Lead to Soar

We’re told (too often in our opinion) that the new year is about resolutions.

Do more. Be better. Fix yourself.

In this episode, we challenge that narrative and talk about what genuinely supports change over time.

Reflective practice sits at the heart of effective leadership, yet many women are rarely given the space or structure to do it well. Michelle introduces The Life Audit, a practical tool she has developed and refined over many years to help ambitious women pause, recognise what feels out of alignment, and decide where to focus.

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“Be authentic at work” is some of the most commonly given career advice, and some of the most dangerous, especially for women and others without structural power.

In this episode Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher call b******t on the idea that honesty and openness are always safe or rewarded at work. Instead, they explore what smart people actually do when life collides with work, and the stakes are high.

From bereavement and illness to caring responsibilities and personal identity, this conversation examines how disclosure decisions are shaped not by g...

Performance reviews are meant to assess contribution, results, and business impact. Yet for many women, they become subjective conversations about tone, confidence, or how they “come across.”

In Episode 204, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher discuss why women are disproportionately judged on personality rather than performance, and what that means for career progression. Drawing on research and lived experience, they explore how biased feedback shows up in reviews and why it persists, even for high-performing women.

This episode reframes the performance review as a business conversation, not a personal evaluation. Michelle shares practical language women can use...

As Pride Month 2026 approaches, we wanted to resurface this episode and send it to everyone so that they know exactly how to be a great ally to the rainbow community.

If you consider yourself supportive of the LGBTIQA+ community but aren’t always sure what meaningful allyship looks like in practice, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern speaks directly to leaders, managers, and colleagues who want to move beyond passive support and take responsibility for creating safer, more inclusive workplaces for people who are trans, gender di...

Visibility does not equal influence. In this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Michelle Redfern explains why many women leaders are seen and heard, yet still overlooked when it comes to power, promotion, and decision-making.

Drawing on The Leadership Compass, she outlines how strategic visibility, grounded in business impact, credibility, and judgment, is what shifts women from contributors to influential leaders.

This episode is a recording of a live Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Strategic. Workshop delivered inside the Lead to Soar Network. It offers a clear example of the strategic, evidence-based leadership development...

This isn’t your average leadership pep talk. In this episode, Michelle Redfern invites you into a quiet, reflective, and deeply practical session designed to help you pause, breathe, and think intentionally about the leader and the woman you are called to become.

Drawing on her personal experience and the powerful Ikigai framework, Michelle shares the exact questions, journaling prompts, and mindset shifts that helped her shift from living on autopilot to leading with purpose.

Whether you’re at a career crossroads, feeling a loss of joy in your current role, or sensing it’s time f...

Being asked to “fix” an underperforming team or leader can be a genuine opportunity ... or a glass cliff. Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher break down how to assess high-stakes roles, identify red flags, and determine whether you’re being set up to succeed or to take the fall. Essential guidance for ambitious women evaluating career-defining moves.

Women are heading into the end of 2025 more stretched, more visible, and more scrutinised than ever. At the same time, the platforms we once relied on to build our reputations have shifted under our feet. This 200th episode names what’s changed, what no longer works, and what ambitious women actually need to take themselves seriously in 2026.

In this milestone conversation, Mel and I get real about the three things women cannot outsource: your online presence, your strategic network, and your boundaries.

We cover:

* Why LinkedIn is no longer the only serious option fo...

In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher tackle a workplace issue most people experience but rarely discuss openly: professional jealousy. They walk through how jealousy shows up, how it can be weaponised through policy or gossip, and why it can have serious consequences for someone’s reputation and career if it isn’t handled well.Michelle shares a real incident from her executive career at a major Australian bank, where a colleague’s jealousy escalated into an unnecessary and poorly managed HR process. The story lays bare how organisational systems can be misused when leaders act on hearsay instea...

Technology is racing ahead — but courage and conscience must lead the way. In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher explore how women leaders can be the dissenting voices that keep ethics, empathy, and humanity at the centre of progress.

If this episode resonated, I invite you to join the conversation in the comments and share what landed for you. You can subscribe to the Lead to Soar podcast here on Substack to receive new episodes, notes, and occasional tools straight to your inbox. And if you want to go further, Lead to Soar Network members get ea...

Your future self is counting on you. In this episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher explore how ambitious women can play the long game — building strategy, visibility, and momentum that leads to real career success.They explore how to show up for your future self by thinking and acting strategically, building credibility and confidence, and designing a clear direction rather than waiting for opportunities to appear. This is about career design — not chance.In this episode:• What it means to show up for your future self.• How to define what reaching your full potential looks, sounds, and feels like.• Why strate...

Competence alone doesn’t create credibility. Michelle and Mel reveal why visibility and credibility must work together if you want to be chosen for high-value work. They share how to talk about your achievements without the cringe, use language that lands with decision-makers, and demonstrate leadership that moves the business forward.Leaders choose people they know, respect, and trust. If the right people can’t see your impact, they can’t bet on you.In this episode• The leadership equation: visibility + credibility = opportunity• Strategic self-promotion that doesn’t feel gross — linking outcomes to business results• Why “busy” doesn’t signal credibility (an...

Hope is not a strategy. Michelle and Mel show you how to define your full potential, state your ambition with a business lens, and build a roadmap that aligns your moves to real business outcomes. Practical prompts and language you can use this week.In this episode• Why “waiting to be noticed” keeps talented women stuck• What full potential can look like: role level, craft mastery, and financial security• Language that lands: from helper to enabler of growth• Building your roadmap: vision, next milestones, and measurable KPIs• Aligning success to business metrics: revenue, win rates, margin, cash, customer value• Finding a strate...

We’ve all met this leader: pleasant, agreeable, and conflict-avoidant—the kind of manager everyone likes but few respect.

In this Lead to Soar episode, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher dissect the “too nice to lead” phenomenon and offer practical strategies for ambitious professionals who report to an ineffective manager.What you’ll learn:• How to identify when niceness has replaced effectiveness• Why conflict avoidance erodes standards and trust• Scripts and strategies for managing up with outcomes and data• How to protect your energy and career progression while navigating underpowered leadership• What organisations must do to stop promoting accidental...

This episode asks the big career question: What happens when you stay busy, wait patiently, and hope to be noticed? Michelle and Mel dismantle the “good girl” model of leadership and explain why obedience, helpfulness, and non-promotable tasks (NPTs) won’t get you where you want to go. Instead, they lay out how to move from being merely helpful to being high-impact, and why radical accountability is the antidote to career stagnation.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “keeping your head down” will not shift your career trajectory

• The hidden costs of saying yes to non-promotabl...

Loyalty is still one of the most praised traits in women at work. Loyal to a leader. Loyal to a team. Loyal to an organisation that no longer has your back. In 2025, that expectation hasn’t softened. If anything, it has hardened.

In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher revisit the idea that loyalty is a virtue for women leaders—and ask harder questions about what loyalty actually costs when it isn’t reciprocated, rewarded, or aligned with sound leadership judgement.

This conversation reflects where work is now: prolonged uncertainty, shrink...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, co-founder Michelle Redfern takes listeners inside the Lead to Soar Network. She explains what actually happens inside: weekly Hour of Power group coaching, monthly themes and challenges, and a highly curated leadership library she calls the “Leadership MBA.”

Listeners also hear from member Tam Nguyen, who shares how her confidence, perspective, and practical leadership toolkit have grown through the community.

The Lead to Soar Network is for women (inclusive of cisgender, trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary people who want a women-only space) who are ambitious for themselves, thei...

This episode addresses a recurring issue in the Lead to Soar Network: what do you do when your boss—or their boss—is disinterested, disengaged, or outright hostile?

Michelle and Mel respond to a recent message from a long-time Network member who was given two options by her boss: accept a demotion or take a redundancy package. Her crime? Delivering measurable, high-value outcomes. The insult? This same leader had previously blocked her advancement.

What unfolds in this episode is not a one-off grievance; it’s a structural, widespread issue. And it’s one that too many wom...

