Shameless Leadership

Sara Dean
  • 4.7 (792)
  • Management
  • Semiweekly

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. 3d ago

    1015: Why Women Leaders Struggle With Authority | Leadership Strategies

    How do you feel when someone exerts authority over you? And how does that influence the way you exercise your own authority as a leader? For many women, authority comes with baggage. If you’ve experienced someone abusing their power, dismissing you in some way, or making decisions that impact you without including you, stepping into your own authority can feel complicated. You might hesitate to set expectations because you don’t want to be controlling. Or you might get self-protective and defensive, perhaps doubling down on your autonomy when your authority is challenged, like me! These patterns deserve our attention because they shape how we make decisions, communicate boundaries, and support the people we lead. In this episode, we explore the three components of your perspective on authority: Relationship, Responsibility, and Resourcing. We’ll examine how your experiences with power influence your leadership, where you have a responsibility to take up more space, and how holding boundaries protects you and your team’s capacity to do meaningful work. We’ll also explore five authority aspirations that can help you create the necessary space to develop a more commanding presence, communicate with conviction, and create opportunities for others to grow their own leadership. Listen in to hear: Why you might resist other people’s authority while feeling uncomfortable exercising your own. How to recognize when you’re relinquishing your power or becoming defensive to protect it. What it means to use ethical authority in service of your values, your team, and your mission. What gets lost when you undermine your expertise, avoid difficult decisions, or hesitate to take up space. Why owning your authority includes deciding what gets access to your time, energy, expertise, and team. How to invite disagreement and reconsider your position while remaining grounded in your leadership. A commanding presence helps people understand where you stand, what matters, and what you expect. It also makes room for their voices, judgment, and contributions. As you listen in, I invite you to consider: Where would owning your authority more fully change how you lead — and what would your team see or hear you doing differently? Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1015: Why Women Leaders Struggle With Authority | Leadership Strategies

  2. Oct 20

    1014: What You Can Do to Dismantle Everyday Racism with Paul Ladipo | Inclusive Leadership

    I have followed Paul Ladipo’s work on LinkedIn for the last few years. Every time he posts, I can’t “like” his post fast enough. His expertise and ability to distill down tough topics related to race and inclusion are superb. Paul just released his book, It Was Never About That: Going Beyond Hate to Dismantle Everyday Racism in America, which is a must-read.  Paul has a combined fifteen years of experience in academia, non-profits, and faith communities, becoming well-versed in the DEI challenges and needs of each sector. In higher ed, he has facilitated bystander intervention and sexual misconduct trainings with athletic teams, discussed systemic racism with faculty, and led full-day workshops on building inclusive cultures with student leaders. For non-profits, Paul has developed curriculum to center the needs of persons with disabilities, survivors of intimate partner violence, and survivors of sexual assault. Within faith communities, he has given presentations and led discussions on breaking racial barriers to create multi-ethnic ministries. Listen in to hear Paul share: How our unconscious bias shows up and how our ego and need to be seen as “good” hold us back from acknowledging this bias The importance of removing binary thinking when it comes to inclusion The serious consequences when we uphold a culture of silence - and how we recently saw this play out for Macklemore and Ed Sheeran What the shift in organizational commitments to DEI has really shown us over the last two years The 3 questions to ask yourself when you're feeling uncomfortable talking about race, discrimination, and inclusion How curiosity and openness to critical conversations can open our eyes to rich historical context and deeply personal stories The steps you can take to uphold inclusive practices even if your organization doesn't have (or has cancelled its) DEI initiatives and policies Links Mentioned: Learn more about Paul and his work: paul-ladipo.com Get Paul’s book: It Was Never About That: Going Beyond Hate to Dismantle Everyday Racism in America Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ladipo/ Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1014: What You Can Do to Dismantle Everyday Racism with Paul Ladipo | Inclusive Leadership

  3. Oct 13

    1013: From Working Class to Breaking Glass at Starbucks with Wanda Herndon | Leadership Stories

