Lead to Soar

n this milestone episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher, Michelle Redfern and Erika Jefferson to discuss the recent FTC ruling banning non-compete agreements. They dive into the implications of this rule for employees and employers, exploring how non-competes have been used historically and why they are problematic. The conversation also touches on trust, leadership, and the essential elements of cr...

In this milestone episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher, Michelle Redfern and Erika Jefferson to discuss the recent FTC ruling banning non-compete agreements. They dive into the implications of this rule for employees and employers, exploring how non-competes have been used historically and why they are problematic. The conversation also touches on trust, leadership, and the essential elements of c...

On this episode, Mel Butcher and Erika Jefferson (founder of Black Women in Science and Engineering, BWiSE ) discuss the latest on the state of women in STEM. Hear from Erika what trends she is seeing in STEM heavy industries for talent recruitment, attrition, employee priorities, and what leaders can do to attract and retain the best and brightest. Reference Links: Study, Women in STEM are Strugg...

In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel, Michelle and Erika explore the ethical challenges of layoff culture and executive decision-making. Inspired by Seth Godin's Akimbo podcast, they discuss how stock options influence corporate decisions and the importance of ethical frameworks like ESG. The conversation covers the impacts of layoffs on employee trust and morale, differences in labor laws, and st...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, hosts Mel and Michelle discuss the pressing topic of the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the United States with special guest Erika Jefferson, founder of Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE).  Erika, Mel and Michelle explore the controversies and criticisms surrounding DEI, examining public statement...

In the continuation of this deep dive into the complexities of modern leadership challenges, the Lead to Soar podcast with Mel Butcher, Erika Jefferson, and Michelle Redfern shifts focus towards organizational values, transparency, and the evolving expectations of the workforce. The conversation critically examines the traditional emphasis on mission, vision, and values within corporations, challe...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern are joined by Erika Jefferson to discuss into the intricate topics of loneliness, civility, and employee retention in the modern workplace. The discussion is catalysed by statistics revealing a surge in loneliness among American workers and a notable rise in workplace incivility, which has not only doubled over the past...

In this episode, the conversation turns towards the future of work, specifically the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and its effects on the job landscape and required human skills. Episode Highlights : AI's Impact on Jobs: The hosts explore how AI is poised to eliminate some jobs while augmenting others, raising questions about the roles humans will play in a technologically advanced w...

This episode dives into the controversial and widely debated topic of performance reviews within the workplace. Drawing from personal experiences and current studies, the hosts examine the effectiveness and impact of traditional performance review systems. Episode Highlights : The Problem with Performance Reviews: Citing studies from Gallup and SHRM, the episode begins by highlighting the general...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, co-hosts Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern, along with special guest Erica Jefferson, tackle the pervasive challenges within the recruitment industry. The discussion centres on the inefficiencies and impersonal nature of recruiting practices, advocating for a radical transformation that prioritizes human connection, candidate care, and the dismantling of...

In this thought-provoking episode, Mel, Michelle, and Erika discuss the intersection of human resources (HR) and artificial intelligence (AI), exploring the implications, opportunities, and challenges that HR professionals face in the era of AI-driven automation and decision-making. As organizations globally adopt AI technologies to enhance hiring processes and operational efficiency, the trio she...

In this insightful episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern tackle the often overlooked yet critical aspect of leadership—succession planning. They explore why leaders tend to shy away from this responsibility and provide a roadmap for effective succession planning that prepares organizations for future challenges. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in a leadership position, offering practi...

In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss the importance of creating a strategic mentoring program. They challenge the traditional, often questionable effectiveness of mentoring programs and present a strategic approach that promises to elevate these initiatives from good to great. Targeted at leaders, HR professionals, and decision-makers, this episode is a masterc...

Gloria Tabi, founder of Everyday Inclusion, joins Mel & Michelle to share her powerful journey from confronting workplace racism and sexism to developing a platform that bridges the gap between diversity policies and their real-world impact. Gloria’s experience highlights the structural barriers that marginalise individuals, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these challe...

This episode is the third in our series about The Leadership Compass. Mel discusses the concept of Social Intelligence (SQ), with Michelle. SQ is a crucial component of The Leadership Compass. She articulates SQ as essential for leaders to intentionally build their professional brand and leverage strategic networks. This skill complements Business Intelligence (BQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ),...

Leadership Compass: Mastering the Art of Emotional Intelligence in LeadershipIn this episode of the "Lead to Soar" podcast, Mel interviews Michelle regarding the definition of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in leadership, as described in her book, The Leadership Compass . Michelle shares personal stories, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and a growth mindset in na...

This episode is the first in a series exploring leadership skills detailed in "The Leadership Compass." Stay tuned for more insights on SQ and EQ in upcoming episodes. In this episode, Mel interviews Michelle about  Business Intelligence (BQ) as a critical skill for effective leadership. Unlike innate strengths, BQ, along with Social (SQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ), can be developed...

In this episode, Michelle and Mel discuss the findings of a BBC article, addressing why women are less likely to ask questions in public settings, such as academic seminars and business meetings. They explore how this trend impacts women's visibility and participation in professional environments. Links and resources Article: Why are Women Less Likely to Ask Questions in Public Lead to Soar is a g...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, hosts Mel and Michelle discuss the complexities and often performative nature of International Women's Day (IWD). They examine how businesses frequently fall short in meaningful support of gender equality and issue a clear call to action for more than just superficial acknowledgments of workplace gender equality. The discussion covers a range of topics,...

In this episode, Michelle and Mel use the metaphor of a flower blooming to discuss the growth of women in the workplace. They talk about the importance of enhancing the work environment for women's growth rather than trying to "fix" them. The episode also highlights workplace challenges faced by women, emphasizes the need to ask better questions about workplace environments and women's barriers, a...

Sam Trattles, CEO and Lead Negotiation Strategist at Other Side of the Table, helps leaders negotiate better outcomes. In this episode we're going to explore: The importance of influencing and negotiating for the right outcomes What can leaders do to foster these skills in their team members? How leaders can continually update and enhance their negotiation and influencing skills. What are some pra...

In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle talks with Diana Taylor AM, a pioneering figure law and Australian rules football. Diana imparts her wisdom and insights on leadership, business savvy, and the pivotal role of women in sports and business. The conversation includes i the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity, the advantages of leveraging legal expertise in sports and bu...

Mel and Michelle interview Charlotte Blair, a Gallup strengths coach, on the importance of leveraging personal strengths for career advancement and team effectiveness. The episode explores Charlotte's transition from a corporate role to strengths-based coaching, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in this journey. Discussion points include the transformative impact of Gallup's StrengthsFi...

In this first episode of Season 7, Michelle Redfern joins Mel to discuss her upcoming book, "The Leadership Compass: The ultimate guide for women leaders to reach their full potential." Set to be published on March 26, the book aims to guide women through their careers and leadership journeys. Links and Resources Pre-order and additional information about "The Leadership Compass" can be found at m...

Erika Jefferson is the President and Founder of Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE), an organization focused on bridging the leadership gap for Black women in STEM. She received a MBA from Georgia Tech and a BS in Chemical Engineering from LSU. Learn more about BWiSE Lead to Soar is a global online network for businesswomen, a podcast, and we host live-streaming and in person events to...