In this episode, hosts Archita and Olivia are joined by the remarkable Elaine Lin Hering – a celebrated author, adept facilitator, and engaging public speaker. Together, they delve deep into the realm of leadership, shedding light on varying leadership styles and their consequent impacts on teams. Elaine, brings a fresh perspective to the conventional leadership discourse, emphasizing the essence of communication and inclusivity in fostering a thriving workplace environment.

The episode challenges the often touted advice of “just speaking up”, as it overlooks the ingrained culture of silence and the inadvertent silencing by leaders. It explores how societal norms and power dynamics shape our communication styles, often favoring those in positions of authority. Elaine propounds that being vocal manifests differently for everyone, and hence, a one-size-fits-all approach is futile. She stresses on the necessity for leaders to disrupt these entrenched systems to foster a truly inclusive ambiance.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

1. The three-fold process of unlearning silence: personal endeavor to speak up, leaders recognizing their silencing actions, and identifying systemic suppressions of underrepresented voices.

2. The collective responsibility in challenging the culture of silence – when silence perpetuates, it sets a precedent, thereby underscoring the power each individual holds to break this cycle.

3. Embracing your unique perspective by owning your domain, which paves the way for authentic communication.

4. A warning against lazy leadership and the babble theory - valuing diverse communication styles and avoiding the pitfall of equating verbosity with leadership competency.

5. The journey towards inclusive leadership necessitates a shift in communication approaches, aligning them with the needs of team members, rather than forcing a singular style.

6. A self-reflective practice of continuously questioning ‘what do I want’, aiding in recultivating one’s voice and adapting to evolving desires.

7. The lifelong journey of healing from silence, underscored by a cycle of action, learning, pivoting, and re-action.

As a precursor to her enlightening discourse, Elaine invites listeners to pre-order her transformative book, “Unlearning Silence”, available via the link below. This paradigm-altering read unveils the ubiquitous nature of silence and provides a roadmap to dismantling it, thereby empowering individuals to find and express their voice both personally and professionally.

>> Pre-order “Unlearning Silence” here.

About Embracing "ONLY"

Welcome to Embracing Only, the podcast dedicated to empowering women in the workplace by sharing inspiring stories from diverse women who’ve defied the odds in their careers.

Each episode spotlights women in leadership, providing insights into their journeys and the leadership skills they’ve developed along the way. With a focus on career development for women of color, we offer actionable career advice for women to help them navigate challenges and thrive professionally. 

Join us as we create a supportive community for women to rise, claim their power, thrive as "an only" in the workplace, and lead with purpose.