In this episode of Lead to Soar, hosts Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss the critical topic of navigating career advice for women aiming for CEO roles. The conversation highlights the disparity in career advice, which focuses heavily on emotional intelligence (EQ) over business intelligence (BQ) and the importance of developing BQ skills for career advancement. They share insights from successful women CEOs like Nickie Gibson and emphasise the need for actionable advice that prepares women for executive leadership roles.

Episode Highlights:

Career Advice Landscape: We discuss the disproportionate focus on EQ in career advice for women and the significant gap in advice on BQ.

Nickie Gibson's Insights: Nikki Gibson (formerly Nickie Scriven), a successful CEO, provided great insights for Michelle's book, The Leadership Compass. Nickie's advice emphasises the importance of BQ skills such as strategic thinking, business growth, and leadership.

Business Intelligence (BQ): Michelle explains BQ in leadership and its critical role in advancing to senior executive and C-suite roles.

Challenges for Ambitious Women: Addressing societal biases against ambitious women and the "ambition penalty" they face in their careers.

Actionable Advice for Women and Managers: Practical steps for women to develop BQ skills and advice for managers to support the career development of women on their teams.

Leadership Call to Action:

Audit Development Programs: Ensure that women-focused programs include substantial business strategic and financial acumen content.

Train Managers: Educate managers on how to coach and develop women in BQ skills and understand the impact of gender dynamics on talent management.

Encourage Self-Development: Women should take charge of their development, seek out resources like the Lead to Soar Network, and attend events like the Lead to Soar Summit.

Lead to Soar is a multi-platform resource for ambitious women on a leadership journey and for organisations serious about closing the leadership gender gap.

We support women and organisations in 5 ways:

The Lead to Network

The Lead to Soar Podcast

The Lead to Soar Summit

Women’s Leadership Programs

DEI Consulting & Advisory

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.

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