Shameless Leadership

Sara Dean
  • 4.7 (794)
  • Management
  • Updated 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. 993: Vulnerability in Leadership: Are You Armored or Daring? | Leadership Tips

    5d ago

    993: Vulnerability in Leadership: Are You Armored or Daring? | Leadership Tips

    We all have gaps in our leadership skills and capabilities that can be tough to spot on our own. But once seen, we cannot unsee these gaps, and we know we must take responsibility for our own growth and development. In this episode, I'm digging into Brené Brown's framework of Armored Leadership versus Daring Leadership from her book Strong Ground, with the hope that you will be able to spot some of your gaps in your leadership habits. I break down the 11 aspects of armored leadership, those self-protective behaviors that feel like safety but actually keep us stuck, and explore what shifts when you choose daring leadership instead: vulnerability, authenticity, and real growth.  We talk about what drives armored leadership in the first place, from scarcity mindset and social conditioning to past trauma, and how those patterns show up in organizational culture without us even realizing it. Then we flip the lens to daring leadership, where leading proactively and strategically rather than reactively becomes possible. We talk about values in leadership, the role of failure, and how building a belonging culture starts with the willingness to be vulnerable as a leader. This is leadership development that meets you where you actually are, for better or worse. This is an invitation to take an honest look at where armor and your need for self-protection are costing you. As I share in the episode, leadership is an act of service, and daring leadership asks you to show up fully, armor down, and lead from a place ot humility, curiosity, and authenticity.  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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    26 min
  2. 992: Three Grad School Takeaways That Might Help You as Much as They Helped Me | Leadership Stories

    May 19

    992: Three Grad School Takeaways That Might Help You as Much as They Helped Me | Leadership Stories

    I’m five days out from graduating with my Master’s in Organizational Leadership. I’ll be honest, I am tired. Like, bone tired. I think the last four months have been a never-ending adrenaline rush to get to the finish line of grad school while also managing a full-time (and fully intense) work schedule and parenting during a busy baseball season. It’s been a lot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a lot of great things. I’m so grateful and truly elated for all I have experienced over the last two years. But I’m feeling the comedown, and it’s leaving me wiped out! While I think I’ll be processing the last two years for quite some time, I wanted to share a few nuggets with you right away. I’m walking away from this grad school experience with some important lessons learned that are immediately applicable for me — and might be for you, too! In this episode, I’m sharing three big takeaways from my grad school experience. First, I’m sharing a philosophy I learned in one of my first classes in the program on how to “see and see again.” This philosophy challenges us to look past assumptions, judgments, and biases and peel back the layers that might not be obvious at first glance. Second, I’m talking about how to be a leader who is for others. I’ve always known that leadership is not only about power, and leaders who get this confused are destined to become toxic, highly dysfunctional leaders (i.e., rulers or dictators). There are specific ways to embrace and embody leadership as a leader who is for others, and this is the kind of leadership we need to develop in one another. Third, I opted to get a concentration in Change Leadership as part of my Master’s program. My first few classes in change leadership felt a little dry and didn’t totally resonate with me. While the content felt helpful from an informational standpoint, it didn’t light a fire in me. Then I ended up in a change leadership class that completely flipped my notion of change leadership on its head, and I had this glaring realization that I am a change leader and have been for years (decades??). I was just looking at myself and my work through the wrong lens. When you hear my story about this, I think you might be able to see yourself and your change leadership capabilities through a new lens, too! The last two years have been an incredible ride. Thank you for your words of support and encouragement, as well as your many congratulations on social media and via email over the last week. I appreciate you!! If you have any questions about going back to school as a middle-aged, full-time working mom, please reach out. I’m an open book! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 min
  3. 991: Emily Scherberth: Why Leaders Are Afraid to Ask For Feedback | Leadership Stories

    May 12

    991: Emily Scherberth: Why Leaders Are Afraid to Ask For Feedback | Leadership Stories

    I had the pleasure of meeting Emily Scherberth when we were in an Organizational Change & Transformation class in our Master’s in Organizational Leadership program. I knew right away that Emily was whip smart and someone I wanted to geek out with and learn more from. When Emily shared her recent research on feedback, vulnerability, and leadership - and the glaring gender differences, I knew I wanted to do a deep dive with her. This conversation is that deep dive. I’m so grateful to Emily for doing this important work and bravely sharing it with the world.  Emily Scherberth is the Founder and CEO of Turas Leadership Consulting, Inc.  She serves as a partner and strategist for executives, teams, and organizations that are ready to transform their cultures and lead with purpose. With nearly 30 years of experience in corporate strategy, communications, leadership, qualitative research, and facilitation, Emily created Turas Leadership to realign more intentionally with her own purpose: to help actualize the potential in others.   As the creator of the Leader-First Transformation™ model and a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® coach, Emily synthesizes decades of direct leadership experience with forward-thinking research and evidence-based methods to help clients increase performance and find meaning in their work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge, and is completing a second Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Listen in to hear Emily share: How she made a pivot from a 30-year communications career into leadership consulting How to assess and develop your leadership capacity by identifying connectedness within yourself and within the systems in which you lead Her recent research on the vulnerability of receiving feedback and being challenged The surprising data on leaders wanting to be challenged  The dramatic gender differences in her data, and how to account for these differences  How current organizational systems are limited in their capacity to provide psychological safety on a systemic level, and the problem with only addressing psychological safety on the team or department level What capacity building means in leadership, and why leadership development needs to focus more specifically on capacity building How you can own and honor your leadership capacity while also challenging yourself to advance your current capacity Links Mentioned: Connect with Emily and Turas Leadership: https://turasleadership.com/ Follow Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyscherberth/ Turas Leadership Article and Research: The Leadership Paradox: Leaders Want Feedback but Fear the Cost of Asking for It Emily on Medium: The Leadership Journey: https://medium.com/the-leadership-journey 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min
  4. 990: 6 Rules to Ruthlessly Manage Your Time As A Woman Leader | Leadership Tips

    May 5

    990: 6 Rules to Ruthlessly Manage Your Time As A Woman Leader | Leadership Tips

    In this episode, I'm sharing strategic time-management tips for women ready to stop letting their calendars control them. We're talking ruthless prioritization, time-blocking, unscheduling, and the specific strategies that women in leadership use to reclaim their focus without burning out. This conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity tips to explore the mindset shifts that actually change how you manage your time. Because the truth is, time management isn’t just about your calendar, it’s about your beliefs, your boundaries, and your willingness to take ownership of how you lead your life and work. I walk you through the questions I believe every woman leader needs to ask herself about her relationship with time. What are you actually accountable for? What stories are you telling yourself about how you manage your time? And where did those patterns come from? So much of our time management is inherited or unconscious, and until we bring awareness to it, we stay stuck in cycles that don’t serve us.  From there, I break down core time management strategies - the rules that executive coaching clients and I personally use and teach when it comes to managing your time with intention. We talk about identifying what truly moves the needle, getting honest about what is not a “yes right now”, and setting clear boundaries around your schedule (and when others have access to it!) I also share how to use time blocking to protect my energy and focus, and why knowing how your brain works is one of the most underrated productivity tips for sustainable success. This is about making time management decisions that align with your values, not just reacting to demands. Finally, we get real about what it takes to be accountable for your time in seasons that require more of you. There are times to sprint and times to rest & recover. Knowing when each is necessary is everything. Whether you’re in a current sprint or want to be more prepared for your next sprint season, this episode will help you reframe your mindset around time management and reclaim your time, your energy, and your authority as a leader. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    29 min
  5. 989: 5 Questions That Make Difficult Conversations Less Terrifying | Leadership Strategies

    Apr 28

    989: 5 Questions That Make Difficult Conversations Less Terrifying | Leadership Strategies

    Difficult conversations are something most of us avoid, delay, or overthink. I get it. Who wants to get super uncomfortable - on purpose?!  But what if you could reframe difficult conversations as a massive opportunity to grow your leadership skills? In this episode, I share how I approach these conversations through a simple 5-question framework that centers on emotional intelligence, intentionality, care, and self-leadership. In this episode, we explore how quickly our assumptions can shape a conversation before it even begins, and why separating fact from story is such a powerful communication skill for leaders. I also talk about what it looks like to create common ground intentionally, even when tension exists, and how that changes the trajectory of conflict resolution. One of the most important parts of having hard conversations is not just what you say, but how you show up. I walk through how to ground yourself before speaking, how to choose your tone and energy, and how to anchor into the leader you want to be in the moment. This is how we start to shift from reacting to leading. If you’ve ever wondered how to speak up at work or in your leadership without overexplaining, shutting down, or escalating tension, this episode will help you. These five questions are a practical tool you can return to again and again to strengthen your communication skills and build more trusting relationships through honest dialogue in your personal and professional life. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 min
  6. 988: Loren Mayor: How to Build a Non-Linear Career with Impact and Integrity | Leadership Stories

    Apr 21

    988: Loren Mayor: How to Build a Non-Linear Career with Impact and Integrity | Leadership Stories

    When Loren Mayor’s team reached out to me about Loren guesting on Shameless Leadership, it was a quick and easy YES! For decades, Loren’s work and legacy have been guided by her values of impact, strategic problem solving, and connection. Her secret leadership sauce will help you think more deeply and intentionally about what it means to show up in your gifts and in the service of meaningful work. As Chief Operating Officer of World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US), Loren ensures the organization delivers on its strategy to create a world where people and nature live in harmony. She oversees strategic partnerships, operational functions, and resource mobilization teams while strengthening workplace culture and advancing WWF’s mission with external stakeholders. Prior to WWF, Loren was President of Operations at National Public Radio (NPR), where she oversaw the full suite of organizational operations and identified new business opportunities, developing NPR’s strategic plan, and building a strong, empowering culture. Before NPR, Loren held leadership roles at PBS and worked with clients in the non-profit and media sectors during her tenure at McKinsey & Company. Loren has an undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in theater from Northwestern University, where she also served as a visiting assistant professor. Listen in to hear Loren share: How she is leaning into connection in this season of chaos and uncertainty Her journey from a PhD in theater to becoming the COO of one of the largest environmental organizations globally The value of building a non-linear career focused on impact, strategy, problem-solving, and connection What it really means to be “smart” - that doesn’t necessarily relate to expertise How strong leaders balance priorities in professional environments - and in the overlap of personal and professional realms 3 key steps to take when leading through a crisis How to stay humble and open as you grow in leadership Links Mentioned: Connect with Loren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenmayor/ World Wildlife Fund website: https://www.worldwildlife.org/ Give an Hour for Earth: A WWF campaign to take action for nature at a time when it needs us most. (The campaign runs from March 23-April 30.): https://www.worldwildlife.org/support/campaigns/gah/give-an-hour-for-earth/ Poem: We Are Nature, Nature Is Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qeEcxCUEAM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  7. 987: Sumur Williams: ADHD in Women: Why High Performers Are the Last to Get Diagnosed | Inclusive Leadership

    Apr 14

    987: Sumur Williams: ADHD in Women: Why High Performers Are the Last to Get Diagnosed | Inclusive Leadership

    Ever since my own ADHD diagnosis in my mid-forties, I’m on the lookout for other women who are talking about their later-in-life diagnosis. I stumbled across Sumur Williams on LinkedIn, and her posts on ADHD consistently resonated with me. So, I reached out to ask her to join me on the show to talk about high-performing women who have ADHD.  Sumur Williams is the founder of The Unpolished Brain, and an ADHD coach and AI strategist for late-diagnosed professionals. She helps newly diagnosed adults finally understand how their brain actually works and build systems that support their current needs. She is passionate about changing how ADHD is understood and helping people move from survival mode into intentional, supported growth. As a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD at 47, Sumur didn’t fit the traditional narrative. She spent decades masking, overcompensating, and performing at high levels while quietly struggling underneath it all. Today, Sumur combines lived experience with practical tools, including AI, to help people reduce overwhelm, improve task initiation, and stop spinning their wheels. Her work focuses on building real-life scaffolding, systems that still work on hard days, not just good ones. Listen in to hear Sumur share: How she was diagnosed with ADHD at age 47, and the layers of grief that ensued after her diagnosis  Some of the misconceptions and common characteristics you see in high-performing women who have ADHD Her experience in choosing to disclose having ADHD at work and her recommendations around workplace disability disclosures What executive dysfunction looks like for middle-aged women The importance of energy regulation and boundaries for neurodivergent women How to use AI as a tool for task management, decision fatigue mitigation, and emotional regulation Links Mentioned: Free Workshop on April 16th: Trust Your Voice: Communicate with Courage When the Stakes Are High: https://saradean.com/trust Connect with Sumur: https://theunpolishedbrain.com Sumer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumurwilliams Sumur on Instagram: @theunpolishedbrain 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min
  8. 986: Why Women Leaders Freeze in High-Stakes Moments (and What to Do Instead) | Leadership Mindset

    Apr 7

    986: Why Women Leaders Freeze in High-Stakes Moments (and What to Do Instead) | Leadership Mindset

    Why do many women leaders freeze in high-stakes moments even when they know exactly what to say? If this is you, you’re definitely not alone. This episode breaks down what is really happening in these moments and the communication skills gap that holds women back in leadership: the freeze response, the over-explanation, and the impulse to soften a message until it loses all its power. If you're a woman in leadership who (like many of my clients and me!) has ever walked out of a crucial conversation feeling like you left something unsaid, this one is for you. In this episode, we explore: Why the freeze response shows up for women leaders - and why it's not a confidence problem The hidden cost of over-explaining in high-stakes moments (and how it undermines your executive presence) How workplace communication patterns are shaped by social conditioning, not capability What emotional intelligence actually looks like when the pressure is on Practical tools for women leaders to show up with clarity and authority in crucial conversations How to release perfectionism and control when the stakes are high The impulse to shut down is a default that is not serving you. While it may be a deeply ingrained protection mechanism, it’s preventing you from taking up the space you deserve to own. It’s time to set some new defaults so you can hold any conversation, articulate your thoughts even when uncomfortable, and trust yourself to share your ideas in a way that calls people in. With just a few simple steps, you can begin to set new defaults to stay present, nimble, and assertive in high-stakes moments.  Links Mentioned: Free Workshop on April 16th: Trust Your Voice: Communicate with Courage When the Stakes Are High: https://saradean.com/trust 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    27 min
See All (993)

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
794 Ratings

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.

Information

You Might Also Like