Lead to Soar

Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield is a sociologist who researches racial and gender inequality in professional occupations. She is currently the Mary Tileston Hemenway Professor of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also co-directs the Program for Public Scholarship and am Vice Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity. She has served as President of Sociologists for Women...

Tania Ibarra, CPA, is a founder and board member of the Latino Professionals Association and is co-founder of DEI consultancy, Step Up: Equity Matters. Tania is a dynamic and agile solutionary who strives to help people reach their full potential. She believes in powerful environments where people can contribute their talents, knowledge, and skills freely. A professional with diverse industry expe...

Mary Chung Hayashi is an award-winning author who is among the US' most accomplished champions for diversity and women’s rights. As a national healthcare leader, public affairs consultant, and former California State Assembly member, Mary has dedicated her life to serving America and its most vulnerable citizens. Mary has been the driving force behind meaningful reforms to expand the coverage of h...

In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher engage in a informative Career Q&A discussion, based on questions from their members and listeners, sharing practical strategies and insights for self-promotion, networking, leadership, job hunting, and career advancement. They provide actionable advice and guidance on how to build credibility, thought leadership, and strategic relationships, a...

On this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher discuss the significance of our mindsets when it comes to advancing in our careers. Drawing from their personal experiences, they dispel the misconception that leaders are born and instead promote the notion that leadership is a skill that can be learned. The hosts encourage listeners to assess their own beliefs and attitudes, highl...

Catch the replay of Lead to Soar Live when Mel & Michelle talked with Rana Hussain about intersectional inclusion and how excited they are for her keynote speech at the upcoming Lead to Soar Summit in Australia. Links and Resources Rana Hussain on LinkedIn Lead to Soar is a global online network for businesswomen, a podcast, and we host live-streaming and in person events to help women have a...

Mel and Michelle discuss books and podcasts they've read and listened to and highlight their impact on workplace culture and leadership. Book referenced in this episode: Thrive by Design by Don Rim. Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Hien. Beyond Leaning In by Melanie Home. Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle Lead to Soar is a global online network for businesswomen, a podcas...

In this episode, Mel & Michelle take a deep dive into the structure of organizations and question the common practice of DEI reporting to HR. They explore the underlying reasons behind this arrangement, the potential drawbacks, and discuss alternative approaches that could lead to more effective DEI initiatives. Listen to the discussion as they challenge the status quo and rethink how leaders...

Recent research tells us (again) that women outperform men on a range of different leadership metrics. That same research informs us that leaders are baffled that, given how competent women are, there are more of us at the top of organizations. Well, we want you to stop your bafflement about the leadership gender gap. It might be an okay place to start, but leaders must move on from admiring the p...

Gaslighting in the workplace is Bullying. This form of toxic behavior is particularly insidious, and it can't be ignored if it's happening in your workplace. Because for the victims of this gaslighting, it can cause anxiety, depression, and even nervous breakdowns. It can cause the victim to even question their own sanity. In this episode, Mel and Michelle explore what gaslighting can look like, s...

This episode of the Lead to Soar podcast explores the implications of artificial intelligence, Web3, and the metaverse for women in leadership. Nikkie Scriven, CEO of Chief Meta Chicks and Alchemy8 shares her career journey and insights on topics such as the 'bro culture' in AI, the importance of smart contracts in the metaverse, and ethical considerations in using AI. This informative episode pro...

Mel Interviews Author Suzanne Wertheim - the Inclusive Language Field Guide . In today’s fast-moving and combative culture, language can feel like a minefield. Terms around gender, disability, race, sexuality and more are constantly evolving. Words that used to be acceptable can now get you “cancelled.” People are afraid of making embarrassing mistakes. Or sounding outdated or out of touch. Or not...

