Lead to Soar: Career Advice and Guidance for Ambitious Women Leaders

Mel and Michelle have an unfiltered chat about a challenging and often uncomfortable topic—bad behaviour among senior women in leadership, particularly the so-called "Queen Bee" syndrome. Drawing on listener questions and their personal experiences, they tackle the issue of women who pull up the ladder after achieving success, refusing to mentor or support other women. The discussion also explores the societal expectations of women in power, double standards, and how leadership behaviours are judged differently for men and women.

This episode is less formal, featuring a conversational and reflective tone as Michelle and Mel "shoot the shit" over a glass of wine (Mel) and coffee (Michelle). Together, they explore the complexities of navigating toxic leadership from senior women and offer advice on coping with and addressing these situations.

Highlights:

Quote Reflection: Madeleine Albright's famous quote,"There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women," sparks a debate on whether this mindset perpetuates unfair expectations of women in leadership.

Queen Bee Syndrome: Discussion on women in power who refuse to mentor or sponsor other women, often stemming from their struggles to the top.

Double Standards: Women are often held to a higher standard than men when it comes to leadership behaviour. Men are seen as assertive, while women displaying the same traits are labelled aggressive or unlikeable.

Personal Experiences: Your hosts share their own encounters with toxic female leaders and the lasting impact they can have on careers and workplace dynamics.

Resisting Change: Exploring the psychological and systemic resistance to change within organisations and why some women leaders might cling to outdated or damaging behaviours.

Navigating Toxic Leaders: Advice on survival and strategising in workplaces where senior women engage in bullying or unsupportive behaviour, emphasising self-awareness and knowing when to draw personal boundaries.

Leadership Call to Action:

Acknowledge the Behaviour: Recognise when a senior leader's behaviour is inappropriate or damaging. Acknowledging this to yourself or a trusted colleague is the first step toward dealing with it.

Surround Yourself with Allies: Build a support network of people who can help you navigate difficult workplace dynamics. Find mentors and colleagues who uplift you.

Set Boundaries: Learn where your personal boundaries lie. If you cannot address the behaviour directly or leave the situation, create coping strategies to protect your mental and emotional health.

Document Everything: Keep detailed records of incidents and interactions involving toxic behaviour. This documentation can serve as a tool for reflection or as evidence if needed.

Know Your Outcome: Evaluate what you want to achieve before taking action. Do you want to report the behaviour, move to another role, or make it through the current situation? This will guide your decisions.

Seek External Support: Engage with networks like Lead to Soar that offer a safe space to discuss these challenges and provide guidance for navigating workplace obstacles.

This episode is a must-listen for women who have encountered challenging dynamics with senior women colleagues. It encourages reflection on how we judge leadership behaviours and emphasises the importance of women supporting women in the workplace.

Explore the Lead to Soar network for more strategies and insights on navigating toxic workplace environments or dealing with difficult colleagues.

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.