275: Leading Without a Title: Michele Doyle on Cross-Functional Influence, AI, and Recognition
How do you lead with impact—before you ever get the title? In this episode, I sit down with Michele Doyle, VP of Data & Analytics at Senos, to explore what it means to lead from the crossroads of engineering, operations, and strategy. Michele shares her unconventional journey from psychology to tech leadership, how to lead with influence before you're formally given the title, and what it takes to build trust, safety, and innovation in complex teams—especially in non-obvious tech spaces like fermentation. You'll hear about: ◾How to step into strategic leadership without the title ◾The underestimated power of cross-functional influence ◾Creating psychological safety and generous leadership ◾Real-world AI adoption (in the brewing industry!) ◾Why emotional regulation is the unsung skill of great leaders Whether you're an emerging tech leader or a seasoned exec looking to build empowered teams, this episode will help you lead with confidence, clarity, and real influence. **Useful links** Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Michele Doyle from Sennos: ◾https://sennos.com/ and Michele's ◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doylemichele/ Michele's current read: The Murder Bot Series by Martha Wells and Your AI Survival Guide by Sol Rashidi This episode was sponsored by our guest, Michele Doyle, and Sennos. Thank you Michele and Sennos for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!
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274: How to Stop Overthinking at Work: Tools for Clear, Confident Leadership Decisions
When was the last time you rewrote an email six times before hitting send? Or spiraled through a decision long after it needed to be made? If you've ever been told "you're overthinking it," you're not alone — and you're not failing. Overthinking at work is often the result of high pressure, perfectionism, and internalized leadership expectations — especially for high-achieving women in male-dominated spaces. But here's the truth: overthinking isn't helping you get promoted. It's quietly chipping away at your executive presence and leadership impact. In this episode, I'll walk you through: ✅ How to spot overthinking in real time (vs. strategic thinking) ✅ Why smart women overthink — and how to shift that pattern ✅ The 1-1-1 decision tool to stop spiraling and act with clarity ✅ Executive mindset techniques to build trust in your own decisions ✅ Real stories from my clients who shifted from "perfection mode" to promotion This is your leadership reset — a tactical, mindset-rich episode to help you step into Q4 with calm, confident clarity. If you're ready to build a reputation for decisive, strategic leadership — let's dive in. If this episode helped you shift your thinking, I'd love to hear from you. Drop a comment, leave a review, or connect on LinkedIn @ToniCollis. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Free Strategy Call: https://www.tonicollis.com/lets-chat 📌 Primary Takeaways: – Overthinking is not a leadership trait — clarity is. – Learn how to reclaim your time and lead with confidence, even in high-stakes moments. – These tools will help you build sustainable leadership strategies and finally get out of your own way.
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273: Lead with Confidence: Building Teams That Don't Need You – with Sandy Motley
Can your team thrive without you in the room? And what does it really take to lead with confidence in a male-dominated industry? In this episode, I sit down with Sandy Motley, Senior VP at Nokia and former President of Fixed Networks, to talk about what it means to lead a high-performing team without overfunctioning—and how to build trust, autonomy, and strategic impact into your leadership style. We explore: ⏹ How to build a team that doesn't need you to function ⏹ What executive leadership looks like beyond control and perfectionism ⏹ Why inclusive leadership drives innovation in engineering and telecom ⏹ How to coach your team through conflict instead of fixing everything yourself ⏹ What it means to lead with confidence in male-dominated spaces ⏹ The mindset shift that takes you from tactical manager to strategic exec Whether you're a VP, a senior IC, or growing into a more strategic leadership role—this episode will challenge how you think about value, visibility, and voice. 📌 Want to step into your executive leadership without burning out? 💡 Explore coaching and resources at: https://www.tonicollis.com **Useful links** Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Sandy Motley from Nokia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-motley-b116659/ This episode was sponsored by our guest, Sandy Motley from Nokia. Thank you Sandy & Nokia for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!
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272: Should You Stay, Go, or Redesign Your Role? How to Know When It's Time to Exit
Is It Time to Leave? How to Know If You've Outgrown Your Role (Without Burning It All Down) 🔗 Take the free "What's Holding You Back?" Diagnostic → https://tonicollis.com/whats-holding-you-back You're a high-achiever. You don't quit easily. But lately… something feels off. Maybe you're exhausted. Or uninspired. Or quietly wondering if you've outgrown your current role—or even the company entirely. In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, we're digging into the career stagnation signs that high-performing women often ignore. Whether you're wrestling with golden handcuffs, chronic burnout, or a growing sense that your values no longer align with your leadership path—this is the conversation for you. We're talking about career alignment, strategic career pivots, and how to realign your leadership journey with what matters most. By the end of this episode, you'll have: A checklist of signs it's time to move on Clarity on whether you're stuck, burned out, or truly misaligned 5 reflection questions to guide your next step A strategic framework to plan your next move—without quitting prematurely How to lead a purpose-driven career evolution What meaningful leadership roles look like after burnout Tips for navigating a strategic career change in tech 🔥 PLUS: Download the brand new free tool: 👉 What's Holding You Back? A Quick Diagnostic for Women in Tech Uncover if you're overdue for a pivot, stuck in visibility limbo, or simply misaligned with your current culture. https://tonicollis.com/whats-holding-you-back ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 The cost of staying too long 5:06 Signs you've outgrown your role 9:53 Career misalignment checklist 12:46 What if you can't leave yet? 22:58 5 reflection prompts for career clarity 26:31 What to do this week to reclaim control 💡 Ready for more clarity? If you're tired of doing this alone, executive coaching can help. Book a free strategy call: tonicollis.com/lets-chat
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271: Leaning In: Navigating Leadership, Authenticity, and Growth as Women in Tech with Leila Kassner
What does it really take to rise to senior leadership as a woman in tech—without burning out, compromising who you are, or constantly second-guessing your worth? In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, I'm joined by Leila Kassner, COO at Boku, to explore the power of authentic leadership, how to lean in without losing yourself, and what it means to build a career that blends impact, inclusion, and integrity. We cover: Her career journey from entry-level to executive The challenge of being heard in male-dominated rooms How to self-advocate without overworking Lessons in balancing ambition with wellbeing Why emotional intelligence is a leadership superpower The DEI strategies making a real difference at Boku How to speak up, create cultural change, and mentor the next generation Whether you're climbing the career ladder, managing self-doubt, or trying to build a more inclusive culture from the inside—you'll find both inspiration and practical insight in this conversation. Connect with Leila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-kassner-3a2b4a19/ Leila's current read: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt 👇 Book a free strategy call to explore how executive coaching can help you lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity: https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat This episode was sponsored by Boku. Thank you Leila and Boku for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!
For ambitious women ready to rise, lead, and thrive — without burning out.
Are you delivering results… but still waiting to be seen as a true leader?
Tired of performance reviews with praise — but no promotion?
Hosted by Dr. Toni Collis, executive coach for women in tech, this podcast is your go-to leadership toolkit. Whether you're a rising Director, lone female VP, or overextended operator tired of being overlooked — you're in the right place.
Each week, Toni shares real-world leadership strategies, career advancement frameworks, and executive presence tools to help you:
✅ Build strategic visibility
✅ Communicate like a trusted exec
✅ Navigate politics with integrity
✅ Advocate for yourself (without overworking)
✅ Lead with confidence, clarity, and influence
You'll also hear powerful interviews with women who've paved the way — and candid conversations on the unspoken challenges women face in male-dominated industries.
✨ If you're ready to go from "she's great" to "she's the obvious next Exec" — hit follow.
Ireland