Lead to Soar

Mel and Michelle get honest about why LinkedIn is no longer enough. We rethink visibility, real networking, and the “I do not” list that protects women’s energy and careers. Fierce, practical guidance for ambitious 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 book The Leadership Compass at michelleredfern.com/book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Technology is racing ahead — but courage and conscience must lead the way. In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher explore how women leaders can be the dissenting voices that keep ethics, empathy, and humanity at the centre of progress.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 information.

Competence alone doesn’t create credibility. Michelle and Mel reveal why visibility and credibility must work together if you want to be chosen for high-value work. They share how to talk about your achievements without the cringe, use language that lands with decision-makers, and demonstrate leadership that moves the business forward.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 information.

In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle a quiet but costly leadership issue: the boss who’s “too nice to lead.” They’re kind, approachable, and well-intentioned—but decisions stall, standards slip, and teams burn out.You’ll learn how to recognise this pattern, manage up with evidence and courage, and raise the standard without burning out or doing their job for them. Michelle also unpacks why organisations keep rewarding comfort over competence, and what real leadership development should look like.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 information.

Michelle and Mel are back with fresh energy for a new season of Lead to Soar. They tackle why DEI work is going underground, why “loyalty is for Labradors” hit home, and how to lead when brilliant jerks and gendered feedback still thrive.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 information.

This episode addresses a recurring issue in the Lead to Soar Network: what do you do when your boss—or their boss—is disinterested, disengaged, or outright hostile?Michelle and Mel respond to a recent message from a long-time Network member who was given two options by her boss: accept a demotion or take a redundancy package. Her crime? Delivering measurable, high-value outcomes. The insult? This same leader had previously blocked her advancement.What unfolds in this episode is not a one-off grievance; it’s a structural, widespread issue. And it’s one that too many women are forced to survive in silence.This is a conversation about:• Surviving bad leadership when you can’t just quit• The tactical and strategic moves women can make in hostile environments• What good leadership should look like—and why too many workplaces are still failing• How we move from endurance to systemic changeWhat You’ll Hear:• Why disengaged, indifferent, or hostile bosses aren’t rare—they’re rampant• What it really means when your value is ignored, diminished, or co-opted• The mental gymnastics women perform to stay afloat in disrespectful environments• How to protect your leadership credibility even when others won’t• Tactical survival tips for navigating a disrespectful boss or power imbalance• The long game: document your value, find your sponsors, and position yourself for the next move• Why organisational leaders need to stop rewarding poor leadership and start practicing radical accountabilityFor Women Listening:You’re not imagining it. And you’re not overreacting.If your boss (or their boss) treats you with indifference, hostility, or disrespect, this episode gives you language, strategy, and validation. You don’t have to shrink, and you don’t have to tolerate being sidelined.For Leaders Listening:Disrespectful leadership is not a personality flaw, it’s a performance issue. If you’re allowing it to persist, you are part of the problem.Take Action:• Join the Lead to Soar Network to be in a room full of women who get it, and are changing it. leadtosoar.network/landing• Read The Leadership Compass for a practical map to reclaim your power and career direction www.michelleredfern.com/booksLead 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 information.

In 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, use the language of power, and be recognised as a valued contributor and leader.Episode Highlights• Why “imposter syndrome” isn’t the real issue: Michelle challenges the common narrative and reframes it as a systemic problem rooted in workplace inequality.• The Ambition Penalty and the Double Bind: Learn how stereotypes about women being either competent or likable create a lose-lose situation—and how to navigate it.• Three Truth Bombs for Women in Leadership:1. Good work alone is rarely enough to get ahead.2. There’s no perfect time to self-promote—create the moment.3. Others are speaking up—and they’re being noticed.• Strategic moments to speak up: From one-on-one meetings to skip-levels and industry events, Michelle details when and how to speak up with purpose.• Using the Language of Power: Swap vague or emotional language for direct, results-driven statements that resonate with decision-makers.• Real examples, real scripts: Michelle shares how she learned to talk about her own leadership impact—and how you can too.• Resource spotlight: No Ceiling, No Walls by Susan Colantuono—recommended reading for mastering the language of business and leadership.• Key Quote:“We pay our leaders to have an opinion. Speak up when you see opportunities, risks, or better ways to get results.”Leadership Call to Action1. Start using the language of power: Frame your accomplishments around business impact. Practice describing what you do in terms that highlight outcomes and value.2. Claim your role as a leader: You’re not just a team player—you are driving results. Stop waiting to be noticed. Step forward with intention.3. Prepare for key conversations: When meeting with your boss or senior leaders, have a clear agenda that includes what’s going well, what could improve, and what support you need.4. Be visible in the right rooms: Speak up in meetings, conferences, and town halls. Introduce yourself, ask insightful questions, and show your alignment with the organisation’s goals.5. Support other women: Share this episode with a colleague, and create space for other women to speak and be heard.6. Join the Lead to Soar Network: Access coaching, tools, and peer support designed to help women lead strategically and advance their careers on their own terms.Listen to this episode if:• You’ve been told to “raise your profile” but aren’t sure how• You want to build strategic visibility without compromising your values• You’re ready to speak with influence and lead with clarityResources Mentioned• Book: No Ceiling, No Walls by Susan Colantuono• Book: The Leadership Compass by Michelle Redfern• Lead to Soar Network: leadtosoar.network – For members-only content, coaching, and peer connection• Podcast Archive: Access re-released episodes grouped by theme for easy navigationLead 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 information.

