Leadership is Feminine®

What if the bravest act of leadership is knowing when it's time to pause? In this deeply personal episode, Kris invites listeners into the raw, honest crossroads she's currently navigating—one marked by completion, uncertainty, and a longing for deeper, more human connection. After nearly 400 episodes, thousands of hours of recording, and decades spent teaching leaders how to lead, she shares the truth many high-achieving women rarely admit out loud: sometimes the thing we've mastered is the very thing we're meant to release. Kris reflects on how leadership hasn't fundamentally changed—and on the bittersweet realization that she has said everything she came here to say. She talks openly about shifting away from the isolating online model that has defined the last several years and into work that brings her back into rooms, back into community, back into the presence she craves. She also guides listeners through a powerful reframing of accountability—not as pressure, but as profound self-care. Because when we don't follow through on the promises we make to ourselves, the weight of that avoidance becomes its own burden. Here's what we explore in this episode: The emotional and practical reality of feeling "complete" in a long-standing body of work Why accountability to yourself is one of the highest forms of self-care The difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it The discomfort, fear, and liberation of honoring the commitments you've ignored What it means to pause with integrity, clarity, and agency This episode is a pause, not a goodbye—a moment of truth-telling, gratitude, and trust in what comes next. Contact Information and Recommended Resources If you'd like to stay in touch to receive updates about what we've got coming up, visit www.thevisionary.ceo Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

In this week's episode of Leadership is Feminine®, Kris speaks straight to the hearts of high-achieving women who are carrying so much—the businesses they run, the households they manage, the people they care for, and the decisions they make every hour of the day. Kris argues that successful women don't just deserve joy. They require it. After years of hosting immersive client retreats, she's seen firsthand what happens when accomplished women are offered a space designed entirely for them: where they don't have to drive, plan, decide, or take care of anyone. They get to receive. And something powerful happens. They come back to themselves. These experiences aren't frivolous. They are healing. They restore the spirit of a woman who spends her life pouring into everyone else. Kris makes the case that joy is a strategic investment. And it is necessary if we want to lead sustainably. Here's what we explore in this episode: The invisible weight successful women silently carry What shifts when women are cared for instead of caretaking How play creates emotional spaciousness and clarity Why joyful rest is a strategic requirement—not a luxury The cultural and personal permission women need to take real breaks This is your invitation to recapture delight—to make room for play, presence, and wonder. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Are you on our list to get first-to-know updates? Visit www.thevisionary.ceo/notes. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

This week on Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy and her Director of Operations, Michelle Arant, sit down for an unscripted conversation that captures leadership in its most human form. What started as a casual team discussion turned into a powerful reflection on how we handle discomfort, accountability, and growth — both in business and in life. Through the lens of a lighthearted story about a pet sitter, Kris and Michelle explore how everyday moments can reveal our relationship with responsibility and self-management. They discuss the tendency to over-accommodate others, the generational shifts in resilience and follow-through, and why true leadership demands that we get comfortable being uncomfortable. Their conversation is an honest reminder that friction isn't failure — it's feedback. Whether you're mentoring a new hire, raising kids, or running a multimillion-dollar company, the path to better leadership begins with allowing discomfort to do its work. Here's what we explore in this episode: How discomfort helps us build capacity for growth and leadership The difference between supporting someone and over-accommodating them Why avoiding friction can unintentionally stunt development — for ourselves and others How leaders can model resilience and self-accountability through their own behavior What small, everyday moments can reveal about how we handle responsibility Why embracing discomfort may be the most undervalued leadership skill of all This conversation invites you to pause and ask: Where am I protecting others — or myself — from the very discomfort that could lead to growth? Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna join us for the Sage Mini Mastermind? Visit www.thevisionary.ceo/sagemm to learn the details and register. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

As we head into the final quarter of the year, Kris invites you to shift your focus—from running the business to owning the business. She challenges high-achieving female founders to stop operating on autopilot and start thinking like the visionary asset holders they are. Too many women spend years building companies without ever asking the most important question: What's the plan? Whether you eventually want to sell, scale back, or simply create more freedom, your business deserves a clear direction—and so do you. Kris also introduces the Sage Mini Mastermind, a 12-week experience for women running multi-million-dollar businesses who are ready to step out of the weeds, lead from wisdom, and build a business that runs beautifully—with or without them. Here's what we explore in this episode: Why "normal" growth years don't mean failure—and how to talk to yourself about success differently How to approach bonuses and performance evaluations with clarity and confidence The difference between running a business and owning one—and why most founders avoid exit planning How to assess your business's readiness to run without you Transitioning from "decider-in-chief" to advisor and visionary Turning your experience, intuition, and wisdom into tangible business assets through a personal "mind bank" This episode is your reminder that your company isn't just a vehicle for achievement—it's an asset for freedom. The Sage Era begins when you stop measuring success by how busy you are and start designing your business to serve the woman you've become. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Don't leave your biggest asset to chance—get on the Sage Mini Mastermind waitlist now at www.thevisionary.ceo/sagemm. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

