Leading Women in Tech Podcast

Executive Leadership for Women: From Tactical to Strategic
You've mastered being a leader.
But executive leadership for women is not just the next step up.
It's a completely different game.
In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, we unpack why tactical excellence alone won't get you promoted — and what actually signals executive readiness.
If you've ever been told:
"You're doing great."
"Keep going."
"You're almost there."
"We just need to see a bit more."
This episode is for you.
We explore:
Why women not getting promoted in tech is often a positioning issue
The difference between management and executive leadership
How gender bias in tech leadership shapes perception
Navigating bro culture in tech without losing yourself
Executive presence for women — and why it's about credibility, not charisma
Why sponsorship matters more than merit
A practical 90-day roadmap to reposition yourself strategically


Executive leadership for women is not about becoming louder.
It's about raising your altitude.
 
**Useful links**
Listen to Episode 286: Executive presence is about how you are experienced in the room.
 
Ready to Make the Shift?
If you're ready to transition from management to leadership at executive level — but need clarity on your perception gap —
Book a Strategy Call: 👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat
Because executive leadership for women is not reserved for a personality type.
It is built.
And you are closer than you think.

In this conversation, Adelina Peltea, CMO at USERCENTRICS shares her unique journey to C-level Leadership for women in tech, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's strengths and the realities of leadership roles. She discusses the significance of communication, empowerment, and the impact of presence in leadership. Adelina also introduces her meditation method, Inner Sanctuary, and explores the responsible use of AI in decision-making. The discussion concludes with advice for personal growth and reflection on one's career path.
 
Takeaways
◾ Adelina's journey to CMO was unconventional and early.
◾  Understanding your strengths is crucial for career success.
◾ C-level roles require a significant presence and responsibility.
◾ Communication is key in empowering teams and making decisions.
◾ Meditation can be a powerful tool for leaders.
◾ AI should be used responsibly and with critical thinking.
◾ Follow your passion to maintain energy in your career.
◾ Reflecting on your journey is essential for growth.
◾ Empower others while maintaining responsibility for outcomes.
◾ Enjoy the journey and be open to adjustments in your path.
 
**Useful links**
◾ Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Adelina Peltea:
      ▢ UserCentrics: https://usercentrics.com/
      ▢ Connect with Adelina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelinapeltea/ 
      ▢ Find out more about Adelina's work in wellness for leaders and get her book:                        https://www.verdawellnessclub.com/
 
This episode was sponsored by our guest, Adelina Peltea. Thank you Adelina for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

The women in tech promotion gap is real—but it's not random. High-performing women in tech are still being overlooked for leadership roles, even as they deliver exceptional results. In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, we dive into the gender bias in tech leadership, the shift in workplace culture, and the strategic moves you need to close the gap—without losing yourself.
Why are women in tech not getting promoted at the same rate as their male peers? The answer isn't about competence; it's about perception, positioning, and politics. We'll explore:
The promotion gap in the tech industry and why it persists, especially at Director-to-VP transitions.
How executive presence for women and leadership visibility can shift how you're perceived.
The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why the latter is critical for advancement.
Navigating bro culture in tech without compromising your authenticity.
Sustainable executive leadership: How to build influence capital without burning out.
This episode is for you if: 
✔ You're a Passed-Over High-Performer delivering results but not seeing advancement. 
✔ You're a Strategically Focused On Rising, and getting ready to step into executive leadership—but need a roadmap. 
✔ You refuse to trade ambition for comfort or shrink in the face of pushback.
Key Takeaways:
Promotion is a strategic game. Hard work alone won't close the gap—you need positioning, visibility, and sponsorship.
Executive presence isn't about personality—it's about framing your work in business impact language.
Sponsorship > Mentorship. Advocates in high places are your ticket to the next level.
Cultural shifts don't have to derail your ambition. Learn to navigate gender bias in tech leadership with composure and strategy.
Resources Mentioned:
Promotion Readiness Scorecard – Assess how you're perceived by leadership.
Lit Up Leadership Academy – Join the next cohort to build your influence capital.
Ready to close the women in tech promotion gap strategically? Book a Strategy Call and let's design your roadmap to leadership.

How fractional leaders get hired isn't random — but it does follow a very different logic than most people expect.
If you've been having good conversations, receiving positive signals, and still not seeing those conversations turn into paid work, this episode will help you understand what's really happening on the hiring side.
In this episode, we step out of the leader's perspective and into the mindset of the organisation making the decision — because fractional leadership hiring doesn't follow a traditional job search or sales process.
Instead, hiring happens when recognition, trust, and timing align.
In this episode, we explore:
Why fractional leadership opportunities don't follow a linear funnel
The difference between visibility and recognisability
The three conditions that consistently lead to fractional leadership hiring
Why timing matters more than effort
How trust is built before a hiring decision is ever made
Why so many capable leaders get stuck in "almost" conversations
 
This episode is for senior women in tech who:
Are fractional-ready but not yet chosen
Are getting interest, but not conversion
Want to stop guessing — without resorting to hustle or salesy tactics
Listen if you want to:
Understand how fractional hiring decisions are actually triggered
Feel calmer and more in control of the process
Make your leadership easier to recognise and hire
Next steps:
Book a Strategy Session (Positioning + Hiring Clarity) 👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat



Continue listening to the Fractional Series:
Episode 284 — Am I Ready to Be a Fractional Leader?
Episode 288 — How to Position Yourself as a Fractional Leader

Chat to me to learn more about the Fractional Accelerator:  👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

Fractional leadership positioning is one of the most misunderstood — and most important — parts of building a successful fractional career.
In this episode Toni breaks down why so many senior women struggle to gain traction in fractional roles, how positioning differs from full-time leadership, and what it really means to be hired for judgement rather than execution.
Here's what you'll learn in this episode
⏹  Why experience alone doesn't translate into fractional opportunities
⏹  The difference between employee positioning and fractional leadership positioning
⏹  Why fractional leaders are hired for judgement, not capacity
⏹  The most common positioning mistakes that keep leaders invisible
⏹  How to pressure-test your own positioning without "selling yourself"
⏹  What comes next if you want to move from interest to paid fractional work
What's coming next
In next week's episode, we'll go one step further and explore how fractional leaders actually get hired — what genuinely leads to opportunities, and what doesn't.
Want support with your positioning?
If this episode highlighted gaps or uncertainty around how you're currently positioned, you can book a free strategy session or  fractional leadership positioning audit — here:
👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat