The Inner Edge: Leadership, Self-Mastery, and Reinvention for a New Era

“Leadership skills are not something that you're born with. You really have to learn and grow into that field.”

According to my guest on this episode, no- one is born a leader. We learn, we grow, and we earn the privilege to lead. In this episode, I talk to Katie Selbe, the Chief Operating Officer at Blue Halo. She's a systems engineer turned COO with over two decades of experience in the space and defense industry.

We talk about:

• Katie’s journey – how an engineer became an executive leader
• Transitioning from being a team member to a team leader
• Dealing with feelings of inadequacy at work
• Developing your own leadership voice
• Career advice from her top executive role as a chief operating officer
• Mentorship: creating your own career “board of directors”

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“Leadership skills are not something that you're born with. You really have to learn and grow into that field.”

“It's really about knowing yourself and your own strengths, your own weaknesses, your values, and your beliefs. That's really foundational into becoming a strong leader. Because if you can't understand yourself and what you're good at, it's really hard to serve others.”

“I think some of my best advice is, you know, really, just to be yourself, don't try to be one of the men, it's okay to be different than your male counterparts. And honestly, that's the value that you bring to the table because what makes you different is really what sets you apart from the rest of the team.”

“Your brand has got to be something that's authentic to you.”

“Have fun. Life is too short to be in a career that doesn't energize you or jazz you every day or to work with people that don't respect you [...] life is really too short. You spend too many waking hours working. That should be fun. And if it's not, find something else.”

Connect with today’s guest on Linkedin: Katie Selbe

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

Do you aspire to be more fully present, but find it a challenge to actually do so?

You may try your best to be a better listener, but find yourself talking to someone in your office distractedly thinking about the next meeting on your calendar. You may even acknowledge the person with the words, “I'm listening” as you continue to type on your computer. You divide your attention and half-participate in meetings or events while you think about your to-do list. You look down at your phone while having a meal. And the list goes on…

We tend to take pride in multitasking, yet the problem is… We are never fully present where we are in each moment.  And this distraction prevents us from fully experiencing anything.  It also causes us to miss so much.

What are you missing when you're scattered, distracted, and never fully present?


In this episode, I talk about the power of being fully present and share: 

• The true meaning of being fully present
• A real-life example of how not being present can affect your effectiveness as a leader and as a human being
• A mantra to use to reground yourself to the present moment when you find yourself becoming distracted   

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“Some of us wear it as a badge of honor that we're able to do all these different things and multitask [...].”

“You are the embodiment of every single interaction you're having.” 

“We talk about having a powerful leadership presence but… It's not about how you stand. It's not about how you look. It's about how you are and how you're being with others.”

“The reality is that you're providing an experience of what it's like to be in your presence to others every single moment.  In every single interaction.”

Free Gift Offer:

 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  I’ll send you a free gift to help you create your most powerful leadership presence if you submit the review and send me an email!

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

As a female executive—what do you need to know about corporate board positions? And how do you go about pursuing one?

In this episode of Power Presence Academy, I talk to Dita Shemke about what women in leadership need to know about pursuing board positions.

Dita is the Chair of the 50/50 Women on Boards’ “Global Conversation on Women on Boards” in Orange County, CA. She offers her perspective about increasing the representation of women on Boards, and 3 practical tips for women seeking a board position.


In this episode:

• What prompted Dita to support and work with women in leadership
• The 50/50 Women on Boards Campaign
• Dita’s 3 tips for women seeking a board position
• How to balance a board position with your life and career
• Dita’s personal advice for women in leadership seeking board positions

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“Companies who want to be relevant need to pay closer attention to women as direct consumers of goods and services.”

“50/50 Women on Boards also has training programs with different levels of readiness that can provide you with the initial steps of finding out what being on a board is about and where you fit."

“Network. Network. Network. Your personal network will serve you well in your search. Just like with your other jobs, especially for your first board position, the more people who know that you are interested in serving on a board, the greater your chances are of getting there.”

“Finding your first board position is like looking for a high-level job. It takes the same discipline, planning, systematic approach, and a whole lot of networking.”

“Regardless of where you are in your life, taking on any additional roles will require the mindset and the honesty to ask yourself these three important questions. Is this really what I want? Is this the right time for me? Will my family support my choice?”

“How many times in your lifetime will you have the opportunity to be part of history in the making? Why not be part of the change?”

Connect with today’s guest on Linkedin: Dita Shemke 

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

Do you feel uncomfortable when you are faced with having a “difficult” conversation with someone at work?

You are not alone. According to Bravely’s composition of workplace surveys, 70% of employees are avoiding difficult conversations at work.  The implications of avoiding these conversations are evident.

So how do we get more comfortable having these conversations with our own team members?

In this episode, I talk to Emily Debeniotis, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Burke & Herbert Bank. She has decades of experience leading the Human Resources function. Having what others may view as difficult conversations is a common part of her role. 

You'll hear Emily’s expert advice on how to mentally prepare for and set the stage for having a successful “difficult” conversation. She offers practical tips and strategies that you can apply immediately.

In this episode:

• Learn actionable tips to master difficult conversations
• Learn why “being comfortable with discomfort” is a critical attribute for leaders

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“I think that the most difficult part [of having a difficult conversation] is making it successful.” - Emily Debeniotis

“At the end of the day, no matter what we have to discuss, we're all humans, and we all deserve a safe place to be able to connect with others.” - Emily Debeniotis 

“We can't control anyone else or anything else. We can only control ourselves.” - Emily Debeniotis

“Words matter. Everything you say matters.” - Emily Debeniotis

Free Gift Offer:

 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  I’ll send you a free gift to help you create your most powerful leadership presence if you submit the review and send me an email!

Resource Links:

Janet Ioli mentions Gayle King’s famous interview with R. Kelly as the perfect role model of “being comfortable with discomfort”. You can watch the highlights and Gayle’s point of view here. 

Connect with today’s guest on LinkedIn: Emily Debeniotis 

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

“Networking really isn't about selling yourself. It's about making connections.”

Do you hate networking?  If you think of networking as selling yourself and meeting people to “get” something, it can certainly feel inauthentic and uncomfortable.

In this episode, I talk to Zoey DeWolf, the Director of Government Affairs of the Midwest and Rocky Mountain Region at Sanofi. Zoey has a powerhouse network from her extensive background as a lobbyist and working on political campaigns. You'll hear her talk about her inspiring leadership journey, what she does to continuously learn and to grow, and what she believes building a quality network is all about.

In this episode:

• Learn how to reframe the concept of networking so that you actually look forward to it
• How to expand your network as women in leadership
• Zoey shares one powerful secret to building a lasting network

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.


Noteworthy Quotes from this Episode

 “I have something to learn from everyone that I encounter. [...]  I really, truly believe that.” Janet Ioli

“Get out of your head, let go of the expectation of outcome. We don't know what will happen, so just let things be.” Zoey DeWolf 

“Don't take yourself so seriously. Everything we do is just practice.” Zoey DeWolf

“I think of wisdom as an equation, wisdom equals time plus experience. You can't control time, but you can control your experience.” Zoey DeWolf

Free gift offer:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  I’ll send you a free gift to help you create your most powerful leadership presence if you submit the review and send me an email!

Resource links:

You can learn all about the book Zoey mentioned in the talk, Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul, here.

Connect with today’s guest on LinkedIn: Zoey DeWolf

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

You've paid your dues and you've worked grueling 60-hour weeks. You have all the skills and qualifications for the next level job you were up for but you still didn’t get that promotion.

This unexpected disappointment happens to many of us sometime in our careers.  When it does, you may feel angry and betrayed. Understandably, your immediate gut reaction might be to polish your resume and start looking for a new job where you feel appreciated and valued.

As a coach to executives, I’ve seen this script play out more times than I can count.

What I know for sure is that how you behave immediately following such a blow is critical.   Others are watching your reaction and that reaction creates a story about your resilience as a leader and how you handle setbacks.  Your reputation and personal leadership brand are not only created by how you act when you feel in control or succeed but also when you experience failure.

In this episode, I’ll share 4 steps to rebound gracefully and move on after not getting that promotion you expected.

In this episode I’ll talk candidly about:

• Why the way you react to not getting the promotion you feel you deserved says a lot about who you are as a leader
• 4 steps to rebound gracefully after not getting the promotion you’ve been preparing for
• My perspective as an executive coach about what to think about as you move forward

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive .

Noteworthy Quotes from this episode
“How you act when you don't get the job is just as important as how you act as a leader day in and day out."
“Moving on: Express your disappointment. solicit feedback, and pledge support.”
“Think about the disappointment like a wave. The key is to feel it, acknowledge it, process it, recover from it, and then start swimming forward - not to just wallow in it.”
“Were you so attached to the thought of this promotion that you lost sight of its real importance in the bigger scheme of things?”
“You are not defined by a job title or a job, period.”
“Rebounding with grace takes you out of the victim role. It empowers you to move on. And it also creates new possibilities for the future that you may have not considered.”

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

What does it mean to have a personal brand?

Every single moment people are watching what you say and do and making up a story about who you are, what you stand for, and what it is like to be in your presence.  You can leave that story to chance, or you can control the narrative in that story.  Being intentional about how you present yourself in a way that highlights your expertise and strengths is an important part of creating a personal brand. 

In this episode of Power Presence Academy, I talk to Colleen Campbell, the Chief Marketing Officer at Maxar Technologies about the importance of being clear and intentional about creating a consistent personal brand, no matter who you are.

Highlights in this episode :

• The value of being clear about your personal brand and behaving consistently 
• The components of a strong personal brand
• How learning to express yourself authentically is the foundation of your brand

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“Developing a personal brand allows you to set the tone and the tenor of how you professionally want to be perceived and received.”

“Unless you tell them, they will not know.”

‘’Personal branding is really about how you are making others feel and what you are contributing.”

“The most powerful personal brands speak from the heart.”

Free gift offer:

 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  I’ll send you a free gift to help you create your most powerful leadership presence if you submit the review and send me an email!

Connect with today’s guest on LinkedIn: Colleen Campbell 

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

Regardless of how confident or accomplished you are, you are not immune to self-doubt.  My most accomplished and senior-level executive clients regularly describe to me the bouts of self-doubt that invade their minds and impact their effectiveness in the moment. Whether you experience it regularly or occasionally, a self-doubt attack can be paralyzing when you have one. 

So what do you do when one strikes?

In this episode, I’ll talk about self-doubt and share:

My own self-doubt attack experience
3 practical things you can do when a self-doubt attack strikes

These 3 things I share are simple strategies you can apply immediately the next time your self-doubt is about to get the best of you.


Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“None of us are immune to self-doubt attacks and learning how to persist through it and stay the course is key.”

“A lot of chatter in our heads comes from past conditioning.”

“Remind yourself of the purpose behind what you are doing.”

“Ask yourself what is needed here and act from that place.”

“Separate your purpose  from your ego identity and focus on what you are trying to achieve.”

“When you focus on something bigger than yourself, the focus won’t be on you.”

“Be the tree.”

Free gift offer:
 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  I’ll send you a free gift to help you create your most powerful leadership presence if you submit the review and send me an email!

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

If you continuously neglect your own self-care to get more done at work, you're going to want to listen to this episode of Power Presence Academy.

I talk to Pashon Mann about how chronic stress can accumulate in our bodies and manifest as illness.  She shares her own experience as a busy executive going about her high-achieving, superwoman ways until a thunderbolt diagnosis took her by total surprise. Pashon discusses the key elements that have helped her overcome adversity and maintain a newly balanced mindset. 

Pashon is the Vice-President of Recruiting at Comcast and has two decades of experience as a recruiting and HR executive in several large, well-known companies.

In this episode:

• The thunderbolt diagnosis that changed Pashon’s life
• Being kind to ourselves and the impact it can have on our bodies
• How to shift priorities when you realize you’ve been neglecting yourself for your career
• How to maintain a positive mindset when you’re facing tough circumstances
• Can you learn to be resilient?

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“I ignored stress. I ignored it. I was believing that I was the Superwoman; that I was invincible.”

“Be careful what you think, and what your mind says, because your body is listening.”

“I'm a much better leader, I'm a much better spouse, and I'm a much better mother because I'm more balanced now. “

“People don't realize that when you're burnt out and you're working all day and all night, you're not your best.”

“We're so caught up in achieving, proving, pleasing, and moving forward. We forget that we are a physical body and there's a human here. There is an energy that's within us that if we don't manage it, if we don't really take care of this container, all of the other things we're doing are useless.”

“Perspective will shift your response, which ultimately will shift the outcome to be positive.”

“You can be resilient if that's what you choose.”

Connect with today’s guest on Linkedin: PaShon Mann

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms 

Are you thinking of reinventing your career?  My guest today entirely changed her career course from a lucrative career in politics to becoming the CEO of Stuckey’s Corporation–and did it at the age of 53!

In this episode, I talk to Stephanie Stuckey, the CEO of Stuckey’s Corporation.  Stephanie’s powerhouse energy will inspire you to push aside your self-doubt and self-limiting beliefs and make the changes you may be thinking about. You'll hear this “accidental CEO” as she calls herself share her unique leadership journey and wise career reinvention advice. She is out to reinvent the Stuckey’s vintage brand and has reinvented herself in the process.  We all can learn a lot from her journey.

In this episode:

• How your past experiences all shape you as a leader
• Why reinvention is a constant process, and the importance of continuous risk
• How to beat the comparison game by focusing on the customer rather than the competition
• Building a team and the most important factor to consider
• And more!

Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, a leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies.

“You don't necessarily check your previous experiences at the door.”

“Lead with less ego and more soul.”

“Do what you love because even if you totally love it, there are days when you are going to ask yourself, why am I doing it?”

“I'm not out to beat the competition, I'm out to win the customer.”

“Take care of yourself, not just your business. If you aren't replenishing your own energy level, then at some point it is going to catch up to you.”

Free gift offer:

 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  I’ll send you a free gift to help you create your most powerful leadership presence if you submit the review and send me an email!

Connect with today’s guest on LinkedIn: Stephanie Stuckey

Escape the Traps: The 7 Hidden Patterns That Sabotage Your Leadership Imprint

- Get Janet's new book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Others

- Get special discounts when purchasing multiple copies at https://janetioli.com/order 

Connect with Janet Ioli:

Website: janetioli.com
LinkedIn: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
YouTube: @janetioli

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Select “Listen in Apple Podcasts,” then choose the “Ratings & Reviews” tab to share what you think.  

Produced by Ideablossoms