The Curiosity Shift: Kristen Meneghello on Breaking Through Professional Plateaus

Are you stuck in the "doer" phase of your business, unable to scale because you're managing every detail? In this episode of Women's Million Dollar Conversations, Alice Tang sits down with Kristen Meneghello, founder of Illumination Coaching. Kristen shares how she transitioned from a legal background to becoming a top executive coach, helping leaders harness the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Kristen reveals her most powerful tool—Curiosity—and explains how shifting from judgment to wonder can dissolve anxiety and help you navigate high-stakes leadership challenges. If you want to learn how to lead with more ease and reach that million-dollar milestone by empowering others, Kristen's insights are a game-changer. In this episode, you'll learn: -How to pivot from a technical "expert" role to a strategic "visionary" leader. -The "Curiosity Framework": How to reframe bias and conflict as opportunities for learning. -Why reaching $1M requires letting go of the need to have all the answers. -The importance of self-awareness in building a resilient, high-growth company. Key Moments: 01:10 – Kristen's background: From law school to founding Illumination Coaching. 02:55 – The Value of Money: It's not just a number, it's about the freedom to choose. 04:30 – Scaling to $1M: Shifting the mindset from "working hard" to "leading smart." 06:45 – The Power of Curiosity: A tactical tool for overcoming fear and bias. 09:15 – Breaking the Bias: How to handle gender dynamics in executive coaching. 12:50 – Advice for Leaders: Why your "EQ" is more important than your "IQ" at the top. 15:40 – Gratitude: What Kristen has learned from 15+ years of transformational coaching.