Over a decade ago, when I began writing about women in leadership and gender bias, I was very hopeful. Up to that point I had, what I thought, was a good experience working in mixed gender workplaces. I felt welcome and generally appreciated as a female leader. When I opted off the leadership...
Dana Theus
Unlocking the Benefits of Reverse Mentoring
Mentoring is often thought of to help younger employees develop by passing on the wisdom of more experienced leaders. And it is! But that model ignores all the wisdom that many people have to give those of us who sit in leadership positions. And there is a lot that early career employees have to...
INSIGHT: Expectation
One person this week is annoyed at me and the other isn’t, despite on-time delivery to both. The difference? Expectation I set with them. "Set expectations intentionally. That way you always get better results." - Click to Tweet How can two people have such different experiences of the same...
Executive Communications: Start with the Bottom Line
Every single one of my coaching clients face challenges with executive communications in one form or another. The most common contexts in which these issues come up include these two dimensions of personal branding and executive presence: Communicating in an executive fashion to be seen as a...
Decoding Leadership Presence: 3 Steps to Confidence
One of the most important things women can do to accelerate their career is develop authentic confidence. But it’s not always easy. Dana decodes leadership presence for women in this post based on her experience helping women adapt to a male business culture. – InPower Editors Decoding Leadership...
3 Myths About a Coaching Leadership Style
The more authority you gain in an organization, the more you realize that your greatest impact results from growing other leaders rather than simply making decisions and doing things yourself. This basic dynamic of leadership isn’t always obvious to those with less authority. When you don’t have...
The secret to entrepreneurial leadership — even if you’re not an entrepreneur
The U.S. has a love affair with entrepreneurship, and it’s no big surprise. Our founding mythology is built on the stories of loners, tribes and rebels. Entrepreneurship is the ultimate definition of modern freedom — accountability only to yourself. No more “workin’ for the man” (or wo-man)....
What Does a Mentor Do? A Comprehensive Guide for Mentors and Mentees
If you sometimes struggle to navigate the complex world of personal and professional growth, you're not alone. And that's the point. Many others have walked the path you're on, and you can learn from their successes and mistakes. Don't go it alone. Get a mentor to guide you on your journey. In...
How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor: A Step-by-Step Guide
Key Takeaways: Organic Mentoring: Formal requests aren't always necessary; consistent seeking of advice can naturally cultivate mentoring relationships over time. Clarify Your Goals: Understand your career objectives and challenges before seeking mentorship to effectively communicate your needs to...
Personal Development Plan for Leadership: Get Out of the Weeds and Bring Out Your Best Self
When I was early in my career, I sought leadership positions because I felt compelled to achieve my higher purpose through my career. I set out on a personal development plan for leadership believing it would make me a better, and more impactful person. But I soon became very disappointed with...