Shameless Leadership

I was thrilled when I learned that past podcast guest Jessica Frew wrote an entire book on decision-making.  Decision fatigue is real and so very exhausting.  It holds us back from taking action, best leveraging our time and energy, and truly trusting ourselves.  Jessica is a firecracker and I know this conversation will give you some great AHA’s about becoming a more decisive person.   Jessica Frew is an author, speaker, coach, wife, ex-wife, mom, stepmom, and BOLD action taker.  She believes that you find true peace, connection and confidence by making your next best decision.  Jessica helps you make clear, confident, and concise decisions to lead a BOLD life that is in alignment with who you were created to be while leaving behind overthinking, people pleasing, and the need to justify your decisions through her proven Be.Be.Be Decision Making Formula.  Her new book, Shove Your Shoulds: Become a Decision-Making Badass & Live the Life You Deserve is all about unlearning the decision-making patterns we were taught (especially as women, mothers, and leaders) and embracing choices that actually feel aligned. Listen in to hear Jessica share: The power in giving yourself permission to evolve yourself and your work over time How your “shoulds” quietly hijack your decision-making and breed negative self-judgment How her narrative around being a stepmom held her back and how she unpacked this old narrative to write a new, better one How to unravel long-term narratives that keep us stuck and how writing your own narratives elevates you as a leader Why women hold so much fear around decisiveness The connection between indecision and fear and how to reclaim your power by embracing decisiveness The actual (simple) steps you can take in releasing an old narrative that is no longer serving you or possibly even harming you Links Mentioned: Get Jessica’s Book, Shove Your Shoulds: https://shoveyourshoulds.com/ Follow Jessica on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heyjessicafrew/ [NOVEMBER 20th] Join my 90-minute Leadership Roundtable, Thriving in Leadership in Uncertain Times: saradean.com/roundtable [OPEN ENROLLMENT] Join Sara’s Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned [LISTENER SURVEY] Let me know what Programs & Events you want me to host in 2026: saradean.com/survey Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Sara, I tried one little thing you recommended in our session and it totally changed my interaction with a team member!" Back story…I was leading a training for a leadership team recently and we talked about how to practice active listening in leadership.  One of the leaders decided to put one of my recommendations into action immediately (Gold Star for this leader!) and he was so excited about the results.  Following our training, he shifted his default behavior of “getting right down to business” in a one-on-one meeting to starting off a one-on-one by asking a team member an open-ended question.  This led to a great conversation and important insights between the two of them.  By getting curious before getting down to business, this leader fast-tracked trust and paved the way for open and honest communication with their team member.  He was giddy sharing this win with me.  I love it when new behaviors lead to new wins!  Curiosity is one of the most underrated, yet most powerful, leadership skills you can develop. In this episode, we dig into how curiosity can completely shift the way you lead, communicate, and connect with others. Whether you’re managing up, collaborating across, or leading your team, curiosity opens up space for real conversation, minimizes assumptions, and builds relationships that feel grounded in care and respect. When you lead with curiosity, you create connection instead of disconnection, and you let the people around you truly shine. In this episode, I walk you through five ways to use curiosity to become a more emotionally intelligent leader. We’ll talk about how to ask before assuming, how to get curious about motivations instead of just outcomes, and how curiosity can bridge differences when perspectives clash. You’ll also learn how to replace performance check-ins with curiosity-driven conversations that make your people feel seen and supported, and why modeling curiosity publicly builds trust and psychological safety at every level of your organization. Ultimately, curiosity helps you become a leader who doesn’t just manage people — but inspires them. Tune in to discover how a few thoughtful questions can transform the way you collaborate, innovate, communicate, and lead. Links Mentioned: [NOVEMBER 20th] Join my 90-minute Leadership Roundtable, Thriving in Leadership in Uncertain Times: saradean.com/roundtable [OPEN ENROLLMENT] Join Sara’s Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to giving yourself credit for your wins and accomplishments, how would you rate yourself?  Are you a strong self-promoter?  Do you share your accomplishments with others and routinely make it known that you’re up to great things?  Or, do you tend to shy away from shining too brightly in front of others? As women leaders, we’re often taught to keep our heads down, work hard, and let our results speak for themselves.  But here’s the truth: results don’t speak.  People do.  If we’re not willing to talk about our wins, we’re missing out on opportunities to advance our careers, inspire other women, and rewrite what leadership visibility looks like.  In this episode, I’m diving into why women need to brag more and how we can do it in ways that feel authentic, strategic, inspiring, and empowering to others. I’ll unpack how women consistently undersell themselves compared to men, even when they’re performing at the same or higher levels. We’ll explore how cultural conditioning, fear of backlash, and the “be humble” narrative keep women from taking rightful credit for their accomplishments. I’ll also talk about how self-promotion isn’t egotistical or arrogant, but rather a form of advocacy. It’s a way to own your impact, document your growth, and create a ripple effect that encourages other women to step into their power. You’ll walk away from this episode with tangible strategies to brag smart, from reframing your wins as stories of impact to finding ways to normalize sharing success within your teams and networks. Whether you’re climbing the ladder, leading a team, or mentoring others, this episode will help you show up more visibly, confidently, and unapologetically as the accomplished leader you already are. It’s time to stop playing small and start celebrating yourself because when women brag, we all rise. Links Mentioned: [TIME SENSITIVE] Join Sara’s Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned [VIRTUAL EVENT] Join me on November 20th for my Leadership Roundtable, Thriving in Leadership in Uncertain Times: saradean.com/roundtable Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the trickiest parts of leadership for women, and even more so for women of color, is the tension between being authentic and being “good”.  When we focus on being “good,” we often self-sacrifice and push ourselves to uphold someone else’s vision of who we “should” be as a leader.  This can be exhausting, unsustainable, and even damaging to our sense of self over time.  I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to discuss this topic with La Tonya Roberts.   La Tonya Roberts is the CEO of Harmony Consulting Group, where she transforms growth-focused organizations into high-performing businesses as a Fractional COO and HR Consultant. Drawing from 18+ years of experience across 30 countries, she helps companies scale operations, build inclusive cultures, and develop leadership teams that drive growth. Listen in to hear La Tonya share: Her pivotal moment of inviting women to be vulnerable in order to find their own form of authentic leadership Why leaders need to be “real people” to the people they lead How being vulnerable as a black single mom impacted her ability to be a more authentic leader Why leaders need to be able to see and hear what is and IS NOT being said How she made herself fit the mold of a “good leader” for many years and then broke the mold to find her authentic voice and a higher level of success How to get what you need as a woman leader to thrive in any given role.  Links Mentioned: Connect with La Tonya: harmonyconsultinggroup.org  La Tonya on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/la-tonya-roberts La Tonya on Instagram:  instagram.com/coachlatonyaroberts La Tonya on Facebook: facebook.com/coachlatonyaroberts   [TIME SENSITIVE] Join Sara’s Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who doesn’t love a roadmap or a step-by-step blueprint to get from Point A to Point B?!  Sometimes, as we are just going about our daily lives, we don’t realize that we are, in fact, following a path without even realizing it.  As I’ve been helping leaders build out intentional journeys in growth over the last few years, I’ve realized a handful of key steps that come together to create a powerful roadmap to leadership success.  When your path to leadership success is intentional rather than accidental, you position yourself for unshakable long-term success and legacy building.   I am in the process of more publicly sharing the leadership pathway I’ve been guiding my coaching clients on.  In this episode, I’m finally sharing my Shameless Leadership Ascent, a four-part roadmap to your leadership success. After seeing too many leaders with inadequate leadership development opportunities, I realized how much is being left on the table when leaders aren’t given specific growth opportunities.  I see leaders with so much untapped potential on the constant verge of burnout because they haven’t built a proper foundation from which to lead.  In my Shameless Leadership Ascent, I break down the four stages every leader needs to move through to build a leadership legacy that lives long beyond your current role: Awaken (how you see yourself), Amplify (how you share yourself), Advocate (how you bring others with you), and Advise (how you grow others). Listen in as I walk you through each stage so you can see exactly how to build your leadership legacy in a clear and conscientious way.   When leaders have a foundation of high self-awareness, strong emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of their opportunity to influence others in a positive way, they build high retention cultures that are wildly innovative, engaged, and energized.   In contrast, when leaders ascend too fast without doing the foundational work, they lead from their ego instead of wisdom - gatekeeping, relying on authority over trusting relationships, hoarding opportunities instead of opening doors, and perpetuating the toxic work environments.  These leaders create high turnover, high burnout cultures that are devoid of trust, motivation, and engagement.  While these cultures are often masked as “high-performance”, they are commonly rife with fear and dissatisfaction to the point that many employees are constantly planning their exit strategies.   Whether you're doing your own leadership development work or you're responsible for building leadership capacity in your organization, the Shameless Leadership Ascent is your roadmap to sustainable, transformative leadership. Links Mentioned: [Open Enrollment] Join Sara’s 2026 Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned Join Sara’s Next Business Coaching Cohort for Women Business Owners: https://saradean.com/influence-ignite-business-group-coaching/ Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is especially for business owners and consultants, but the themes will resonate with anyone navigating leadership in challenging times. No matter your role, the struggles we face are often more similar than different, and there’s always something to learn from the stories of others. Recently, my business coaching clients and entrepreneurial colleagues have been sharing struggles that might feel familiar:  "What sold before is not selling now." "I am ready to make a pivot, but I'm feeling nervous and unsure about how to do so." "With the online space feeling loud and saturated, I'm feeling less confident in making myself more visible." "I need to grow my team, but I'm nervous about finding the right people and/or giving up control." "I'm struggling with boundaries and communication with my team." "I'm overwhelmed and exhausted by my business + the state of the world!" Over my 22 years as a business owner, the state of the world has forced me to reimagine (and sometimes rapidly pivot) my business, my offers, and my team multiple times. After a few moments (or days) of "WTF?! Why is this happening to me?!", I've always been able to find a path forward and often have found a stronger sense of purpose and drive because of this driving mantra: I know what I'm good at. I know I can create incredible outcomes for people. I have proven that I can be endlessly adaptable and resilient in my 49 years on this planet. This time is no different. LFG. In this episode, I’ll share 3 steps you can take right now to address these struggles head-on. Because the world being extra loud and extra messy does not diminish the need for your work. In fact, it amplifies it. Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Links Mentioned: Attend Sara’s Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Join Sara’s Next Business Coaching Cohort: https://saradean.com/influence-ignite-business-group-coaching/ Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I met Michelle Desmond a few months ago at a birthday gathering for a mutual friend.  As Michelle started talking about her work in dying, death, and grief, I had question after question. I realized quickly I had to get her on the pod. I was so excited and grateful when she said yes. This is such an important topic that impacts every single human, yet very few ever talk about it. Michelle is a corporate executive turned thanatologist (expert in dying, death, and bereavement). After experiencing extensive personal losses, she chose to leave a career that included leadership roles in marketing, innovation, and line-of-business management at Verizon, T-Mobile, and Starbucks to pursue a Master of Science degree in the study of thanatology. She is passionate about bringing education, guidance, and innovation to the modern experiences of death and grief. She founded On Grief and Death LLC, through which she offers workshops and classes, 1:1 grief guidance, and consulting to businesses. She has led group and individual programs at companies, as well as the world-renowned Miraval Resort in Tucson. Michelle is an adjunct professor at Marian University, teaching master’s degree students about the role of technology in how we die and grieve. Listen in to hear Michelle share: What thanatology is and why she left a successful corporate career to go into this field The costs of living in a culture that leaves us utterly unprepared for experiencing loss, death, dying, and grief The biggest myths (and corresponding truths) about grief The costs of us not speaking more openly about grief - especially in professional spaces What would be different if we were to normalize talking about grief and loss  How companies and individuals can support others through experiences of death and loss of all types Links Mentioned:  Connect with Michelle: www.ongriefanddeath.com Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-desmond-811410/ Michelle on Substack: Death and Other Stories Get Michelle’s Book: Death and Other Stories Attend Sara’s October Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Join Sara’s Next Business Coaching Cohort (Oct-May): https://saradean.com/influence-ignite-business-group-coaching/ Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Sara, some of my newer leaders are really struggling. I know they want to shine, but they need support, and I don't have the time or skills to give them. Can you help?"  This is a conversation I've found myself in more and more over the last year. So, how did we get here?  More and more managers are being promoted into leadership roles without the training or support to succeed. In this episode, I unpack why so many emerging leaders are struggling: rapid reorgs, leaner teams, and the disappearance of formal leadership development. Then, I outline four key areas where new leaders need the most support. If you are an emerging leader in your organization, this episode will help you identify the skills you can develop to improve your leadership competence and confidence. If you are leading emerging leaders, this episode will help you more deeply understand how and why emerging leaders are struggling (often through no fault of their own) and what you can do to help them thrive. Whether you’re an executive watching your emerging leaders flounder or a brand-new manager looking for your footing, this episode offers practical insights you can use right away. The hidden forces pushing people into leadership before they’re ready The skill gaps most first-time leaders don’t even know they have Four core areas every new leader needs to master: clarity & confidence, communication, coaching and people development, and leadership resilience How to spot when your rising leaders need extra support—and how to get it for them Links Mentioned: Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks What You’ll LearnInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Lee is an executive coach who specializes in women and underrepresented leaders who are "allergic" to risky conversations and office politics. She focuses on helping them get promoted and better paid without compromising their integrity or throwing anyone under the bus. In her practice, she blends proven self-advocacy strategies with evidence-based neuroplasticity tools. For over a decade, Jamie has trained thousands of professionals in effective self-advocacy at leading organizations, including Citi, Unilever, Association of Corporate Counsel, American College of Cardiologists, UC Berkeley School of Business, and Smith College. She's also the host of the Risky Conversations podcast, where she has honest talks with thought leaders on topics often considered taboo or "too risky" at work -- negotiation, mental and reproductive health, office politics, social injustices, and unconventional ways smart women navigate their path forward despite a flawed workplace. Listen in to hear Jamie share: How deepening her understanding of herself and her identity as a Korean immigrant woman helped her become a better self-advocate when she realized she was being significantly underpaid at work How our development of self-advocacy is not just about us, but also an act of service How she overcame the assumption that women need to earn their power in order to see that women actually need to claim their power The connection between self-advocacy, shame, and power How women can use anger to activate motivation The science of successful negotiation by decentering yourself How to use Zen practices and neuroscience to inform to rewrite your internal narratives and unlock your greatest potential  Links Mentioned: Connect with Jamie: https://www.jamieleecoach.com Jamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leejieunjamie Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieleecoach Listen to Jamie’s interview with Sara on Risky Conversations: https://podcast.jamieleecoach.com/ Book: The Heart Sutra Book: Open Focus Brain Connect with Sara: saradean.com Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Public failures and fumbles are painful to say the least.  I’ve recently had a handful of clients come to me feeling crushed after making a mistake, fumbling, or failing publicly. The most prominent outcome in all of their stories? SHAME. Their instinctual behavior to manage the shame? Hide, deny, or deflect. Fun fact, people don't actually trust leaders who never admit to making mistakes. Mistakes are a demonstration of humanity, authenticity, and vulnerability. We trust people who we see as human, fallible, and REAL. We trust people who aren't afraid to take accountability. We trust people who don't shy away from saying sorry. At the end of the day, our public mistakes don’t have to be the end of our credibility. In fact, they can become a powerful part of the evolution of our growth and credibility as a leader. In this episode, I’m digging into how public fumbles can actually make you a better leader, and I’ll walk you through the four steps (borrowed from restorative justice practices) to move through mistakes in a way that builds, rather than breaks, your credibility: Take responsibility for your part in the mess. Apologize for any harm done. Share and demonstrate what you’ve learned. Commit to the steps you’ll take to do better next time. By taking these steps, you are modeling humility, integrity, strength, grace, and a healthy sense of ego. When you model these things, people trust you MORE. People see you as more credible and authentic. People feel more connected to you. You become the kind of leader people remember and emulate.  I’ll also talk about how to let go of the shame of failure as an essential step for moving forward. The reality is, being a great leader is far more about being real than being perfect. Processing the shame is part of being real and giving yourself the grace to be imperfect. If you’ve ever found yourself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons—or feared what might happen if you do—this conversation will give you a roadmap for navigating those moments with integrity, humility, and strength. Links Mentioned: Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you hear the phrase thought leader, what comes to mind? For a lot of people, it’s someone with a massive following, a bestselling book, or a keynote spot at a big conference. But here’s the truth: thought leadership isn’t about popularity, perfection, or being the smartest (or loudest!) person in the room. It’s about having the courage to share ideas that shape or shift how others think, act, or lead. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually makes someone a thought leader—and what doesn’t. I’ll walk you through some of the biggest myths about thought leadership, like the idea that you need a huge audience, massive expertise, or flawless content before you can make an impact. Spoiler: you don’t. Then, I’ll break down the traits that really define thought leadership—clarity, consistency, courage, and a commitment to service. I’ll also share examples of leaders (many without fancy titles) who are shaping culture and conversations right where they are. If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice matters enough to share publicly, or if you’ve doubted whether you’re “qualified” to be seen as a thought leader, this episode is for you. You’ll leave with practical ways to start building credibility and influence, even if you’re starting small. Thought leadership isn’t about ego or self-promotion. It’s about generosity, contribution, and showing up consistently with ideas that matter.  Anyone can be a thought leader, and your path to thought leadership can begin today! Episode Highlights: Why thought leadership is about service, not self-promotion The biggest myths (and truths!) about thought leadership The four traits that make someone a trusted and influential voice How to know if you’re already showing up as a thought leader without realizing it 5 practical steps you can take to begin sharing your ideas with more confidence and consistency Links Mentioned: Jalonni Weaver on IG: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalonniweaver/ Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A few months ago, I shared some of my personal experiences in perimenopause.  Today I am back with a big update. Since the last episode on this topic, I had a severe shift in my mental health, including a raging comeback of my lifelong anxiety and panic.  On top of this, I started having emotional responses to situations that I could tell were very much disproportionate to the situation, yet I couldn’t seem to talk myself out of severe and dark emotional states. Initially, I thought this was all due to general life stress and the relentless state of the world. After a few months of waking up in sheer panic night after night, I asked my doctor if we could recheck my hormones. WOW, did those lab results paint a picture!  I received my lab results via email on a Friday afternoon. Since my follow-up with my doctor wasn’t until the next week, I did what any anxiety-ridden perimenopausal 49-year-old woman would do. I went straight to my pal, Chatty (ie: ChatGPT). Chatty broke everything down for me and told me that, based on my lab work, I was very likely in the final stages of perimenopause or early stages of menopause. Chatty also noted that my lack of estrogen (which was so low it literally did not register on the lab work) may have me experiencing the following: Tearfulness or crying more easily Feeling raw, edgy, or like your “emotional skin is thinner” Mood crashes that feel out of proportion to the trigger Moments of despair or hopelessness that feel unfamiliar Feeling more reactive or “on edge” without clear cause Loss of resilience in situations you used to handle with ease CHECK. CHECK. CHECK. CHECK. I didn’t even realize how incredibly awful I had been feeling until I saw this list and realized that every single item was ME! I took the list to my husband, who lovingly verified that he had seen this all in me in recent months and shared, “You really haven’t been yourself for a while.” The next week, I had my lab review appointment with my doctor, who told me, “We are going to fast-track HRT for you. You need estrogen asap!” She called in my prescription and warned me that it would take a few weeks, maybe longer, before I noticed any significant changes in how I felt.   I put on my first hormone patch at 4 pm on a Tuesday. By Wednesday at 8 am, I felt like a new woman! I felt energetic, optimistic, motivated, and at ease. No panic, no anxiety. The sun shone brighter, the chirping birds made me smile (instead of annoying me), I didn’t want to scream at my family for no reason, and I couldn’t wait to tackle my To Do List for the day. I immediately realized how horrible my quality of life had become over the last few months. In short, HRT brought me back to myself in 16 hours.   In this episode, I share more of my story and provide a few recommendations for you to get the proper support during your own perimenopause/menopause journey. I’m so lucky to have a fantastic doctor, which I know is not the case for so many women. I hope my story will help you find the support you need during this season. If you are a woman between the ages of 35 and 55, this episode is for you!  Links Mentioned: Join my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Shameless Leadership Ep 924: More Talking About Menopause Please Dr. Mary Claire Haver on IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Empathy is one of the most critical leadership skills we can have—but like any strength, it can become a liability when it’s out of balance. In this episode, I’m diving into the dangers of both too much and too little empathy as a leader. Because here’s the truth: leaders without enough empathy lose trust, connection, and team cohesion… but leaders with too much empathy risk burnout, decision fatigue, and losing their leadership edge. We will dig into what happens when empathy turns into emotional over-functioning, when we’re not just feeling with our people, but we’re carrying their feelings as our own. This is especially common for leaders who are natural caretakers or people-pleasers, or who’ve been taught that being liked equals being effective. I’ll also break down how leaders with too little empathy often miss opportunities to connect, inspire, and build loyalty. Most importantly, I’ll walk you through practical ways to find your Goldilocks “just right” empathy zone. You’ll learn how to be compassionate without losing your boundaries, how to acknowledge people’s experiences without absorbing their emotions, and how to lead with both heart and backbone. This is the work of becoming a leader who is deeply human and deeply effective. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re caring too much—or not enough—about the emotional side of leadership, this conversation will help you recalibrate so you can lead with clarity, confidence, and courage. Links Mentioned: Register for Sara’s October Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I was thrilled to interview Themba Dayton, whom I was introduced to by Elena Joy Thurston, a past guest of the show and a friend. When I learned about Themba’s track record in building and guiding diverse teams, I immediately had a ton of questions for him. This conversation is a treasure trove of sage advice around the power of diversity in professional environments and why diverse teams will always have a leg up, no matter the state of the world.   Themba Dayton is a 30-year insurance professional in the employee benefits industry, living in the Pacific Northwest. In an industry that is known for being overwhelmingly male, Themba has been a part of and has had the honor of leading extremely diverse and dynamic teams that have been innovative and successful in their roles. Teams at their best are varied, have full engagement, and the group is committed to the success of the whole more often than the success of the individual. In his current role, Themba looks for opportunities to ensure all voices are allowed to be heard, to allow for more robust discussions, and to pave the way for more meaningful outcomes. Listen in to hear Themba share: How to leverage diversity to build effective and successful teams His secret in helping each member of diverse teams feel seen, heard, held, and valued - getting to know each person individually, developing strong 1:1 relationships How he is sensitive to his industry being “pale, male, and stale” and how he, as a Black man, leads with this sensitivity in mind How he looks for opportunities to amplify women’s voices How highlighting someone else not only amplifies their voice but also helps you shine brighter as a strong leader Links Mentioned: Connect with Themba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themba-dayton-ab956b5/ Register for Sara’s October Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself staring down a big decision, maybe making a move, a new job offer, a promotion, or even staying in a role that no longer fits — and thought, “How do I know if this is the right move?” In this episode, I walk you through four powerful questions I ask myself (and my clients) before making a big personal or professional decision. These questions help cut through the noise, slow down the overthinking spiral, and get you grounded in what you truly want and need. I will walk you through these questions, applying them to an example from my personal life, and then use a professional example that will likely be familiar to you. This episode will help you become a better decision maker and action taker, providing objective clarity to get you through tough decisions. Being able to make value-aligned decisions, guided by simple questions, will enhance your leadership, save you a ton of decision fatigue and mental energy, and open up space for you to do more of your best work.  In this episode, you will learn: The question I ask that always brings me back to clarity How to assess if a decision is additive or draining Why getting honest about the costs of a yes is just as important as the benefits How to make choices from purpose, not pressure Whether you’re weighing a big move or a small shift, this episode will help you trust yourself more in the process. Links Mentioned: Register for Sara’s October Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having a boss who causes harm or holds leadership values that clash with yours is rarely a positive experience. But time and again, I’ve seen how negative role models can motivate people to lead better and do better. Poor leadership often sparks a commitment to do things differently and more effectively as we grow. So maybe, in the long run, even bad leaders leave us with something valuable? When I learned of Dr. Karen Hills Pruden’s work in leadership, partly inspired by her experience of having endured two incompetent leaders in close succession, I was eager to hear her story and learn from her.  In this episode, she shares her incredibly valuable lessons learned. Dr. Pruden is the CEO of Pruden Global Business Solutions Consulting (PGBSC), a premier professional development and leadership training company. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Pruden has created trademarked frameworks that drive transformational change for leaders and organizations worldwide.  PGBSC programs are built on powerful, proven methodologies, including the Amplify Your Value framework, which helps leaders leverage their expertise to advance; the LPT (Learn, Practice, Teach) framework, designed to create a continuous cycle of learning and growth; and the PE (Professional Equity) framework, which empowers professionals to convert their experience into measurable business success.  Pruden Global specializes in cultivating leadership excellence, ensuring that our clients are not only seen and heard but also positioned to make a lasting impact.  Dr. Pruden is a Bestselling Author, published over 30 times, a sought-after Global Leadership Speaker, and a guest on radio, podcasts, and television. Listen in to hear Karen share: What women really need to make the leap into the C-suite, and how women sell themselves short when reaching for C-suite roles  What she learned about the “Dos and Don’ts of Leadership” after having two incompetent leaders in two years Her philosophy that “silence is not a superpower” and how to use your voice in strategic ways when you’re working under an ineffective or incompetent leader How to maintain your professional integrity and motivation when faced with leadership that doesn’t align with your organization’s values or your own leadership standards  How her experiences with poor leaders allowed her to create her own leadership methodologies and frameworks Links Mentioned: Register for Sara’s October Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Dr. Pruden: drkarenhillpruden.com Get Dr. Pruden’s Free Download: 20 Things to Ask for to Raise Your Total Compensation Package: https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=d2fcc364-e93d-46fc-9eb3-2d7145a99535 Connect with Dr. Pruden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkarenhillspruden/ Sister Leaders Community: sistersleadersconference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last year, Google invited me to come lead trainings for Aging Awareness Week. This was a truly enjoyable opportunity to work with some brilliant leaders. When I asked about who to expect in the audience, I expected to be told, “People over 55.” Instead, I was told, “This ERG is for folks over 40.”  40!  I don’t think of 40 as “aging” just yet. But, I guess it is when society and culture start to stigmatize us, isn’t it??   If you are a woman over 40 who is done shrinking and ready to lead with the clarity, power, and confidence that comes from your decades of wisdom, with zero apologies, this episode is for you! In this episode, I’m speaking directly to women over 40 who are ready to start leading with the full force of their lived experience. I know what it feels like to be in rooms where youth, speed, and loud voices are mistaken for leadership - but I’m here to tell you that your depth, clarity, wisdom, perspective, and emotional intelligence are exactly what’s needed right now. We’re not the past. We are the future of work. And, data backs this up: 42% of labor force growth in the next decade will come from people 55 and older, mostly women. Together, we’ll explore how to navigate the double bind of age and gender, where you’re expected to stay relevant but not be perceived as “too much.” I identify the forces at play (such as the intersectionality of ageism and sexism) and provide tools to help you reclaim your space with power and intention. You’ll hear how your ability to read a room, speak with clarity, and lead for legacy, not ego, is your greatest asset. Your ability to listen deeply, ask better questions, and build meaningful collaborative (not competitive) relationships? That’s the edge younger leaders are still learning. This episode is your reminder that you don’t need to fight for a seat at the table—you are the table. Your leadership is expansive, rooted, sturdy, and deeply needed. So if you’ve been waiting for permission to own the room, this is it. Links Mentioned: Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Article: Five Facts on Older Women in the Labor Market Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the world feels heavy and hard, it can feel wrong or even selfish to feel joy amidst the suffering. But in this episode, we explore a powerful reframe: What if joy is not an escape, but an act of resistance or perhaps even revenge? As a leader, what if reclaiming your joy isn’t just allowed—it’s essential? As I’ve witnessed global unraveling happening alongside so many people’s individual pain and heartbreak, I’ve seen firsthand how joy has shown up not in spite of this season, but through this season and these events. In this episode, we dismantle three major myths about joy and leadership, including the belief that modeling joy is tone-deaf or that it diminishes the seriousness of the world’s pain. Instead, I make a compelling case for why joy is a mental health necessity, a leadership superpower, and a radical tool for personal and collective resilience. Backed by neuroscience and wisdom from some brilliant people who work in the field of joy and resilience research, this episode explores how joy rewires your brain (literally), boosts your team’s ability to thrive, and helps you lead with more presence, empathy, and clarity, even when everything feels uncertain. You’ll walk away with six tangible joy practices, such as joy hits, daily rituals, and joy-driven leadership tools, that will help you cultivate joy that is not only supportive of your own mental and physical health but contagious to those around you. Joy is not a betrayal of the pain. It’s a balm. It’s a strategy. It’s your birthright—and it might just be your most powerful form of leadership. Links Mentioned: Women Business Owners, join me for a free business-building workshop on July 16th, Focused & Fierce: Lead with Purpose and Build Your Business in a Noisy World: saradean.com/fierce Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Book: Joy is My Justice by Tanmeet Sethi Book: Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit Book: Ritual Roadmap by Erica Keswin Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When I decided to start inviting guests onto Shameless Leadership, I immediately knew I wanted my dear friend and speaking colleague Elena Joy to join me. The work Elena Joy does around inclusion always captivates me. She is smart, witty, and strategic in all the best ways - as you’ll hear in this conversation. She knows what needs to be done to get the work done. Her unflinching commitment to tackling tough conversations while upholding human dignity always blows me away. While her knowledge around inclusion and its connection to burnout is robust, her methods for tackling challenges where these areas intersect are approachable and welcoming. This is all to say, Elena Joy makes me want to be a better human, and I suspect she will have the same impact on you.   In an official capacity, Elena Joy Thurston, she/her, is the CEO of LATITUDE, a boutique HR consultancy specializing in creating sustainable leadership pipelines through burnout prevention and emerging leader programs. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, her viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has attracted clients such as the Denver Broncos, Peloton, and Planned Parenthood. She is featured in the award-winning documentary CONVERSION, recently launched on AppleTV and Amazon. Elena Joy lives in Arizona with her four children and spends her spare time dreaming of her next fly-fishing trip. Listen in to hear Elena share: How she saw the writing on the wall with DEI and made an intentional pivot in her work in order to continue to achieve her goals around inclusion in the workplace  The truth about the state of DEI - what has been taken from us and what we still have to work with, and what it all means in terms of sustainable leadership  How understanding our co-workers' identities opens the door to communication and decreases burnout What burnout looks like in 2025 and how it looks different for Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z How burnout is universal and individual at the same time The importance of creating positive emotional experiences to counter the feelings that trigger your burnout How to use the Release & Restore Method to shift your energy daily, weekly, monthly, yearly Links Mentioned: Women Business Owners, join me for a free business-building workshop on July 16th, Focused & Fierce: Lead with Purpose and Build Your Business in a Noisy World: saradean.com/fierce Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Work with Elena Joy: https://latitudeleaders.com/ Get Elena Joy’s Free Burnout Starter Kit: https://latitudeleaders.com/burnoutstarterkit Attend Elena Joy’s Free Office Hours: http://joyfulofficehours.com Latitude Leaders on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-leaders/ Latitude Leaders on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latitudeleaders Elena Joy on on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/ Elena Joy on Instragram https://www.instagram.com/elenajoyspeaks/ Elena Joy’s TEDx talk on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rIhPZMC4UEg Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes your boss is the biggest obstacle to your leadership growth. Whether they’re dismissive, manipulative, or flat-out toxic, their behavior or opinion of you does not define your worth. After watching too many women leaders suffer under harmful male leadership recently, it feels crucial to share actionable strategies to help you trust your instincts and keep your intuition grounded in truth. It’s time for you to reclaim your power even in environments designed to diminish it.When your boss won’t advocate for you, it’s time to advocate for yourself—boldly and strategically. In this episode, I share how to get visible beyond your direct boss, surround yourself with mentors and allies, and cultivate your leadership brand regardless of what your boss says (or doesn’t say) about you. You’ll learn how to set unapologetic boundaries, document manipulative behavior, and protect your emotional safety.  We talk about how to navigate power dynamics with intention. By understanding your boss’s motivations and insecurities, you can learn to protect your own energy and make more informed, strategic choices about how to engage. This clarity will allow you to choose your battles wisely, preserve your peace, and lead yourself first. In doing so, you will model a more grounded and powerful style of leadership for those around you, even in the absence of support from above.Remember, you always have a choice. Sometimes, navigating a “strategic stay” is the right move for right now. Other times, the best thing you can do is leave.  This episode is an invitation for you to consider what growth, alignment, and success look like on your terms. Because even when you’re being held down, you are still leading.  Your job is not to shrink in the shadows of someone else’s smallness. Your job is to stand tall in your truth, build your brand, and be the leader of your life. Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com. Links Mentioned: Women Business Owners, join me for a free business building workshop on July 16th, Focused & Fierce: Lead with Purpose and Build Your Business in a Noisy World: saradean.com/fierce Hire me to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with me: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices