Explore every episode of the podcast Future Female Leaders

🎙️ Episode Summary:
In this candid solo episode, Nichole opens up about her own experience with imposter syndrome—including why she hesitated to hit "record" after a few months away from the mic. From putting off speaking engagements to doubting her podcasting consistency, Nichole reflects on the internal dialogue so many women face at work.

You'll walk away with practical strategies for recognizing and confronting imposter syndrome, plus reminders that growth takes time—and you're not alone.

💬 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why imposter syndrome can creep in—even when you're already successful

• How to reframe fear-based thoughts and stop self-sabotage

• Ways to reflect on and celebrate your growth

• The power of technical vulnerability and asking for help

• Why clarity from your leader can reduce self-doubt

• How to use your voice (literally!) to change your mindset

✨ Nichole's Top Tips:

• Speak truth out loud: Replace fearful thoughts with intentional affirmations.

• Track your growth: Write down how you've improved since starting your current role.

• Don't go it alone: Ask for support, guidance, or mentorship when you're feeling stuck.

• Connect with your leader: Clarify what success looks like in your role and what to work toward.

📥 Get the Career Growth Guide:
Not sure what to focus on each month in your career? Download Nichole's Career Growth Guide—it includes two focus areas per month and video support to help you grow with purpose.
👉 Grab it here.

🔗 Let's Connect:
Nichole would love to hear from you! Say hi on LinkedIn and start a genuine conversation. You're not alone in your career journey. 💛

In this episode, Nichole Harrop dives into the practice of selecting a Word of the Year to guide personal and professional growth. She shares her own process of choosing the word Momentum for 2025 and how it aligns with her goals. Nichole also offers practical tips for selecting a word, incorporating accountability, and using AI tools to brainstorm meaningful options.

Don't forget to get your copy of the Career Growth Guide

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why choosing a word of the year can provide clarity and motivation
• Nichole's personal journey with goal-setting and accountability
• How to find a word that resonates with your goals and values
• Real-life examples of words chosen by others and their meanings
• How to stay accountable and build momentum throughout the year

Resources Mentioned:

• Career Growth Guide: A resource to help you focus on key areas of growth each month. Get your copy via the link in the show notes.
• LinkedIn Connection: Join Nichole on LinkedIn to participate in free career growth sessions.

Key Takeaways:

• Selecting a word that aligns with your aspirations can help guide your actions throughout the year.
• Building habits and accountability through small steps leads to long-term success.
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT can help generate ideas and refine your word selection process.
• It's okay to pivot and adjust your focus throughout the year as needed.

Real quick, grab the Career Growth Guide here.

Nichole Harrop chats with co-worker Lauren Cohen about her incredible journey through nearly four decades in the tech industry. From programming on mainframes in the '80s to embracing cutting-edge AI and modern workplace technologies, Lauren shares her insights on staying adaptable and thriving in an ever-changing field.

Lauren discusses how she navigated major transitions in technology, overcame challenges as a woman in computer science, and continues to evolve in her role at Vasion. She offers actionable advice on managing change, collaborating across generations, and building confidence through experience. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up in your career, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways.

What You'll Learn:

• Strategies for staying relevant in the tech world.
• The value of cross-generational learning and collaboration.
• How to embrace change and manage frustrations when learning new skills.
• Tips for identifying mentors and leveraging workplace relationships.

Resources Mentioned:

• Career Growth Guide: Plan your development with actionable monthly goals. Get your copy here.

About the Guest:
Lauren Cohen is a Digital Transformation Engineer at Vasion with 37 years of experience in software development. She has a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, and her ability to adapt and thrive in the fast-paced tech world makes her a leader and mentor to her peers.

Connect with Nichole

• Visit www.hellogrowvio.com for more career resources.
• Follow Nichole Harrop on LinkedIn.

Nichole chats with Amy Spurling, the CEO and Founder of Compt, about the power of leading with boundaries. Amy shares her personal journey of founding Compt at 40 after a successful career as a CFO and COO in the tech industry. She explains how Compt's global lifestyle benefits platform supports employees in a personalized way, empowering companies to meet their team members where they are in their life journeys.

This conversation dives into key strategies for balancing well-being and career success, setting boundaries like "No Meeting Mondays," and embracing mental health as an integral part of leadership and workplace culture.

1. The Importance of Boundaries: Amy emphasizes how setting boundaries—like logging off at 5 p.m. or protecting lunch breaks—leads to increased productivity, creativity, and team morale.
2. Measuring Outcomes Over Hours: A results-oriented mindset encourages flexibility and allows employees to manage their workloads without unnecessary stress.
3. Mental Health Matters: Amy opens up about her personal strategies for managing her mental health and the ripple effect this approach has on her team.
4. Personalized Benefits Work: Learn how tailoring employee benefits to individual needs can improve workplace satisfaction and foster a positive culture.
5. Leadership Lessons: Amy's insights on empowering her team, managing priorities, and fostering sustainable work environments are invaluable for leaders at every level.

• Connect with Amy Spurling on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Compt
• Download the Career Growth Guide to simplify your professional development journey: link here.

In this episode, Nichole Harrop chats with career coach Andrea Yacub Macek to discuss navigating career uncertainty and creating strategies for your next career move. Andrea shares her personal journey, including how she transitioned from pursuing a medical career to climbing the corporate ladder, and finally finding her passion in helping women discover career alignment.

Andrea and Nichole dive into topics like:

• How to recognize when you're at a career crossroads
• Common challenges women face in their careers, like toxic bosses or feeling lost in their roles
• The importance of sitting with discomfort and using it to gain clarity
• Practical strategies for turning setbacks into growth opportunities
• The power of vulnerability and building trust in your decision-making process

Whether you're feeling stuck in your current role or unsure of your next steps, Andrea's advice on gaining clarity and aligning your career with your purpose will give you the tools you need to move forward with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Change: Career setbacks or unexpected changes can be growth opportunities if you practice resilience and trust in yourself.
2. Clarity First: Before making any decisions, take time to clarify your vision for your life and career, and simplify it into actionable steps.
3. Support System: It's important to build a network of supportive people around you, whether that's inside your workplace or outside.
4. Sit in Discomfort: Growth often comes from uncomfortable emotions. Don't run from them—process them to gain deeper insight into what you truly want.

Links Mentioned:

• Download Nichole's Career Growth Guide to focus on key areas of professional development each month. Get yours here.
• Connect with Andrea Yacub Macek on LinkedIn.
• Visit Andrea's website for more information on her coaching services.

Check out the Career Growth Guide to grow in your career.

In this episode, Nichole Harrop sits down with Heather Nemelka, a single mother of five who re-entered the workforce after an 18-year break. Heather shares her inspiring journey of navigating career pivots, regaining confidence, and launching her own business, Elevare, to help women—especially single mothers—return to the workforce.

Heather discusses the challenges she faced, including the self-doubt that comes with re-entering the workforce after a long break. She offers actionable advice on using informational interviews to build confidence, making career pivots, and leveraging networking to grow professionally. Heather's story provides valuable insights for anyone looking to re-enter the workforce or pivot careers.

Key Takeaways:

• Informational Interviews: Heather explains how conducting informational interviews helped her gain confidence, network, and land her first role after her career break.
• Building Confidence: Heather highlights the importance of "borrowing confidence" from those around you and using past experiences as evidence of your abilities.
• Networking: Heather shares practical tips for expanding your network, including attending free local events, volunteering, and making meaningful LinkedIn connections.
• Affirmations and Self-Belief: Heather emphasizes the power of positive affirmations in overcoming self-doubt and rebuilding confidence.
• Reframing Experience: Mothers returning to the workforce can leverage the skills they've gained during their time at home to showcase value in the professional world.

Resources Mentioned:

• Elevare: Heather's business focused on helping women, particularly mothers, return to the workforce. Visit www.elavare.com for more information.
• Career Growth Guide: Nichole's resource to help you focus on skill development and career conversations with your leader. 

Connect with Heather Nemelka:

• Website: www.elavare.com
• LinkedIn: Heather Nemelka 

Connect with Nichole Harrop:

• Website: hellogrowvio.com
• LinkedIn: Nichole Harrop

This podcast episode with Elizabeth Lotardo dives deep into the importance of leading yourself effectively as a foundation for transitioning into leadership roles. Elizabeth shares her insights on how to shift focus from unattainable output goals to manageable input goals, empowering individuals to control what they can and improve their performance. She emphasizes that leading yourself is about identifying and maximizing what is within your control—like your mindset, emotional response, and daily actions—while recognizing the power this brings in both personal and professional growth.

Key takeaways include:

• Celebrating Small Wins: Embrace and celebrate small achievements as they contribute to overall progress and satisfaction.
• Managing Unrealistic Goals: Understand the importance of setting realistic goals and how to break them down into actionable steps within your control.
• Leading Yourself: Leadership starts with effectively leading yourself by controlling your mindset and behaviors, which will eventually translate into successful leadership of others.

Elizabeth's book, available now, offers a deeper exploration of these concepts, providing practical advice for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills by first mastering self-leadership.

Tune into the first episode with Elizabeth Lotardo here.

Get your copy here. Or download on Audible here.

Connect with Nichole and Elizabeth on LinkedIn.

Grab your copy of the Career Growth Guide.

In this episode of the Future Female Leaders podcast, Nichole Harrop discusses what to do after not being promoted to a leadership role. Nichole offers insights into the emotional and strategic steps you can take to turn the experience into an opportunity for growth. Whether the role was filled by an external or internal hire, Nichole shares advice on how to navigate the situation with grace, support the new leader, and continue your own career development.

Get your copy of the Career Growth Guide here.

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Reflect on Your Leadership Aspirations:

   • Before jumping into the disappointment, assess your true interest in leadership roles.
   • Understand the difference between ladder growth (traditional career progression) and expanded growth (broadening your skills and impact without necessarily moving up).

2. Seek Constructive Feedback:

   • Give yourself time to process before seeking feedback.
   • Approach feedback with curiosity and a readiness to implement changes.

3. Support the New Leader:

   • Whether the new leader is an external or internal hire, offer your help to make their transition smooth.
   • Build a positive relationship by being a resource and showing your value to the new leader.

4. Build Relationships and Continue to Grow:

   • Use this time to deepen your relationships within the organization.
   • Consider asking the new leader about their experiences and strategies, turning this into a learning opportunity for yourself.

5. Maintain a Positive Attitude:

   • Even if disappointed, focus on helping the team and the new leader succeed.
   • This attitude not only helps the team but also positions you as a strong candidate for future leadership opportunities.

Actionable Tips:

• Assess Your Goals: Take time to reflect on whether you genuinely want to be in a leadership role or if you're driven by external factors like title or pay.
• Ask for Feedback: When you're ready, ask for specific feedback on why you weren't selected for the role and how you can improve.
• Offer Support: Be proactive in supporting the new leader, whether they were hired internally or externally.
• Network and Learn: Use this time to build relationships and learn from the new leader's experiences.

In this special milestone episode, Nichole Harrop reflects on the journey of creating and growing the Future Female Leaders podcast. Nichole shares her experiences, challenges, and accomplishments over the past five years, celebrating the podcast's 250th episode. She discusses the importance of celebrating milestones, the evolution of her podcasting skills, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

1. Introduction and Milestone Celebration

   • Nichole celebrates the 250th episode and reflects on starting the podcast nearly five years ago.
   • Emphasizes the importance of celebrating both small and large accomplishments.

2. Starting the Podcast Journey

   • Nichole shares how she was encouraged by a business coach to start her own podcast after not finding many relevant podcasts to guest on.
   • Initial challenges of learning podcasting basics, including using GarageBand and creating an RSS feed.

3. Overcoming Doubts and Initial Struggles

   • Dealing with doubts and the desire for perfection.
   • Early experiences of recording episodes in less-than-ideal conditions and the slow growth in the initial months.

4. Finding a Niche and Audience Growth

   • Nichole's goal to fill a gap in the podcasting space by focusing on career growth for future female leaders.
   • Realizing the need to pivot content based on feedback and focusing more on career growth topics.

5. Podcast Rebranding and Impact

   • Changing the podcast's name from "Next Level Leaders" to "Future Female Leaders" to better align with the target audience.
   • Celebrating the global reach of the podcast with listeners in 120 different countries.

6. Top Podcast Episodes

   • Highlighting the top five episodes based on listener engagement:
     1. Episode 15: Building off Strengths
     2. Episode 231: Are You Setting Boundaries at Work?
     3. Episode 49: Are You Doing the Right Things to Stand Out at Work?
     4. Episode 241: The Most Important Thing About Consistency
     5. Episode 215: An Easy Way to Approach Giving Feedback

Get the Career Growth Guide

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn

In this episode, Nichole Harrop reflects on her past approach to career growth and shares how she wishes she had focused more on holistic growth rather than just climbing the corporate ladder. She discusses the importance of celebrating each step of the journey and offers practical advice for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling career trajectory.

Key Takeaways:

1. Career Growth Guide: Nichole introduces a helpful resource, the Career Growth Guide, to assist listeners in establishing a consistent and effective growth strategy.
2. LinkedIn Importance: She stresses the importance of having a LinkedIn profile for career development and networking, even if one is not actively posting content.
3. Ladder Growth vs. Expanded Growth:
   • Ladder Growth: Traditionally, career growth is seen as climbing a corporate ladder, focusing on achieving higher titles and positions.
   • Expanded Growth: Nichole advocates for a more rounded approach, where growth is multifaceted, similar to a garden of blooming flowers. This includes expanding skills, knowledge, and impact without necessarily moving up in title.
4. Personal Reflection: Nichole shares her experience with burnout from focusing too heavily on upward career movement and the lack of fulfillment that came with it.
5. Work Journal: Keeping a work journal to track accomplishments, projects, and impacts can help one recognize their growth and stay prepared for future opportunities.
6. Mindset Shift: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own growth strategies and consider adopting a more holistic view of career development.

Check out Nichole's digital resources here

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn

Episode Highlights:

• Importance of Building a Personal Brand:

  • Focus on LinkedIn, but also applicable in general.
  • Creating a personal brand helps in career growth and visibility.

• Reminder:

  • Check the link in the show notes for career growth resources.
  • The Career Growth Guide is a valuable tool to complement building your brand.

• Personal Brand Backstory:

  • Nichole's experience as a career job hopper and the fresh start it offers.
  • Importance of professionalism and maintaining a positive reputation.

• Key Points on Building a Personal Brand:

  • Reflect on how you make people feel and interact with others.
  • Set personal boundaries and hold yourself to a standard.
  • Consider how you want to be remembered after leaving a job.

• LinkedIn Tips:

  • Start by engaging with content and commenting on posts.
  • Gradually build confidence to post your own content.
  • Share your growth journey, insights, and recommendations.

• Networking:

  • The power of building a network and offering value.
  • Consistent visibility on LinkedIn opens doors to opportunities.

• Practical Advice:

  • Download the Career Growth Guide for monthly focus areas and video content.
  • Use the guide for ideas on what to post and how to grow.

Get the free intro to the Career Growth Guide!

Connect with Jennifer Moore on LinkedIn
Connect with Nichole Harrop on LinkedIn

Topics/Questions discussed:

How can someone in an entry level role recognize that they might need to help their leader to become more of a coach?

What is a good way to go about changing the structure of a helpful 1:1?

What can you do if you are trying to make changes to your 1:1 structure and it's not going well?

What other advice or guidance do you have to help someone who wants to grow?

Get the Career Growth Guide here.

Connect and ask any questions to Nichole on LinkedIn.

Key Points:

• Importance of knowing your boss's expectations, especially if aiming for growth or leadership.
• Metrics such as customer satisfaction, quality scores, attendance, and meeting punctuality can be key.
• Tailor your approach to meet your leader's priorities.
• Ask your leader what they need from you today to endorse your future growth.
• Use the Career Growth Guide (in show notes) for career roadmap and growth tips.

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn

Check out the different digital offerings Nichole has, here!

Here's the link to grab the digital download for the Ultimate Career Growth Workbook

Connect with Grace Wright on LinkedIn

Episode Highlights

• Networking and Personal Growth:

  • Grace shares her journey of starting to post on LinkedIn despite feeling unprepared initially.
  • Nichole emphasizes the importance of networking and supportive connections in personal and professional growth.

• Overcoming Fear and Taking Action:

  • Grace emphasizes the significance of pushing past fear by simply taking action, even if it's starting with small steps.
  • Both hosts discuss how supportive networks contribute to building confidence and making strides in their careers.

• Challenging Self-Limiting Beliefs:

  • The conversation revolves around challenging self-limiting beliefs, encouraging listeners to question why they delay their aspirations.
  • They discuss the need to challenge one's own beliefs and surround oneself with supportive people to move forward.

• Benefits of Taking Risks:

  • Grace shares her experience of stepping into roles she felt unprepared for initially and the growth that came from embracing these challenges.
  • The conversation delves into how the discomfort of uncertainty can lead to personal and professional growth.

• Transition into Leadership and Self-Reflection:

  • Grace recounts her transition from an individual contributor to a leadership role and the challenges she faced, particularly around uncertainty and self-doubt.
  • Both hosts discuss the importance of self-reflection in career progression and the necessity of balancing feedback-seeking behavior with confidence in leadership roles.

This week Nichole shares an episode where she was a guest on The Thinking Project Podcast, hosted by Dalton Jensen. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Common Leadership Pitfalls:

   • A good boss avoids deflecting blame and takes ownership of team success.
   • They actively engage in one-on-one meetings and recognize their importance for team growth.
   • Avoid making quick assumptions and judgments about team members. Encourage diverse opinions.

2. Promoting High Performers:

   • Promoting the highest-performing employees is not always the best decision. They might lack people management skills.
   • Being an excellent individual contributor does not guarantee leadership potential. Leadership requires caring about others' success.

3. Being Authentic as a Leader:

   • Leaders should avoid pretending to be someone they're not in pursuit of success.
   • It's essential to be your authentic self while still refining your leadership skills to adapt to your environment.

4. Importance of Soft Skills:

   • Developing soft skills is crucial for successful leadership. Start with self-awareness to understand your impact on others.
   • Building individual relationships and caring about team members' lives outside of work fosters trust and psychological safety.

5. The Value of Empathy:

   • Empathy is a key element of great leadership. It involves genuinely caring about your team members' success and well-being.
   • Leaders should strive to understand their team's challenges and actively support them.

Challenging Work Environments:

• It's vital for leaders to acknowledge that the environment can sometimes restrict open communication and empathy.
• Organizations should encourage leadership that promotes caring and connection within teams, even outside of the workplace.

Join the free community and check out the self-paced Future Leaders Program.

1: Deciding on Your Career Path

• Nichole reflects on her own experience working for a well-established company and the importance of considering long-term growth.
• Discusses her transition to a startup, which proved to be a better fit for her career goals.
• Advises listeners to think carefully about the company they work for, even in entry-level positions.

2: Learning About Leadership Roles

• Nichole shares her experience about not fully understanding what her team leader's role involved before her promotion.
• Emphasizes the importance of asking questions and gaining a clear understanding of the responsibilities of the next level of leadership.
• Mentions the significance of offering to take on tasks to support the team leader, demonstrating initiative and creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

3: Networking for Success

• Nichole discusses her early experiences with networking and the realization that she needed a more intentional approach.
• Encourages listeners to seek guidance from mentors and ask questions about the career path and skills they should be focusing on.
• Stresses the value of building meaningful relationships with the right people who can guide them towards their goals.

4: Tracking Achievements

• Nichole talks about the benefits of maintaining a work journal to track progress and achievements.
• Encourages the use of electronic tools, calendars, or handwritten notes to document accomplishments consistently.
• Shares how she believes that documenting achievements would have boosted her confidence and preparation for interviews.

5: The Role of Mentors

• Nichole expresses her wish for a more structured mentoring relationship when she was starting her leadership journey.
• Discusses the importance of having an external mentor who can provide neutral guidance and support.
• Highlights the challenge of building trust in internal relationships and the benefits of a mentor outside of the workplace.

It's not about how long you've been doing something, but when you maintain that commitment, especially when life throws you off course.

Episode Highlights

• Consistency in All Aspects of Life: Consistency is a fundamental element in your work life, home life, hobbies, passions, and relationships. It's a universal principle that applies to all areas of your life.

• The Challenge of Consistency: There are moments when maintaining consistency becomes challenging. It can feel mundane, and you might not immediately see the benefits. This is particularly true in today's instant-gratification world. However, remember that consistency pays off over time, much like going to the gym or eating healthier.

• Thinking About Your Future Self: Consider your future self and what you want to achieve. Instead of focusing solely on your career or job titles, think about how you want to interact with others, build your personal brand, and show up in various aspects of your life.

• Overcoming Confidence Issues: Transitioning into a new role can be tough, especially if you're lacking confidence. Consistency may feel harder when it's not a built-in routine or habit. It's crucial to keep putting in the effort, even when you're unsure of the outcomes.

• Nichole's Experience: Nichole shares her personal experience of taking a break from posting episodes on her podcast for a month. Life got hectic, but she realized the importance of consistency in helping others through her content. She got back on track, determined to maintain the consistency she once had.

• Setting Your Priorities: Reflect on what areas of your life you want to be more consistent in. It's easy to push things off until "later," but that can turn into weeks, months, or even years of procrastination. Think about where you want to be a year from now, not just in terms of your career but in your daily routine and consistent effort.

• Embracing Imperfection: Remember that we're all a work in progress, and it's okay not to be on top of everything all the time. Give yourself grace, especially during the holiday season.

• Saying Yes and Setting Boundaries: Think about what you want to commit to and where you need to establish boundaries. Consistency is about finding the right balance and making it work for you personally.

Conclusion

Consistency is a powerful tool that can shape your future. It's not about how long you've been doing something but when you maintain that commitment, even when it's challenging. Think about your future self and what you want to achieve, and don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, it's a journey, and we're all a work in progress.

Join Nichole's free community here

Check out Elizabeth Tidwell's website MyClubRed.com

1. The Power of Cycle-Aware Scheduling:Dashboard

• Nichole talks about her approach to scheduling tasks based on her menstrual cycle, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and proactive planning.
• The conversation touches on the shift from a reactive to a proactive mindset, giving control back to women.

2. Understanding Your Menstrual Seasons:

• Elizabeth introduces the concept of the Inner Seasons framework, a recent development that correlates menstrual phases with the four natural seasons.
• The Winter Phase: Menstruation - A time of hibernation and low energy, perfect for rest and introspection.
• The Spring Phase: Rising Estrogen - A period of optimism and new beginnings, ideal for initiating projects.
• The Summer Phase: Ovulation - High energy, increased sociality, and peak attractiveness, often referred to as the "Beyonce hormone."
• The Autumn Phase: Luteal Phase - A time for coziness, introspection, and preparation, offering a keen eye for detail.

3. Embracing Cycle-Aware Empowerment:

• Nichole reflects on the empowering nature of cycle awareness, highlighting her personal experiences at events.
• She discusses communicating her energy levels to others, including male colleagues, without explicitly mentioning her menstrual cycle.
• The duo explores how this awareness can influence decision-making, particularly avoiding significant life choices during the fall phase.

4. Breaking the Consistency Myth:

• The conversation revolves around how societal expectations, especially in the workplace, have led women to believe they should perform consistently like the sun or a male hormonal pattern, despite natural cyclical changes.
• Elizabeth highlights the importance of awareness in building self-compassion and understanding that it's not an individual problem but a shared experience.

5. Navigating Your Inner Autumn:

• Elizabeth sheds light on the often overlooked and misunderstood inner autumn phase of the menstrual cycle, characterized by heightened critical thinking.
• She explains that while the inner autumn is excellent at identifying problems, it struggles to find solutions. This phase often leads to extreme and impractical solutions.
• The discussion encourages embracing the inner autumn's role as a superpower for evaluation, providing valuable insights even if the delivery might be less polished.

6. Utilizing Cycle-Aware Productivity:

• Nichole and Elizabeth discuss practical ways to work with your menstrual cycle, such as shifting tasks to align with your energy levels.
• Elizabeth highlights the efficiency gained when tasks match your cycle phases, even if full scheduling around the cycle isn't always possible.
• They emphasize the importance of recognizing the bare minimum expectations at work and having open conversations with leaders about energy fluctuations.

7. Overcoming Challenges:

• Both share personal experiences of navigating the challenges of work expectations during different cycle phases, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and communication.
• The conversation stresses the value of understanding your unique cycle patterns and learning to adapt to them effectively.

In conclusion, this episode advocates for menstrual cycle awareness as a tool for self-compassion, improved productivity, and effective communication in personal and professional settings. By embracing the natural ebb and flow of their cycles, women can achieve a healthier work-life balance and contribute to more inclusive and empathetic workplaces.

Get Caitlin's book The Productivity Roadmap at www.deardreamer.com 

Join Nichole's free community for career growth here.

Top Productivity Hacks for Busy Women:

a. Knowing Your Why:

• Caitlin stresses the significance of having a purpose and a driving motivation (your "why") for being productive.
• Encourages asking questions to uncover what lights you up and keeps you motivated.

b. Creating a Life Vision:

• Caitlin explains the concept of a life vision, which is a detailed and vivid description of how you want your life to be.
• Encourages dreaming big and incorporating specific details into your vision.

c. Developing Systems:

• Caitlin emphasizes the importance of establishing systems, routines, and habits to manage tasks efficiently.
• Suggests delegating tasks and seeking help to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Caitlin shares examples of how she delegates tasks to others, including family members.

d. Effective Planning:

• Caitlin discusses the power of planning in boosting productivity.
• Recommends using a planner to outline daily and weekly tasks, focusing on the most important actions.
• Highlights the flexibility required in planning and adjusting as needed.

Takeaways:

• The importance of having a strong "why" and a clear life vision to drive productivity.
• The value of creating effective systems, routines, and habits to manage tasks.
• The transformative impact of planning and time management on productivity and overall well-being.

www.nicholeharrop.com

Download Sherralynn's book The Lines We Draw here.

Join Nichole's free community here.

In today's episode, Nichole talks with guest Sherralynn Arnold about why it's important to set boundaries at work.

They each share perspective on these 4 questions:

1 What advice can you give women who feel called to lead others,  but don't know where to start?

2 Why is it important to learn how to set healthy boundaries?

3 What have you found as challenges that are unique to women as they are working to stand out as leaders or new into leadership positions?

4 After 30 years as an entrepreneur,  what is your biggest takeaway?

You'll hear personal and vulnerable stories about how each of them are working through setting boundaries and their experiences about setting boundaries in the past. 

Again, check out Sherralynn's book The Lines We Draw here.

Learn more about the Future Leaders Program

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn 

The Future Female Leaders podcast aims to help create more female leaders in the workplace. 

In this episode, host Nichole Harrop talks about the CTFAR framework that changed her life. She walks the audience through this self-coaching model that helped her take control of her thoughts, feelings, and actions, and improve her response to everyday situations.

Nichole shares her personal experience of feeling out of control with her thoughts and feelings, especially during her three-year-long infertility journey. She came across the CTFAR model while listening to Jody Moore's podcast, and it made a significant impact on her life. Within a week of implementing this practice, Nichole noticed a positive change in herself, and people around her could also see the difference.

The CTFAR framework stands for Circumstances, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, and Results. Everything is a circumstance, and good or bad things are only good or bad because of the thought and feeling that happens after the circumstance. 

Nichole believes that the model can help individuals have more control and show up in the best ways possible, even in challenging situations.

Overall, this podcast episode is informative, relatable, and inspiring, and it encourages listeners to take charge of their thoughts and feelings and become more mindful in their daily lives.

This is a special episode because it's a follow up from Episode 99| Leaving a Toxic Workplace. 

In this episode, Nichole and her guest talk about the yellow flags that pop up in our jobs and what her guest did to work through some of them and how to advocate for yourself and navigate these yellow flags throughout your career. 

Floral Career Journal

Polka Dot Career Workbook

Join the free community with additional resources

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn

Check out the different career journals, helping you to grow and advance in your career:

Gender Neutral

Feminine Floral

Episode Overview:

• Today's episode focuses on planning for success and celebrating milestones.
• Nichole shares personal updates and experiences.
• She encourages listeners to shift their mindset and plan for success in various areas of their lives.

Planning for Success

• Nichole emphasizes the importance of thinking about what could go right, rather than solely focusing on backup plans.
• Encourages listeners to envision their future roles, positions, and phases of life in a successful scenario.

Celebrating Milestones

• Nichole recounts her experience of surpassing 100,000 podcast downloads.
• Talks about attending a retreat coinciding with the milestone and the joy of building new relationships.
• Highlights the fun activities at the retreat: e-bike riding through Zion's National Park, repelling, and a transformative sound bath.

Updates and Challenges

• Nichole shares her absence in June due to illness and vocal strain.
• Assures listeners of her return with great content while taking care of her health.
• Encourages listeners to plan for success in their own endeavors, setting goals and rewards for themselves.

Career Journals and Entrepreneurship

• Nichole discusses the challenges and successes of updating her career journals available on Amazon.
• Introduces a more gender-neutral version of the journal.
• Encourages listeners to check out the career journals in the show notes to support their career growth.

Embracing Change and Overcoming Insecurities

• Nichole talks about the discomfort and insecurities that come with pursuing entrepreneurship.
• Shares her journey of transitioning from a comfortable role to making a bigger impact.
• Encourages listeners to embrace change, face discomfort, and open doors to greater opportunities.

Closing Remarks:

• Nichole acknowledges the unstructured nature of the episode and thanks listeners for their support.
• Invites listeners to share the podcast with friends and check out the career journals.
• Encourages connection and offers support via LinkedIn.

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Introduction: In this episode of the Future Female Leaders Podcast, host Nichole Harrop discusses the common experience of feeling overwhelmed at work after a holiday weekend. She reassures listeners that this is a normal occurrence and provides practical tips for managing overwhelm and prioritizing tasks effectively. Nichole introduces a simple exercise called the "Red Light Green Light" technique, which helps categorize and visualize work-related tasks based on enjoyment and energy levels.

Episode Highlights:

1. The State of Overwhelm: Nichole acknowledges the feeling of overwhelm that often arises when returning to work after a long holiday weekend. She emphasizes that it is a shared experience among many individuals and addresses the inaction that can accompany overwhelm.

2. The Red Light Green Light Exercise: Nichole introduces the Red Light Green Light exercise as a tool to navigate overwhelming tasks. She instructs listeners to envision three columns: Green Light (tasks they enjoy), Red Light (draining tasks), and Yellow Light (challenging tasks).

3. Green Light Column: Listeners are encouraged to identify tasks they genuinely love doing and consider how they can incorporate more of these activities into their work. Nichole advises communicating these preferences to direct leaders to foster a more fulfilling work experience.

4. Red Light Column: The focus shifts to tasks that drain energy and create feelings of dread or procrastination. Nichole prompts listeners to evaluate whether they have communicated their aversion to these tasks with their leaders, emphasizing the importance of sharing honest feedback while still committing to completing them effectively.

5. Yellow Light Column: Nichole introduces the concept of yellow light tasks—tasks that don't bring immediate joy but involve curiosity, challenges, and the need for clarification. She highlights the significance of seeking clarity and direction from leaders to ensure successful execution.

6. Effective Communication: Nichole emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and effective communication with leaders. She encourages listeners to discuss task preferences, seek clarity, and align expectations to enhance job satisfaction and reduce overwhelm.

7. Delegation and Support: Nichole suggests considering delegation as a solution for tasks that others might enjoy more, allowing individuals to focus on their strengths and find more fulfillment in their work. She emphasizes the need to communicate the desire for support and collaboration rather than avoiding tasks altogether.

8. Journaling Resource: Nichole recommends her career journal available on Amazon, designed to help individuals advance their careers. The journal contains over a hundred unique prompts for ongoing self-reflection and personal growth.

Conclusion: Nichole wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to try the Red Light Green Light exercise and engage in open conversations with their leaders about task preferences and challenges. By prioritizing tasks and aligning expectations, individuals can reduce overwhelm, improve job satisfaction, and create a more fulfilling work experience.

Outro: Don't forget to check out Nichole's career journal available on Amazon—a valuable resource for tracking career progress and personal growth. Stay tuned for the next episode of the Future Female Leaders Podcast. Until then, keep thriving in your career journey. See you next time!

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Listen to Episode 125 about Office Housework

In this episode, Nichole discusses the importance of setting boundaries in the workplace, offering advice on how to identify and enforce them. She encourages listeners to book a leadership assessment call to help them better understand their current situation and where they want to go.

Nichole emphasizes that awareness is key to setting boundaries and that it is important to recognize what boundaries look like for you in the workplace. She also advises against feeling the need to say yes to everything and encourages listeners to understand what actually brings them joy in their role.

She uses the example of delegation as a way to set boundaries, noting that just because you are good at something does not mean you enjoy doing it. Nichole also discusses "non-promotable tasks," such as note-taking and recognition efforts, that may not help listeners get promoted.

To further illustrate the importance of setting boundaries, Nichole suggests thinking about how your leader sets boundaries and whether they respond to messages or emails late at night or on weekends. She notes that it is easier to enforce boundaries when you see your leader doing it.

In conclusion, Nichole encourages listeners to recognize their own boundaries and to say no to certain things that are not a right fit for them, as well as to understand the importance of a healthy work-life harmony.

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Podcast Episode with Anna Dearmon Kornick 

In this episode of the Future Female Leaders podcast, host Nichole Harrop discusses the importance of setting boundaries in the workplace to avoid burnout. She emphasizes the need for awareness of one's workload and calendar management and provides tips on how to efficiently manage time. Nichole recommends creating blocks of time for preparation before and after meetings, deciding which meetings to attend, and assigning a buddy to stay informed of meetings not attended. She also advises avoiding responding to emails and messages late at night and setting firm boundaries that can be communicated to colleagues. By setting boundaries, employees can be more productive and avoid overworking themselves. The host invites listeners to think about their boundaries and offers support throughout the week to help them set and maintain them.

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Welcome to the Future Female Leaders podcast, hosted by Nichole Harrop, who aims to create more female leaders in the workplace. In this episode, she focuses on a meditation that helps to overcome negative perceptions at work. Nichole starts by suggesting that listeners find a comfortable and distraction-free location and then guides them through a relaxation process to calm down their breathing and let go of any tension. She asks listeners to be mindful of their emotions and any tightness or stress within their bodies. She then guides them to reflect on how they react to people having negative perceptions of them and to think of how they want to react going forward. Listeners are encouraged to envision a scenario in which they work for a company they love and have a manager who cares about them, and to think about what efforts or changes need to happen in their current working relationship to make it a reality. Nichole encourages listeners to take deep breaths and repeat after her, saying they can work on their self-awareness to recognize negative perceptions and are capable of overcoming them. The episode ends with Nichole encouraging listeners to continue taking deep breaths and to know that overcoming perception issues takes time and daily practice.

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The Future Female Leaders Podcast is a show dedicated to creating more female leaders in the workplace, hosted by Nichole Harrop. In this episode, Nichole talks about how to work through negative perceptions at work. She offers a complimentary leadership assessment call to help women understand where they are currently in the workplace and where they want to go.

Nichole describes how perceptions can lead to bigger issues and create negative self-doubt thoughts. She shares a personal experience of applying for team leader roles and being turned down multiple times. She explains that this was a sign that there might be a perception issue at work. She realized that there were office politics at play, and some leaders only hired people who they were friends with or who they saw as part of their inner circle.

Nichole emphasizes that it's essential to work on self-awareness and to be aware of the perceptions others have of you. She suggests taking on additional responsibilities, showing up as your best self, and having open and honest conversations with your manager. Nichole shares how working through negative perceptions at work takes time and effort but is worth it to achieve your career goals.

By doing pulse checks with other team members, you can gain insight into how to approach difficult situations with tact and strategy. Rather than placing blame, it's important to get curious and understand how to best move forward.

Perception issues can lead to disengagement and poor performance, but by asking for guidance and clarity, you can overcome those struggles. Nichole shares personal experiences of having to set boundaries to avoid being seen as a social butterfly and not being taken seriously.

The Future Leaders program is highlighted as a resource for live one-on-one training and real-time feedback to help individuals grow and work towards their first leadership position.

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Schedule time to see if the Future Leaders Program is a right fit for you.

In this episode of the Future Female Leaders podcast, host Nichole Harrop talks about how perception issues can hold back one's career growth in the organization. She defines perception as a quick judgment, mental impression, or way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something. Nichole explains that perception issues arise when people make quick judgments without having all the facts. To challenge these perceptions, she suggests getting curious and asking questions to get a better understanding of the situation. Additionally, Nichole emphasizes the importance of building a strong relationship with one's leader and being open to feedback. She suggests that one should ask their leader what kind of roles they see them in and why, to better understand how to grow in their career. Finally, Nichole advises listeners not to be too hard on themselves and to receive feedback with an open mind, even if it can be difficult to take in.

In this episode, the focus is on embracing change at work. Nichole starts with a brief meditation session, encouraging listeners to find a comfortable and quiet space, breathe deeply, and relax their bodies. After this, she invites listeners to reflect on how they respond to changes happening in their workplace, and encourages them to think about how they want to show up when changes happen.

Listeners are asked to imagine themselves in a meeting where changes are announced, and to envision two different versions of themselves: the old version, which is filled with dread and fear, and the new version, which sees the opportunity for growth and feels at peace with the change. Listeners are encouraged to become the new version of themselves, to communicate clearly with their leadership team about any concerns, and to seek to understand if they are unsure of changes that are coming.

Nichole leads listeners in repeating affirmations, such as "I can stand out as a leader exactly where I am" and "I will be open to concerns, but I don't participate in gossip around change." Ultimately, Nichole encourages listeners to approach changes at work with an open mind and a positive attitude, so they can be seen as leaders in their organizations.

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Todays guest episode features Lata Hamilton, Lata is a pocket rocket burst of energy with a big heart... and big hair!
She is the Founder & CEO of Passion Pioneers and the creator of the "Leading Successful Change" program.
Lata has worked with some of Australia's biggest companies, and
tripled her salary in just 3 years to almost $200,000. She moved from Marketing to the world of Organizational
Change Management and developed her own style of inspiring change leadership. She's worked on changes that
have impacted over 100,000 people, global cultural transformations, operating model changes, and digital
transformation that is literally changing the way that we work.

Nichole and Lata discuss how entry level team members can be seen as change leaders in the workplace, starting today.

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In this episode, Nichole talks about change in the workplace and how people react to it. She encourages listeners to assess their feelings about change and how they can improve their change leadership skills. Nichole also suggests ways to align feelings about change with desired feelings. She reminds listeners to take a moment to reflect on how they feel about change and how they want to feel about it. 

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Follow the Jealousy Junkie Podcast hosted by Shanenn Bryant

Nichole and Shannon discuss ways to improve communication in the workplace. One way is to ask questions separately in bullet points instead of in long paragraphs within an email, allowing the other person to answer each question next to it. Another way is to present information and requests in a table format to allow for more detailed responses and easier communication. 

These methods help make communication more concise and prevent misunderstandings. Additionally, Shanenn encourages people to ask for what they need in a clear and direct manner.

Nichole and Shannon discuss how to approach a conversation with a supervisor who is not a good communicator. They recommend making a list of questions, including when the task is due, who needs to be involved, and if there are any specific instructions. It is also recommended to set up one-on-ones with the supervisor and discuss expectations and how to communicate better. Additionally, they suggest proactively communicating what type of learner you are and how the supervisor can accommodate that.

In meetings, women get interrupted more often than men. To prevent interruptions, a woman can politely say a couple of phrases like "I have just another point to make and then I'd love to hear your feedback," or "As soon as I'm finished, I'm gonna open it up, and we'll be able to hear everyone's feedback." Women can practice these phrases to feel more comfortable in the moment. If interrupted, a woman can use visual cues like putting her finger up or reaching out physically to get the speaker's attention and say that she wasn't done speaking yet. People interrupt because they're thinking of their response and not because they're rude.

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In this episode of the Future Female Leaders Podcast, Nichole discusses how communication skills are developed over time through interactions with different people in different organizations throughout one's career. She emphasizes the importance of considering whether the intended message is being received by the person or people being communicated with, and whether everyone is on the same page in terms of expectations and goals.

Nichole suggests self-reflection as a key tool for improving communication skills, and encourages listeners to get curious about their own communication style and effectiveness. She recommends seeking feedback from trusted sources, such as bosses and team members, to gain insights into how others perceive their communication skills. Nichole also highlights the importance of providing context when seeking feedback, so that others can rate communication skills based on specific criteria.

Overall, this episode encourages listeners to reflect on their communication skills and take proactive steps to improve their ability to communicate effectively in the workplace.

Key Points:

• Communication skills are essential for success in any role.
• Communication skills are developed over time through interactions with different people in different organizations.
• It's important to consider whether the intended message is being received by others and whether everyone is on the same page in terms of expectations and goals.
• Self-reflection and seeking feedback from trusted sources can help improve communication skills.
• Providing context when seeking feedback allows others to rate communication skills based on specific criteria.

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Follow Amanda Morris with The Washington Post

Follow Rosie Acosta with Headspace

In this episode, Nichole speaks with Amanda Morris and Rosie Acosta about overcoming challenges and adversities to grow in their careers. 

They talk about grit and resilience as a choice to make in overcoming the different challenges along the way to grow into their dream jobs.

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Nichole talks about her experiences with Grit and Resilience in the workplace. She gets vulnerable and encourages you to do the same.

In this episode, Nichole focuses on the power of meditation and deep breathing for gaining more male allies in the workplace. She encourages listeners to take a few minutes to calm their breathing and relax their bodies in order to create a space for reflection and self-awareness.

Nichole guides listeners through a meditation session, prompting them to focus on their breath and release any tension or stress they may be holding onto. She asks listeners to reflect on their day and their emotions without judgment, and to become present in their bodies and the moment.

She then asks listeners to envision a future version of themselves who has built strong relationships with male allies in the workplace. She encourages them to imagine how these male allies are supporting them, whether as mentors, sponsors, or advocates for their promotion or projects. Nichole emphasizes the importance of clear communication with male allies and the willingness to share vulnerabilities in order to build deeper connections.

Nichole leads listeners in affirmations, encouraging them to believe in their worthiness, confidence, and ability to communicate their needs with male allies. She reminds them that building relationships takes time and practice, but it is a valuable skill that can lead to a better work environment. She encourages listeners to take moments for deep breathing and self-care when feeling stressed at work, and to remember that tomorrow is always a new day to do better.

As the meditation comes to an end, Nichole prompts listeners to come back to their physical awareness by wiggling their toes and opening their eyes if they had closed them. She encourages them to recognize the benefits of meditation and deep breathing in building relationships with male allies and creating a more supportive workplace environment.

Tune in to the next episode of the Future of Female Leaders podcast for more insights and tips on empowering women in the workplace. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

Book your complimentary Leadership Assessment Call where Nichole can provide guidance that is tailored to exactly where you're at today as you are growing in your career.

Learn more about the Future Leaders Program by chatting with Nichole to understand if it's a right fit for you.

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Read the Research & Policy Brief on Strategies that Male Allies Use to Advance Women in the Workplace

Nichole welcomes guest Robbyn Scribner to discuss male allyship in the workplace. 

They discuss:

Why Robbyn is so passionate about male allies in the workplace

What surprised Robbyn most when she was writing this brief

Mentorship and how it ranks the highest among men's efforts as well as with women appreciating the mentorship they receive.

Steps to take from here to put it all into action.

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In today's episode, Nichole shares how to help your male allies in the workplace to help you in your career growth.

She goes over 3 tips on how to work together with your male ally in how they can best show up for you in closing the gender pay gap, helping you to feel more confident speaking up in meetings, raising your hands for projects, and bringing your name up when you aren't around. 

Nichole also shares some initial tips on how to gain a male ally in the workplace if you feel like you don't have one yet.

Enjoy this meditation on giving feedback. 

Now also available through YouTube 

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In today's episode, Nichole breaks down how she approaches the scary topic of giving people feedback. It can be anxiety inducing because we have no idea how people are going to react to what we say. However, if you follow how Nichole outlines her approach, it might be easier than you think to start implementing feedback.

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In this episode, Nichole shares an easy way to be able to approach the topic of giving someone feedback. 

This week, the theme is giving feedback and helping you to feel more confident and prepared in how you approach and provide feedback. 

If you're hoping to get better at receiving feedback, tune into this meditation to envision what it can feel like to receive feedback with ease.

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In this episode, Nichole shares about how to react when you are given feedback. It's common to immediately jump on the defense and be prepared to fight back and share why they are wrong and you are right, but that isn't what helps us to progress.

Nichole shares small things that are important in the overall feedback loop. You can get better at receiving feedback.

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In today's episode, Nichole shares her simple way to get better at receiving feedback. 

It's pretty simple, you proactively ask for it. 

Enjoy this weeks' meditation on confidently building relationships. 

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Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn 

Nichole shares her simple 5-minute method on building relationships using the notes in your phone contacts. It's such a simple approach that she feels like maybe everyone is already doing something like this, but if you aren't- it's an easy way to keep organized with what you talked about so you can always remember the key things that you find most important or impactful. 

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Nichole shares about her growth into her first leadership position and why building relationships became a foundation for her growth and opening the doors to future opportunities for her. 

You might recognize that building relationships is helpful and Nichole further builds on why it's so important to build great relationships before the opportunity to promote is ever on the table. 

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In today's episode, Nichole walks you through a short meditation focused on increasing your self awareness in the workplace.