Shows
Lead to SoarGiving Women Leadership Without Authority Is Benevolent NeglectWomen are asked to lead hard change without authority, pay, or backing. Mel and Michelle on benevolent neglect.In This EpisodeMel and Michelle look at shadow leadership: stretch roles, acting roles, and employee resource groups that bring visibility and responsibility without documented authority, budget, or air cover. Michelle shares a time she assumed her boss had her back, only to find out otherwise. A Lead to Soar member's stand-in negotiation shows what asking looks like.Truth Bomb"Don't do what I did and just assume you've got the air cover...
2026-10-2532 min
Lead to SoarNothing Left to Lose: When It’s Safe to Speak UpA colleague decides to act on a workplace bully everyone else has been too afraid to challenge, after management’s own attempt to fix things made the problem worse. Michelle and Mel use the story to ask a harder question: how do you work out whether you’re actually safe enough to speak up, and what should you be asking for when you do?In this episodeMel and Michelle discuss a true story from Michelle’s network: a long-tenured bully in a 20- to 25-person team, protected for years by management inaction and then by a b...
2026-10-1125 min
Lead to SoarWho Gets to Speak Their Mind at Work, and Who Gets Called Abrasive?Years ago, Michelle Redfern told her manager at one of Australia's big banks that the team had a politeness problem. He told her to keep speaking up. A couple of years later she had a reputation, and one of the words attached to it was "abrasive."Mel Butcher and Michelle look at who gets to speak their mind at work and who pays for it. They cover the question every leader needs to ask (am I consulting people for better ideas, or collecting yeses?), how psychological safety works in a team, and why women receive more vague...
2026-10-0533 min
Lead to SoarThe Good Girl TaxBeing praised as a good team player feels rewarding. Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher call out what it actually costs this episode: a tax on women who’ve been socialised to say yes, one that rarely shows up in your pay or your title.Two women in engineering consulting were asked to take on more work without extra pay. One agreed to become the “office manager,” took on the workload, and ended up stuck. The other said no, in writing, calmly and clearly, and protected her progression instead.From there, Michelle walks through her “stop, breathe...
2026-08-2423 min
Lead to SoarThe Good Girl TaxBeing praised as a good team player feels rewarding. Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher identified what it actually costs this episode: a tax on women who've been socialised to say yes, one that rarely shows up in your pay or your title.Two women in engineering consulting were both asked to take on more work for no extra pay. One agreed to become "office manager," took on the workload, and stayed stuck. The other said no, calmly and clearly, in writing, and protected her progression instead.From there, Michelle walks through her "stop, breathe, reflect"...
2026-08-2323 min
Lead to SoarInternational Women’s Day 2026: Who Made You Free?Let’s cut through the noise. International Women’s Day comes around. Brands share purple graphics. Panels discuss “empowerment.” Meanwhile, women’s rights are being eroded worldwide. So Mel Butcher asked the only question that matters:Who made you free?Michelle Redfern talks about her Nana and her Mum. She also discusses the women who made it possible for her to open a bank account, start a business, and have a voice.Freedom didn’t just fall from the sky. It was fought for. It was paid for. It’s not guaranteed.In this epis...
2026-03-0823 min
Lead to SoarHow to Steer Your Review to Be About Results, Not PersonalityPerformance reviews are meant to assess contribution, results, and business impact. Yet for many women, they become subjective conversations about tone, confidence, or how they “come across.”In Episode 204, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher discuss why women are disproportionately judged on personality rather than performance, and what that means for career progression. Drawing on research and lived experience, they explore how biased feedback shows up in reviews and why it persists, even for high-performing women.This episode reframes the performance review as a business conversation, not a personal evaluation. Michelle shares practical language women can use...
2026-02-0126 min
Lead to Soar5 Ways to Be a Better Ally to the Rainbow CommunityAs Pride Month 2026 approaches, we wanted to resurface this episode and send it to everyone so that they know exactly how to be a great ally to the rainbow community. If you consider yourself supportive of the LGBTIQA+ community but aren’t always sure what meaningful allyship looks like in practice, this episode is for you.In this solo episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern speaks directly to leaders, managers, and colleagues who want to move beyond passive support and take responsibility for creating safer, more inclusive workplaces for people who are trans, gender di...
2026-01-3008 min
Lead to SoarWho Are You Called to Become as a Leader?This isn’t your average leadership pep talk. In this episode, Michelle Redfern invites you into a quiet, reflective, and deeply practical session designed to help you pause, breathe, and think intentionally about the leader and the woman you are called to become.Drawing on her personal experience and the powerful Ikigai framework, Michelle shares the exact questions, journaling prompts, and mindset shifts that helped her shift from living on autopilot to leading with purpose.Whether you’re at a career crossroads, feeling a loss of joy in your current role, or sensing it’s time f...
2025-12-2148 min
Lead to SoarProfessional Jealousy: What Is It & How Does it Show Up?In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle a workplace issue most people experience but rarely discuss openly: professional jealousy. They walk through how jealousy shows up, how it can be weaponised through policy or gossip, and why it can have serious consequences for someone’s reputation and career if it isn’t handled well.Michelle shares a real incident from her executive career at a major Australian bank, where a colleague’s jealousy escalated into an unnecessary and poorly managed HR process. The story lays bare how organisational systems can be misused when leaders act on hearsay instea...
2025-12-0132 min
Lead to SoarWhy Being Busy and Obedient Is a Losing Career StrategyThis episode asks the big career question: What happens when you stay busy, wait patiently, and hope to be noticed? Michelle and Mel dismantle the “good girl” model of leadership and explain why obedience, helpfulness, and non-promotable tasks (NPTs) won’t get you where you want to go. Instead, they lay out how to move from being merely helpful to being high-impact, and why radical accountability is the antidote to career stagnation.What You’ll Learn• Why “keeping your head down” will not shift your career trajectory• The hidden costs of saying yes to non-promotabl...
2025-10-2021 min
Lead to SoarWhy Loyalty Is for Labradors, Not Women LeadersLoyalty is still one of the most praised traits in women at work. Loyal to a leader. Loyal to a team. Loyal to an organisation that no longer has your back. In 2025, that expectation hasn’t softened. If anything, it has hardened.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher revisit the idea that loyalty is a virtue for women leaders—and ask harder questions about what loyalty actually costs when it isn’t reciprocated, rewarded, or aligned with sound leadership judgement.This conversation reflects where work is now: prolonged uncertainty, shrink...
2025-10-1320 min
Lead to SoarNetwork Like a CEOIn this Lead to Soar Network session, Michelle Redfern breaks down why strategic networking isn’t just a nice-to-have for ambitious women—it’s non-negotiable if you want influence, visibility, and advancement. Michelle shares practical tips, real talk about the barriers women face, and why “drinking from the fire hydrant” (aka, her sessions) is exactly what’s needed to shift from endless busywork to genuine leadership presence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why traditional networking advice fails women• The difference between busywork and strategic visibility• How to audit your own network using Mi...
2025-07-1443 min
Lead to SoarSpeaking Up as a Leader: Risk, Visibility, and ConsequencesIn this Lead to Soar webinar episode, Michelle Redfern delivers a focused and strategic workshop on the art and necessity of speaking up and standing out as a woman in the workplace. Drawing on research, lived experience, and her work with women leaders globally, Michelle uncovers the systemic challenges women face when advocating for themselves and why remaining silent comes at a cost.Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how societal expectations, rigid gender norms, and workplace culture create barriers to visibility—and what to do about it. Michelle shares practical strategies to communicate with credibility, us...
2025-07-0739 min
Lead to SoarSmart Trust and Setting BoundariesIn this episode of Lead to Soar, co-hosts Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss a real-world leadership challenge brought forward by a Lead to Soar Network member. “Jane,” a high-performing consultant in a matrix organisation, found herself unexpectedly blamed when a project she was only lightly involved in started to unravel.Mel and Michelle use this scenario to explore the importance of establishing clear expectations, the concept of Smart Trust, and how to respond when your professional reputation is at risk. This episode is essential listening for women navigating complex work environments where visibility, influence, and trust must...
2025-06-2331 min
Lead to SoarThe Importance of BQ for Women's Leadership SuccessIn this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern explores why Business Intelligence (BQ) is the missing link for women’s leadership success. She explores how developing and demonstrating BQ—alongside Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social Intelligence (SQ)—can help women advance in their careers, close the gender leadership gap, and be perceived as strategic, results-driven leaders.What You’ll Learn:The status quo for women in leadership globally—and why progress remains slowThe three components of leadership: BQ, EQ, and SQHow BQ impacts career advancement and why women...
2025-06-1650 min
Lead to SoarThe Strategic Skills Series: Why Leadership Progression Isn’t a Confidence ProblemWelcome to Lead to Soar Presents: The Strategic Skills Series—a new series focused on the skills that actually determine leadership progression.In this launch episode, Michelle Redfern sets the record straight on why so much leadership advice for women misses the point—and what needs to change if women are to advance with credibility, influence, and authority.This is not about surface-level fixes or being told to “raise your profile.” It’s about the strategic leadership capabilities that shape how women are assessed, trusted, promoted, and paid.Michelle introduces the three pillars that under...
2025-06-0905 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Helga Svendsen: So you want to be on a board?Helga Svendsen is a self-confessed 'governance nerd' who is a facilitator, coach and mentor specializing in strategy and planning, governance and stakeholder engagement. She hosts the Take on Board podcast, a weekly pod where she talks all things governance, as well as the Take on Board community, which is a thriving community of women who connect through active Facebook group events. Helga also runs programs to enable to get onto their first board and to a program to help women who are establishing their board careers. In this episode, Michelle asks Helga what women should pay attention to and...
2025-04-2845 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Jo Thomas on how she climbed the career ladder to hold multiple C-Suite positionsIn this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert Michelle Redfern sits down for an interview with Jo Thomas, the CEO of the Australian Institute of Business. Jo shares her career story, how she ended up living in Australia, and how she climbed the career ladder to hold multiple C-Suite positions.Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com~Guest Jo Thomas' Bio: Jo Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Business. Jo is all about flawless execution, authentic leadership, and...
2025-04-211h 00
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Alicia Scott shares her experiences advancing in an extremely male-dominated spaceLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars!In this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert Michelle Redfern sits down for an interview with Semiconductor engineer and DEI expert Alicia Scott. Alicia joins us to share her experiences advancing in a highly male-dominated space - semiconductors and shares her thoughts and experience as a Woman of Colour in STEM. Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com.~Bio for Guest Alicia ScottAlicia Scott has 25 years of p...
2025-04-1458 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Sheila Flavell brings curiosity and tech togetherIn this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert Michelle Redfern sits down for an interview with the one and only Sheila Flavell. Sheila is an extraordinary leader (by our full ACtS! definition!) in the truest sense. She has created exceptional outcomes for business and women in the Tech industry. She continues leading today and has the curiosity and energy to keep learning and pushing herself into new territory. We were so inspired by this episode, and hope you are too!Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.c...
2025-04-0758 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: CEO of Zillion, Cheryl Morrison Deutsch shares her career story and philosophies on leadershipCheryl Morrison Deutsch, CEO of Zillion, joins us on episode 28 of the Lead to Soar podcast to share her career story and philosophies on leadership.Guest Bio: Cheryl Morrison Deutsch, CEO of Zillion, brings almost three decades of experience in translating business and technology requirements into actionable plans to provide superior user experiences. Morrison Deutsch most recently served as Executive Director of Customer Experience, Collaboration & Transformation at Kronos. Before this, she was a thought leader at Cloud Technology Partners, a premier cloud services and software company serving Fortune 500 companies, developing technical and organizational strategies to support customers’ bus...
2025-03-3155 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Laura Ryan on Strategic Networking and Meat Business WomenGuest Bio: Laura Ryan BA (Hons), MSc, DipM MCIM Laura has a First-Class Honours in Marketing and a Masters in Management and has also achieved Chartered Marketer status via the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Laura joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in 2007 after successfully launching premium beef & lamb brands within a large butchery business in the North East of England. Working her way through the ranks she was appointed as Sector Strategy Director for Beef & Lamb Board in 2015. She led the strategic review and development for the Beef & Lamb sector in England by identifying key chal...
2025-03-2449 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Julie Escobar on Strategic & Financial EmpowermentGuest bio: Julie Escobar is a sharpened international market-driven leader and international businesswoman. She has driven the achievement of tremendous sales goals - from $20M to $50M in 3 years. Escobar is co-founder of Global Women Fresh, an organization whose mission is to leverage the talent of Women in produce to close the food industry’s gender divide by inspiring, connecting, and empowering women around the world.Episode Quotes“To go where you really want to go, you have to put the hours, you have to put the energy, the investment – financial and non-financial – and ultimately...
2025-03-1749 min
Lead to SoarCelebrating Women's Leadership: Heather Polinsky on her path from Public Servant to C-SuiteHeather Polinsky is an environmental consulting professional with over 20 years of experience. She started as a civilian project manager for the US Army Environmental Command. She found herself in consulting not too long ago and has had a wonderful career trajectory that's taken her from Project Management through Program Management and Client Development. She is now a leader of leaders in Operations. In this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Heather reflects on some of the ways mentors have helped her most, the best career advice she's ever received, and how she has developed The Missing 33% (business strategic...
2025-03-1445 min
Lead to SoarSupporting Women at Work: What Inclusive Leadership RequiresMichelle Redfern is joined by Lisa Saunders and Natalie Moore from Own Your Health Collective to explore how workplaces can better support women through perimenopause and menopause, pivotal life stages impacting women at the peak of their careers. Together, they address the often-taboo subject of menopause, highlighting the need for awareness, education, and supportive policies to ensure that women can continue to thrive professionally during these changes. Lisa and Natalie share actionable insights for both organisational leaders and individuals to foster inclusive environments, reduce stigma, and introduce practical solutions that make a difference for women's health and well-being at...
2024-11-2549 min
Lead to SoarCoaching Women Leaders for ImpactIn this episode, Michelle Redfern is joined by Susan Colantuono, founder of Be Business Savvy and co-founder of the Lead to Soar Network, to discuss the transformative coaching approaches needed to support women’s advancement into senior leadership. This conversation focuses on how managers, mentors, and coaches can go beyond traditional coaching frameworks to build their own business acumen—and effectively coach women on these skills. By developing these critical coaching capabilities, we can bridge the leadership gender gap and elevate women leaders to new heights.Key Topics Discussed:• Transformative Coaching for Women Leaders: Michelle and Su...
2024-11-2149 min
Lead to SoarReimagining HR: From Policy Police to Strategic PartnerIn this episode of Lead to Soar, host Michelle Redfern is joined by Trina Sunday, founder of Reimagine HR, for a candid conversation about the need for a major overhaul in HR. Michelle and Trina discuss the shortcomings in traditional HR practices, including the “policy police” reputation, and discuss how HR functions must evolve to be effective partners in strategic leadership. They explore why HR often attracts criticism, how changing workplace expectations affect HR’s responsibilities, and the skills gap that prevents HR from meeting the needs of a modern workforce. From adopting design thinking to embracing proact...
2024-11-1146 min
Lead to SoarWhy Conversation Is a Leadership SkillIn this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern explores the concept of learning conversations and their role in career and leadership development. Michelle shares how mastering the art of these informal but intentional discussions can significantly enhance your leadership journey.Key Discussion Points:What are Learning Conversations?Michelle defines learning conversations as informal, intentional dialogues with someone whose experience can help broaden your perspective. Unlike traditional mentoring, learning conversations are more flexible and less structured, focusing on real-time knowledge sharing and feedback.Why Learning Conversations Matter for Leaders
2024-11-0413 min
Lead to SoarHour of Power: Why Strategic Peer Coaching Changes CareersIn this episode, Michelle Redfern discusses the Hour of Power, a weekly group coaching call within the Lead to Soar network. This session provides a safe and consistent space for women to share their career challenges and insights, offering practical advice, support, and a strategic network that empowers women to thrive. Michelle highlights the importance of psychological safety, the value of women supporting each other in their careers, and the real-world outcomes participants experience through Hour of Power.Key Takeaways:What is Hour of Power?Hour of Power is a weekly, one-hour online...
2024-10-2814 min
Lead to SoarOpportunity Knocks: How to Take Smart Career Risks That Actually Pay OffIn this episode of Lead to Soar, hosts Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle the crucial topic of taking risks in your career. From deciding whether to apply for new roles to managing toxic work environments, the conversation covers practical strategies for assessing risks, taking bold steps, and learning from past decisions. Michelle introduces the concept of a "risk matrix" to help you evaluate career moves, while Mel shares personal insights on making big life changes. The episode also explores overcoming the fear of rejection, managing workplace politics, and becoming proactive in your career growth....
2024-10-1436 min
Lead to SoarStop Blaming Women: The Truth About “Queen Bee” NarrativesIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher take on one of the most persistent and damaging stories in women’s leadership: the so-called “Queen Bee.”This is not an episode about labelling women as the problem.It’s about examining why women in power are judged through a different moral lens, why survival behaviours are framed as character flaws, and why organisations are far more comfortable blaming individual women than redesigning broken systems.Drawing on listener questions, lived experience, and feminist analysis, Michelle and Mel unpack how the “Queen Bee”...
2024-10-0730 min
Lead to SoarCareer Compass: How to Be a Growth Leader at Every Career StageMel Butcher and Michelle Redfern are discussing growth leadership on today’s episode. They explore the idea that every employee, regardless of department or career stage, plays a critical role in driving their organisation's growth. Growth is not limited to revenue and sales—it extends to overall impact, customer satisfaction, and internal efficiency. The episode also emphasises that leadership manifests at all levels, from early career professionals to C-suite executives. Michelle shares insights on how understanding the business of the business and aligning with organisational strategy is essential for contributing to growth.Episode Highlights:Growth Lead...
2024-09-2933 min
Lead to SoarNavigating Career Crossroads: How to Decide What Comes NextIn this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, host Michelle Redfern welcomes back Noa Rein, an organisational psychologist and HR advisor, to discuss navigating career crossroads. Together, they explore the concept of being the main character in your career story and the challenges of decision-making during career transitions. Noa shares her expert insights on how individuals, especially women, can recognise when they are at a career crossroads, the emotions and fears that often accompany it, and how to take control of the narrative of their career. They also discuss the power of imagination, the importance of reflection, and...
2024-09-2353 min
Lead to SoarHow to Close the Workplace Gender GapIn this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher discuss the persistent workplace gender gap, its causes, and actionable steps to close it. The conversation covers the current state of gender disparity in leadership roles, the impact on women's economic potential, and strategies for organisations and managers to foster gender equity. They also highlight the importance of business intelligence (BQ) skills for women and discuss resources like the Lead to Soar Summit and Michelle's book, "The Leadership Compass."Episode HighlightsCurrent State of the Gender Gap: Women have lower workforce...
2024-09-2238 min
Lead to SoarCareer Compass: How to Level Up Your LinkedIn GameIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss the power of LinkedIn as a strategic tool for professional women. They explore the common hesitations women face in using LinkedIn and provide actionable advice on how to effectively utilise the platform to enhance career opportunities, build networks, and establish a strong professional brand.Episode Highlights:Hesitations Women Face on LinkedIn:- Lack of time and prioritisation.- Uncertainty about how to use the platform effectively.- Feelings of shyness or being overwhelmed by the information...
2024-08-2637 min
Lead to SoarCareer Compass: How You Can Help the Next Generation of Women CEOs Navigate their CareersIn this episode of Lead to Soar, hosts Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss the critical topic of navigating career advice for women aiming for CEO roles. The conversation highlights the disparity in career advice, which focuses heavily on emotional intelligence (EQ) over business intelligence (BQ) and the importance of developing BQ skills for career advancement. They share insights from successful women CEOs like Nickie Gibson and emphasise the need for actionable advice that prepares women for executive leadership roles.Episode Highlights:Career Advice Landscape: We discuss the disproportionate focus on EQ in career a...
2024-08-1226 min
Lead to SoarI’m Not Fixing Women and Neither Should YouIn this mini-episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern, author of "The Leadership Compass," reads an excerpt from her book. Michelle emphasizes that women do not need fixing; instead, the focus should be on transforming the patriarchal systems that hinder their progress. Inspired by Catherine Fox's book "Stop Fixing Women," Michelle highlights the importance of addressing workplace policies and leadership frameworks designed for men.Episode Highlights- Systemic Change Over Individual Fixes: Women aren't the problem; the system is.- The Leadership Compass: Aims to help women navigate and change the workplace.
2024-07-2209 min
Lead to Soar"Who Are You Called to Become?" A Reading from The Leadership Compass by Michelle RedfernIn this mini episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern, author of "The Leadership Compass," shares a reading from the book's first chapter. Michelle reflects on a transformative leadership retreat and the journey to discovering her true calling as a leader.Episode Highlights- Transformational Retreat: A pivotal 2013 leadership retreat prompted Michelle to reflect deeply with the question, "Who are you called to become?"- Self-Discovery Journey: Michelle emphasizes the importance of listening to one's inner voice, reflecting on past experiences, and understanding personal and professional growth.- Mentorship Wisdom...
2024-07-1509 min
Lead to SoarEvolving Workplace Dynamics and CultureIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher are joined by Erika Jefferson for a direct, unsentimental conversation about workplace dynamics and leadership responsibility.This is not a discussion about motivation, perks, or surface-level culture change. It’s about the conditions leaders create and tolerate, and how those conditions either enable contribution or quietly shut it down.Together, Michelle, Mel, and Erika discuss why organisations say they want innovation, accountability, and initiative, yet continue to reward behaviours that undermine all three. They explore how leadership indecision, unclear expectations, and misplaced tolerance dr...
2024-07-0843 min
Lead to SoarSaying Goodbye to Non-Competes: Leadership for the Modern Executive - Part IIIn this milestone episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher, Michelle Redfern and Erika Jefferson to discuss the recent FTC ruling banning non-compete agreements. They dive into the implications of this rule for employees and employers, exploring how non-competes have been used historically and why they are problematic. The conversation also touches on trust, leadership, and the essential elements of creating a high-engagement work environment.Episode Highlights- FTC Ruling on Non-Competes: In April 2024, the FTC announced a rule banning non-compete agreements, which traditionally prevented employees from working for competitors within a certain geographic area...
2024-07-0135 min
Lead to SoarRecruiting and the HR Shift: An Executive ViewIn this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, co-hosts Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern, along with special guest Erika Jefferson, tackle the pervasive challenges within the recruitment industry. The discussion centres on the inefficiencies and impersonal nature of recruiting practices, advocating for a radical transformation that prioritises human connection, candidate care, and the dismantling of outdated systems. Through the trio, sheds light on the importance of networking in job acquisition, critiques the reliance on artificial intelligence in recruiting, and proposes actionable solutions to create a more inclusive, efficient, and respectful hiring process.Episode Highlights• Th...
2024-04-2949 min
Lead to SoarSuccession Planning Is a Leadership ResponsibilityIn this insightful episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern tackle the often overlooked yet critical aspect of leadership—succession planning. They explore why leaders tend to shy away from this responsibility and provide a roadmap for effective succession planning that prepares organisations for future challenges. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in a leadership position, offering practical strategies for cultivating the next generation of leaders.Episode Highlights:The Importance of Succession Planning: An exploration of why succession planning is essential for sustainable organisational growth and leadership transition.Overcoming Avoidance: Michelle shares insights on...
2024-04-1517 min
Lead to SoarWhy Most Mentoring Programs Fail (and How to Build One That Actually Works)In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss the importance of creating a strategic mentoring program. They challenge the traditional, often questionable effectiveness of mentoring programs and present a strategic approach that promises to elevate these initiatives from good to great. Targeted at leaders, HR professionals, and decision-makers, this episode is a masterclass on designing mentoring programs that genuinely advance women's careers.Episode Highlights:The Strategic Importance of Mentoring: Michelle Redfern highlights the need for mentoring programs to be strategic, aligning with organisational goals and advancing women.Organisational...
2024-04-0825 min
Lead to SoarWhy Women Hold Back in Public ConversationsIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher examine why women are less likely to ask questions or speak up in public settings, including meetings, seminars, panels, and professional forums.Drawing on research highlighted in a BBC article, the conversation moves beyond surface explanations and looks at the structural, cultural, and reputational risks women navigate when they speak publicly.This is not about confidence. It’s about judgement, consequence, and learned experience.Michelle and Mel explore how women quickly assess the cost of speaking up, how credibility is unevenly gr...
2024-03-0415 min
Lead to SoarF*ck the Cupcakes: What Real Support for Women at Work Looks LikeIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern take aim at the performative rituals that dominate International Women’s Day in many organisations and ask a harder question: what does meaningful support for women at work actually look like?This is a frank conversation about how good intentions routinely fall short, and how symbolic gestures such as cupcakes, morning teas, and unpaid speaking slots often replace real investment, accountability, and structural change.Michelle and Mel explore why women are still expected to contribute free labour around IWD, how organisations outsource responsibility fo...
2024-02-2627 min
Lead to SoarWhat Happens When Women Don’t Thrive at Work?In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher examine why so many capable women stall, disengage, or leave organisations, and why the problem is almost never the women themselves.Using the metaphor of a flower that fails to bloom, the conversation shifts attention away from individual confidence, resilience, or ambition and toward the workplace conditions women are expected to succeed within.Michelle and Mel explore how systems, norms, and leadership behaviours can quietly suppress women’s growth, even in organisations that believe they are supportive or progressive. They challenge the habit of...
2024-02-1920 min
Lead to SoarPlaying to Your Strengths: Career Strategy, Not Self-HelpIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern are joined by Charlotte Blair, a Gallup-certified strengths coach, to talk about what it really means to play to your strengths at work and why this is a strategic career decision, not a feel-good exercise.Charlotte shares her transition from a senior corporate role into strengths-based coaching and explains why self-awareness is a critical leadership skill, particularly for women navigating complex organisations. The conversation moves beyond personality labels to examine how understanding strengths supports better judgement, clearer role fit, and more effective leadership....
2024-01-2940 min
Lead to SoarCareer Q&A: Positioning, Visibility, and Strategic Career MovesIn this Career Q&A episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher respond to real questions from listeners and Lead to Soar Network members about career progression, visibility, networking, and leadership judgement.Rather than defaulting to generic advice about “confidence” or personal branding, this conversation focuses on how careers actually move inside organisations. Michelle and Mel talk about positioning, evidence, reputation, and strategic relationships, and why being good at your job is necessary but rarely sufficient for progression.The discussion cuts through common myths about self-promotion and networking and reframes both as lead...
