In honour of International Women’s Day 2025, I’m very excited to give life to this episode with my guest Laura Howard, in which we discuss the topic of women in leadership.
How can women overcome barriers?
How can women find belonging at the top?
How can women thrive in male-denominated spaces?
Laura Howard is a psychologist and executive coach. She shares her professional journey going from a successful career in professional services to becoming a specialist in female leadership and organisational psychology.
The conversation explores the challenges women face in leadership roles, the importance of confidence, and the impact of motherhood on careers. Laura and Fiorenza emphasise the need for supportive workplace cultures, visible role models, and mentorship to empower women in their professional journeys.
“Motherhood and a successful career are not mutually exclusive”, says Fiorenza.
The discussion also highlights the historical context of gender roles and the ongoing struggle for gender equity in the workplace.
Key Moments
00:00 Introduction to Female Leadership and Belonging
02:11 Laura Howard's Professional Journey to Female Leadership Coaching
05:43 Confidence and Its Impact on Female Leaders
06:43 Research Insights on Female Leadership
10:19 The Gender Standards in Leadership
13:20 Cultural Shifts and Organisational Equity
15:01 Motherhood and career progression
18:58 Creating a Sense of Belonging in the Workplace
22:43 Role Models and Authentic Leadership
26:33 Success Stories in Coaching
28:49 The Importance of External Support in Leadership
🔗 To know more about Laura’s work, you can connect on Linkedin or through her website.
🔗 This is Laura’s study mentioned in the episode, on Authenticity and woman’s leadership.
📚 The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart is the book mentioned in the episode. A great read!
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