Leading Women in Tech Podcast

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 From mental health support to personalized career guidance, Erica challenges the outdated practices of traditional outplacement services.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.

In this empowering episode, Brand Expert Ushi Patel joins me to discuss how women can break free from the habit of shrinking and start standing tall in leadership roles. She shares strategies to build confidence from within and create habits that support stepping fully into our greatness, rather than holding back. We dive into the challenges women face in male-dominated industries, from bias to the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) pressures to silence our voices, and emphasize the importance of “going for gold”, advocating for yourself, and setting boundaries—like asking others to truly see you by looking you in the eye. We also tackle the difficult topic of isolation and the societal stigma around asking for help, offering strategies to help you connect, self-advocate, and embrace your own strengths as a leader. Join us to discuss building healthy habits, surrounding yourself with supportive evidence of your capabilities, and taking ownership of your greatness.  We dive into: Ushi’s career journey and her passion for helping women The habit of shrinking and its impact on women in leadership roles Bias in tech, confidence challenges, and building evidence of your greatness Self-advocacy, vulnerability, and the “going for gold” mindset Asking for help and overcoming isolation And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Ushi:  https://ushi-ink.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ushipatel/ Ushi’s current read: Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin 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/episode226 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, Ushi Patel. Thank you Ushi for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

In this episode, I’m joined by business transformation and AI expert Charlene Li for an insightful conversation on embracing AI and rethinking leadership to disrupt the status quo. Charlene shares her career journey and stresses the need for leaders to embrace AI, not just for efficiency, but to foster bold innovation. We discuss the current wave of layoffs, often due to mismanagement and a lack of disruptive thinking, and how AI can help leaders as we shift focus to asking the right questions and driving meaningful change. We also explore using AI as a coach, practical advice for creating your own personal AI strategy, and building an organizational culture that thrives on innovation. If you’re ready to rethink disruption and lead with a growth mindset, this episode will inspire you to run toward change rather than avoid it! We dive into: Charlene’s career journey and experience with disruption The power of AI in leadership and how it can free leaders to focus on high-level tasks Layoffs and mismanagement in today’s business environment The #1 thing Charlene tells people starting to work with AI How to create a personal AI leadership strategy The inevitable nature of disruption: how to prepare for it and why you should Using AI as a coach and the importance of fostering an innovative organizational culture And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and check out her books at: W: http://charleneli.com LI: https://linkedin.com/in/charleneli FB: https://facebook.com/charleneliauthor Charlene’s current read: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie 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/episode225  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, we’re diving into the concept of encore careers with special guest Michelle Prince, executive coach and author of “Creating Your Encore Career”. Together, we explore why your career shouldn’t end when you reach a certain age or financial milestone. Instead, this is the perfect time to transform, redefine your purpose, and make a lasting impact by leveraging the skills you’ve developed over your career journey. Michelle shares insights from her book, guiding us through the importance of bringing your gifts to the world in new and meaningful ways. We discuss her career journey, how balancing family, career, and personal ambitions requires resilience and agility, and her practical advice on creating your own opportunities, regardless of age. If you’re nearing retirement or simply curious about what your next chapter could look like, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to redefine what retirement means to you and chart a path that feels purposeful and fulfilling. We dive into: Michelle’s powerful career journey What encore careers are and why they matter How to be your own opportunity catalyst Strategies for planning your encore career and overcoming challenges like ageism and stereotypes Financial considerations for your next phase of life And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Michelle Prince: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-prince-dm https://www.linkedin.com/company/mprince-consulting Michelle’s current read: The Women by Kristin Hannah 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/episode224  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 a world that often celebrates the loudest voices, quiet, thoughtful leadership can be an incredible asset. If you're not comfortable with being in the limelight, that’s okay—embracing your natural introversion could be your secret to success.  Join me in this episode as I explore how being an introverted leader can enhance productivity, boost team morale, and give you informal influence without changing who you are. We’ll dive into the unique strengths of introverts, debunk common misconceptions, and share strategies for thriving as an introverted leader, in an extroverted world.  Ready to embrace your natural leadership style and thrive at work?  Let’s go to the show! I dive into: Understanding introversion and extroversion - which one are you? Introvert communication and leadership styles Debunking the most common misconceptions about introverts Strategies to help you thrive in your introverted leadership style My recipe for effective networking as an introvert 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/episode223 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 talk with Chief Product Officer Poornima Farrar about the challenges in tech recruitment and how HR needs to evolve to better support organizations. Poornima shares how her career journey has been shaped by HR, emphasizing the importance of embedding HR more deeply within teams while using data-driven strategies to drive success. We explore how the current recruitment process is failing both candidates and companies, and Poornima offers her insights on passive talent pools and innovative approaches to help fix this. We also dive into Poornima’s advice for women in product roles and the value of embracing cross-functional opportunities to grow in tech.  Join us for these helpful insights on where tech is falling short and how the combination of people and data can help us pave the way for the future of work. We dive into: Poornima’s career journey highlights & lowlights How HR has shaped her career and its strategic role in tech Where tech is failing us The biggest recruitment challenges (and the solutions!) Advice for women in product and embracing cross-functional roles And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Poornima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spfarrar/   http://www.rival-hr.com    https://www.facebook.com/TheRivalHR/  Poornima’s current read: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 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/episode222  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.