149. Lessons from Ursula Burns: Leading Through Crisis with Candor

Send us Fan MailThink about that meeting last week where you knew exactly what needed to change, but you softened it. Think about that email where you danced around the real issue because you did not want to seem difficult. This pattern costs women leaders credibility and influence. In this Women's History Month episode, Kele Belton unpacks the leadership wisdom of Ursula Burns. As the first Black woman Fortune 500 CEO, Burns turned Xerox around not with fancy jargon or perfect diplomacy, but by saying exactly what she thought.WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUT Ursula Burns served as Xerox CEO from 2009 to 2016. She took over when the company faced multiple crises: massive debt, declining market share, and regulatory scrutiny. What got her through was not diplomatic language or comfortable silence: it was her commitment to candor.In this 5-minute Monday Momentum episode, Kele breaks down why "palatable" gets you nowhere when the stakes are high. This is part of our Women's History Month series featuring five icons who changed how we lead: Brené Brown, Ursula Burns, Mellody Hobson, Indra Nooyi, and Ellen Ochoa.WHAT YOU WILL LEARNThe Candor Practice. When you feel the urge to soften a message, pause and ask: "What would I say if I were not worried about how it lands?".The Transformation. How to move from "I am not sure, but maybe..." to "I recommend we prioritize these three deliverables."The Utility of Truth. Why real leadership is saying the useful thing even when it is uncomfortable.The Clarity Formula. State what you are seeing, name the consequence, and make your recommendation.The Authority of the Unfiltered Voice. Why your thoughtful perspective is more valuable than perfect diplomacy.WHAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY DO THIS WEEK Follow the Ursula Burns practice in three steps:Notice the softening reflex. Identify one conversation where you are worried about seeming difficult.Ask the Clarity Question. "What would I say if I were not worried about how it lands?"Deliver the Recommendation. Use the formula: State what you see + name the consequence + make the recommendation.The Shift: > ❌ Instead of: "I am not sure, but maybe we could look at adjusting the timeline." ✅ Try this: "The timeline is tight, and we will miss it unless we cut scope. I recommend we prioritize these three deliverables."MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODETop 10% Global Ranking. Communicate to Lead is now officially in the top 10% of podcasts globally with a Listen Score of 25.Ursula Burns. Author of "Where You Are Is Not Who You Are."Ignite Your Leadership Power Accelerator. Join the waitlist for the 12-week program designed for women ready to move from execution to strategy.QUICK ANSWERS (FAQ)Who is Ursula Burns? Ursula Burns is the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company as CEO. She served as Xerox CEO from 2009 to 2016.ABOUT YOUR HOST Kele Belton is a communication and leadership facilitator, coach, and consultant who specializes in helping women leaders stop softening their message and start leading with strategic command. Through her Top 10% globally ranked podcast and her coaching programs, Kele provides actionable frameworks that help high-performing women move from being palatable to being powerful.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com