The Politics of Ambition: How Women Can Claim Power Without Paying the Price
For generations, women have been told to want more, do more, be more. We are encouraged to dream big, lean in, break glass ceilings. And yet, the moment we demonstrate ambition, the very trait required to achieve those dreams, we’re often met with suspicion,...
When you can’t speak up for yourself, find people who will
Wouldn’t it be great if you could just focus on doing your work and not have to worry about promoting yourself to get credit? In a perfect world, hard work would speak for itself. But in today’s complex, ever-changing workplaces, visibility matters. It matters a lot....
6 Ways Professional Women Can Use AI to Work Smarter and Get Ahead.
At first, I was somewhat reluctant to jump on the AI bandwagon, mostly because I was intimidated. I was unfamiliar with how to use it effectively. But also, I was totally unaware of how it could help me be more efficient and productive…without sacrificing my...
The Broken Rung: The Hidden Barrier that No One Warned Us About.
Are you ready for this? New research reveals yet another point in a woman’s career where advancement gets blocked—and it starts way earlier than the glass ceiling. It’s called the broken rung. Unlike the glass ceiling which prevents women from moving into executive...
Queens without the sting: for ambitious women who choose allyship over rivalry
This week one of my coaching clients shared with me that she was ambushed by her female boss in an executive meeting. It’s not the first time. Her boss will chastise her, belittle her, and unjustly accuse her of committing some horrific mistakes. And she does this in...
Political savvy is the subtle yet essential skill that all ambitious women need to master
Perhaps you’ve been recognized as a top performer. You think you are well on your way to getting a promotion. There’s a new opportunity to move up. It would mean more compensation and more responsibility, and you’re ready for it. You apply for the position. You know...
Damned if you do. Doomed if you don’t
Joyce is up for a promotion. She prides herself in setting clear boundaries at work. However, her manager warned her that he has received some feedback that she comes across as too aggressive and bossy. Joyce shared with me, “He has assured me he does not have that...
5 ways you get in your own way and what to do about it
The stress of navigating the complexities of the workplace and trying to get ahead or at least doing your best work takes its toll over time. There are external obstacles that you confront every day. That’s reality. But truth be told, you would be able to tackle...
Not every woman was born to run for office, but every woman was born to lead
In the 2024 elections, a record number of women were elected to federal and state office making the 119th Congress the most diverse in U.S. history. Yet, we still have a long way to go to increase our political influence. Women have been historically under-represented...