Leading Women in Tech Podcast

Explore the unique challenges faced by women in tech leadership and the strategies to overcome them. Discover the importance of balancing technical expertise with soft skills for effective communication and team management. Delve into the impact of gender dynamics and social conditioning on leadership roles. Learn about fostering psychological safety and creativity within teams, while navigating the pitfalls of traditional employee engagement surveys. Finally, empower yourself by embracing a personal leadership style and advocating for continuous growth.

In this episode, we take a slight detour from our usual leadership discussions to explore the world of entrepreneurship! I’m joined by serial entrepreneur Alex Batdorf, who dives into valuable insights from her entrepreneurial journey and her passion for supporting women on the same path. She shares some startling statistics about women in entrepreneurship, useful tips about funding, access to resources, and networking, and the most important things to consider before you leap into entrepreneurship.  Join us for an honest discussion about the path of entrepreneurship - the pros and cons of seeking venture capital, why Alex believes you don't need a business school degree to become a successful entrepreneur, and whether entrepreneurship is the right path for you.  We dive into: Alex’s entrepreneurial career journey Surprising stats on women in entrepreneurship: funding and success Access to resources for women entrepreneurs Three factors to successful networking for women entrepreneurs Exploring your “why” for entrepreneurship  The most important things to consider before you embark on an entrepreneurial journey Funding options in entrepreneurship: venture capital & bootstrapping strategies And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Alex Batdorf: W: https://www.shegetsshitdone.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chief-get-shit-done-officer/   Alex’s current read: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg 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/episode210  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 podcast delves into the power of tech leadership coaching for women in the tech industry, addressing unique challenges, benefits, and strategies for success. Topics include combating gender bias, building career skills, navigating transitions, and preventing burnout. It explores the importance of coaching in fast-paced tech environments and emphasizes the role of strategic planning for advancement.

What does it really take to create a healthy and thriving workplace culture? Let’s talk about how we as leaders can create an environment where women can thrive! In this episode, I invite multi-faceted woman in tech, Michele Cober, to share her insights on workplace culture, how leaders can identify and cultivate the right environment, and the significant impact this has on overall culture and individual well-being at work.  Join us for the practical strategies you can use to show up more authentically at work and transform your workplace culture for the better.  We dive into: Michele’s career journey: from the opera to becoming a big tech lawyer Career pivots, identity, and managing outside judgment The keys to a well-adjusted work culture Using your leadership role to encourage a healthy workplace The signs of a great workplace culture Showing up authentically and the cost of “fitting in” Networking and changing culture from any leadership level And more **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Michele: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-cober/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Madame_Gutterfly Michele’s current read: Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher: https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Book-Tech-Love-Story/dp/1982163895 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/episode208  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.

Delving into the evolution of tech leadership, the podcast explores adapting to career progression and the ever-changing tech landscape. It discusses key trends like AI adoption and diversity, offering tips on effective leadership evolution. The importance of embracing change, fostering resilience, and aligning business strategy with sustainability goals is highlighted.

Valerie Drew, a tech leader, shares her journey of continuous promotion and insights on tough projects, continuous learning, and advocating for oneself. She discusses leveraging communication skills, learning from mistakes, and navigating gender bias for leadership advancement. Topics include multi-tasking, advocating for higher pay, and overcoming challenges in the tech industry.

Do you want to boost team productivity, retention, and innovation while fostering an environment where your team feels comfortable being their authentic selves? Let’s talk about embracing vulnerability in leadership and how this openness can help you create stronger connections with your team and peers. In this episode, I dive into the critical role of vulnerability in demonstrating a strong executive presence and fostering genuine connections within your teams. I explore what it truly means to be vulnerable, ways you can embrace more openness in your leadership, and how giving yourself and your team permission to be vulnerable will lead to a stronger work environment. I dive into: The power of vulnerability as a leadership skill Vulnerability client stories: making mistakes & work/life balance The harm of inauthentic vulnerability Balancing vulnerability and authority as women in leadership How vulnerability can help you avoid the cycle of stress and burnout Reframing vulnerability as a strength: self-compassion & boundary setting 2 actions to help you start building your authentic vulnerability TODAY 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/episode205 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 have the privilege of speaking with Angie Read, a remarkable woman who spent 25 years in corporate communications, navigating the complexities of big tech and other industries. Known for her extraordinary resilience, Angie faced a life-altering challenge at 46 when she suffered a massive ischemic stroke. Despite her determination to return to work after just a few months of rehab, Angie found herself battling debilitating anxiety and depression. Join us as Angie bravely revisits her journey through a career that lacked fulfillment, her mental health crisis after her stroke, and how she navigated being laid off. She sheds light on recognizing the signs of a physical or mental health crisis, understanding the true cost of perfectionism, and why it shouldn't be worn as a badge of honor. Ready to learn how Angie transformed her adversities into a powerful story of resilience and discover valuable lessons on managing stress, anxiety, and perfectionism in leadership? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: Angie’s career journey including the story of her stroke and how it ignited her passion for helping stroke survivors reclaim their confidence The intense anxiety and depression she faced upon returning to work and her subsequent disability leave due to mental health Angie’s biggest lessons around career success and identity Mental health & resilience: health crisis prevention and recovery Strategies for managing stress and “the superwoman complex” Returning to work: emotional regulation and cultivating a leadership brand And more **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest Angie Read: W: www.legacycoachingforher.com  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieread/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/angie.read  Angie’s current read:  The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins The Vacation Rental by Katie Sise Find out more about Angie’s books on her website.  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/episode204  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.

Do you feel you must work crazy hours to get the recognition you deserve? It’s time to redefine success beyond the quantity of work! In this episode, I discuss the barrier of the traditional success model, the major pitfalls of quantity over quality, and how you can shift your mindset to redefine success for yourself and your team. I dive into boundary setting, redefining success metrics, and how to escape the burnout cycle by prioritizing high-impact tasks, celebrating wins, and coaching your team to work proactively vs. reactively.  Ready to find success in the quality of your work and the impact you’re making?  Let’s go to the show! I dive into: The pitfalls of the traditional success model: prioritizing quantity over quality at work Coaching yourself and your team through the shift from reactive mode to proactive mode  How the focus on quantity and presenteeism leads to burnout Client case study: from burnout and a possible layoff to a fulfilled VP of Engineering Building a strategy for prioritizing tasks, saying NO, and celebrating wins 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/episode203 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.

Let’s talk neuroscience (and leadership, of course)!   Join me for this enlightening conversation with Dr. Hayley Nelson, a passionate neuroscientist and professor, who dives deep into the intricacies of how our brains operate and the neuroscience of being a great leader.  In this episode, Dr. Hayley shares her personal journey, detailing how overcoming a traumatic experience led her to pursue a career in neuroscience, despite having other early ambitions. We discuss the difference between the brain and the mind, how to rewire our brains to change our outlook, and embracing resistance as a crucial part of creating lasting change in mindset or habits. We dive into the mindset of optimism vs. toxic positivity, instilling an effective mindset in your team, productivity insights from a neuroscience perspective, and embracing & managing neurodivergent team members.  Ready to learn how neuroscience can transform your approach to leadership and personal growth? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: Dr. Hayley’s journey to becoming a neuroscientist professor A look at negativity from the neuroscience perspective Leading through challenges: optimism vs. toxic positivity The neuroscience behind effective mindset Her advice for encouraging an effective mindset in your team Productivity & motivation in the workplace Embracing and managing neurodivergence and individuality in your team members And more   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Dr. Hayley Nelson: https://academyofneuro.com https://www.academyofneuro.com/stress-brain for a special discounted price of Stress and the Brain Course https://www.linkedin.com/in/bewellwithdrhayley/ https://www.instagram.com/bewellwithdrhayley/ (I'm also on TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter)  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/episode202  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.