    Very few women are looking for their opportunity to shatter glass ceilings from the time they are little girls. Wanda J. Herndon was one of the few. Raised in Flint, Michigan, in a working-class family shaped by the Great Migration, she became one of the first in her family to attend college, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Michigan State University. She built a groundbreaking career at Dow Chemical, DuPont, and Starbucks.  Wanda is an award-winning corporate communications trailblazer, author, speaker, mentor, entrepreneur, Broadway producer, and the first Senior Vice President of Global Communications for Starbucks, from 1995 to 2006. Howard Schultz, Starbucks founder and CEO, asked her to return to the role in 2008 for a one-year engagement to help execute the company’s turnaround strategy.  Wanda’s new memoir, Working Class to Breaking Glass, chronicles her journey from Flint to corporate leadership, exploring race, gender, class, family legacy, belonging, and the courage to lead without compromising one’s true self while opening doors for others.  Listen in to hear Wanda share: What growing up in Flint, Michigan, a working-class General Motors town, taught her about ambition, survival, and possibility Her first executive decision at a very young age, in her self-declared role as the “CEO of Me”, that paved the way for a lifetime of success and shattering glass ceilings Her experience being the "first" and an "only" in many rooms and the accompanying emotional cost and the responsibility that came with those titles The significance of bringing people up with you as you grow in your career How to define yourself before others define you How building the Starbucks brand over the course of 11 years impacted the development of her own personal brand Her message of hope for people wanting to break glass ceilings Links Mentioned: Visit Wanda’s Website: www.wcommgroup.com  Wanda’s Book: Working Class to Breaking Glass: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H82W9ZHB Connect with Wanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandajherndon  Connect with Wanda on Facebook: https://facebook.com/wandajherndon   Connect with Wanda on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wandajherndon Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1013: From Working Class to Breaking Glass at Starbucks with Wanda Herndon | Leadership Stories

  4. Oct 6

    1012: Integrity in Leadership: Do Your Actions Match Your Values? | Leadership Strategies

    Integrity in leadership is easy to talk about when the stakes are low. The real test comes when living your values costs you something: approval, belonging, comfort, status, or social capital. In this episode of Shameless Leadership, we’re talking about what leadership character actually looks like in practice. It’s one thing to say you support women, value inclusion, or believe in ethical leadership. It’s another to examine whether your actions consistently reflect those values, especially in rooms where speaking up might be uncomfortable, inconvenient, or risky. We’ll explore the gaps that can emerge between our stated values and our behavior, from speaking poorly about another woman while claiming to support women, to staying silent when harmful behavior happens in front of us. This is about what it looks like to build character consistently over time, through leadership, self-awareness, personal accountability, and a willingness to notice when our integrity becomes conditional. If you want to strengthen your leadership character, live your values more consistently, and contribute to a workplace culture where people are willing to stand up for what they say they believe in, this episode will give you practical questions and tools to start. In this episode, you’ll learn: What integrity in leadership looks like when there is a real social or professional cost How to recognize gaps between your actions and values Why leadership character is revealed through everyday choices, not just your stated values How personal accountability strengthens ethical leadership How to practice courageous communication when you witness behavior that conflicts with your values Ways to approach difficult workplace conversations without immediately creating blame or defensiveness How speaking up, supporting women, and addressing harmful behavior contribute to healthier workplace culture Questions to strengthen your leadership self-awareness and help you decide what you want to do differently next time Leadership isn’t simply about what we believe or the values you say you hold near and dear. It’s about the choices we make when those beliefs and values are tested.  Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1012: Integrity in Leadership: Do Your Actions Match Your Values? | Leadership Strategies

  5. Sep 29

    1011: 5 Common Communication Breakdowns Between Senior and Mid-Level Leaders | Leadership Tips

    Communication breaks down between senior and mid-level leaders even when everyone is really hustling to do the very best they can in their respective roles. In the work I’ve done with leaders and teams, I’ve had the opportunity to take a close look at what people are thinking and feeling behind the scenes - and how their thinking and feelings impact their behavior. In this episode, I share some of the patterns I consistently see and what leaders on both sides can do to communicate more effectively. We’ll look at what happens when senior leaders pass down decisions without enough context, leaving mid-level leaders to explain the what without understanding the why. We’ll also talk about why well-intended mid-level leaders sometimes hold back difficult and pertinent information until a problem becomes urgent. We will also dig into how this can erode the trust they were hoping to protect by holding back. We will address the very real pressure of leading in the middle. This typically includes trying to meet senior leaders’ expectations while taking care of your team, often with limited resources and conflicting priorities. I share how a propensity toward people-pleasing can make that squeeze harder. This leads us into the critical importance of being solution-oriented rather than problem-focused. It’s easy to find 27 problems on any given day. It’s the leaders who are finding and creating solutions, staying in momentum, and able to make strategic recommendations who are typically building more credibility, authority, and trust in their roles.  Finally, we’ll consider pace. When senior leaders move from one decision to the next too quickly, the people responsible for implementation may struggle to keep up. Before setting another priority or timeline, it helps to ask: Who is most likely to be negatively impacted by this decision? If you recognize these dynamics on your team, I’d love to talk about how I can help you strengthen communication and strategic thinking across levels of leadership.  Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz [UNTIL 10/31] Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1011: 5 Common Communication Breakdowns Between Senior and Mid-Level Leaders | Leadership Tips

  6. Sep 22

    1010: How Great Leaders Make People Feel Seen With Microaffirmations - with Dr. Sherri Lynch | Inclusive Leadership

