The Unwritten Rules of Women's Leadership Helen Appleby

 
Meredith Bell is a performance improvement expert and author. As the President and Co-founder of Performance Support Systems, Meredith and her team have produced tools and software to help leaders improve performance by inspiring others to do their best work. The 360-Degree feedback tool her organization created has helped countless leaders build effective communication with their teams. Meredith has also written various business books including Connect With Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills.
Today, Meredith shares her journey from teaching to co-founding her publishing and software company. She explains how the 360-degree feedback tool was developed and how it helps coaches and leaders. She reveals a simple method of raising self-awareness and a helpful lesson she learned in working with her business partner. Meredith also discusses how to build trust with your team and help them feel valued, as well as how expressing appreciation helps others value themselves.
“When we can go in and speak calmly and confidently to someone, the chances are better that they can hear us.” - Meredith Bell
This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:
The journey that led to Meredith creating her own software and publishing company How the 360-degree feedback tool was developed and how coaches and organizations use it A simple way to raise your self-awareness when working with others A lesson that Meredith learned when working with her business partner How to build trust with your team and make them feel valued How you can give effective feedback to your team and boss How Meredith developed her service mindset Why learning to help a person is a key to assisting in their self-development How expressing appreciation helps people value themselves What’s next for Meredith and her team Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Prosperous Coach: Increase Income and Impact for You and Your Clients by Steve Chandler and Rich Litvin Book: Connect With Your Kid: Mastering the Top 10 Parent-Child Communication Skills by Dennis Coates Our Favorite Quotes:
“Ask some version of this question: ‘What’s one thing I can do differently to make your experience working with me better?’” - Meredith Bell “We all want to feel like we matter; it’s a core human need.” - Meredith Bell “The better we help other people feel about themselves, the more they can contribute” - Meredith Bell Connect with Meredith Bell:
Performance Support Systems Inc. Performance Support Systems Inc on LinkedIn Meredith Bell’s Website Book: Connect With Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills Book: Peer Coaching Made Simple: How to Do the 6 Things That Matter Most When Helping Someone Improve a Skill Podcast: Strong for Performance Meredith Bell on LinkedIn Meredith Bell on Facebook Meredith Bell on Twitter Writing the Rules of Women Leadership
Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.
While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.

Pat Hedley is an advisor, investor, TedX speaker, and author. After a three-decade career in global private equity with General Atlantic, Pat now acts as an independent advisor and investor on innovation and growth for businesses. She selectively takes on advisory and board assignments to help CEOs turn strategy into results. Through her book, Meet 100 People: A How-to Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone's Missing, Pat provides inspiration and practical advice on building a network now.
Today, Pat shares the most important lessons she learned in her career and why building a network is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself. She highlights why having a diverse mix of people in your network is essential and provides practical tips for anyone that struggles to find the time to network. Pat reveals her three ‘Cs’ of networking and recalls the incredible experience she had building her first network. Pat also shares the importance of asking for what you want and the two things you need to consider when making career decisions.
“One of the most important parts of networking is being very thoughtful about making it diverse.” - Pat Hedley
This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:
The entrepreneurship inspiration in Pat’s early life The most important thing that Pat learned early in her career Why the word ‘no’ doesn’t always have to be the end of the conversation The lessons Pat learned about the value of building a network Why Pat chose to write her book, Meet 100 people Why it’s essential to have a diverse mix of people in your network How you can make time for networking Consistency versus intensity The three Cs of networking Pat’s wonderful experience when she began networking Why it’s essential to ask for what you want An unwritten rule that Pat learned in her career The two aspects to think about when making career decisions Resources Mentioned:
Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Our Favorite Quotes:
“If you ask the right questions and if you are a good listener, there are ways to really benefit from those conversations.” - Pat Hedley “In a business setting, when someone says that scary little word ‘no,’ it doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation” - Pat Hedley “You should diversify your network as much as possible.” - Pat Hedley Connect with Pat Hedley:
Meet 100 People Website Meet 100 People on Instagram Pat Hedley on LinkedIn Book: Meet 100 People: A How-to Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone's Missing Pat Hedley on Twitter Writing the Rules of Women Leadership
Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.
While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.

Mary McGuire is a consultant and author as well as the founder of Agents2Change. She is also the creator of the Professional Women's Playbook. Following a childhood of challenging circumstances and little early education, Mary went back into the educational system to gain her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Social Work. She found her passion in organizational performance and started her business, Agents2Change, where she has worked with some of the most prominent organizations in the world to help develop and engage employees. As the founder of Find Your Joyful Life and the author of The Female EDGE, Mary helps women explore their more profound nature and transform their lives. 
Today, Mary joins me to share how her challenging childhood helped her build resilience. She reveals how she overcame her internal barriers and other peoples’ expectations to find her authentic path. She shares what inspired her to move from social work to corporate consulting and some of the challenges she experienced in a male-dominated industry. Mary also reveals how her programs help women find ‘the female edge’ and how she is expanding her reach across various industries.
“Resilience is critical for women if they want to succeed.” - Mary McGuire
This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:
How the challenges in Mary’s early life built her resilience and positivity The inner drive for more that inspired Mary to return to her education How Mary had to overcome her barriers and the expectations of others What made Mary move from social work to corporate consulting Things that Mary wished she knew earlier to help her craft her career Some of the struggles Mary has encountered in her male-dominated profession A turning point in Mary’s career that helped her find her authentic path How Mary helps women find ‘The Female Edge’ through her book and coaching programs What Mary is doing next to take her programs across various industries Our Favorite Quotes:
“You will find your own path which is not going to be defined by the environment that you are in now .” - Mary McGuire “Based on the values you have now and the values that you will continue to create for yourself, you will find a path where you can be a very genuine person.” - Mary McGuire “Women frequently undercut themselves in terms of their abilities.” - Mary McGuire Connect with Mary McGuire:
Find Your Joyful Life Agents2Change Book: The Female Edge Agents2Change on Facebook Mary McGuire on LinkedIn Mary McGuire on Twitter Writing the Rules of Women Leadership
Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.
While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.

Donatella Giacometti is the Founder and Chief Communications Strategist of CEO MEDIA COACH Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs from Emerson College and a Master of Science, Investor Relations from Fordham University. Donatella provides presentation coaching, leadership development, and public speaking training to the world's most influential speakers. She works across various industries with C-Suite officers, MDs, PhDs, and executives for presentations, media performances, and keynote speeches.
Today, Donatella shares her journey into coaching and how growing up in New York nurtured her passion for effective communication. She reveals what inspired her to start her business and the struggles she went through in her career. Donatella reveals a pivotal moment that helped her ignore her inner critic and the advice she would give her younger self. She also recounts an experience that helped her recognize her worth and explains why authenticity is crucial in communication.
“We all need to build our conversational skills so that we can speak naturally and with confidence.” Donatella Giacometti
This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:
The journey that led Donatella to become a CEO coach How growing up in New York developed Donatella’s passion for communication What inspired Donatella to start her own coaching business The struggles Donatella experienced throughout her career The turning point that helped Donatella ignore her inner critic What Donatella wishes she could tell her younger self A moment that helped Donatella find her courage and recognise her value The differences Donatella sees across her client base when teaching communication Why authenticity is essential in communication What Donatella is excited about for her business Resources Mentioned:
30 Minute Complimentary Consult Our Favorite Quotes:
“You can cognitively know your information, but then you have to be persuasive, and the persuasion comes from your personal passion.” - Donatella Giacometti “I think that now, there is such a broader community of outspoken, courageous women and men who are just honest and authentic with one another.” - Donatella Giacometti “The humanity of having self-confidence and being able to project that in your own unique way is an essential leadership quality.” Donatella Giacometti Connect with Donatella Giacometti:
CEO MEDIA COACH CEO MEDIA COACH on LinkedIn Donatella Giacometti on LinkedIn Donatella Giacometti on Twitter Writing the Rules of Women Leadership
Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.
While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.

Deborah Lansdowne is the Principal of A Pinch of Time, LLC, a concierge and lifestyle management business offering virtual support for executives, owners, and individuals. Deborah started in IT Telecoms with Siemens Business Communications and was the founder of an IT company providing solutions to commercial, federal, and local customers. Deborah has achieved many accolades throughout her career, including being named Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Federal of Black Business Owners, one of the 'Fifty Influential Minorities in Business,' and being featured on the cover of Black Enterprise Magazine. In her concierge and lifestyle management business, Deborah helps her clients achieve a balance in their life while maximizing their most precious commodity—their time.
Deborah joins me today to share her journey from a stellar IT career to running her own lifestyle management business. She reveals how she handled working in a predominantly male environment and how mentorship helped her during pivotal moments in her career. She offers some career advice she would give her younger self and why it's essential to not take things personally in business. She also shares what her company does, the difference between male and female clients, and why many women find it difficult to ask for and accept help.
“Many times, if somebody is giving you a piece of advice or you are having a conversation with someone, it’s easy to perceive them as being critical. And they aren’t necessarily being critical.” - Deborah Lansdowne
This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:
Deborah's journey from working in IT telecom to starting her own business How Deborah handled working in a white-male-dominated industry The power of mentorship Advice Deborah would give her younger self in her career Why it's essential to not take things personally in business The unwritten rules that Deborah has discovered throughout her career Advice for women who travel a lot for work and have children The services that A Pinch of Time provides Who Deborah works with and the differences she has seen between her male and female clients The reasons women find it difficult to ask for and accept help when they need it Our Favorite Quotes:
“One of the most important things you do as a leader is listen. You have to really listen .” - Deborah Lansdowne “You need to have supporters; it’s not a journey you take on your own.” - Deborah Lansdowne “When you feel guilty, you tend to overcompensate.” - Deborah Lansdowne Connect with Deborah Lansdowne:
A Pinch of Time A Pinch of Time on Facebook A Pinch of Time on Twitter Deborah Lansdowne on LinkedIn Writing the Rules of Women Leadership
Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.
While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.

Heather Marasse is an Executive Coach, Facilitator, Strategic Advisor, and Managing Partner of Trilogy Effect. Following a career in change management and product development in the telecom sector, Heather discovered her organizational development and consulting passion. As part of Trilogy Effect, she works with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations to ensure effective business strategies while also building the human side of each business. She recognizes the courage it takes to lead and loves the challenge of transforming leadership into a meaningful path of action.
In today's episode, Heather shares her journey through the corporate world and how it helped her identify her passion for consulting and coaching. She reveals some of the things she realized when looking back over her career and what she wished she could have known earlier in her working life. She shares some of the challenges she encountered in a male-dominated industry and how she found support during some of the most challenging times. She highlights the importance of building connections and having females support each other in the workplace. She also reveals some of the common obstacles she sees for women in the companies she works with and the advice she gives to overcome them.
“Trust the people outside of yourself saying ‘You can do this’ more than that inner voice saying 'Not yet.'" - Heather Marasse
This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:
Heather's journey through the corporate world How Heather discovered her passion for consulting Reflections on her career and things Heather wishes she learned earlier in her journey Challenges Heather faced while working in a male-dominated industry Where Heather found support during challenging times while managing family life and work life Why it's essential to cultivate connections and create a network of female support Common issues for women in the organizations that Heather helps Advice Heather gives to women she coaches and mentors What Heather and the team at Trilogy Effect are creating now and their future plans Resources Mentioned:
Being Human is Good For Business Leaders Podcast Our Favorite Quotes:
“It's actually OK and a good strategy to make these connections and cultivate these networks.” - Heather Marasse “Find mentors and advocates. Look for people who you admire the way they are doing it and make the connection.” - Heather Marasse “Relax, you've arrived; you’re at the table. Stop proving, and start providing the value you have to give.”- Heather Marasse Connect with Heather Marasse:
Trilogy Effect Trilogy Effect on LinkedIn Trilogy Effect on Twitter Heather Marasse on LinkedIn Heather Marasse on Twitter Writing the Rules of Women Leadership
Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.
While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.