46: How to Overcome Being Labeled Too Bossy and Earn a High-Visibility Senior Leadership Promotion with Christel

Have you ever been told you are too direct, too strong, or too bossy -- only to find yourself shrinking down just to keep others comfortable? If so, you are not alone, and this episode was made for you.Christel is a former military veteran, corporate leader, and SisterSmart Elite client who walked into a new company with impressive credentials -- mentors, leadership program visibility and years of high-performance experience. Yet her career was not advancing the way she knew it should. Her direct style was being flagged in performance reviews and the guidance she was receiving from mentors was not specific enough to help her break through.In this client story episode, Christel shares the exact blind spots that were holding her back, how she learned to communicate with impact and brevity to earn a seat in senior leader briefings, and how she ultimately landed a high-visibility promotion that required a full relocation and a major team turnaround -- all in the span of one year.Whether you are a woman in senior leadership navigating the double bind of being too much or not enough, wondering whether executive coaching is worth the investment, or preparing to step into a new high-visibility role, Christel's story is proof that the right development program changes everything.In this episode you will discover:Why mentors alone may not get you promoted -- and what fills the gapHow to stop being labeled too bossy, too direct, or too strong without losing who you areThe communicating with impact shift that earns you access to senior leader roomsHow to receive performance feedback without defensiveness -- so your leaders thank youWhat the first 30-60-90 days look like in a high-visibility new leadership roleHow to lead with your feminine strengths in even the most male-dominated environmentsWhat Christel says to every woman who is on the fence about investing in executive coaching2:56 -- The real limitations of mentorship for high-achieving women leaders4:26 -- What Christel was looking for when she chose executive coaching over self-help6:46 -- Looking back: the blind spots she did not know were blocking her promotion8:09 -- Being labeled too strong, too bossy, and too direct in corporate leadership9:47 -- Understanding social dynamics and finding your authentic place in the leadership hierarchy10:39 -- The communicating with impact shift that got her into senior leader briefings14:26 -- How to receive feedback without defensiveness so your managers actually thank you15:26 -- Landing a high-visibility senior leadership promotion and relocating for the role17:12 -- How to navigate career relocations without letting them derail your momentum19:32 -- The 30-60-90 day framework for entering a new role and building high-performing team trust22:22 -- Leading with feminine strengths in a male-dominated manufacturing environment24:57 -- Is executive coaching worth it? What Christel says to every woman on the fence27:00 -- How to protect time for your own development when you feel too busy29:41 -- The women leaders who inspired Christel: Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine AlbrightIf you are searching for how to get promoted from director to vice president, how to overcome imposter syndrome as a woman leader, executive presence for women, leadership coaching for women, communicating with impact, or how to build a high-performing team in a new leadership role -- this episode covers all of it through Christel's real client story.ABOUT CHRISTELChristel is a former military veteran and senior corporate leader who has built her career across multiple industries and geographies. After joining the SisterSmart Elite program, she identified key blind spots, transformed her leadership communication style and was promoted into a high-visibility senior leadership role leading a turnaround. She now leads a large team and continues to grow as an executive leader.—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/