1015: Why Women Leaders Struggle With Authority | Leadership Strategies

How do you feel when someone exerts authority over you? And how does that influence the way you exercise your own authority as a leader? For many women, authority comes with baggage. If you’ve experienced someone abusing their power, dismissing you in some way, or making decisions that impact you without including you, stepping into your own authority can feel complicated. You might hesitate to set expectations because you don’t want to be controlling. Or you might get self-protective and defensive, perhaps doubling down on your autonomy when your authority is challenged, like me! These patterns deserve our attention because they shape how we make decisions, communicate boundaries, and support the people we lead. In this episode, we explore the three components of your perspective on authority: Relationship, Responsibility, and Resourcing. We’ll examine how your experiences with power influence your leadership, where you have a responsibility to take up more space, and how holding boundaries protects you and your team’s capacity to do meaningful work. We’ll also explore five authority aspirations that can help you create the necessary space to develop a more commanding presence, communicate with conviction, and create opportunities for others to grow their own leadership. Listen in to hear: Why you might resist other people’s authority while feeling uncomfortable exercising your own. How to recognize when you’re relinquishing your power or becoming defensive to protect it. What it means to use ethical authority in service of your values, your team, and your mission. What gets lost when you undermine your expertise, avoid difficult decisions, or hesitate to take up space. Why owning your authority includes deciding what gets access to your time, energy, expertise, and team. How to invite disagreement and reconsider your position while remaining grounded in your leadership. A commanding presence helps people understand where you stand, what matters, and what you expect. It also makes room for their voices, judgment, and contributions. As you listen in, I invite you to consider: Where would owning your authority more fully change how you lead — and what would your team see or hear you doing differently? Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz Thank you to our sponsor, Ironwall. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/SHAMELESS and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices