Today, on the Lead Well podcast I am joined by Professor Maura McAdam, a globally recognised expert on entrepreneurship, gender, and leadership.

Maura is a Professor of Management at Dublin City University (DCU) and Director of Entrepreneurship at the university. She has spent her career challenging traditional narratives around entrepreneurship, examining how gender, identity, and power dynamics shape access to funding, networks, and leadership opportunities.

Her research has covered everything from women’s entrepreneurship and venture accelerators to business model innovation and entrepreneurial identity. Maura has been named among the top 2% of global researchers for impact and is a sought-after voice on how we need to redefine success in leadership and business.

In today’s conversation, we’ll explore:
The myth of the ‘underperforming female entrepreneur’—why the real issue isn’t capability, but systemic bias.
How start-up culture and venture accelerators reward a narrow, hyper-competitive leadership style—excluding those who don’t fit the mould.
Why success in entrepreneurship shouldn’t always be measured by rapid scaling and aggressive growth.
How leaders can sustain high performance without burning out.

If you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone who wants to challenge outdated leadership models, this episode is for you.