In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie sits down with Kae Williams—a global software marketing executive, coach, speaker, and author of Not Made For You—to talk about what so many women (and marginalized professionals) feel but struggle to name:

Sometimes it’s not you… it’s the system.

Kae shares insights from over 30 years rising from telemarketer to CMO in a male-dominated industry, and breaks down how bias shows up through microaggressions, vague feedback (“not strategic,” “not ready”), exclusion from informal networks, and credibility gaps in the room.

This isn’t a “complain about it” episode. It’s a strategy episode—about recognizing bias, reading rooms, building influence, and creating inclusive culture from wherever you sit.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• What “Not Made For You” really means—and why naming the system changes everything
• The subtle ways bias shows up (and why it’s often hard to prove but easy to feel)
• The lie many women are told: “Work hard and promotions will come.”
• What actually drives promotions: influence + visibility + sponsorship
• How to “read the room” and spot who holds real power (hint: not always the highest title)
• How to advocate for yourself without being labeled “difficult”
• The magic question when feedback is vague: “Tell me what that looks like day-to-day.”
• How to respond when your ideas get validated through a man in the room
• What an inclusive culture actually feels like (beyond buzzwords)
• When it’s time to walk away: toxic culture, no growth path, no influence, no learning
• The simplest leadership action of the week: Be human.

Links mentioned

• Kae’s website: kaewilliams.com (K-A-E Williams)
• Book: Not Made For You (available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.)

Also found on: LinkedIn, Instagram, Substack

🔗 Connect with Romie

Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co
Email: [email protected]