Shows
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Soar"I'm Not Fixing Women and Nor Should You" -A Reading from The Leadership Compass by Michelle RedfernIn 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...
2024-07-2209 minLead 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 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 minLead to SoarThe State of Women in STEM: Leadership for the Modern Executive. with Mel Butcher & Erika Jefferson.On this episode, Mel Butcher and Erika Jefferson (founder of Black Women in Science and Engineering, BWiSE) discuss the latest on the state of women in STEM. Hear from Erika what trends she is seeing in STEM heavy industries for talent recruitment, attrition, employee priorities, and what leaders can do to attract and retain the best and brightest.Reference Links:Study, Women in STEM are Struggling in the WorkplaceWomen Making Gains in STEM Occupations, But Still UnderrepresentedDiversity and STEM: Women, Minorities and Persons with DisabilitiesLead to Soar is a global...
2024-06-1729 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 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 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 minLead to SoarThe Brilliant JerkLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars!On episode this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher talk about brilliant jerks. We've all worked with one (trying hard not to name names here), but what is a brilliant jerk and how do you work with one. Plus, Michelle and Mel have tips for taking your complaint to your boss or human resources.This is a recording from a LinkedIn in Live find out more about all the Lead to Soar events.Michelle Redfern Mel Butcher ...
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 04Lead 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 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 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 minLead to SoarWho is Your Career Sponsor? with Michelle Redfern & Mel ButcherThis episode was inspired by Carla Harris who gave a TED Talk called 'How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work'. Mel and Michelle explore just what a career sponsor is, how to go about getting one (hint: its not easy but there are ways) and importantly, what to pay attention to if you want to advance your career with the help of an advocate. 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 a...
2022-05-0231 minLead to SoarL2S EP56: The Stories we tell ourselves with Michelle Redfern & Mel ButcherLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars Have you ever thought or said “I’m just not that confident” or do you identify strongly with having imposter syndrome? Mel and Michelle talk about this and that we've both had at times in our lives, an internal dialogue or voice that we listen to that tells us that we're just not enough. So how do women get beyond this mindset, and start telling ourselves a much much better story? Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToS...
2022-04-2427 minLead to SoarL2S EP54: Why Women Are Stuck at the Crossroads and How to Get Outta There! Michelle Redfern & Mel ButcherLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars What happens when you don't know what to do next in your career? Or you are faced with a difficult choice? Or, you feel like you haven't got any choices? Mel and Michelle get to the heart of making career decisions and what women can do to help themselves gain clarity when they find themselves at the crossroads. Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com ~ Resources Sign up for A Career t...
2022-04-1128 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 minLead to SoarL2S E53: Succession Planning for Leaders - Setting Your Underrepresented minority staff up for success with Michelle Redfern & Mel ButcherLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars! Are you managing key personnel risk well enough in your organisation? Have you identified a potential successor or successors for your role? Do you have at least one woman or PoC on your succession plan? Have you identified what role(s) you would like to be considered a successor for? Answers to these and many more questions about succession planning are in this lively episode with Mel and Michelle. Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com
2022-04-0339 min
Lead to SoarFarewell Season 3: The Great Resignation, Reset, and ResistanceAs Season 3 wraps, Michelle Redfern, Mel Butcher and the other hosts of the Lead to Soar Network reflect on what the so-called “Great Resignation” revealed about women’s careers.Rather than treating it as a trend, this episode examines why many women reassessed loyalty, ambition, and career direction, and what leaders continue to misunderstand about retention, motivation, and commitment.This episode closes Season 3 and sets the direction for the next phase of Lead to Soar.Leave a commentIf this episode was useful, there are three simple ways to go further:S...
2021-12-2453 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 minLead to SoarL2S E40: Executive Presence - with Susan Colantuono, Michelle Redfern, & Mel ButcherOn episode 40 of Lead to Soar, Susan Colantuono, Michelle Redfern, and Mel Butcher sit down for a discussion on Executive Presence... What is executive presence? Why do you need it? And how do you get it? Where is traditional advice on executive advice missing, particularly for women? SPEAKER BIOs Susan Colantuono has made it her life’s mission to support the career success of women. She is the Founder of and now retired CEO of Leading Women, an international management consulting company focused on bringing gender balance to leadership teams. She is globally known for her TED Ta...
2021-10-211h 05
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 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 SoarSalary Negotiation — How to Prepare and Advocate for Your ValueIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher focus on salary negotiation as a strategic career skill.They walk through practical steps women can take to prepare for a pay conversation with their current employer, including how to ground the discussion in value, outcomes, and market context rather than hope or goodwill.The conversation covers:Why preparation matters more than personality in salary negotiationsHow to anchor pay conversations in contribution, scope, and impactCommon mistakes women are encouraged to make when negotiating
2021-08-2610 minLead to SoarHow to Network Like a Boss with Michelle Redfern and Mel ButcherIn this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher come together to give YOU some tips and tactics on How to Network Like a Boss. Cultivating and maintaining a strategic network with the right others is key to your long-term career success. 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.net...
2021-08-1259 min
Lead to SoarStrategic Networking — How to Build Influence, Not Just ContactsIn this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher focus on networking as a strategic leadership skill, not a popularity exercise.They move beyond surface-level advice and examine how intentionally maintained networks create access to information, opportunities, sponsorship, and career protection over time. This is not about working the room or performing with confidence. It is about judgment, positioning, and reciprocity.The conversation explores:What makes a network strategic rather than socialWhy women are often excluded from informal power networksHow to build...
2021-08-1259 minLead to SoarL2S E30: Why Having it all is COMPLETE BS! with Michelle RedfernLead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars! In this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher come together to discuss the idea of "having it all!" and the damage this can do to women and their mindsets. In particular, they discuss "having it all" in the context of juggling career, motherhood, relations and beyond. Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com ~ Bio for Michelle Redfern Michelle is the founder of Ad...
2021-08-0550 minLead 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 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 minLead 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 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 minLead to SoarCareer Q&A with Emily McKie, interviewed by Michelle RedfernBio for Emily McKie: Emily has coached sports for 10 years using an exploratory facilitation and athlete-centred coaching style, and is currently working with the U18 female program at Dandenong Stingrays as a development coach in the semi elite pathway. Emily created and managed what is now one of the biggest female junior football leagues in Victoria, Australia - the Eastern Region Girls Football League. She has used sport to go around the world - either playing, coaching, or running Auskick clinics in France, Sweden, Amsterdam, Germany, and Belgium. Notable Episode Quotes: “If you under...
2021-04-2246 minLead to SoarQ&A episode with Michelle Redfern, & Mel ButcherOn this episode of Lead to Soar, we answer questions from you - our listeners! This episode's questions cover career progress obstacles, recognition, supporting diversity at work, and handling tricky feedback a superior. Leave your own questions to be answered on a future episode at LeadToSoar.comLead 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 Th...
2021-04-1558 minLead to SoarEntrepreneurship to Intrepreneurship with Wendy Hanson & Michelle RedfernGuest Bio: Wendy Hanson is the co-founder and COO of BetterManager. At Better Manager, Wendy and her team believe that Managers are the single most important factor in employee engagement and happiness. The employee-manager relationship determines up to 70% of an employee's engagement. And, engaged employees are the key to company performance. Companies with highly engaged teams outperform peers by 147% in earnings per share. To create effective and lasting change, companies need to invest in a solution that is adaptive, responsive and meets the needs of all managers. That’s where BetterManager comes in. BetterManager executive coaches provide cost-effective, personalized gu...
2021-04-0857 minLead to SoarThe Confidence Scoop: Susan Colantuono, Michelle Redfern, Mel ButcherOn episode 19 of Lead to Soar, 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? LINKSBook: What the CEO Want You To Know by Ram CharanBook: 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. She is the Founder of and now retired CEO of Leading Women, an international management consulting company focused on bringing gender...
2021-03-1859 minLead to SoarQ&A episode with Susan, Michelle, & MelOn this episode of Lead to Soar, we hear and answer questions from you - our listeners! This episode's questions cover career growth, asking for a promotion and raise, paid mentorship/coaching, and recognizing bad bosses in interviews. Leave your own questions to be answered on a future episode at LeadToSoar.comLead 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...
2021-02-1236 minLead 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 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 minLead to SoarExperiences in Mentorship with Susan Colantuono and Michelle RedfernSusan Colantuono has made it her life’s mission to support the career success of women. She is the Founder of and now retired CEO of Leading Women, an international management consulting company focused on bringing gender balance to leadership teams. She is globally known for her TED Talk on The Career Advice You Probably Didn't Get (now with over 4 million views). Recognizing that many women around the globe do not have access to the leadership and career development resources they need in order to advance, Susan envisioned that a global network of aspiring women could fill such a gap. She em...
2021-01-211h 01
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 01Lead to SoarMentorship 101 with Michelle Redfern and Mel ButcherOn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher interviews Michelle about Mentoring 101. What is mentoring? How does one mentor effectively? How can you be an amazing protege?LinksBook LinksMake the Most of Mentoring by Susan ColantuonoNo Ceiling, No Walls by Susan ColantuonoAre You My Mother by P.D. EastmanLead 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 Ne...
2021-01-1453 min
Lead to SoarMentorship 101: What Works, What Fails, and What Actually Helps Women's CareersIn this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher interviews Michelle Redfern on the fundamentals of mentoring and why so much well-intentioned mentoring fails to move women’s careers forward.The conversation cuts through vague advice and focuses on what mentoring is actually for, how it differs from coaching and sponsorship, and what makes a mentoring relationship worth the investment for both parties.Michelle and Mel explore:What mentoring is (and what it is not)How mentors add value without over-functioning or becoming fixersWhat strong protégés do d...
2021-01-1453 minLead to SoarReflections on 2020 & Vision for 2021 with Susan Colantuono, Michelle Redfern, and Mel ButcherLead to Soar provides actionable advice for ambitious career women working their way up inside public and private organizations. On this episode, co-founders of A Career that Soars!, Susan Colantuono & Michelle Redfern, join Mel Butcher (ACtS! co-host and Lead to Soar producer) to share reflections one 2020 - the good and bad. And then, the ACtS! give some insight into what's ahead for the organization and podcast, welcoming 2021... Lead to Soar is a production of A Career That Soars! L2S is hosted by Michelle Redfern and executive produced by Mel Butcher.Lead to Soar is...
2020-12-241h 12Lead to SoarCareer Q&A with Laurel Rowse (interviewed by Michelle Redfern)Lead to Soar provides actionable advice for ambitious career women working their way up inside public and private organizations. On this episode, ACtS! co-founder, Michelle Redfern, interviews water/wastewater engineer and consultant, Laurel Rowse. An important theme of their discussion is positive self talk. 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 and Mel Butcher, it delivers evidence-based, practical advice...
2020-12-1749 min
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 minLead 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 minLead to SoarMichelle Redfern, a biographical InterviewLead to Soar provides actionable advice for ambitious career women working their way up inside public and private organizations. Who is Michelle Redfern? On this episode, Mel Butcher interviews A Career that Soars! (ACtS!) co-founder, Michelle Redfern, about her life and career, setting the stage for future discussion on career ambition and advice. Lead to Soar is a production of 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 and Mel Butcher...
2020-12-0349 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