In this special Women’s History Month conversation, Stephenie Goddard offers a clear call to action for ambitious leaders: stop disqualifying yourself before anyone else does. If you are waiting until you meet 100 percent of the qualifications to raise your hand, you are likely holding yourself back. Instead, Stephenie challenges you to lead with curiosity, articulate the unique value you bring beyond bullet points, and take strategic risks that align with what energizes you most. This episode will help you rethink how you position yourself for your next opportunity and give you practical ways to show up with confidence, even before you feel fully ready. Stephenie’s career path was anything but linear. After starting in banking, consulting with PwC, and serving in HR at the International Finance Corporation, she eventually transitioned into the dental industry and joined Glidewell in 2006. In 2022, she stepped into the CEO role, becoming only the second person in company history to hold the title. Along the way, she learned that passion fuels mastery. When something genuinely interests her, she finds a way to get exceptional at it. She shares a powerful journaling exercise that helps clarify what you want to be remembered for decades from now, giving today’s decisions deeper meaning and direction. As a woman rising in a male dominated executive space, Stephenie has faced moments of bias and misperception, including being mistaken for a secretary while sitting at the same leadership table. Rather than centering her career around those challenges, she focused on building solutions. She founded Guiding Leaders, a professional development program designed to equip dentists with stronger business and leadership skills. What began as a women focused initiative evolved into a more inclusive program that ultimately strengthened the entire organization. She also opens up about imposter syndrome, the evolving definition of mentorship, and the realities of balancing ambition with motherhood, reminding us that our children remember our presence more than our perfection. If you are in middle management and wondering how to make your next big leap, Stephenie’s final insight is both simple and powerful: stay when it gets hard. Promotions often go to those who demonstrate resilience, loyalty, and the ability to lead through uncertainty. Invest in developing your people, even if it means they may eventually leave. Seek mentors in ways that feel authentic to you. Define what legacy you want to build, then let that vision guide your decisions. This episode is a masterclass in courageous leadership and a reminder that sustainable success is built through grit, growth, and a willingness to keep showing up. Links & Resources: Follow Suken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/ Email Suken at: suken@synergysyncsolutions.com Synergy Sync Solutions Website: https://www.synergysyncsolutions.com/ This episode was brought to you by Pivot Ball Change.
