Many leaders believe that making an impact means fighting their way to the top. But what if influence could be built through strategy rather than struggle?

Nancy Chen Baldwin shares her journey as an immigrant, Asian American woman, breaking barriers in the corporate world—facing bias, cultural challenges, and leadership hurdles. Nancy is a retired senior executive from one of the largest aerospace companies in the U.S., where she led multi-level engineering organizations in a male-dominated industry. Learn how she navigated resistance, influenced beyond titles, and turned confrontation into opportunity.

🔹 How to challenge leadership without being aggressive
🔹 The key to gaining credibility when underestimated
🔹 Why middle managers hold the real power in change management
🔹 The mindset shift that will transform your leadership

Whether you're navigating corporate politics, overcoming bias, or stepping into different leadership roles, this episode will give you the tools to influence with confidence.

00:00:00 – Intro: The hidden power of influence—leading without a fight
00:02:17 – Being "The First": Walking into the boardroom as a foreign-born woman
00:04:23 – How your first impression can shape career success
00:06:09 – The myth of confrontation: Why fighting isn't the only way to be heard
00:07:39 – How to challenge management without being aggressive
00:10:03 – Redefining confrontation: The art of influencing through solutions
00:14:33 – Change starts with you: Why mindset shifts are key to leadership
00:16:56 – Top-down vs. bottom-up change: The missing piece in change management
00:20:57 – Criticism & bias: Overcoming personal attacks in leadership
00:24:02 – How to gain credibility when you're underestimated
00:29:07 – Understanding stakeholder motivations to drive collaboration
00:33:57 – How taking small risks can shape your leadership journey
00:36:42 – The secret to promotion: Why employees (not bosses) determine your success
00:39:33 – The collectivism trap: Why team players often get bypassed
00:43:28 – Believing in yourself when others doubt you
00:48:11 – Are you limiting your own growth? The question every leader should ask
00:52:30 – Dealing with resistance: How to turn workplace skeptics into supporters