    I met Dr. Sherri Lynch on my first day on campus for graduate school. I was told by another professor that I should introduce myself to her. I was admittedly nervous and fumbly. Luckily, Sherri is overwhelmingly kind and open to connections of all sorts. We quickly hit it off and have had the chance to get to know each other and partner for multiple events. My obsession with her work and her commitment to women began a few months later, the day after Election Day in 2024. You’ll have to listen in to hear that story! Sherri Lynch, PhD, is the Assistant Dean at Gonzaga University's School of Leadership Studies, where she teaches in the Organizational Leadership & Comprehensive Leadership programs. She is a certified emotional intelligence practitioner and a highly skilled relationship builder. She co-founded the Women Lead program, which includes conferences, workshops, and a certificate program, to educate and empower women at all stages of their careers. She has presented to many professional organizations on leadership topics such as emotional intelligence, microaffirmations, mentorship and sponsorship, and the power of storytelling. Sherri has a heart for service and continues to serve on various community boards, including the YWCA and Canopy Credit Union. Listen in to hear Sherri share: How to answer the question, “What do you do?”, in a much more impactful and strategic way Her current work on microaffirmations as a means of building culture in communities and organizations How to use microaffirmations in a way that is authentic to you to influence culture in a positive way Why and how to base your microaffirmations on behavior - not simply compliments Why your sense of self, self-identity, and leadership identity matter so much in your professional evolution The truth about “overdoing” positivity as part of your leadership brand Links Mentioned: Connect with Sherri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrilynch/ Women Lead Events: https://www.gonzaga.edu/school-of-leadership-studies/women-lead/conferences-and-events November 10th Women Lead Fall Conference with Bev Anderson: https://www.gonzaga.edu/school-of-leadership-studies/women-lead/conferences-and-events/women-lead-fall-luncheon Women Lead on IG: @zagwomenlead Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1010: How Great Leaders Make People Feel Seen With Microaffirmations - with Dr. Sherri Lynch | Inclusive Leadership

  7. Sep 15

    1009: How to Maintain Your Confidence During Constant Change and Uncertainty | Leadership Mindset

    I don’t know anyone who has breezed through life since 2020. Constant change, enduring uncertainty, and frequent downright chaos have become fixtures of life. It’s taken a toll on us all.  Constant change, uncertainty, and chaos not only rock your nervous system, it can also do a number on your confidence. When you’re navigating professional shifts, economic uncertainty, and ongoing instability, it’s easy to move from change overwhelm into uncertainty fatigue, and eventually into full-on burnout. And when that happens, the impact extends well beyond work. In my work wth executive coaching clients, I see this result in increased self-doubt, decreased self-trust, and questioning one’s capabilities.  Many clients come to me having made a hobby of collecting evidence that reinforces the idea that they have less power than they actually do. I don’t blame them. There have been many large-scale efforts to make most of us (anyone carrying a marginalized identity - women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants) feel completely powerless. In this episode, I’m talking about how to maintain your confidence when so much around you feels unpredictable. We’ll explore why waiting for certainty before trusting yourself can keep you stuck, how chronic catastrophizing and hopeless assumptions quietly erode your self-trust, and why it’s crucial to identify the capabilities and strengths you can carry with you anywhere in life. I’ll also share how to hold legitimate risks alongside emerging possibilities so you don’t accidentally let fear become the only evidence you’re willing to consider. While you may not be able to control what happens next, you can strengthen your leadership confidence, protect your sense of agency, and continue making grounded decisions without requiring certainty first. Links Mentioned: [1 Spot Left] Join my Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1009: How to Maintain Your Confidence During Constant Change and Uncertainty | Leadership Mindset

  8. Sep 8

    1008: 4 Effective Communication Skills Every Leader Needs | Leadership Strategies

    Strong leadership communication isn’t just about knowing what to say. It’s also largely about knowing how to say what you need to say. It's about building the habits that help you communicate well when you’re frustrated, under pressure, or navigating tension. In this episode, I’m breaking down four communication skills every leader needs to practice: Checking your assumptions before reacting and responding Addressing tension immediately, directly, and transparently Stating the WHY behind the WHAT Strategically tailoring communication to meet your audience where they’re at We’ll talk about what happens when you assume you know why someone is underperforming, why an email sounded snarky, or why someone missed the mark, and how quickly your reaction to those assumptions can undermine your leadership. We will explore what happens when you don’t share enough information with those you lead. We will address how to assess different people’s communication needs and how to best serve different kinds of people, even in tough and tense moments. Whether you’re working on team communication, giving feedback to employees in a way they can actually hear and integrate, navigating difficult conversations as you manage up or manage down, or simply trying to become a more thoughtful and emotionally intelligent leader, these are skills that will strengthen your leadership while also making your work significantly more rewarding. Links Mentioned: [1 Spot Left] Join my Aligned Leadership Incubator: saradean.com/aligned Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz [UNTIL 10/31] Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1008: 4 Effective Communication Skills Every Leader Needs | Leadership Strategies
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4.7
out of 5
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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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