Leadership is already messy. Add culture, identity, power dynamics, and a workplace that rewards sameness… and suddenly you’re not leading—you’re surviving. In this episode, Nicole talks with Aiko Bethea, founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, about what actually creates diversity (spoiler: it’s not a checkbox) and why diversity is the outcome of great leadership.

We get into:

Why “diversity” isn’t a skill set (and why treating it like one makes you a worse leader)

Power-sharing vs. power-hoarding and how that impacts belonging, equity, and performance

The real reason leadership advice feels like a chaotic buffet of contradictions

How to measure leadership impact beyond “we hit the number” (because people aren’t spreadsheets)

Why leaders making mistakes feels riskier than ever—and why ownership is still the right move

The “punching a ghost” feeling when reality is being rewritten in real time 

What it means to be a well leader: aligned, accountable, humane—not perfect

Because the goal isn’t to lead like the “stereotypical old-school leader.” The goal is to lead like your full self—and create workplaces where more people can do the same.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show! 

Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/pd2550-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass.

Connect with Aiko:

Website: https://www.rarecoaching.net/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rare_coach 

Invite to join RARE community  -  https://www.rarecoaching.net/membership/

If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

🔗 Subscribe & Review:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices