Leading Women in Tech Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special episode, I invite Lindsay, Jen, and Allison back to the show to dive into the raw reality of burnout, particularly for women in tech. We share our personal experiences, uncovering how burnout manifests in our careers and lives, and discuss the various ways we cope—sometimes successfully, sometimes not. From recognizing the signs to understanding the causes like micromanagement, we explore the complexities of burnout and the lessons we learn along the way.

We also dig into strategies for tackling burnout, from self-awareness to mindfulness practices, and discuss the crucial role of leadership in creating supportive environments. Ready for the insight and encouragement you need to approach burnout in a healthier, more effective way?

Let’s go to the show!

We dive into:

• Understanding and overcoming burnout as a woman in tech
• Lindsay, Jen, and Allison’s career backgrounds and coaching support needs
• Causes and signs of burnout
• Strategies to tackle burnout: what works & what doesn’t
• Leadership’s role in preventing burnout
• And more
  

**Useful links**

• If you’d like to let go of your self-doubt, don’t forget to check out my free course ‘Ditch The Self Doubt’. 
• 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/episode216 
• 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 today’s episode, I explore the critical link between executive presence, confidence, and the fine line between confidence and arrogance for women in tech. I break down the three key components of executive presence - appearance, communication, and gravitas - and how to leverage these pillars to build genuine confidence without falling into the trap of arrogance.

I also discuss strategies to enhance your executive presence through body language, mindful communication, and self-awareness. With real-world examples and insights, you'll learn how consistent self-examination and inviting feedback can elevate your leadership style, why executive presence is crucial for career advancement, and practical tips for cultivating it to help you flourish and thrive at work.

I dive into:

• The three crucial components of executive presence
• How the pillars of executive presence can help you build effective confidence
• Using body language, communication & mindfulness as a female leader in tech
• How to avoid the “arrogance trap” when developing your confidence
• Client case studies: communicating with confidence and clarity
• The relationship between gravitas and confidence
• 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/episode215
• 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 about what you need to hear to advance your career!

In this episode, I invite the spectacular Valerie Drew, an amazing woman and tech leader at a Fortune 500 company, to share her journey of continuous promotion and the skills that made it possible. We dive into her valuable insights on taking on tough projects, learning continuously, and advocating for yourself to avoid complacency, as well as how to leverage your communication skills, learn from mistakes, and navigate gender bias to better your leadership career. 

Ready for the insights, inspiration, and tools to advance your career with confidence and purpose?

Let’s go to the show!

We dive into:

• Valerie’s career journey of continuous promotion (and how she did it!)
• Dynamic leadership, communication, and self-trust
• Practical tips for navigating gender bias in your leadership career
• The secret sauce for regular career promotion
• Multi-tasking, advocating for higher pay, and seasonal planning
• Navigating mistakes and taking calculated risks
• And more

**Useful links**

• Connect with today’s guest, Valerie, on LinkedIn. 
• Valeire’s current read: 
  • Superman Doomed
  • Traditional Medicines from the Earth by Richard Scalzo
• 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/episode206 
• 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 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.

It’s time to seek the rewards you deserve!

Let’s talk about negotiation - a core skill essential for your career success. 

In this episode, I dive into useful strategies for negotiating your worth and how to own your value regarding salary, recognition, and advancement opportunities. I discuss my top tips for negotiating compensation, handling job offers (counter and multiple), and positioning yourself for advancement. But it’s not just the practical tools you need, we’ll dive into the mindset around owning your value, understanding your limits, and overcoming the specific negotiation challenges faced by women in tech, ensuring you can advocate effectively for the compensation and opportunities you deserve. 

Ready for the actionable tips to help you reach your next salary goal or dream role? It’s time to understand your worth and master the art of negotiation. 

Let’s go to the show!

I dive into:

• Practical strategies for negotiating salary for a new role - or the raise you deserve!
• A simple, but essential TIP to help you negotiate your worth
• Considering immediate & long-term goals in your negotiations
• Navigating recognition and advancement opportunities
• Effectively handling job offers: counter offers, rejections & multiple offers
• The mindset of negotiation: exploring your limits and owning your value
• 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/episode201
• 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.

Ready to dive into the empowering journeys of three extraordinary women in tech?

In today’s episode, I invite three amazing women I have the honor of supporting to dive into their experiences, insights, and triumphs through the lens of executive coaching. Lindsay, Allison, and Jennifer candidly share their motivations for seeking executive coaching, its transformative impact on their professional development, and powerful career lessons around overcoming imposter syndrome, burnout, gender bias, and more. We explore the pivotal moments that led them to join The Lit Up Leadership Academy, the biggest successes they've achieved, and the one thing they wish they had known about themselves a decade ago.

Join us to uncover the importance of embracing one's identity, confronting self-doubt, and cultivating resilience in the face of adversity - you don’t want to miss these valuable leadership insights & strategies! 

We dive into:

• The highlights and lowlights from their three incredible tech careers
• Why they joined the Lit Up Leadership Academy
• Some of their biggest academy successes: empathy, celebration, and finding alignment
• Effectively dealing with imposter syndrome and self-doubt in career transition
• Lessons on kindness and empathy in leadership, pushing tech boundaries, and external validation
• And more

**Useful links**

• Connect with today’s amazing women in tech guests:
  • Lindsay Kulzer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-kulzer/
  • Jen Peters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferepeters/ 
  • Allison Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmwilliams/ 
• 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/episode200 
• 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 glass ceiling concept is well known in the world of work, especially in male-dominated fields like tech. But what about its lesser-known counterpart - the glass microphone?

Many of us have felt the frustration of not being heard or taken seriously, our ideas dismissed before we can fully express them. This glass microphone barrier can hurt our career advancement and lead to stress and burnout. 

Let’s talk about how you can break through this communication barrier in your tech leadership!

In today’s episode, I explore how to recognize the presence of the glass microphone and why honing your communication skills is crucial as a woman in tech. From strategies for thinking on your feet to navigating gender biases in communication, I give you practical tips to break the glass microphone and ensure you are heard at work. 

I dive into:

• How to know if you are dealing with a glass microphone
• Gender biases in communication and why you need to make sure to “take the credit” in your career
• The 3 KEYS to breaking the glass microphone
• Communication must-haves for women in tech: tailoring communication, my “think on your feet” formula, 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/episode199
• 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.