2023-11-2050 min
Lead to SoarLead to Soar Live: Meet Rana Hussain of Good HumanCatch the replay of Lead to Soar Live when Mel & Michelle talked with Rana Hussain about intersectional inclusion and how excited they are for her keynote speech at the upcoming Lead to Soar Summit in Australia.Links and ResourcesRana Hussain on LinkedIn Lead to Soar is a global online network for businesswomen, a podcast, and we host live-streaming and in person events to help women have a career that soars! The podcast is hosted by Mel Butcher (melbutcher.com) and Michelle Redfern (michelleredfern.com)Lead...
2023-11-0627 min
Lead to SoarRethinking DEI: Should It Sit Inside HR?In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern challenge a long-standing organisational assumption: that diversity, equity, and inclusion should sit within HR.They explore why DEI is so often treated as a functional responsibility rather than a leadership one, and how this structural choice quietly limits impact, accountability, and cultural change. When DEI is positioned as an HR issue, it is too easily reduced to policy, compliance, and process rather than power, decision-making, and leadership behaviour.This conversation examines what happens when leaders outsource inclusion instead of owning it, and why...
2023-10-2327 min
Lead to SoarBEST OF L2S: Please stop being baffled about the leadership gender gapRecent research tells us (again) that women outperform men on a range of different leadership metrics. That same research informs us that leaders are baffled that, given how competent women are, there are more of us at the top of organizations. Well, we want you to stop your bafflement about the leadership gender gap. It might be an okay place to start, but leaders must move on from admiring the problem and start taking action. And that does not mean enrolling all your workers in unconscious bias training! In this episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern...
2023-10-1649 min
Lead to SoarBEST OF L2S: What is Gaslighting at Work and What Can I Do About It?Gaslighting in the workplace is Bullying. This form of toxic behavior is particularly insidious, and it can't be ignored if it's happening in your workplace. Because for the victims of this gaslighting, it can cause anxiety, depression, and even nervous breakdowns. It can cause the victim to even question their own sanity. In this episode, Mel and Michelle explore what gaslighting can look like, sound like and feel like for women in the workplace so that they at work know how to recognize it. We also give advice to workplace leaders about how to recognise, respond and refer to...
2023-10-0926 min
Lead to SoarBenevolent Bias and Everyday Sexism at WorkIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern examine one of the most entrenched and least challenged barriers to women’s leadership: benevolent bias.Unlike overt sexism, benevolent bias often presents as kindness, protection, or concern. It sounds supportive. It feels polite. And it quietly limits women’s authority, decision-making power, and credibility at work.Mel and Michelle explore how everyday sexism operates through lowered expectations, selective protection, softened feedback, and assumptions about women’s resilience and risk tolerance. They also examine why these behaviours persist in organisations that believe they are al...
2023-09-1130 min
Lead to SoarStrategic Communication: Speaking the Language of PowerMel Butcher and Michelle Redfern tackle a critical leadership skill that is often misunderstood and badly taught: strategic communication.This is not about presentation polish or finding your “authentic voice.” It’s about learning to communicate in the language decision-makers listen for: business outcomes, priorities, trade-offs, and impact.Michelle and Mel explore why talented women are frequently told they’re “not landing their message” when the real issue is misalignment with organisational strategy and executive expectations. They break down how leaders use language to shape decisions, influence priorities, and be taken seriously at senior levels.This ep...
2023-08-2824 min
Lead to SoarPrioritising Safe and Supportive WorkplacesIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern is joined by Karen Percy, journalist, media and communications expert, and trauma trainer, to discuss what trauma-informed leadership actually means at work—and what it does not.This is not about turning managers into therapists. It’s about leadership responsibility.Michelle and Karen explore how trauma shows up in workplaces, why leaders often miss it, and how everyday communication practices can either compound harm or create psychological safety. They examine the limits of traditional leadership approaches and why modern leaders must be better equipped to recognise dist...
2023-08-1421 min
Lead to SoarWhy Ambitious Women Need Media TrainingIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern is joined by journalist and media trainer Karen Percy to discuss why media and communication training is a strategic career investment for ambitious women—not a nice-to-have.This conversation goes beyond interviews and press appearances. Michelle and Karen examine how women are judged on communication, how authority is granted or withheld through language and delivery, and why poor or untested communication skills can quietly derail otherwise strong careers.They explore how media-style training sharpens clarity under pressure, builds confidence in high-stakes conversations, and helps women navigate sc...
2023-08-0731 min
Lead to SoarThe Glass Cliff: Why Women Are Offered Leadership Roles Set Up to FailThe Glass Cliff describes a well-documented pattern in leadership appointments: women are more likely to be promoted into senior roles during periods of crisis, instability, or high risk, when the chance of failure is already elevated.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern explain what the Glass Cliff is, where the concept comes from, and why it continues to shape women’s leadership experiences. Drawing on the foundational research by Professors Michelle Ryan and Alex Haslam, they break down how these roles are framed as “opportunities” while often lacking mandate, resources, or genuin...
2023-07-1021 min
Lead to SoarBeyond Leaning In: Why Women Don’t Need More Individual FixesIn this episode, Michelle Redfern is joined by Melanie Ho, author of Beyond Leaning In, for a grounded, unsentimental conversation about why decades of advice telling women to adapt, hustle harder, or fix themselves has failed.Melanie shares the thinking behind her book and her work as a visual storytelling artist, which centres women’s lived experience at work rather than corporate myth-making. Together, Michelle and Melanie examine the structural and cultural forces that continue to limit women’s progression, even in organisations that claim to support gender equality.This is not a conversation about conf...
2023-05-1537 min
Lead to Soar5 Signs You Are in A Toxic Workplace For WomenDo you hesitate before speaking up at work because you’re unsure how it will land?Do “unwritten rules” seem to apply differently to women?Does the culture quietly punish honesty, boundaries, or ambition?If this feels familiar, the issue may not be you. It may be the workplace.In this solo episode, Michelle Redfern outlines five clear, recurring signs that a workplace is not working for women. These are not personality clashes or one-off bad days. They are structural and cultural patterns that, left unchecked, undermine women’s safety, credibility, wellbein...
2023-05-0819 min
Lead to SoarWomen’s Wellbeing at Work: Menopause, Leadership, and Organisational Responsibility“Menopausal women are the fastest-growing workforce demographic.”(Office for National Statistics, UK)Yet most workplaces are still designed as if this reality does not exist.In this episode, Michelle Redfern is joined by Natalie Moore, workplace wellbeing expert and Lead to Soar member, to examine what menopause and perimenopause actually mean for women at work—and what leaders must do differently if they are serious about inclusion, retention, and performance.This is not a health episode in the abstract. It is a leadership conversation about workplace design, capability, and responsibility.Mich...
2023-05-0132 min
Lead to SoarWhy Boundaries Matter in LeadershipIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern talk about boundaries as a leadership discipline, not a wellness perk.Using something deceptively simple—taking leave and setting out-of-office expectations—they explore how leaders signal standards, model sustainability, and protect decision quality. This is not about disappearing or being unavailable. It’s about clarity, trust, and resisting the slow erosion of leadership effectiveness that comes from being permanently on.The conversation challenges the idea that good leaders must always be accessible and examines how poor boundaries create confusion, dependency, and burnout—both for lead...
2023-04-0306 min
Lead to SoarConfidence Without the Fluff: A Practical Conversation with Selena RezvaniIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern is joined by leadership advisor, author, and speaker Selena Rezvani for a practical conversation about confidence at work—what it is, what it isn’t, and why so much advice aimed at women misses the point.Rather than treating confidence as a personality trait or mindset problem, Selena’s work focuses on small, visible actions that build credibility over time, especially in environments that were not designed to support women or marginalised leaders.Together, Michelle and Selena talk about how confidence is shaped by context, power, and fe...
2023-03-2740 min
Lead to SoarStop Saying You're Busy!Being “busy” is not a neutral statement for women leaders. It shapes how judgement, capability, and authority are perceived.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern take on one of the most normalised habits in working life: responding to everything with “I’m busy.” They examine how busyness language positions women as overloaded operators rather than leaders with control over priorities, decisions, and outcomes.This conversation sits squarely in the reality of women’s work. Women are expected to carry more, fix more, and absorb more. Busyness becomes proof of value, even...
2023-03-2018 min
Lead to SoarChoose your job referee carefully!Job referees are not a formality. They are an active part of how your capability, judgement, and leadership are assessed.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle an issue that trips up far too many women at critical career moments: poorly chosen or poorly prepared referees. The conversation is sparked by a real coaching case where a referee failed to advocate effectively, despite good intentions.Michelle and Mel break down why women are more exposed to risk in reference checks, how unconscious bias shows up in referee language, and...
2023-03-1313 min
Lead to SoarThe Brilliant JerkMost women leaders have worked with one. The high performer who delivers results but leaves damage in their wake. The behaviour is excused. The impact is minimised. The cost is carried by everyone else.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle the enduring problem of the “brilliant jerk” and why organisations continue to protect them. They look at how performance is often used as a shield for bad behaviour, how this disproportionately affects women, and why calling it out is harder than it should be.The conversation also gets prac...
2023-03-0614 min
Lead to SoarWoohoo - Our First Leadership Summit!On episode this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher connect after their very successful Leadership Summit (2022). They have reflections on how the conference went, why most professional development fails women and whether they are going to offer another opportunity to help you get A Career that Soars! (see what we did there)!?!This is a recording from a LinkedIn in Live find out more about all the Lead to Soar events.Lead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, it delivers...
2023-02-2714 min
Lead to SoarBest Of: Making Connection with Molly Beck, Author of Reach Out, CEO of Messy.fmLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars! Welcome to our "BEST OF SERIES". Molly Beck spend her days running Messi FM which is a B2B internal podcasting platform for companies to use podcast to talk to their employees. Molly also wrote the networking guidebook Reach Out, Reach Out, is about how to create a community around your work. The strategy it focuses on is sending one message every weekday to someone on the edge of your network. This is a practice Molly has been doing since 2012, and it has transformed her career a...
2023-02-2028 min
Lead to SoarBEST OF: The Confidence Scoop, with Susan Colantuono, Michelle Redfern, and Mel ButcherLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars! Welcome to our "BEST OF SERIES". On episode this episode, Susan Colantuono, Michelle Redfern, and Mel Butcher sit down for a discussion on confidence... What is confidence? Where does confidence come from? How do you get it? Where does traditional advice on confidence go wrong? LINKS Book: What the CEO Want You To Know by Ram Charan Book: No Ceiling, No Walls by Susan Colantuono SPEAKER BIOs Susan Colantuono has made it her life’s mission to support the career success of women. Sh...
2023-02-131h 04
Lead to SoarBEST OF: Leading Across Differences with Amal YusufWelcome to our "BEST OF SERIES".In this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert, Michelle Redfern, sits down for an interview with Amal Yusuf, newest host for a Career That Soars, to discuss her career path, and the leadership and wisdom she brings to our organization. Amal shares with us her path from immigrant to corporate business leader, and how she views networking and building connections for women in business.Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com~Guest Amal Yusuf B...
2023-02-0647 min
Lead to SoarShould You Do an MBA? A Strategic Career Decision“Should I do an MBA?” is one of the most common questions Michelle and Mel hear from women at work. And the honest answer is: it depends.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern is joined by Jo Thomas, CEO of the Australian Institute of Business, to talk through the MBA decision with clarity and realism.This is not a conversation about collecting credentials for reassurance. It’s about understanding when an MBA strengthens your strategic position, when it won’t, and how to decide with your eyes open.Michelle and Jo discu...
2022-12-0436 min
Lead to SoarSurviving a Toxic or Hostile Workplace: Expert GuidanceToxic workplaces don’t announce themselves clearly. They erode confidence, distort judgement, and normalise behaviour that would never pass scrutiny in a healthy system. Women are often told to cope, adapt, or be more resilient—advice that ignores how power, risk, and psychological safety actually operate at work.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern speaks with organisational psychologist Noa Rein about what it really means to survive a toxic or hostile workplace—and how women can assess whether staying is strategic or unsafe.This is not about enduring bad behaviour or fixing broken...
2022-11-271h 04
Lead to SoarAmbition is Not A Dirty Word!When the word ambitious is applied to women, it rarely lands as a compliment. It’s coded as selfish, threatening, or unlikable—especially when ambition shows up alongside competence and authority.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern take a hard look at why ambition is still treated as suspect in women, while being actively rewarded in men. The conversation is sparked by the public discussion raised in a recent podcast featuring Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Serena Williams, and is grounded in what Mel and Michelle see every day in their work wit...
2022-11-2039 min
Lead to SoarDoers Versus Delegators: Why Women Must Master the Art of DelegationIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle one of the most common career stall points for women leaders: staying in execution long after their role requires leadership.Women are often rewarded early for being reliable doers. Over time, that same behaviour becomes a liability. Leaders who remain too close to the work are perceived as indispensable operators rather than strategic decision-makers.This conversation focuses on delegation as a leadership capability, not a time-management trick.Michelle and Mel break down why effective delegation signals readiness for greater responsibility...