Mel Interviews Author Suzanne Wertheim - the Inclusive Language Field Guide . In today’s fast-moving and combative culture, language can feel like a minefield. Terms around gender, disability, race, sexuality and more are constantly evolving. Words that used to be acceptable can now get you “cancelled.” People are afraid of making embarrassing mistakes. Or sounding outdated or out of touch. Or not...

Join Mel and Michelle in this episode as they explore the concepts of benevolent bias and everyday sexism, and how they affect women in the workplace. They delve into the ways these issues can be addressed by leaders to ensure women are treated fairly. Tune in to learn how everyone can work towards a more equitable workplace. Links and Resources Lead to Soar Network Lead to Soar is a global online...

Kathryn Elliott, an alcohol mindset coach, joins Michelle for this episode about alcohol and the workplace. Now, we know what you're thinking, alcohol and leadership? What's the connection? Stick with us because we're diving deep into drinking culture, workplace dynamics, and how it intersects with leadership. Kath opens up about her own journey with alcohol and how it affected her life and career...

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to effortlessly communicate their ideas and persuade others, while others struggle to get their point across? The secret is in the language of power, which is the language of business outcomes. In this informative episode, Mel and Michelle discuss the importance of using business-focused language in communication and aligning with the CEO's vision and strate...

(TW: Rape, Assault) Join us in this eye-opening episode, where Mel and Michelle delve into the complex and prevalent issues around sexism, gender bias, sexual assault, and the need for better workplaces for women. Our hosts debunk misconceptions, provide pertinent statistics, and shed light on the subtle and overt forms of discrimination and harassment women face daily. The discussion sparks criti...

In this podcast episode, Michelle explores the importance of trauma-informed communication practices for team leaders in the modern workplace with Karen Percy, an accomplished journalist, media and communications expert, and trauma trainer. By listening in, you'll gain valuable insights and strategies for creating a safe and supportive work environment for everyone, as well as understanding if any...

Come join us for an engaging episode where we delve into the importance of media and communication training specifically for women. Our special guest, Karen Percy, is an accomplished journalist and media trainer who shares her insights on how this type of training can enhance your career and communication abilities. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! Links and Resources Karen Percy...

As women move into more senior roles and their teams and tasks become more extensive and complex, they must adjust and evolve their leadership style to have the desired impact on the business (achieving and sustaining extraordinary outcomes.) For some women, moving to a ‘leader of leaders’ role is pivotal in their leadership journey. It can mean less time for what they used to do a lot of, and wha...

To become a good businesswoman and leader you must STRETCH beyond a fixed notion of “yourself” to embrace the complete skill set required for inspired leadership and career success. Instead, we offer the advice, “be your best self.” Being your 'best self' means deeply understanding and showing up demonstrating 'the greatness in you'. Links and Resources Lead to Soar Network Lead to Soar is a globa...

"Despite advances made by women in the workplace, pay inequity and underrepresentation in top positions are still a reality. Unfortunately, the situation looks worse for older women, who face the double whammy of gendered ageism. As a woman over 50, you ay be wondering if there is anything you can do to face down diminished responsibilities, decreasing visibility, and the looming specter of being...

The Glass Cliff is a phenomenon that describes the tendency for women to be appointed to leadership positions in challenging or risky situations, such as when a company is experiencing financial difficulties or when there is a high likelihood of failure. The term "glass cliff" was coined by researchers Michelle Ryan and Alex Haslam in 2005. Mel and Michelle discuss what The Glass Cliff is, and imp...

Mel and Michelle discuss how some powerful leaders are demanding that people return to the office now the global pandemic is over. We shine a light on what we think are outdated views, and leadership philosophies, and provide advice to leaders about the risks of mandating that team members are shackled to the office. Lead to Soar is a global online network for businesswomen, a podcast, and we host...

Tara McMullin is the author of What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal-Setting . The book examines the social and economic systems that influence what we strive for. It guides the reader through turning an achievement-oriented life into a practice-oriented life, reshaping how they set goals, make plans, and execute daily work in the process. Links and Resources Mor...