Likeable Badass: How Powerful Women Lead with Warmth and Assertiveness with Alison Fragale – Episode 33

Likeable Badass: How Powerful Women Lead with Warmth and Assertiveness with Alison Fragale – Episode 33

Leadership Confidence Pillar:

 

In this episode of The Leadership Wellness Circle podcast, Miara Shaw sits down with Alison Fragale, author of the best-selling book Likeable Badass, to discuss the power of leadership confidence and the concept of the “Mavenator.” They dive deep into the art of being a “likable badass”—a unique blend of warmth and assertiveness that helps women command respect and elevate their careers. Alison shares insights from her book and explores practical strategies for self-evaluation, improving self-worth, and navigating the challenges women face in gaining respect. Together, they discuss how mentorship and community support are essential tools for building authentic leadership and confidence in both personal and professional growth. If you’re ready to lead with confidence and create lasting success, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Alison at https://alisonfragale.com/.

Takeaways:

  • A Mavenator leads with purpose, empowering others and driving positive change in their communities.
  • Women in leadership succeed by blending warmth and assertiveness, proving that you can be both liked and respected.
  • Leadership confidence is essential for professional and personal growth, especially for women navigating complex challenges.
  • Regular self-evaluation reveals leadership gaps and opens doors for continuous improvement and growth.
  • Mentorship and community support are critical for building sustainable leadership, offering valuable feedback and guidance.

 Listen to this Episode:

Takeaway Summaries

  • A Mavenator Leads with Purpose – A true Mavenator, or impactful leader, leads with intention and purpose, using their influence to empower others and spark meaningful change in their communities. This kind of leadership goes beyond traditional management; it’s about inspiring those around you to embrace their potential and act toward collective progress. By leading with purpose, Mavenators create environments where others feel motivated, supported, and ready to contribute to larger goals, resulting in lasting, positive change.

  • Women in Leadership Succeed by Blending Warmth and Assertiveness – Successful women leaders master the art of balancing warmth with assertiveness, demonstrating that it’s possible to be both liked and respected. Warmth fosters connection, trust, and collaboration, making others feel valued and heard, while assertiveness ensures that boundaries are set, needs are met, and leadership is maintained. This combination allows women to build relationships while remaining firm in their decisions, enabling them to navigate leadership challenges with confidence and authenticity.

  • Leadership Confidence Is Essential for Professional and Personal Growth – Leadership confidence is the cornerstone of success, especially for women who face unique challenges in navigating their careers and personal lives. Confidence empowers leaders to take risks, make decisions with clarity, and confront challenges head-on. It is also crucial in fostering resilience and adaptability, both in the workplace and in personal life. By cultivating self-belief, women leaders open the door to new opportunities and growth, both professionally and personally.

  • Regular Self-Evaluation Reveals Leadership Gaps and Opens Doors for Growth – Consistently assessing your leadership style and performance is key to uncovering areas for improvement and growth. Regular self-evaluation helps leaders identify gaps in skills, knowledge, or communication, allowing them to take proactive steps to address these weaknesses. By embracing self-reflection as a continuous practice, leaders ensure that they remain aligned with their values, adapt to changing environments, and evolve in ways that foster ongoing success.

  • Mentorship and Community Support Are Critical for Sustainable Leadership – Mentorship and community play an essential role in building sustainable leadership by providing support, feedback, and guidance. Having a mentor who offers wisdom and a community that shares experiences allows leaders to stay grounded and gain new perspectives on challenges they face. These relationships help women leaders navigate complexities with confidence, build skills, and avoid burnout, ensuring that their leadership journey is not only successful but also fulfilling.

 

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 Leaders Use Clarity and Connection to Build Sustainable Growth with Miara Shaw – Episode 32

How Leaders Use Clarity and Connection to Build Sustainable Growth with Miara Shaw – Episode 32

Business Growth Pillar:

In this episode of the Leadership Wellness Circle podcast, Miara Shaw shares how identifying and focusing on the four pillars of her business has helped her grow with greater clarity and purpose. She explains that the four pillars—leadership confidence, work-life integration, wellness refuge, and business growth—serve as the foundation for everything in her business, from digital offerings and social media content to the Leadership Wellness Circle and podcast. Miara also highlights how incorporating purposeful play under the Wellness Refuge pillar contributes to the well-being and growth of her community. By aligning her work with these key pillars, Miara has been able to stay focused and avoid getting distracted by the latest trends or “shiny objects,” ultimately building a business that is intentional, sustainable, and aligned with her vision.

Key Takeaways

  • Small adjustments in business strategy can create momentum and drive growth.
  • Defining 3–4 core business pillars helps maintain alignment and strategic focus.
  • Mentorship provides clarity and accountability, helping leaders refine their approach.
  • Experience is just as valuable as expertise when mentoring others.
  • Women should embrace and own their natural leadership strengths unapologetically.

Takeaway Summaries

  • Small Adjustments Drive Momentum: Making small, intentional adjustments in business strategy can have a significant impact on growth, creating momentum that leads to long-term success.
  • Core Business Pillars Keep You Focused: Defining 3–4 core pillars for your business ensures alignment and clarity, helping you stay focused on what truly drives your company forward.
  • Mentorship Brings Clarity and Accountability: A mentor provides valuable guidance, helping you refine your approach, clarify your goals, and stay accountable to your vision for growth.
  • Experience and Expertise Are Both Valuable: Experience in real-world challenges is just as important as technical expertise when mentoring others, offering unique insights that contribute to meaningful leadership development.
  • Embrace Your Leadership Strengths: Women should unapologetically embrace and own their unique leadership qualities, leveraging them to lead with confidence and authenticity.

Are you interested in enrolling in the 2026 Leadership Wellness Circle? Email hello@miarashaw.com with your interest, and we will follow up.

 

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