38: The Likeability Trap: What’s Really Stopping Women from Getting Promoted episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 5, 2026 · 16 MIN

38: The Likeability Trap: What’s Really Stopping Women from Getting Promoted

from SisterSmart Leadership

Have you ever been told you need to be 'warmer' in a meeting... and then told you need to be 'more assertive' in your next review?This is what researchers call the 'likeability trap.' And it's one of the biggest reasons talented women get stuck in their careers.In this episode, you'll learn what the likeability trap actually looks like at work so you can spot when it's happening to you. Jill shares why traditional assertiveness training often backfires for women, and what actually works instead.By the end of this episode, you'll have a framework for leading authentically, one that honors who you are instead of asking you to become someone else.02:45 — How the likeability trap plays out at work4:17 — Why traditional assertiveness training often backfires for women08:15 —How to be more authoritative without losing yourself11:45 — Setting professional boundaries at work14:30 — Bossy vs. confident - navigating the double standard—Register for the Free Executive Presence for Women Masterclass: The 3 keys to Increase Authority and Influence, happening live on Thursday, August 8 at 12 PST.A replay will be available for those that register! https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkdOsrDItGdHchQv1BXFozsGRUjL74xlK#/registration —🌟 FREE MASTERCLASS: Achieve Your VP Promotion: 3 Steps to Success in the Next Yearhttps://sistersmart.com/register-sil—✈️ FREE PASSPORT TO PROMOTION PRIVATE PODCAST: 7 STEPS TO GET PROMOTED FROM DIRECTOR TO VP Get access to the Passport to Promotion Private Podcast—👩‍💻 APPLY FOR THE SISTERS IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM An 12-month coaching program for women leaders who want to rise up and fulfill their career potential and get promoted from director to VPJoin Sisters in Leadership to Get Promoted to VP—💻 EXPLORE OUR LEADERSHIP COURSESWe offer a few leadership courses for you to begin sharpening your skills from meeting management to executive presence and productivity.Sign Up for a Leadership Course—👋 CONNECT WITH JILL 🌐 Website: https://sistersmart.com/ 🎥 YouTube: https://linktw.in/uWD3ko 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillavey/

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38: The Likeability Trap: What’s Really Stopping Women from Getting Promoted

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This episode is 16 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 5, 2026.

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Have you ever been told you need to be 'warmer' in a meeting... and then told you need to be 'more assertive' in your next review?This is what researchers call the 'likeability trap.' And it's one of the biggest reasons talented women get stuck in...

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