How Multiple Mentors Fuel Business Growth and Stronger Leadership with Delores Morton – Episode 31

How Multiple Mentors Fuel Business Growth and Stronger Leadership with Delores Morton – Episode 31

Business Growth Pillar:

In this episode of the Leadership Wellness Circle podcast, Miara Shaw interviews Delores Morton, CEO of Step Up, a nonprofit organization committed to mentoring young women. Delores shares her insights on the transformative power of mentorship, the role of innovative leadership, and the importance of technology in expanding nonprofit reach. The conversation delves into Delores’s journey, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and how community support and collaboration are essential for strong leadership.

Delores emphasizes the value of having multiple mentors, how personal experiences shape leadership styles, and how fostering innovation allows organizations to thrive in today’s ever-changing landscape. This episode offers practical strategies for building sustainable growth in mentorship programs, empowering young women, and navigating leadership challenges without sacrificing personal well-being.

This episode is a must-listen for women leaders seeking to enhance their mentorship impact and grow sustainably in their careers.

Learn more about Delores and Step Up at https://www.suwn.org/blog/delores-morton.

Takeaways:

  • Mentorship has the power to boost the confidence and skills of young women.
  • Innovative leadership and technology are crucial for expanding mentorship programs.
  • Having multiple mentors offers diverse perspectives and valuable support.
  • Leadership success doesn’t require sacrificing personal well-being.
  • Community support and collaboration are key to effective leadership.

 

 Listen to this Episode:

Takeaways Summaries:

  • Mentorship Boosts Confidence and Skills: Mentorship plays a crucial role in helping young women build leadership confidence and develop essential skills, empowering them to step into leadership roles with greater self-assurance.
  • Innovative Leadership and Technology Expand Mentorship Reach: Leveraging technology and creative leadership approaches makes it easier to expand mentorship programs, increasing access and impact for young women seeking guidance.
  • Multiple Mentors Provide Broader Perspectives: Having a diverse network of mentors offers valuable insights and balanced advice, helping women navigate challenges and make informed leadership decisions.
  • Success Doesn’t Require Sacrificing Well-Being: True leadership success comes from integrating personal well-being with professional growth—thriving in both areas leads to more sustainable success.
  • Community Support Strengthens Leadership: Building a strong community of supportive peers and collaborators creates a foundation for effective leadership, encouraging women to lead with confidence and resilience.

 

Ready to lead with confidence and purpose? Join the Leadership Wellness Circle and connect with a community of women committed to leading powerfully, living joyfully, and creating sustainable success. Join the 2026 Leadership Wellness Circle waitlist by emailing hello@miarashaw.com with your interest, and we will follow up. 

Leadership Wellness Circle

How to Develop Trust and Confidence in Your Unique Leadership Journey with Miara Shaw – Episode 30

How to Develop Trust and Confidence in Your Unique Leadership Journey with Miara Shaw – Episode 30

Leadership Confidence Pillar:

In this powerful Leadership Wellness Circle podcast episode, Miara Shaw kicks off season 3 by exploring the transformative power of stillness and work-life integration for high-performing women. Miara highlights how chronic stress disproportionately impacts Black women’s health and explains why slowing down is essential for clarity and decision-making. She introduces a simple yet impactful practice—30 seconds of daily stillness—to help women reconnect with their intuition and foster leadership wellness. Miara emphasizes that leadership is not about having all the answers but about trusting the process and embracing patience. She also underscores the importance of building a supportive community to navigate both personal and professional challenges.

Takeaways

  • Work-life integration is essential for both success and well-being.
  • Chronic stress disproportionately affects Black women, making wellness practices critical.
  • Slowing down and practicing stillness can strengthen intuition and decision-making.
  • Leadership is not about having all the answers but about trusting the process.
  • Clarity takes time—embrace the journey without rushing for immediate solutions.
  • Community and support systems are vital for personal and professional growth.

Listen To Episode Here:

Takeaway Summaries

  • Work-Life Integration Drives Sustainable Success – True success isn’t about grinding endlessly; it’s about creating a rhythm between work and life that supports both professional achievements and personal well-being. Prioritizing work-life integration helps prevent burnout and boosts long-term performance.

  • Wellness is Essential for Black Women Leaders – Chronic stress affects Black women at higher rates due to societal and professional pressures. Incorporating wellness practices—like rest, mindfulness, and setting boundaries—is essential for protecting mental and physical health while sustaining leadership success.

  • Stillness Strengthens Decision-Making – Slowing down and creating moments of stillness allows leaders to reconnect with their intuition, leading to more thoughtful decisions and greater clarity in challenging situations.

  • Leadership Means Trusting the Process – Effective leadership isn’t about always having the answers—it’s about trusting your instincts, adapting to change, and leaning on your experience and values to guide the way.

  • Clarity Comes with Time – Rushing for quick answers often leads to missteps. Embracing the journey, even when things feel unclear, allows solutions to emerge naturally and with greater impact.

  • Community Fuels Leadership Growth – Success doesn’t happen in isolation. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community of mentors, peers, and advisors provides valuable feedback, encouragement, and accountability, helping you grow as a leader.

Ready to lead with confidence and purpose? Join the Leadership Wellness Circle and connect with a community of women committed to leading powerfully, living joyfully, and creating sustainable success. Join the 2026 Leadership Wellness Circle waitlist by emailing hello@miarashaw.com with your interest, and we will follow up. 

The Power of Self-Trust: Your Secret to Confident Leadership

The Power of Self-Trust: Your Secret to Confident Leadership

You are the leader you’ve been waiting for. No more seeking validation overthinking every decision, or shrinking your brilliance to make others comfortable. Confidence starts with self-trust.

Think about it—when you fully trust yourself, you move differently. You make decisions without second-guessing, speak up in rooms where you belong, and carry yourself with an energy that commands respect.

So why do so many women leaders struggle with self-trust? Because we’ve been conditioned to seek permission instead of power. Not anymore.

Self-trust fuels confident leadership.

Why Self-Trust Is a Game-Changer for Leaders

When you trust yourself, everything shifts:

✅ Decisions become easier – No more overanalyzing. You trust your instincts and take action.
✅ Your presence is felt – Confidence isn’t about being the loudest; it’s about being sure.
✅ You move with clarity – You stop doubting every step and start trusting that even missteps are part of the journey.

Leaders who trust themselves don’t waste energy on self-doubt. They make moves, period.

A Personal Story: Confidence on the Trading Floor

Let me take you back to my days as a trader. I was the only Black female trader in a predominantly male industry, and trust me, that could have been a reason for me to hold back, to shrink into the background. But I quickly learned that hiding behind that excuse would serve no one—not me, not my team, and certainly not my career.

My job was to hit my numbers and optimize the production I was in charge of, and I had to do it with confidence. There were days when the market moved against me, and I lost money on trades. Those moments were tough—losing in trading is part of the game. No one wins on every single trade.

If I had let those losses shake my confidence, I would have been paralyzed with doubt. Instead, I chose to view those setbacks as opportunities for growth. I trusted my skills and instincts, reminding myself that my worth wasn’t tied to every single outcome.

I had to keep my head high, knowing that confidence is built not just on victories but on how we respond to challenges. I learned to embrace the ups and downs, using them to fuel my determination to push forward. My confidence had to remain strong, and as I did that, I created a space where I could lead with authority and authenticity.

3 Ways to Strengthen Your Self-Trust (and Lead with More Confidence!)

1. Keep Promises to Yourself

Every time you set a goal and don’t follow through, your brain files it under “Sis doesn’t do what she says.” 😬 The more this happens, the less you trust yourself.

Try this: Start with one small promise this week—whether it’s finishing a project, speaking up in a meeting, or waking up 30 minutes earlier. Then do it. Trust is built through action.

2. Filter Out the Noise

Too much outside input will have you doubting your own brilliance. Your intuition already knows the answer—you just have to listen.

Try this: Before asking anyone else for advice, pause. What do YOU think? Write it down. You might realize you don’t need anyone else’s input after all.

3. Keep Receipts on Your Wins

You’ve navigated tough situations before. You’ve made bold decisions. You’ve come through every single time. So why keep acting like you can’t trust yourself now?

Try this: Start a Confidence Journal. Write down three times when you trusted yourself and it worked out. When doubt creeps in, go back and read your own receipts.

It's Time to Lead Like You Mean it

The most powerful leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers—they’re the ones who trust themselves to figure it out. ~ Maven Miara

And that’s you.

💬 What’s ONE way you’re choosing to trust yourself this month? Drop a comment—I want to hear it!