Description

In this episode of The Goode Guide, I sit down with the brilliant Shellye, an accomplished executive and the author of Unapologetically Ambitious. Shellye shares her journey from the early days of her career, navigating barriers in the tech industry, to becoming a CEO and mentor for the next generation of leaders. Her journey isn’t just about professional success; it’s about overcoming the odds and leading with purpose. We dive deep into her book and discuss what it truly means to embrace ambition without hesitation, especially as women.

Shellye opens up about how ambition, often viewed negatively when it comes to women, can be a powerful force for change and personal growth. She sheds light on the importance of vulnerability and sharing your goals with others to help you reach them. Plus, we talk about building high-performance teams, the challenges of leadership, and why strategic career planning is essential to growth. This episode is packed with insights on how to create lasting impact while staying true to your ambition.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace your ambition without apology. Women often hold themselves back due to societal perceptions of ambition, but it’s time to own your desires and aspirations.
• Build high-performing teams by recognizing different skill sets, fostering trust, and creating clarity on team goals.
• The key to leadership is not about titles—it’s about your ability to inspire and lead with integrity.
• Strategic career planning is essential, but it needs to consider not just your job, but your whole life. Keep your vision broad and include those who are part of your journey.
• Vulnerability and ambition go hand in hand. To achieve your goals, you need to open up, share your aspirations, and build a network of support.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Welcome to The Goode Guide: Introduction to Shellye and her impressive journey.

00:01:25 - From Corporate to CEO: Shelley shares her early days in tech and how she rose to the top.

00:06:15 - Unapologetically Ambitious: The meaning behind the title of Shellye’s book and why it’s important for women to embrace ambition.

00:09:32 - The Power of Vulnerability: How being open about your goals and challenges can accelerate your success.

00:12:30 - Building High-Performance Teams: Shellye’s advice on assembling teams with complementary skills and fostering trust.

00:15:45 - Strategic Career Planning: The importance of having a long-term vision and including your personal life goals.

00:19:50 - Leadership Lessons: How Shellye defines leadership and the traits that make great leaders.

00:22:00 - Mentorship and Impact: The importance of mentoring the next generation of leaders.

00:24:20 - Advice for Women Aspiring to Leadership: Shelley’s top advice for women looking to make an impact in their careers.

00:27:00 - Wrapping Up: Final thoughts on staying unapologetically ambitious and making a lasting impact.

Resources Mentioned:

• Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye
• Shelley's mentorship program: Ignite Ambitions

Follow Shelley on LinkedIn and Instagram