career journey The challenges of juggling family life and work as a female leader A special live coaching session addressing conflicting priorities and identifying the root causes of stress My favorite strategies for task management and freeing up mental space And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Madeleine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-lambert-b6426aa9/ originality.ai 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/episode233 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, Madeleine. Thank you Madeleine for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

Ready to set inspiring, achievable targets and turn them into strategic, intentional action?  This week, I want to help you harness that fresh start energy of the new year and turn it into real progress on your biggest goals! I’m diving into common barriers to taking action like low confidence and confusion, why understanding the critical difference between proactive and reactive action is vital to your success, and how to tackle goal aversion and negative self-talk going into the new year. Join me for my personal strategies for maintaining momentum and some inspiration to help you lean into the new year energy and show yourself compassion if things don't go as planned.  Whether you're looking to level up your leadership, make a career change, or just meet some important goals, this episode is your roadmap to making this your best year yet! I dive into: Harnessing the "fresh start" energy of the new year to drive real progress on your biggest goals Common barriers to taking action (and what to do about them) The critical difference between proactive and reactive actions - and why being proactive is key to meeting your goals this new year My personal strategies for sustaining momentum, managing setbacks, and maintaining self-compassion Practical tips for clear goal setting and finding success through actionable steps 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/episode232 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.  

The holiday season is often a busy and chaotic time, but what if this year, you chose to slow down? In this episode, I explore the transformative power of slowing down and give you helpful tools for building resilience and creating space for rest so you can set yourself up, not just for a great holiday season, but for long-term growth in your leadership and personal life.  I dive into: The link between rest and resilience, and why rest isn’t an indulgence—it’s essential Why we struggle to slow down and how to overcome the pull of overcommitment The simple shifts you can make to create space for restoration, even during a packed holiday season Tangible benefits of restoration: improved relationships, reduced stress, and enhanced focus and creativity Practical tips for saying no, setting boundaries, and scheduling time for self-care and recovery 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/episode231 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.

In this episode, Erica Carder, co-founder of Talent Build Ventures, joins me to discuss why unemployment might just be the career opportunity you never saw coming. From mental health support to personalized career guidance, Erica challenges the outdated practices of traditional outplacement services. Her belief? With the right mindset and tools, you can use unemployment as a powerful reset to make bold, purposeful career moves. Join us for Erica’s fresh perspective on framing unemployment as a golden opportunity and her insights to help you navigate the unemployment phase with clarity, align your career with your personal values, and build a strategic career plan to move forward with purpose. We dive into:   Erica’s career journey and how it shaped her bold views on employment and leadership Why traditional outplacement services are stuck in the past—and how they can improve Viewing unemployment as a rare chance to pause, reflect, and recalibrate your career How aligning your career choices with personal values can save you from future job hurdles Practical tips for building a career strategy, including three steps to see if you’re on the right track Why thoughtful exit processes matter for both employees and organizations And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Erica Carder:  https://talentbuild.co/ origamioutplacement.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/episode230 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, Erica Carder. Thank you Erica for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

What does your career look like in 2025? Discover whether to focus on leadership skills or embark on a job hunt. Learn how to avoid drifting in your career by setting actionable goals and identifying skill gaps. The conversation emphasizes the importance of assessing your work environment and understanding when a job change is necessary. Gain insights into proactive planning for your future happiness and success, whether that's enhancing your executive presence or securing a fulfilling role.

Not getting promoted? You’re not alone. Many talented professionals—especially women—face this frustrating barrier, even when they’re excelling in their roles. Here’s the truth: being great at your work isn’t always enough to earn a promotion. The good news? There’s a way to break this cycle and finally gain the recognition you deserve. In this week’s episode, I’ll reveal why excellence alone often falls short and share three essential strategies to give yourself a competitive edge in your next career step. Tune in to learn how to avoid the common pitfalls that undermine your impact, overcome the fear of self-advocacy, and use my six-step guide to start effectively advocating for yourself in your career. I dive into: Why being great at your job isn't enough to get promoted How to proactively seek specific, actionable feedback from your manager The 3 essential elements to focus on for a competitive edge Strategies to document and communicate your achievements How to build a network of advocates who can speak up for you Tips to overcome the fear of self-promotion and start speaking up My 6-step guide to help you advance in your career 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/episode228 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.

If you've ever felt frustrated by misaligned goals, miscommunication, or the chaos of cross-functional projects going off track, this episode is for you.  This week, I tackle the challenges and solutions for effective cross-department communication by diving deep into the common barriers that prevent departments from working seamlessly together—such as differing communication styles, unclear expectations, and hidden sources of tension—and the practical strategies you can use to build bridges within your organization. From standardizing communication tools to creating a culture that encourages open, honest dialogue, I’m giving you the tools to enhance understanding across departments so you can build a positive, collaborative, and aligned work environment.  I dive into: Breaking down the common barriers to effective cross-department communication Practical strategies for standardizing communication and handling urgent tasks across departments Fostering a culture of openness and communication Aligning for success: setting shared goals and making active listening the norm 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/episode227 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.