Leading Women in Tech Podcast

Let’s talk neuroscience (and leadership, of course)! Join me for this enlightening conversation with Dr. Hayley Nelson, a passionate neuroscientist and professor, who dives deep into the intricacies of how our brains operate and the neuroscience of being a great leader. In this episode, Dr. Hayley shares her personal journey, detailing how overcoming a traumatic experience led her to pursue a career in neuroscience, despite having other early ambitions. We discuss the difference between the brain and the mind, how to rewire our brains to change our outlook, and embracing resistance as a crucial part of creating lasting change in mindset or habits. We dive into the mindset of optimism vs. toxic positivity, instilling an effective mindset in your team, productivity insights from a neuroscience perspective, and embracing & managing neurodivergent team members. Ready to learn how neuroscience can transform your approach to leadership and personal growth? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: **Useful links** https://academyofneuro.comhttps://www.academyofneuro.com/stress-brainhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bewellwithdrhayley/https://www.instagram.com/bewellwithdrhayley/https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode202Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

It’s time to seek the rewards you deserve! Let’s talk about negotiation - a core skill essential for your career success. In this episode, I dive into useful strategies for negotiating your worth and how to own your value regarding salary, recognition, and advancement opportunities. I discuss my top tips for negotiating compensation, handling job offers (counter and multiple), and positioning yourself for advancement. But it’s not just the practical tools you need, we’ll dive into the mindset around owning your value, understanding your limits, and overcoming the specific negotiation challenges faced by women in tech, ensuring you can advocate effectively for the compensation and opportunities you deserve. Ready for the actionable tips to help you reach your next salary goal or dream role? It’s time to understand your worth and master the art of negotiation. Let’s go to the show! I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode201YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

Ready to dive into the empowering journeys of three extraordinary women in tech? In today’s episode, I invite three amazing women I have the honor of supporting to dive into their experiences, insights, and triumphs through the lens of executive coaching. Lindsay, Allison, and Jennifer candidly share their motivations for seeking executive coaching, its transformative impact on their professional development, and powerful career lessons around overcoming imposter syndrome, burnout, gender bias, and more. We explore the pivotal moments that led them to join The Lit Up Leadership Academy, the biggest successes they've achieved, and the one thing they wish they had known about themselves a decade ago. Join us to uncover the importance of embracing one's identity, confronting self-doubt, and cultivating resilience in the face of adversity - you don’t want to miss these valuable leadership insights & strategies! We dive into: **Useful links** https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-kulzer/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferepeters/https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmwilliams/https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode200YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

The glass ceiling concept is well known in the world of work, especially in male-dominated fields like tech. But what about its lesser-known counterpart - the glass microphone? Many of us have felt the frustration of not being heard or taken seriously, our ideas dismissed before we can fully express them. This glass microphone barrier can hurt our career advancement and lead to stress and burnout. Let’s talk about how you can break through this communication barrier in your tech leadership! In today’s episode, I explore how to recognize the presence of the glass microphone and why honing your communication skills is crucial as a woman in tech. From strategies for thinking on your feet to navigating gender biases in communication, I give you practical tips to break the glass microphone and ensure you are heard at work. I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode199Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

Mindful leadership is powerful leadership! Let’s talk about the power of mindfulness and how cultivating presence in your leadership will benefit your professional journey. In today’s episode, I dive into the important role mindfulness plays in leadership development and elevating your executive presence - and how to cultivate it! I explore how key elements of executive presence such as adaptability, strategic vision, and confident communication can be improved through mindfulness, and the practical steps you can take toward more presence in these areas to become a more mindful leader. Ready to use mindfulness to elevate your executive presence and transform your leadership? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode198Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

If you’re interested in being a leader that promotes a sustainable, enjoyable, and nurturing work environment, prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion is a must. In today’s episode, I invite Jacqui Barrett, CEO of Wider Thinking, to share her inspiring career journey and passion for fostering inclusive workplaces and driving organizational change. We dive into an important discussion on equity diversity and inclusion (EDI) and share actionable insights on creating nurturing work environments, implementing strategies like flexible working arrangements to promote diversity, and overcoming burnout as we strive to apply EDI in our careers. Ready to explore why EDI is essential for organizational success and leave inspired to build a more inclusive and equitable workplace? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: **Useful links** jacqui@widerthinking.comwww.widerthinking.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquibarrettwiderthinking/ Pachinko by Min Jin Leehttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode197YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

It’s time to shift the narrative, to recognize that being in a perpetual state of hustle isn’t the key to success - it’s a catalyst for burnout. In today’s episode, I explore the cost of constant hustle and why, contrary to popular belief, it’s not the path to greatness in your leadership career. Join me as I disprove the myths surrounding overwork and dive into solutions, from realistic goal setting to the importance of delegation and healthy boundaries. Ready for the actionable leadership steps you can take to combat burnout and foster a healthier, more sustainable work environment? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode196Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

Let’s talk about the powerful approach to leadership - “Hold, Don’t Carry”. In this episode, HR veteran turned Executive Coach, Lindsay White, joins me to discuss learning to hold space without shouldering undue burdens and how this skill sets great leaders apart. We dive into the nuances of holding emotional space as a leader, cultivating resilience and stamina by “not carrying”, using lead and lag measures effectively, and the roles accountability and delegation hold within the "Hold, Don't Carry" paradigm. Join us for our top tips on how to implement this approach with self-care and empathy and an insightful discussion on how this leadership skill can uplevel your executive presence. We dive into: **Useful links** www.highvoltageleadership.cahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-white-high-voltage/https://www.instagram.com/highvoltleadership/The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohlhttps://www.tonicollis.com/episode65https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode195Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

Ever found yourself lost in a complex presentation? Maybe you’ve been the presenter and the audience looked a bit confused? If you want to be an effective senior leader, communicating complex ideas in a simple way is a key skill. In this episode, we’re talking about communicating complex ideas with simplicity, the biggest traps to avoid, and the tools and tips to help you overcome this common leadership hurdle. Ready to make sure your words are hitting the mark? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode194YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

Failure can be a fascinating contributor to our career success or career hurdles - and it’s determined by the way we look at it. Let’s talk about failure and learning to look at it differently. In this week’s episode, I invite recovering investment banker and life coach, Lydia Bai, to discuss failure, how her toxic relationship with achievement impacted her ability to thrive at work, and how burnout, imposter syndrome, motivation, and self confidence can all be linked to the way we perceive our failure. Ready to shift how you see the failures in your career so you can use them for good? Let’s go to the show. We dive into: **Useful links** www.lydiabai.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiabai/What to do with failureGideon the Ninth byTamsyn Muirhttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode193Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack This episode was sponsored by our guest, Lydia. Thank you Lydia for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Today, I want to share a very special and personal episode with you as I honor my dad and tell you about the powerful impact he had on me and others, and how these leadership lessons can bring insight to your own life and leadership journey. This is a somewhat unusual episode — after all, we don’t normally talk about men on this show. And my Dad was certainly not in Tech! But I hope this episode inspires you with new ideas, and new ways of thinking, as well as a few ways to learn from those around you even if they aren’t intending to ‘teach’ you in any form. I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode192Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

Do you have dreams that seem out of reach or outside the traditional path your education or experience should lead you? If you have dreams of being in the boardroom, achieving a senior leadership role, or you’re already there but keep getting shut down or shut out, this episode is for you. This week, I invite Financial Capital Executive in HR, Julie Tschida Brown, to talk to us about whether or not you should “stay in your lane” and how to properly understand and contribute to the business you’re in so you can reach your highest career goals. Ready to step OUT of your lane and into the boardroom? Let’s go to the show. We dive into: **Useful links** LinkedInDamsel in Distressed: My Life in the Golden Age of Hedge Funds by Dominique MielleThe Diamond Eye by Kate Quinnhttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyYoutube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack This episode was sponsored by our guest, Julie. Thank you, Julie, for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

What is workplace trauma, and what can you do about it? Let’s talk about workplace trauma, how it affects us and our teams, and what organizations and leaders need to know to support themselves and others through it. We often associate trauma with more obvious experiences such as car crashes, the loss of a loved one, or something far worse. However, the sad reality is that trauma is a universal workplace phenomenon and needs to be acknowledged. In today’s episode, I discuss the 4 main contributors to workplace trauma, exploring the symptoms you might see in yourself or your team, and how to respond as a leader to prioritize your and your team’s well-being. I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode190YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

It’s time for an important discussion about AI and the role we need to be playing in 2024 as women in the tech industry. In today’s episode, I invite Sonal Shah, Barclays Vice President, coach, and author of Amazon bestseller “She Chose Tech”, to discuss her non-traditional background and journey to tech and how you can leverage allies, mentors & sponsors to thrive in your tech leadership career. We dive into topics like closing the gap for women in tech and how to tackle the current AI leadership problem in our industry. Ready for the resiliency tools you need to thrive during the surge of AI and break barriers as a woman in this male-dominated industry? We dive into: **Useful links** https://shechosetech.com/https://www.instagram.com/shechosetechhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalshahtechdiversity/https://www.tiktok.com/@sonalsmile25https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode189Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack This episode was sponsored by our guest, Sonal. Thank you, Sonal for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Boundaries underpin our professional success and can determine longevity in our careers. Are yours in the right place? Let’s talk about personal boundaries for professional success. In today’s episode, I discuss why developing boundaries is so crucial for our tech careers, what happens when we don’t maintain them, and how to create a boundary toolkit of your own to ensure you’re mitigating burnout and building a sustainable leadership career that you love. Ready to set your priorities at work, and learn the magic of boundaries? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: **Useful links** Episode 156: The Art Of Saying Nohttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode188YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

Are you being passive-aggressive at work? Let’s talk about passive-aggressive behavior and its role in our careers as we grow and develop in our leadership. In today’s episode, I discuss examples of passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace, what we need to be doing as leaders to prevent the damage this can cause, and helpful strategies for understanding and navigating this dynamic in your career. Ready for the tools you need to shift from passive aggression at work to more trust, morale, and overall productivity? Join me for this one. I dive into: **Useful links** Avoid these 5 phrases that make you sound passive aggressivehttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode187YoutubeLeading Women in Tech community in Slack

Are you walking in your full color at work? Let’s talk about embracing your differences as a woman in tech! In today’s episode, I invite Vice President and Digital Business Transformation Leader, Shikha Bajaj, to talk to us about “owning your color” and how you can show up as who you really are at work (and succeed and thrive while doing it). We dive into mentorship, breaking barriers, and lifting each other up our way to the top. Ready to show up as the best version of yourself in your career? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: **Useful links** https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikha-bajaj1/https://www.facebook.com/youownyourcolorhttps://www.ownyourcolor.comhttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode186Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack This episode was sponsored by our guest, Shikha Bajaj. Thank you Shikha for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Is there something holding you back from getting your company off the ground? Let’s talk about the startup dream and how to make it a reality! In today’s episode, I invite HR Consultant Amy Cell to share her wisdom on all things startups! We dive into the KEY considerations if you’re considering your first startup, identifying your fears (and how to avoid them from stopping you), and setting yourself up for the best chance of success. Ready to take the journey towards a successful startup? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: **Useful links** www.AmyCellTalent.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amycell/https://www.linkedin.com/company/amy-cell-llchttps://a.co/d/7nqIO4hhttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode185Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack This episode was sponsored by our guest, Amy Cell. Thank you Amy for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

The job hunt has changed, my love. If you’re looking for a job in 2024, it might be time for an action plan specific to today’s market to set you apart from the competition. Let’s talk about what you need to know to succeed in your job hunt this year! In this episode, I’m sharing the 7 most critical mistakes to avoid in the 2024 job market to make sure you get what you want and don’t miss out on any dream opportunities. Ready to stand out and land that next role? Let’s go to the show! I dive into: **Useful links** https://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode184Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack

As a business leader, I embrace failure. I encourage my team to try new things and learn from their mistakes. But when does this strategy stop working? Can failure truly be BAD for business? Let’s talk about the culture of “fail fast” and if your business or career is paying too high a cost for failure. In this episode, I invite Debbie Lovett, MBA and CFO of Delta CX, to challenge our ideas on failure as she dives into the high costs companies are paying for a culture that glorifies failure and ultimately ignores the customers’ needs. Ready to understand where failure should be embraced and when it’s bad for business? Let’s go to the show! We dive into: **Useful links** https://deltacx.com/https://www.youtube.com/@cx-cchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/debbielevitt/Deceptive Patterns: Exposing the Tricks Tech Companies Use to Control You by Harry Brignullhttps://www.tonicollis.com/academyhttps://tonicollis.com/episode183Youtube Leading Women in Tech community in Slack This episode was sponsored by our guest, Debbie Levitt. Thank you Debbie for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!