In 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 organization, 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 be balanced with strategic boundary-setting.Episode Highlights• “There’s blind trust, and there’s smart trust.” – Michelle RedfernTrust is essential, but leaders must apply discernment and establish boundaries to avoid being taken advantage of.• “Sometimes a person gets assigned to a project for visibility, not contribution.” – Mel ButcherDiscussion on the flawed nature of the billable model in consulting and how it can misalign expectations and responsibilities.• Smart Trust, as defined by Stephen M.R. Covey, is about combining high intention with high capability, and using judgment and data to guide trust-based decisions.• High-performing women are often asked to step into extra work to “fix” issues—Michelle challenges leaders to respond with strategic thinking, not reflexive people-pleasing.• Use the RACI framework (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) or a simplified version to clarify roles and expectations at the outset of any new responsibility.• Documentation matters. Use tools like Microsoft Copilot or Zoom’s AI-generated meeting summaries to create a paper trail of decisions and commitments.• Don’t be afraid to reset expectations midstream.• When conflict arises, don’t go on the defensive. Instead, escalate with a focus on business outcomes: what’s broken, what the risks are, and how to address them constructively.• Seniority matters. If you don’t yet have the political capital to raise concerns directly, approach a sponsor or advocate for advice and support in navigating the situation.• “If you’re in pain, you must be learning.” – A reminder that even challenging experiences can yield growth and valuable leadership insight.Leadership Call to Action• Build Smart TrustAssume good intent, but structure your working relationships to verify expectations and protect against misalignment.• Clarify Roles from Day OneBefore agreeing to join a project or initiative, ask for a planning session to define your availability, scope, and deliverables.• Set Boundaries with ConfidenceRespond with “yes, and here’s what that will look like” or “yes, but I can only contribute in this specific way.”• Use Red-Amber-Green Check-insEstablish a simple framework to flag risks and progress so you and others stay aligned on what’s working and what’s off-track.• Document ExpectationsUse AI tools or manual notes to record what was agreed to, who is doing what, and when deliverables are due.• Seek Strategic VisibilityBefore saying no to additional work, ask if this is part of your career development path—particularly if it’s tied to sponsorship or high-profile projects.• Recover with Grace and StrategyIf you’ve been thrown under the bus, avoid panic. Identify allies, focus on facts, and create a communication plan that centers the client, the outcome, and your professionalism.• Close the Loop with Advocates- After navigating a tough situation, reconnect with supporters and share what you’ve learned and how you’ll apply it going forward.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 information.

Welcome to Lead to Soar Presents: The Strategic Skills Series—a new podcast series where real leadership meets real career growth. In this launch episode, Michelle Redfern drops three truth bombs every ambitious woman must hear about the state of women’s leadership, the flawed advice we’ve been given, and what it really takes to advance.This isn’t about surface-level fixes or being told to “raise your profile.” This is about the strategic skills that matter—skills that get women promoted, paid, and positioned for power.Michelle lays out the three pillars of effective leadership taught inside the Lead to Soar Network and in her book The Leadership Compass:• Business Intelligence (BQ): Strategic, financial, and commercial acumen.• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Mastering self-awareness, self-regulation, and leadership of others.• Social Intelligence (SQ): Building influence, credibility, and strategic visibility.You’ll also hear about the real reasons women are underestimated at work, why traditional career advice keeps missing the mark, and how to speak the language of business to shift perceptions and outcomes.This series features live coaching sessions, exclusive workshops, and no-nonsense conversations with women from inside the Lead to Soar Network who are navigating complex leadership challenges and rising—strategically.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why being seen as a high-impact, commercial leader is essential for advancement• How BQ, EQ, and SQ combine to form the leadership trifecta• What advice to stop listening to—and what to ask for instead• How to navigate systems built by men, for men, without losing your ambition or your edge• Why confidence is not the issue—access to strategic skill-building isKey Resources:• The Leadership Compass by Michelle Redfern• No Ceiling, No Walls by Susan Colantuono• Lead to Soar Strategic Skills Audit and Career SWOT tool (exclusive to network members)Join the Lead to Soar Network:Membership is $255 annually or $30 monthly (USD). Inside, you’ll gain access to strategic tools, live coaching, mentoring, and a powerful global community of women leaders. This is not another networking group. It’s a leadership lab for ambitious women ready to lead with purpose, power, and commercial impact.Subscribe now to Lead to Soar Presents: The Strategic Skills Series and visit www.leadtosoar.network to become a member.From conversation to action. From overlooked to in-demand. From busy to strategic. Lead to Soar.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 information.

In 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 innovation. She is experienced with both online and offline customer offerings, and leading teams. Jo is extremely passionate about the human experience and enjoys making both the workplace and customer interactions life-enhancing experiences. In her words, success lies where people, process and data intersect. Michelle Redfern's Bio: Michelle is the founder of Advancing Women, an enterprise providing research and advisory services on workplace gender equality, inclusion and diversity. She is co-host of A Career that Soars! the founder of women’s network Women Who Get It co-founder of CDW (Culturally Diverse Women) and host of the Lead to Soar podcast.Michelle is an experienced Non-Executive Director with Board and advisory roles in the finance, sport, for purpose and supply chain sectors. She is a proud Ambassador for Flexible Working Day and Girls Uniform Agenda. She has held executive leadership roles at ASX & FTSE listed companies NAB, Telstra and Serco during her 30-year corporate career.Michelle is a Graduate of the AICD, holds an Executive MBA (Distinction) and holds various accreditations in organisational diversity and coaching. She is an in-demand speaker and is a regular contributor to the discussion and advocate for gender equality and inclusion in sport and business workplaces.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 information.

In 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.com~Bio for Guest, Sheila FlavellSheila Flavell has over 30 years experience in the global tech sector. She played an integral role in FDM’s flotation on AIM in 2005 and was a key instigator of the management buy-out of the Group in 2010 and the subsequent listing onto the main FTSE Market in 2014. Sheila’s sector knowledge has been crucial in driving FDM’s global expansion programme, taking them into the FTSE250. She spearheads the ‘Global Women in Tech’ campaign and created FDM’s hugely successful Returners Programme. Sheila is Deputy President of TechUK and chairs the Institute of Coding’s Industry Advisory Board. One of her proudest moments in business was when FDM achieved a zero gender pay gap. She has won numerous awards during her career for services to the tech industry and was recognised in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list with ‘Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire’ for her services to gender equality in IT and the employment of graduates and returners. She is also listed in Computer Weekly’s ‘Most Influential Women in UK Tech, Hall of Fame.’ Bio for Michelle RedfernMichelle founded Advancing Women, an enterprise that provides research and advisory services on workplace gender equality, inclusion, and diversity. She is co-host of A Career that Soars! The Women Who Get It is the founder of the women’s network, co-founder of CDW (Culturally Diverse Women), and host of the Lead to Soar podcast.Michelle is an experienced Non-Executive Director with Board and advisory roles in the finance, sport, for purpose and supply chain sectors. She is a proud Ambassador for Flexible Working Day and Girls Uniform Agenda. She has held executive leadership roles at ASX & FTSE listed companies NAB, Telstra and Serco during her 30-year corporate career.Michelle is a Graduate of the AICD, holds an Executive MBA (Distinction) and has various accreditations in organisational diversity and coaching. She is an in-demand speaker, a regular contributor to the discussion, and an advocate for gender equality and inclusion in sports and business workplaces.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 information.

Guest 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 challenges and opportunities which deliver long-term growth. Last year, Laura successfully launched Lavenpark, her own consultancy business, which is working with levy boards and government and commercial companies to achieve greater success through improved industry insight, connectivity, business development, marketing, and communications. Laura is the founder and global Chair of Meat Business Women, launched in 2015. The United Nations have recently recognized it with Laura presenting on the contribution Meat Business Women makes to the global Sustainable Development Goals.  LinkMeat Business Women Episode QuotesOn Strategy -- “Don’t let folks tell you that it’s more complicated than that. Understand, do the research, understand where you are now, what’s the ambition, what’s the macro-environmental impact, what are your competitors doing, get the research, get the data, and then map out a road map.” - Laura Ryan “Strategic networking is essentially about generosity and reciprocity, but we have to invest time in it. And [we’re] debunking the myth that your networking is turning up to conferences or after-work functions with mediocre wine and dreadful canapes... It’s genuine care, but also having that strategic intent. And being able to say – this is where I want to be able have an impact in my industry, my sector, wherever it may be.” -Michelle Redfern "I think the networking piece is really important... investing in your network, in your personal board.” - Laura Ryan “Be brave and push yourself outside your comfort zone.” - Laura RyanLead 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 information.