Brave Feminine Leadership

Leadership is getting things done through other people. So why are so many brilliant leaders doing the work themselves?

In this reflection on the Women Who Understand Influence series, Melissa unpacks one insight from each of five leading researchers - and why the gap between what you intend and what actually lands might be the most important thing you're not paying attention to.
If leadership feels heavier than it should, this is essential listening.

 

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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration

Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!

Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.

In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.

⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave

 

Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership

If you've ever been offered a promotion that felt smaller than your male peer's, or wondered why everyone loves working with you but you're still not getting the resources, this conversation explains why.

Professor Laura Kray's research reveals that society recognizes men through power but women through status - and this has real consequences. Even at identical organizational levels, men lead larger teams than women. And team size directly predicts compensation.

Professor Laura Kray is Professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and her research on debunking myths about the gender pay gap won a decade award for social impact.

 

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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration

Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!

Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.

In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.

⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave

 

Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership

This conversation left me with a deep understanding as another piece of the jigsaw puzzle clicked into place. That feeling when something finally makes sense and you can start to see the solution.

The research is clear: Women are doing more of the "non-promotable" work in organisations, leading to burnout and being overlooked for promotions.

Professor Laurie Weingart and four academic colleagues formed The No Club - initially in response to their own challenges navigating their careers. Then they realised something much bigger was going on. Their research became the book "The No Club: Putting an End to Women's Dead-End Work."

Together we discuss: How do we help women reach and retain senior roles if we can't get off this merry-go-round of carrying an additional burden of work that doesn't lead to promotion?

This conversation should be compulsory viewing for leaders, for anyone focused on organisational design, and anyone passionate about accelerating women's careers.

If you're ambitious to make a bigger impact but can't shake the exhaustion, this conversation is for you.

Professor Laurie Weingart is Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business. This is a replay of Episode #113

 

-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration

Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!

Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.

In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.

⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave

 

Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership

You don't need to tone it down or hide your competence. You need to add warmth.

Professor Alison Fragale's research shows that people want to work with those they both like AND respect. The Likeable Badass framework isn't about choosing one or the other—it's about having both.

This conversation is practical, research-backed, and empowering. Alison gives you a framework for being both respected and liked without apologising for either.

Professor Alison Fragale is an organisational psychologist and professor at UNC's Business School and author of the bestselling book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.

-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration

Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!

Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.

In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.

⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave

 

Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership

If networking feels transactional and icky, this conversation will change how you think about building influence.

Professor Rosalind Chow explains why status - not power - is the foundation of sustainable influence, how to network by being a conduit rather than a collector, and why becoming a sponsor is the fastest way to build your own network.

Professor Rosalind Chow is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon University and author of The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace.

 

-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration

Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!

Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.

In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.

⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave

 

Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership