In this Lead to Soar Network session, Michelle Redfern breaks down why strategic networking isn’t just a nice-to-have for ambitious women—it’s non-negotiable if you want influence, visibility, and advancement. Michelle shares practical tips, real talk about the barriers women face, and why “drinking from the fire hydrant” (aka, her sessions) is exactly what’s needed to shift from endless busywork to genuine leadership presence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why traditional networking advice fails women

• The difference between busywork and strategic visibility

• How to audit your own network using Michelle’s Leadership Compass tool

• Simple steps to map, upgrade, and activate your leadership network

• How to move from “nice, dependable” to “visible, credible, promotable”

• Michelle’s story: building a life and network by design (with a shout-out to Bali & Kerry Ashbrook)

Resources Mentioned

• The Leadership Compass: Michelle’s essential guide for women who want more than ‘networking for networking’s sake’ www.michelleredfern.com/books

• Exclusive resource for Lead to Soar members: Strategic Network Mapping Tool (from Michelle’s book) 

Lead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, it delivers evidence-based, practical advice on leadership, career progression, and closing the gender gap. Join the Lead to Soar Network at leadtosoar.network or get Michelle’s book The Leadership Compass at michelleredfern.com/book.

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