As a business leader, I embrace failure. I encourage my team to try new things and learn from their mistakes. But when does this strategy stop working? Can failure truly be BAD for business? Let’s talk about the culture of “fail fast” and if your business or career is paying too high a cost for failure.  In this episode, I invite Debbie Lovett, MBA and CFO of Delta CX, to challenge our ideas on failure as she dives into the high costs companies are paying for a culture that glorifies failure and ultimately ignores the customers’ needs.  Ready to understand where failure should be embraced and when it’s bad for business? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: Debbie’s career journey to becoming a consultant in the CX and UX space Her unique perspective on empathy in business How stereotyping your customers is hurting them and your business The high costs you could be paying if your company is running on agile, fail-fast cycles Exploring corporate failure vs. personal failure Debbie’s best advice for hitting the brakes on your high failure rate And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Debbie Levitt: W: https://deltacx.com/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@cx-cc LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbielevitt/ Debbie’s current read: Deceptive Patterns: Exposing the Tricks Tech Companies Use to Control You by Harry Brignull 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/episode183  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, Debbie Levitt. Thank you Debbie for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

January offers a unique opportunity for a fresh start beyond personal resolutions, my love.  Let’s talk about making a strategic and transformative annual plan for your professional journey! In today’s episode, I want to help you take advantage of the “fresh start effect” and give you the tools you need to plan for your professional future as a visionary woman in tech. Whether you’re planning for an even better year in a career that already lights you up, or you’re ready to take the journey towards finding a job you LOVE, this one’s for you.  Ready for a lit-up career of big plans & big celebrations? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: The “Fresh Start Effect” and how it can help you achieve your 2024 goals How to avoid the pitfall of concurrent goals (and other challenges you need to look out for!) Why your North Star is vital to the annual planning process My TOP TIPS for realistic planning as a visionary - and what to avoid! Should we continue planning when we’re in burnout? 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/episode182  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.

How can we help to break the barriers between underrepresented groups and executive leadership? Let’s talk about the importance of the open door.  In today’s episode, I invite CEO, author, and speaker, Trina Martin, to share her experience as a founder, woman of color, and champion for changing the future of leadership. We discuss people pleasing, scarcity mindset, and how we can break barriers and open the door to help each other reach the top. Ready to change leadership for the better? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: Trina’s diverse career background and journey to founding her professional development firm Breaking the barriers to the top for women and other underrepresented groups How you can be a better ally in your leadership career The ways people-pleasing could be holding you back Holding onto your feminine energy as you rise to higher-level roles Her best advice to help you release the mindset of scarcity And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest Trina Martin: W: https://trinalmartin.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trina-l-martin/  Trina’s current read:  Disruptive Thinking: A Daring Strategy to Change How We Live, Lead, and Love by T.D. Jakes 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/episode181  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.

Are you working towards becoming a founder one day? If you want to start your own company but feel some resistance towards taking the first step, this one’s for you, my love! Let’s talk about why women-led companies are more successful and the important things to consider before going all-in on chasing your dreams. In today’s episode, I invite Co-founder & CEO of Alphaa.io, Manuela Seve, to discuss her journey to founding her own company. We discuss why female-led companies generate more unicorns, some of the things to ask yourself if you’re considering starting your own company, and the important first steps you can take right now toward becoming a female founder. Ready to knock down some of those barriers to starting your own company? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: Manu’s career journey to becoming a Founder & CEO Her BIGGEST lessons from becoming a female founder The powerful catalyst that had her redefining success in her life & business Manu’s BEST advice for becoming a female founder Why women-led companies generate more success How to remove the blocks, get off the fence, and go all-in on becoming a female founder And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest, Manuela (Manu) Seve: https://www.alphaa.io/ https://www.instagram.com/manuseve/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuseve/  Manu’s current read:  Book: have a book club. Just finished Zen Mind/Beginners Mind. Great starter for Zen Buddhism. Alan Watts lectures - on audible. New book: a course in miracles. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice by Shunryu Suzuki A Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman Alan Watts Lectures on Audible 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/episode180  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.

You know the feeling…as the weekend winds down, a sense of unease creeps in and casts a shadow over your last precious hours of relaxation. This feeling is referred to as the “Sunday Scaries”, and today we’re talking about the ways to overcome it!  In today’s episode, I’m exploring the Sunday Scaries, why they pose such a challenge to our well-being, and most importantly - how to conquer them! Ready to ditch the dread of returning to work and move into healthy anticipation instead? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: Determining if the Sunday Scaries are affecting you or your team The MOST COMMON causes of the Sunday Scaries Why the effects of this Sunday dread can be a hindrance to building an effective team What you can do about your Sunday Scaries & how to help your team overcome it too! Why “staying for your team” can be problematic Learning to hold pressure vs. knowing when to release it 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/episode179 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.

Can you imagine the extraordinary things that would be possible if you were leading your ideal team? Let’s talk about how to lead and retain high-performers! In today’s episode, I discuss the unique characteristics of high-performers, effective strategies to engage & motivate them, and how to create an environment where high-performers can truly thrive.  Ready to build a team that is entirely high-performance moving forward? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: The hallmarks of a high performer & how to attract and keep them Leadership traits you need to focus on to keep high-performers on your team How to avoid your high-performer feeling neglected or taken for granted Why you need to be willing to give your high-performer growth opportunities The BIGGEST challenges to leading high-performers How you should lead differently with a high-performer vs. a low-performer 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/episode178  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.

Whether you join a new team, get a promotion, or find yourself in a company restructure, at some point, you might find yourself cleaning up someone else’s mess.  How are you going to handle inheriting this crisis, my love? In today’s episode, I’m diving into another important crisis management topic: what to do when you inherit a crisis. I discuss how to diagnose the issue, the biggest traps to avoid as you navigate it, and the practical tools you need to manage the crisis and come out the other side with improved team performance and trust.  Ready to grow your resiliency & uplevel your leadership with this next challenge? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: Properly diagnosing & addressing an inherited business crisis Practical leadership tips for handling a crisis in your first 90 days 2 of the BIGGEST traps to avoid when tackling an inherited crisis Immediate action vs. the long-term fix: identifying & accounting for your natural problem-solving tendencies Tracking your progress toward the end goal What to do as the crisis begins to resolve (and what to avoid) 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/episode177  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.

Can you get better results in your career by shifting your leadership perspective? Let’s talk about the role of the subconscious mind in our careers. In today’s episode, I invite visionary leader, entrepreneur, and former woman in tech, Amira Alvarez, to share her inspirational work helping women get intentional about their choices so they can get what they deserve in their careers (whether it’s a dream role or a dream salary)! We dive into how she utilized the lowlights in her career to propel her forward, how your subconscious mind plays a role in your leadership, and how you can shift your leadership perspective to see big results. Ready to step into your full leadership potential? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: Amira’s career journey and her BIGGEST learnings from the lowlights The role of the subconscious mind in your leadership and how it plays a role in your boundary-setting Desires vs. goals, and exploring what you truly want Breaking down the 3 components of The Law of Compensation so you can get the salary you deserve! And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest, Amira Alvarez: W: www.theunstoppablewoman.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theunstoppablewomanwithamiraalvarez/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alvarezamira  Join Amira’s Retreat in 2024: The Exquisite Life Plan Event Listen to The Unstoppable Woman podcast: https://theunstoppablewoman.com/listen/ Amira’s current read: The Masculine in Relationship: A Blueprint for Inspiring the Trust, Lust, and Devotion of a Strong Woman, by G.S. Youngblood 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/episode176 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.  

What is at the center of your inclusion efforts, my love? Let’s talk about how focusing on respect can propel your organization and team to their highest potential!  In today’s episode, I invite Dr. Gena Cox, trained organizational psychologist and executive strategist & coach, to have an important conversation about leadership and the power of respect as a workplace asset.  Ready for the heart-centered approach to inclusion that you’ve been searching for?  Let’s go to the show!  We dive into: Gena’s career journey to organizational psychology Why she focuses on respect as a KEY outcome The challenges of the immigrant experience in the workplace  A VITAL leadership solution to bridging inclusion gaps The practical reasons we should focus on DEI in our organizations  Respect - the 3 components & its importance as a corporate value And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest Gena Cox W: https://www.genacox.com  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genacox/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genacoxphd/  Check out Gena’s Book Leading Inclusion.  Gena’s current read: The Mirrored Door by Ellen Taaffe 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/episode175  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.

Inheriting an underperforming team member is definitely a challenge, but don’t be discouraged - it is manageable! Let’s talk about what to do when you inherit an underperformer. In today’s episode, I’m diving into this true leadership topic and giving you my TOP TIPS for effectively managing your new team member so you can do what is best for your team and organization.  Ready to explore some performance improvement tools and the skills you need to make the best leadership decisions possible? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: The MOST IMPORTANT things you need to know about inheriting an underperformer Tackling problems quickly with your new team member Dealing with gossip and holding off judgment The importance of the observation stage & why documenting everything is vital My TOP TIPS for an effective PIP (performance improvement plan) - and why this needs to be a last resort! How to know if exiting the team member is the next necessary step And more   **Useful links** Want to learn more about your first 90 days in a new role? Check out Episode 148: Your First 90 Days in a New Role 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/episode174  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.