What if your worth wasn't tied to your revenue, your output, or anyone else's approval? In this episode, Kris takes us deeper into the heart of worthiness and why so many high-achieving women still wrestle with believing in themselves—even after building successful companies, raising families, and achieving goals most people only dream of. Kris breaks down the difference between self-trust (believing yourself) and self-worth (believing in yourself), and why the latter is the quiet, constant hum that shapes everything you do. She explores how conditional worth shows up in subtle ways—like people pleasing, avoiding difficult conversations, or downplaying your own success—and why guilt over what you've built is often a sign you don't fully own your value yet. Here's what we explore in this episode: The false scorecards and hidden "supervisors" you've been measuring yourself against Why women tie worth to achievement, perfection, or proving How guilt for your success erodes confidence and leadership Why rest can be a radical act of reclaiming value What it looks like to live differently when you truly know your worth This episode is your invitation to stop proving, release guilt, and reclaim the truth: you are already the prize. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to thevisionary.ceo/trust and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Why do so many accomplished women still doubt themselves—even after building extraordinary lives and businesses? Kris continues her Self-Trust & Self-Worth mini-series with a powerful exploration of the programming women inherit from generations before us. She invites us to reflect on the systemic, cultural, and ancestral patterns that quietly shape how women value themselves—and why even the most accomplished female founders still lie awake at night second-guessing their own decisions. From hiding success out of guilt to resisting difficult conversations at work, Kris shows how the paradox of female leadership is never about capability—it's about the stories we've absorbed about what women "should" be. And she challenges us to stop playing small, stop apologizing for what we've built, and start owning the lives we've worked so hard to create. Here's what we explore: Why inherited programming makes self-trust harder for women than men The cultural double standard that shames women for success How female founders get boxed in by guilt, doubt, and "shoulds" The hidden cost of over-functioning and perfectionism Why leadership requires both confidence and compassion This episode is your reminder that you are not broken—and you're not alone. The work ahead isn't about fixing yourself, it's about unlearning what never belonged to you in the first place. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to thevisionary.ceo/trust and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

What's your plan for the business you've worked so hard to build? After walking through all seven transitions in the Beyond the CEO series, Kris is turning her focus to what comes next: the tactical and strategic steps every founder must take to ensure the business can run—and even thrive—without her constant presence. This isn't just about getting through today's to-do list. It's about preparing your business, your team, and yourself for what's ahead—whether that's scaling, exiting, or simply reclaiming more of your life. Because the truth is, too many women wait until they're burned out before asking the hard questions: Is my business ready? Am I ready? What happens after this season ends? Here's what we explore: Why a team audit is as essential as cleaning out your closet The leadership shift from telling to asking—and how it changes everything How to capture your wisdom and IP so others can use it without you The possibility of creating generational wealth through an exit Why retirement isn't the end—it's a call to design a future with purpose This episode is your invitation to stop avoiding the practical steps and start laying the foundation for a business you can lead and leave. Because the earlier you prepare, the more options you have—and the more freedom you create to design what's next. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna know more details about the Sage: Coaching for Female Founders that will be starting in October? Visit www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondtheceo to add your name to the interest list. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Have you been intentional about what stays in your life—and what goes? If you've been following this special Beyond the CEO mini-series on the seven transitions every founder must face, you know last week was all about play, curiosity, and exploration. Now, in Transition Six—Intentional Design—we take everything you've discovered in that playful, curious phase and start shaping it into a grounded, deliberate vision for what's next. This isn't about hustling toward another "should." It's about building your next chapter with clarity, purpose, and your own rules. Kris shares why this stage only works if you've truly given yourself the gift of experimentation first—and how skipping that step leads to recreating the same patterns you've outgrown. She walks through her own clarity breakthroughs (including a newfound love of pickleball, hosting in-person gatherings, and refining her environment) and invites you to ask yourself: What's in? What's out? What's worth designing into the next version of your life? Here's what we explore: Why play and exploration are prerequisites for true clarity How to sculpt a new vision without dragging old expectations into it The importance of refining, not just adding Why environment, people, and commitments all deserve intentional choice How universal truths guide every stage of your evolution This episode is your invitation to stop defaulting to what's inherited, expected, or safe—and start crafting a life and business that reflects the woman you are now. Contact Information and Recommended Resources The best way to stay in the know? Get on the list. I've got some exciting things coming your way, and I always share with my email list first. Head to the thevisionary.ceo/notes and opt in. Join me in Hawaii Learn more at www.thevisionary.ceo/hawaii Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

In this fourth installment of the Seven Transitions Every Successful Woman Must Navigate series, Kris explores the fog that can settle in after years of striving, building, leading, and achieving. When the urgency fades, when the goals have been met, when your days are no longer dictated by survival or ambition... who are you now? This is the striver's dilemma. In this episode, Kris shares reflections from two recent retreats—one with Arthur Brooks, one with Rebecca Campbell—that offered wildly different but equally profound insights. She weaves together data, mysticism, and lived experience to guide you through the discomfort (and deep potential) of Transition Four: Reclaiming Future Clarity. You'll hear: Why dreaming after success feels murky, not magical How the absence of urgency can feel disorienting instead of freeing The one question to ask before launching into your next project or business Why the next version of you won't be found in a revenue dashboard or your to-do list If you're standing in the in-between—done with what was, unsure of what's next—this episode will meet you there. Not with answers, but with the kind of questions that can change everything. Contact Information and Recommended Resources The best way to stay in the know? Get on the list. I've got some exciting things coming your way, and I always share with my email list first. Head to the thevisionary.ceo/notes and opt in. Loving the podcast? Let me know. If this episode resonated with you, would you take a moment to leave a quick review on iTunes or Spotify? It means the world—and it helps more women find this work. As a thank you, I have a little something I'd love to send your way. Just email a screenshot of your review to hello@thevisionaryceo.com. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Are you the biggest bottleneck in your business—and don't even realize it? You didn't build your company to babysit it. But if you're still the one making every call, solving every fire, and holding the reins so tightly no one else can lead...this episode is your wake-up call. In this second installment of the special mini-series on the seven essential transitions every successful woman must navigate when she knows it's time for something new, Kris explores what it really means to step into the advisory consultant role for the very business you created and the team you built. If you've ever felt the urge to evolve beyond the business you built, this is your roadmap—and your invitation. It's not just about delegation. It's about identity. Because learning to release control doesn't start with your team—it starts with you. Letting go of being the person who approves every decision, solves every problem, or catches every dropped ball requires more than systems—it requires a shift in who you believe yourself to be. Kris walks through why founders get stuck in a cycle of over-functioning, how perfectionism masks fear, and why holding the metaphorical bat too tightly means no one else will dare take a swing. Here's what we explore: The difference between being essential and being in the way Why your team may be relying on you more than they need to What mentorship and true leadership actually look like How to grow your business by getting out of the weeds What really happens—emotionally and practically—when you loosen your grip This episode calls you forward—not to abandon your company, but to evolve into a different kind of leader: one who guides instead of manages, who advises instead of reacts, and who trusts her team to rise. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna know if your business is ready to run without you? Take the short quiz here: www.thevisionary.CEO/businessready. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

This season marks a turning point—not just for the podcast, but for the visionary women who listen. If you've ever wondered what comes after success, you're in the right place. In this kickoff to a brand-new series, Kris introduces a deeply personal—and much-needed—conversation: what it means to go beyond the CEO. Because sometimes, the biggest transition isn't building the business... it's releasing your grip on it. Here's what we explore: What it really takes to prepare your business (and yourself) to function without you Why staying too long might be holding you—and your team—back How AI and legacy leadership tools can still support your team while you evolve This isn't about retirement. It's about reinvention. And if you're feeling restless, you're not alone. Tune in now and meet the woman you're becoming—one transition at a time. And be sure to listen to upcoming episodes as Kris explores the seven transitions every founder must face to move into her next chapter. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest. The One Hour Leader Blueprint thevisionary.ceo/onehourleaderblueprint The One Hour Leader Coach thevisionary.ceo/onehourleadercoach Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

This one's raw. Tender. And so incredibly real. My client came into this conversation thinking she needed clarity. She was looking for the right answers—about her role, her goals, her business. But what came out was something much more vulnerable: the pressure to perform, the fear of letting people down, and the quiet ache of not being fully seen. This episode is a front-row seat to what happens when a powerful woman stops performing and starts telling the truth. Here's what we explore: The invisible cost of always being 'the capable one' What it really feels like to outgrow your own success How to let your soul lead—especially when your head says, "Just keep going" This is the unfiltered, Beyond the CEO moment so many women never get to speak out loud—but you'll hear it here. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

This episode is for the woman who's built a thriving business—and still hears a quiet voice inside asking, "Is this really it?" My client came to this session frustrated with herself for not trusting her team or delegating enough. But what we uncovered wasn't about delegation at all. It was about the fear of stepping away. The pressure to keep going. And the guilt that creeps in when you consider wanting more for yourself… or maybe something entirely different. In this deeply moving conversation, you'll hear: What's really behind the resistance to let go (hint: it's not about your team) The hidden grief and identity loss so many women feel as they evolve beyond the CEO role Why wanting more space, more freedom, or a different life doesn't make you ungrateful—it makes you ready This is the kind of conversation most women are having only in their heads. But here, we say it out loud. And that's where the real shift begins. Listen now—and if it speaks to you, leave a review and share it with a woman you admire who might be in her own what's next moment. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest