Shameless Leadership

Sara Dean
  • 4.3 (10)
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  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Shameless Leadership Podcast

Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging. In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader. Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    904: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: How Extroverted Leaders Can Include Introverts

    In a culture that values and rewards outward confidence and assertive communication, it’s not surprising that extroverts tend to rise to the top as leaders more predominantly than introverts. Extroverts are commonly outgoing, charismatic, and less socially inhibited than introverts in group settings. While this may sound grand if you were born an extrovert, the downside to extroversion is that extroverts can take up so much space, they don’t leave space for others. As leaders, extroverts can be dismissive of introverts and miss significant opportunities to pass the mic, open the floor to other voices, and allow others to feel seen, heard, and valued. In this episode, I dig into some of the risks associated with extroverted leadership, from overbearing communication to lackluster listening skills to overlooking others to general impatience in team environments.   I promise I’m not here to judge you. If you’re an extroverted leader who might be the loudest one in the room sometimes, know that I stand beside you. Sometimes I am you. Together, we can take our gifts and make them work for ourselves and for others. This will likely take some self-awareness and honing new skills. But, if you want to be an inclusive leader who holds space for everyone in the room, this is your job.   As your self-awareness grows, you will likely realize that you have so many valuable lessons to learn from your introverted counterparts. Introverts often have the sage wisdom that you can’t quite harness in high-stress moments. They are keen observers who see things you and I don’t see. And, their ideas and opinions are often exactly the missing pieces you’ve been looking for - if you just get quiet enough to let them speak.   Extroverted leaders can be more inclusive of introverts by adopting strategies that create space for different work styles, encourage diverse contributions, and foster a more balanced team dynamic. In this episode, I talk through specific strategies to foster safety and trust in order to create spaces where extroverts and introverts can communicate and thrive side by side.  As extroverted leaders, we have a lot to say. But our ideas are not better and are not more important. Let’s make sure we are holding space for all voices so we may all benefit from everyone’s gifts.   Link mentioned:  Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  2. SEPT 3

    903: Why Women Leaders at All Levels Struggle with Confidence

    The difference in self-assurance between men and women, particularly in professional settings, is called the confidence gap. This gap describes how, despite equal or even greater competence, women tend to underestimate their abilities and hesitate to pursue leadership roles, promotions, or high-stakes opportunities compared to men. In this powerful episode, I dive into the challenges women in leadership face when it comes to building and maintaining confidence. I examine how gender bias, social conditioning, and systemic barriers contribute to the confidence gap that impacts women leaders at every level. A few of the reasons women leaders struggle with confidence: Gender Bias and Social Conditioning: Women are often subjected to cultural expectations and stereotypes that create unrealistic standards. This societal pressure fosters doubt, insecurity, and a lack of confidence in leadership roles. The Social Constructs of Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism: Many women leaders struggle with worthiness, feeling as if they don’t deserve their success. Perfectionism compounds this, leading to a constant sense of inadequacy. Lack of Representation and Support: The scarcity of women in leadership positions results in fewer mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, leaving women feeling isolated and unsupported. Microaggressions: Everyday words, actions, and undermining behaviors perpetrated by those with more power than you that may seem minor, but over time, reflect an abusive environment that greatly erodes the confidence and well-being of women leaders. Confidence doesn’t have to remain elusive. Together, we will unpack gender bias, social conditioning, and societal constructs that undermine women’s confidence while also exploring actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles. You will walk away from this episode ready to find a strong network of women leaders, take steps to own the confidence that is your birthright and practice new communication skills that allow you to not only shine more brightly but also feel more bright as you shine in your various roles in work and life. Link mentioned:  Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership/sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  3. AUG 27

    902: 5 Steps to Build Your Personal Leadership Brand

    Building a powerful and intentional personal leadership brand is essential to your leadership legacy. Whether you're an emerging leader or a leader looking to refine your current leadership style, this episode will give you actionable steps to create a personal leadership brand that aligns with your core values and allows you to make greater ripples of impact as you lead. We explore the following key questions to help guide your journey: What do you want to be known for as a leader? What legacy are you intentionally building right now? What are your current personal and leadership values, and how are you incorporating them into your work? Here are 5 steps you can work through to build your personal leadership brand: Identify the values you want to embody and uphold as a leader Reflect on the values that matter most to you and how you want to embody them as a leader. These values will form the foundation of your personal leadership brand. Determine how these values make you stand out as a leader Understand how your unique values overlap with your strengths, talents, and gifts to differentiate you from other leaders. Conduct a values assessment Check in on how you are currently leading with your values and determine where there is room for growth to incorporate your values into your leadership in ways that allow your personal leadership brand to shine. Take small steps to embody these values Start making intentional choices that reflect the leader you want to be. Small, consistent actions over time build trust, likeability, and credibility. This is how you build your leadership capital over time.   Practice pausing in high-stress moments In times of pressure, take a breath and a pause to reflect on how you want to show up. In this pause, you have the chance to recall your values and make a decision through the lens of your values instead of high emotions.  By taking the time to define what you stand for and practicing the embodiment of these values, you can craft a personal leadership brand that reflects your true identity and creates a lasting legacy. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  4. AUG 20

    901: Why Women Need to Take up Space at Work

    Today is the day! The first episode of Shameless Leadership is LIVE. I couldn’t be more excited!   In this first episode of Shameless Leadership, I dig into one of my very favorite topics: why women need to take up more space. This is a topic I have been passionate about for a long time now. In fact, you’ve likely heard me rant about it before. It feels like the perfect topic to kick off this new show for women leaders.  Recent data overwhelmingly tells us that the number of women in leadership still doesn’t come close to representing the number of women in society.  According to Leanin.org’s Women in the Workplace 2023 Report: Women represent roughly 1 in 4 C-suite leaders, and women of color just 1 in 16. Progress for early-career Black women remains the furthest out of reach. In 2023, for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager positions, only 54 Black women were promoted. After rising to 82 in 2020 and 96 in 2021, the promotion rate for Black women to manager has fallen back to lower than it was in 2019. Because of our “broken rung” system (described in this episode), in a typical company, men end up holding 60% of manager-level positions, while women hold just 40%. As a result, there are fewer women to be promoted to director, and the number of women decreases at every subsequent level. The impact of “microaggressions” experienced at work by women or any other marginalized group are anything but “micro”. In fact, they have a macro effect long term.  If women are to occupy more leadership roles, we must start intentionally taking up more space. We must demand more space. In this episode, I share how women are socialized to shrink our bodies, hold back our ideas and opinions, and play small in all aspects of our lives. From there, I dig into specific steps you can take to start taking up more space and stop accepting without question the leadership, thoughts, and opinions of those who have more power than you (ie: men).  If you’re ready to take up more space, use your voice in new ways, and take a seat at any table, this episode is for you. Links Mentioned:  Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat Article: Leanin.org Women in the Workplace 2023 Learn about my speaking, training, and coaching: saradean.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: saradean.com/linkedin We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: Shameless Leadership Sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  5. AUG 14

    900: The Shameless Mom Academy Becomes Shameless Leadership!

    If you’ve caught the last few episodes of the show, you know that change is upon us. It's not a goodbye change, but a level-up change. We are growing and evolving - together. All that we have learned together over the last 8.5 years has led us to this moment where we are stepping into a new podcast identity. This is so exciting! As we celebrate episode 900 (omg - 900!!!), we are also celebrating the transition of this little podcast-that-could from The Shameless Mom Academy to Shameless Leadership. This is the last episode you will hear in this feed that begins with “Welcome to the Shameless Mom Academy…”   Come next week, you will see a new episode in this feed with a new title, Shameless Leadership. Taking everything we have learned together over the last 8.5 years, we are elevating our knowledge, gifts, and confidence to have bigger conversations for women leaders (at al levels). These conversations will be about everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. Each week on Shameless Leadership, you'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will enhance your leadership skills and broaden your perspective to help you become a more confident, intentional, inclusive, and empathetic leader. Shameless Leadership is for women, gender minorities, and allies who want to create spaces where people who have not had the advantage of a male identity can rise, lead, and thrive.   The mission of Shameless Leadership is to be a community of people of all genders who believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, held, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence so you can build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging in all the places you take up space. This is a show by women for everyone. If you have been listening to the SMA for the last few years, months, or weeks, this is still a place for you to learn, grow, and connect. I could not be more honored to continue to be in your ear. And, I’m so excited about our future together.  Link mentioned: Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  6. AUG 12

