Leading Women in Tech Podcast

• 249: The Preparation Playbook: How to Prepare for Senior Leadership in Tech with Chaitra Vedullapalli

  Could your next big career move be one preparation habit away? Most people plan for leadership—but the ones who actually get there prepare differently. In this episode, Chaitra Vedullapalli—tech executive, entrepreneur, and President of Women in Cloud—breaks down what it really takes to rise into senior leadership roles like VP or GM in the tech world. From building business acumen to learning how to self-advocate without losing your authenticity, Chaitra shares the preparation playbook that helped her lead transformative initiatives and open economic access for thousands of women. Whether you're early in your leadership path or preparing for your next big leap, this episode will give you the tools to show up like you're already in the role. “Leadership isn't a title. It's a state of readiness. You have to prepare. You have to position yourself as a contributor for driving transformation. You show up.” — Chaitra Vedullapalli   What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why planning and preparing are not the same—and which one actually gets you promoted How to develop business acumen and build strategic relationships Ways to leverage your network and become a rock of trust How to practice authentic self-advocacy without feeling like you're "too much" The power of socializing your ideas before you get to the meeting Daily leadership habits that quietly build influence and compound over time What it means to position yourself as VP or GM material—and how to prove it And more!   What’s in your Preparation Playbook? This episode is your invitation to think bigger—and act bolder. What habits, relationships, and mindset shifts are still missing from your leadership journey? If you’ve been wondering how to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be—this is where you start.   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Chaitra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaitrav/  Chaitra’s current read: The Holy Grail of Investing by Tony Robbins, Christopher Zook 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/episode249  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 supported by Gldn Agency.. Thank you Gldn for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

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• 248: Recognizing the Signs: Identifying Early Indicators of Burnout

  Are you silently burning out—and don’t even realize it? Burnout isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet fatigue, the creeping cynicism, or the missed moments of joy that tell the real story. Whether you're a woman in tech leadership, or someone simply trying to do it all, this episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down the early emotional, physical, behavioral, cognitive, and workplace signs of burnout—and more importantly, how to address them before they lead to long-term damage. Plus, I debunk the myth that burnout means you’re not strong enough—it actually means you’ve been strong for too long without support. "Burnout is not a reflection of your abilities or your worth. It is a signal that something needs to change." – Toni What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What burnout really is—and why it's not just stress The 3 emotional indicators of burnout that often go unnoticed The physical symptoms your body uses to signal burnout How your behavior may be quietly telling you something’s wrong Cognitive signs like decision fatigue and imposter syndrome How burnout shows up in your work and personal life Why pushing harder might actually be the problem Practical strategies for recognizing and reversing burnout And more! Feeling off but can’t quite put your finger on it? If you've been pushing through, this episode invites you to slow down and listen. Because sometimes the strongest thing you can do is stop ignoring the signs.   **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/episode248  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.  

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• 247: What’s Holding You Back? Mary Rombaut on Solving the Barriers to Your Next Big Step

  Wondering if it’s time to leave your job, launch your business, or finally take that big leap? In this powerful episode, I talk with Mary Rombaut, startup founder and working mom of three, about how to overcome fear, escape toxic work environments, and take bold, intentional steps in your career. Within just 12 months, Mary made two major career changes while raising young children—and built her company Recommenda to help entrepreneurs make smarter marketing tech decisions. We explore how to let go of what’s no longer serving you, how to balance career and personal life, and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or simply at a crossroads in your professional journey, this conversation will challenge you to face your fears—and take action. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to recognize fear and self-doubt as the biggest barriers to career growth How to leave a toxic job without guilt—and why job tenure isn’t always a strength Mary’s mindset and system for managing time and energy while launching a startup Why mission-driven leadership and intentional career moves matter more than ever How to ask for help, build your village, and lean into support as a leader Advice for new entrepreneurs and leaders considering their next big career step The importance of self-belief, personal investment, and strategic decision-making How to balance being a parent, professional, and startup founder without burning out And more! “Fall into your fears. You have to own them—you have to acknowledge them. The sooner you start falling into them, the growth and the amazing achievements are really going to start.” – Mary Rombaut    What's Stopping You From Taking the Next Step? Listen now and start taking action on your next bold move-–and share with a friend who’s stuck in indecision or dreaming about something bigger.   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Mary: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-rombaut-ed-d-363bb621 Reommenda: www.yourrecommenda.com R-Squared Solutions: www.r-squaredsolutionsllc.com  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourrecommenda  Mary’s current read: The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir 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/episode247 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.

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• 246: Leading with Humanity: Jen Croneberger on Relational Leadership in a High-Tech World

  In times of uncertainty and change, how do we lead in a way that keeps people at the center? With shifting workplace dynamics, evolving leadership expectations, and constant pressure to adapt to the high-tech world, it’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of leadership and forget the human side of it. In this conversation, I sit down with Jen Croneberger, an expert in relational leadership, to talk about what it really takes to build strong, connected teams. She introduces her BRAVE methodology—belonging, resilience, authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy—and shares why these qualities are more important than ever. We dig into the realities of leadership today—how AI is changing the way we work and why technology can enhance efficiency, but it can’t replace human connection. From navigating tough conversations to balancing performance with people, this episode is packed with insights for leaders who want to show up with confidence and heart. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why relational leadership is more important than ever How to build a workplace culture based on trust, inclusion, and belonging The BRAVE methodology and how it strengthens leadership effectiveness How AI is impacting leadership and decision-making—and what it can’t replace How to lead teams through change, uncertainty, and ethical challenges Why human skills—like empathy and emotional intelligence—are the new hard skills And more! "Human skills are the new hard skills. The best leaders prioritize connection, trust, and emotional intelligence to build thriving teams." – Jen Croneberger How are you bringing humanity into your leadership? Share your thoughts and subscribe for more expert insights on leadership, team performance, and workplace culture.   **Useful links** Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Jen Croneberger: Website: https://thehli.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humanleadershipinstitute  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencroneberger/  Jen’s current read: The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest 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/episode246 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, Jen Croneberger. Thank you Jen for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

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• 245: Are You Accidentally a Passive-Aggressive Leader?

  Could your leadership style be unintentionally sabotaging your team's success? Leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about fostering trust, respect, and open communication. But what if your well-meaning approach is actually damaging team morale and productivity without you even realizing it? In this eye-opening episode, I reveal the 9 subtle yet destructive passive-aggressive leadership behaviors that could be eroding your team's effectiveness. Learn how these hidden habits affect workplace dynamics and gain practical strategies to shift from indirect communication to authentic, impactful leadership. "Passive-aggressive behaviors are not inherent. They aren't something we absolutely have to have, but we all have them because the world we live in often models them for us." - Toni What You'll Learn in This Episode: The 9 most common passive-aggressive leadership traits How indirect communication weakens team dynamics The true emotional and professional cost of passive-aggressive behavior Actionable strategies to improve leadership communication How to build a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration And more! After listening, take the self-reflection challenge—identify one passive-aggressive habit in your own leadership style and commit to changing it. Share your insights with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.   **Useful links** Grab my free passive-aggressive cheat sheet: https://www.tonicollis.com/stopbeingpassive 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/episode245  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.  

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