2022-10-3052 min
Lead to SoarSo You Want to Be on a Board? What Readiness Really Looks LikeIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern is joined by Helga Svendsen, governance specialist, board advisor, and host of the Take on Board podcast, for a grounded conversation about what it really takes to move into board roles.Board appointments are often talked about as a natural next step for senior women. In practice, many women are encouraged to “put their hand up” long before they are positioned, prepared, or understood as board-ready.This episode cuts through the mythology.Helga brings deep expertise in governance, strategy, and stakeholder engagement, and works clos...
2022-10-2345 min
Lead to SoarWhy Money Should Matter (a lot more) to Women.Money matters for women because money determines choice, access, and long-term security.In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern interviews Mel Butcher about her personal relationship with money and how her thinking shifted from seeing money as incidental to recognising it as a core career and leadership issue.The conversation was sparked by two widely resonant posts Mel shared with women in the A Career that Soars community about money stories, financial decision-making, and the way women are socialised to downplay wealth, ambition, and earning power.Together, Michelle and Mel explore:
2022-10-1651 min
Lead to SoarHow Women Leaders Should Introduce Themselves at Work“Who are you, and what does your organisation pay you to do?”That question sounds simple. For many women, it’s where credibility leaks.In this episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern draw on the research and coaching work of Susan Colantuono to examine why women so often undersell their leadership when they introduce themselves at work — and how to change that.This is not about elevator pitches or personal branding theatre. It’s about learning to describe your role, contribution, and impact in language that signals judgment, authority, and leadership intent.Mel and...
2022-10-0922 min
Lead to SoarWelcome to Season 5!Join Mel & Michelle as they share what's coming up in Season 5 as well as discuss our next live event for businesswomen in the US in 2023. Lead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, it delivers evidence-based, practical advice on leadership, career progression, and closing the gender gap. Join the Lead to Soar Network at leadtosoar.network or get Michelle’s book The Leadership Compass at michelleredfern.com/book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
2022-10-0218 min
Lead to SoarWho is Your Career Sponsor? with Michelle Redfern & Mel ButcherIn this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle one of the most misunderstood levers of career progression: sponsorship.Inspired by a talk from Carla Harris, this conversation draws a sharp line between mentors and sponsors. Mentors advise. Sponsors advocate. And confusing the two is one of the reasons capable women stall.Mel and Michelle break down what sponsorship actually looks like in practice, why it is harder to secure than mentoring, and what women need to pay attention to if they want someone in the room when decisions...
2022-05-0231 min
Lead to SoarWhy Women Get Stuck at Career Crossroads and How to Move Forward What do you do when your career hits a standstill?When the next move isn’t obvious.When every option feels compromised.When staying feels wrong, but leaving feels risky.In this episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern tackle one of the most common moments women leaders face: the career crossroads.This is not about motivation or mindset hacks. It’s about decision-making when information is incomplete, confidence is shaken, and the system isn’t designed to make choices easy.Michelle and Mel break down why women so oft...
2022-04-1128 min
Lead to SoarL2S E53: Succession Planning for Leaders - Setting Your Underrepresented minority staff up for success with Michelle Redfern & Mel ButcherSuccession planning is often treated as a paperwork exercise. Or worse, a private conversation about who feels “ready”.That’s a problem.In this episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern tackle succession planning as a core leadership responsibility and a critical lever for gender and racial equity.They ask the uncomfortable questions many leaders avoid:Who is really being developed for the next role?Who keeps getting missed?And what risk are you carrying by pretending succession will “sort itself out”?This is not a theoretica...
2022-04-0339 min
Lead to SoarWhy Women’s Networks and ERGs MatterSeason 4 opens with a clear message: women’s networks and employee resource groups are not social clubs. Done well, they are leadership engines and change levers inside organisations.In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher discuss why industry networks, workplace women’s networks, and ERGs matter for women who want to progress and for organisations that are serious about closing the leadership gender gap.Michelle shares what separates high-impact ERGs from those that stall, including how networks can build leadership capability, influence decision-making, and shift organisational outcomes rather than simply hosting events.This...
2022-03-2044 min
Advancing Women in SportEpisode 2: Michelle Redfern: Observations About Gender Inequality in SportWhy Sport? My first observations about sport came a long time after I was first involved. Sport has featured consistently throughout my entire life, whether as a little person watching from the side-lines when my parents played or as a young person and adult being involved in various team and individual sports. As I became older, I moved my involvement in sport back to the side-line, however this time as a contributor not just a spectator. I coached, managed, scored and eventually became an administrator. My roles in sporting administration enabled me to combine my areas of...
2022-02-2119 min
Advancing Women in SportEpisode 1: Michelle Redfern, The Invisible Barriers that Women in Sport Face Episode 1: The Advancing Women in Sport Podcast - Invisible Barriers Women in sport face many invisible barriers. My podcast will highlight some of those barriers and help sporting leaders take action to address them. I want all of us to know what in the world is going on for women in sport. Because achieving gender equality in sport will create a more prosperous, sustainable, and enjoyable sporting arena for all of us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get...
2022-02-1523 min
Advancing Women in SportIntroducing The Advancing Women in Sport Podcast with Michelle RedfernWe know that storytelling is a powerful way to humanize the statistics, put a face to the challenges and opportunities that women in sport face. The need to tell the stories of women in sport and to create a clarion call to action to close the gender gaps in sport has never been stronger. Our first two Advancing Women in Sport research reports gathered statistics as well as publish our own qualitative and quantitative research on people of all genders in sport. While ours and others statistics provide incredible insights, they often fail to give us any...
2022-02-0104 min
Lead to SoarLeading Across Difference — Power, Belonging, and Inclusive LeadershipIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern is joined by Amal Yusuf for a grounded conversation about what inclusive leadership looks like in practice.Amal shares her journey from immigrant to senior leader at Delta Air Lines, and reflects on how identity, power, and organisational norms shape who is heard, who is trusted, and who has to work harder to belong. This is not a discussion about intention or value statements. It is about leadership judgment inside real systems.Together, Michelle and Amal explore:How lived experience informs leadership...
2021-12-0947 min
Lead to SoarFear of Success, Imposter Syndrome, and What’s Really Going OnIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern is joined by Renata Bernarde, executive coach and host of The Job Hunting Podcast, for a grounded conversation about fear of success and imposter syndrome.Rather than treating imposter syndrome as a personal flaw, Renata reframes it as a predictable response to transition, visibility, and risk. Together, she and Michelle examine what is actually happening when capable women hesitate at the point of opportunity, particularly during job searches, promotions, or career pivots.The discussion covers:Why fear often increases just as opportunities...