    899: Laura Cathcart Robbins Turns the Mic on Sara

    When I started thinking about the final interview for the SMA before we rebrand the show as Shameless Leadership, I knew I wanted to do something special. It occurred to me that it could be fun to have someone turn the mic on me and ask me about the show over the last 8 years. Once I had this idea, I knew Laura Cathcart Robbins, my dear friend and a friend of the show, was the perfect person to turn the mic on me!   In this episode, Laura takes us behind the scenes of the last 8 years of the Shameless Mom Academy. We talk about my original vision for the show and how it evolved over time. She asked me about (hard) lessons learned, the biggest gifts of the show, and why this podcast pivot makes so much sense right now.   I can’t wait for you to hear a little about the ongoings of the show that you haven’t had the chance to “see” over the last 8.5 years. And, I’m thrilled to give you some sneak peeks into what is coming down the pipeline (so much greatness!!) Links mentioned: Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat Connect with Laura Cathcart Robbins: lauracathcartrobbins.com Laura’s Podcast: The Only One in the Room Laura’s Book: Stash: My Life in Hiding We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m

  7. AUG 7

    ​​898: Big Announcement and Changes for the SMA!

    There are some exciting changes in store for the future of The Shameless Mom Academy and this episode is where you can get all the dirty deets!   Over the last 8.5 years, I have grown so much. And, YOU have grown so much right alongside me.   About a year ago, I had an idea for a bit of a new direction for the show that would allow us to continue to grow together. My skills, talents, and expertise have evolved dramatically over the last 8.5 years and I know yours have too. I want to make sure that I continue to create content that provides the most optimal learning experience for you. I want to meet you where you are at. We are all in a different place than we were even a couple of years ago, so a refreshed sense of direction makes a lot of sense right now.  With that, there are a few things that will change for the show after we release episode 900. Rest assured, there are also quite a few things that are staying the same. BUT, I don’t want you to be totally confused when you tune into episode 901 - like, “What is even happening here?!?” Spoiler alert, the show is getting a new name. You’ll want to know that before episode 901 lands in your feed!  In this episode, I share why the show is evolving, what is changing (yes, I’ll share the new name!), what is not changing, and what I’ve learned over the last 8.5 years that may potentially have a deep impact on you.   This episode is not to be missed! Link mentioned: Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  8. AUG 5

    897: Jill Castle: Help Your Child Thrive in Their Body at Any Size

    Jill Castle is one of the nation’s premier childhood nutrition experts. She is the founder and CEO of The Nourished Child®, a nutrition education website and podcast for parents. She is the author of 6 books that support children’s health and nutrition, including her newest book, Kids Thrive at Every Size. Known for her ability to blend current research, practical application, and common sense, Jill believes that children can thrive at every size. With her paradigm-shifting, whole-child approach, she inspires parents, healthcare professionals, and organizations that serve children and families to think differently about young people’s health and well-being. Jill is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and media contributor. She serves as an expert reviewer for Parents.com, and has been featured as a guest expert in CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, and Time, to name a few. Jill is also a Shameless Mom to four adult-ish children and lives in Massachusetts with her husband. I’m lucky enough to call Jill a friend. When she shared her concept for this book with me, I knew I had to share her work with you all. We have dedicated a number of episodes to talking about women, body image, and Diet Culture. But, we haven’t talked as much about kids, body image, and Diet Culture. It is time for this conversation and Jill is the best person to talk about it with.  Listen in to hear Jill share: A sneak peek into what it’s like parenting 4 young adults Common worries for parents of children who have larger or smaller sized bodies and what might surprise you about your child’s size The Fix-Size model vs Embrace-Size model of approaching your child’s body size How growing up with a smaller or larger body makes life more challenging for kids today The significant difference between feeding and eating and how you might be helicopter feeding your child(ren) The impact of family culture beyond food & nutrition when raising a healthy child The reality that most kids experience body dissatisfaction across all genders, all sizes - and starting as early as age 3 Links Mentioned: Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat Get the Book: Pre-order Kids Thrive at Every Size and get Jill’s pre-order bonuses! Connect with Jill: thenourishedchild.com Hire Jill to speak of consult: jillcastle.com Jill on IG: @i.am.pediRD Jill on FB: facebook.com/thenourishedchild Jill on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jillcastle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min
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4.3
out of 5
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About

Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging. In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader. Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.

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