2021-11-1846 min
Lead to SoarGiving and Receiving Feedback — What Helps, What Harms, and What Actually Lifts PerformanceIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle one of the most misunderstood areas of leadership and career development: feedback.They challenge the idea that all feedback is a gift and examine why women so often receive guidance that is incomplete, vague, or disconnected from what actually drives progression. This episode is not about being nicer or more positive. It is about clarity, usefulness, and responsibility.The conversation explores:Why much of the feedback women receive does not help them advanceHow vague, personality-based...
2021-11-1129 min
Lead to SoarThe Agile Leader — Emotional Intelligence and Adaptive LeadershipIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher focus on what it actually means to lead with agility.They examine the role of emotional intelligence in leadership and why effective leaders do not rely on a single default style. Instead, they use different leadership approaches deliberately, based on context, people, and outcomes.The conversation covers:Why emotional intelligence is foundational to modern leadershipHow leaders engage the strengths and potential of others without over-controllingThe importance of switching leadership styles rather than clinging...
2021-11-0410 min
Lead to SoarAvoiding Office Housework — Why Non-Promotable Work Holds Women BackIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher examine a pattern that shows up across industries and seniority levels: women being relied on to do work that keeps organisations running but does nothing for career progression.They focus on office housework and non-promotable tasks — the organising, note-taking, smoothing, fixing, and emotional labour that benefits teams while eroding women’s visibility, scope, and advancement over time.The discussion covers:What counts as office housework and why women are more likely to be asked to do itHow...
2021-10-1415 min
Lead to SoarFinancial Acumen — Understanding the Story the Numbers TellIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher focus on one of the most persistent barriers to women’s career progression: financial acumen.They challenge the idea that being “not good with numbers” is a fixed trait and explain why understanding the business's financial story is essential for credibility, influence, and advancement. This is not accounting training. It is leadership literacy.The conversation covers:What financial acumen actually means for leadersHow numbers tell a story about priorities, risk, and performanceWhy women are of...
2021-09-3041 min
Lead to SoarThe “I Don’t” List — Setting Boundaries That Protect Your CareerIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher introduce a practical career tool: the “I Don’t” List.This is not about doing less for the sake of it. It is about exercising judgment over what you say yes to, and recognising that every commitment you accept signals how your leadership is positioned and valued.Michelle and Mel explore:Why capable women are often overloaded with work that does not advance themHow default yeses erode focus, energy, and credibilityWhat belongs on an “I...
2021-09-1611 min
Lead to SoarEmotional Intelligence — Understanding What You Cause as a LeaderIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher focus on one of the most practical and confronting questions in leadership: what do you cause?The conversation examines emotional intelligence not as a soft skill, but as a core leadership capability that shapes culture, performance, and trust. Michelle and Mel explore how leaders’ behaviours, reactions, and patterns create real consequences for others, whether intended or not.The discussion covers:What emotional intelligence looks like in day-to-day leadership behaviourWhy impact matters more than intentHo...
2021-09-0253 min
Lead to SoarL2S E26: Welcome to Season 3! with Michelle & MelYour hosts, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, share the scoop on what to expect in Season 3 of the Lead to Soar podcast and what's coming up next inside A Career that Soars! A Career that Soars! is a network and learning environment for ambitious women who want to take their careers to the next level. Premium members can access free and discounted courses and workshops created by the founder and hosts -- Susan Colantuono (author of No Ceiling, No Walls), Michelle Redfern, Mel Butcher and more. We can't wait to see you inside! Visit LeadToSoar...
2021-07-0805 min
Lead to SoarA brief message from MelTake a listen to this episode to hear a brief message from Lead to Soar producer, Mel Butcher. Links: Join us inside A Career that Soars! No Ceiling, No Walls book by Susan Colantuono Make the Most of Mentoring book by Susan Colauntuono The Career Advice You Probably Didn't Get - a TED talk by Susan Colantuono Learn more about Michelle Redfern Learn more about Mel Butcher Lead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, it delivers evidence-based, practical advice on...
2021-04-3005 min
Lead to SoarBetter Allyship with Karen Catlin and Michelle RedfernKaren Catlin bio: After spending 25 years building software products and serving as a vice president of engineering at Macromedia and Adobe, Karen Catlin witnessed a sharp decline in the number of women working in tech. Frustrated but galvanized, she knew it was time to switch gears. Today, Karen is an acclaimed author and speaker on inclusive workplaces. She is the author of three books: "Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces," "The Better Allies Approach to Hiring,” and "Present! A Techie's Guide to Public Speaking." “We all need to build our network *before we nee...
2021-01-2856 min
Lead to SoarMentoring That Actually Moves Women ForwardIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Susan Colantuono interviews Michelle Redfern about mentoring, sponsorship, and the career advice women are still not being given.Susan Colantuono is the founder and former CEO of Leading Women and a globally recognised authority on women’s leadership. She is best known for her TED Talk The Career Advice You Probably Didn’t Get and for her books No Ceiling, No Walls and Make the Most of Mentoring, which challenge the conventional wisdom that keeps women stalled in middle management.Michelle Redfern is the co-founder of Lead to Soar...
2021-01-211h 01
Lead to SoarThe Leadership Mindset at Every Stage with Michelle RedfernLead to Soar provides actionable advice for ambitious career women working their way up inside public and private organizations. On this episode, co-founder Michelle Redfern, discusses what the leadership mindset looks like at different carer stages and the difference between conventional and strategic career advice for women.Lead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, it delivers evidence-based, practical advice on leadership, career progression, and closing the gender gap. Join the Lead to Soar Network at leadtosoar.network or get Michelle’s bo...
2020-12-1058 min
Lead to SoarWho Is Michelle Redfern? Leadership, Ambition, and the Work That FollowedIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher interviews Michelle Redfern about her life, career, and the experiences that have shaped her views on leadership, ambition, and systemic workplace inequality.The conversation provides context for the work that followed, including the creation of Lead to Soar and Michelle’s broader focus on fixing leadership systems rather than asking women to adapt themselves to environments that limit progression.Mel and Michelle discuss:Michelle’s career journey and key leadership experiencesHow ambition has been shaped and limited for women at work
2020-12-0349 min
Lead to SoarCareer Stages & Leadership with Susan ColantuonoLead to Soar provides insights and guidance for ambitious career women working their way up inside public and private organizations. On this episode, ACtS! co-founders Susan Colantuono and Michelle Redfern, discuss the 3 main career stages - Individual Contributor, Leader/Manager, Director/Executive - and what leadership looks like at each career stage. Lead to Soar is a production of A Career That Soars! (ACtS!) It is hosted by Michelle Redfern and executive produced by Mel ButcherLead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern...
2020-11-1151 min