In this Lead to Soar Network session, Michelle Redfern breaks down why strategic networking isn’t just a nice-to-have for ambitious women—it’s non-negotiable if you want influence, visibility, and advancement. Michelle shares practical tips, real talk about the barriers women face, and why “drinking from the fire hydrant” (aka, her sessions) is exactly what’s needed to shift from endless busywork to genuine leadership presence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why traditional networking advice fails women

• The difference between busywork and strategic visibility

• How to audit your own network using Mi...

In this Lead to Soar webinar episode, Michelle Redfern delivers a focused and strategic workshop on the art and necessity of speaking up and standing out as a woman in the workplace. Drawing on research, lived experience, and her work with women leaders globally, Michelle uncovers the systemic challenges women face when advocating for themselves and why remaining silent comes at a cost.

Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how societal expectations, rigid gender norms, and workplace culture create barriers to visibility—and what to do about it. Michelle shares practical strategies to communicate with credibility, us...

Michelle addresses strategies for women to effectively manage performance reviews, career progression conversations, salary negotiations, and navigate gender biases in the workplace.

Key Points:

1. Mindset Shift:

  - Performance reviews are business meetings, not tests.

  - Move from anxiety to proactive preparation.

2. Effective Performance Review Preparation:

  - Gather evidence continuously; document accomplishments and contributions regularly.

  - Use the STAR(O) method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, and Outcome for structured evidence.

  - Prevent "accomplishment amnesia" by keeping ongoing records.

3. Setting the Agenda:

  - Take...

In this episode of Lead to Soar, co-hosts Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern discuss a real-world leadership challenge brought forward by a Lead to Soar Network member. “Jane,” a high-performing consultant in a matrix organisation, found herself unexpectedly blamed when a project she was only lightly involved in started to unravel.

Mel and Michelle use this scenario to explore the importance of establishing clear expectations, the concept of Smart Trust, and how to respond when your professional reputation is at risk. This episode is essential listening for women navigating complex work environments where visibility, influence, and trust must...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern explores why Business Intelligence (BQ) is the missing link for women’s leadership success. She explores how developing and demonstrating BQ—alongside Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social Intelligence (SQ)—can help women advance in their careers, close the gender leadership gap, and be perceived as strategic, results-driven leaders.

What You’ll Learn:

The status quo for women in leadership globally—and why progress remains slow

The three components of leadership: BQ, EQ, and SQ

How BQ impacts career advancement and why women...

Welcome to Lead to Soar Presents: The Strategic Skills Series—a new series focused on the skills that actually determine leadership progression.

In this launch episode, Michelle Redfern sets the record straight on why so much leadership advice for women misses the point—and what needs to change if women are to advance with credibility, influence, and authority.

This is not about surface-level fixes or being told to “raise your profile.” It’s about the strategic leadership capabilities that shape how women are assessed, trusted, promoted, and paid.

Michelle introduces the three pillars that under...

Helga Svendsen is a self-confessed 'governance nerd' who is a facilitator, coach and mentor specializing in strategy and planning, governance and stakeholder engagement. She hosts the Take on Board podcast, a weekly pod where she talks all things governance, as well as the Take on Board community, which is a thriving community of women who connect through active Facebook group events. Helga also runs programs to enable to get onto their first board and to a program to help women who are establishing their board careers. In this episode, Michelle asks Helga what women should pay attention to and...

In this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert Michelle Redfern sits down for an interview with Jo Thomas, the CEO of the Australian Institute of Business. Jo shares her career story, how she ended up living in Australia, and how she climbed the career ladder to hold multiple C-Suite positions.

Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com

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Guest Jo Thomas' Bio: Jo Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Business. Jo is all about flawless execution, authentic leadership, and...

Lead to Soar! is a production of A Career that Soars!

In this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert Michelle Redfern sits down for an interview with Semiconductor engineer and DEI expert Alicia Scott. Alicia joins us to share her experiences advancing in a highly male-dominated space - semiconductors and shares her thoughts and experience as a Woman of Colour in STEM. 

Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.com.

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Bio for Guest Alicia Scott

Alicia Scott has 25 years of p...

In this episode of L2S!, leadership and gender equality expert Michelle Redfern sits down for an interview with the one and only Sheila Flavell. Sheila is an extraordinary leader (by our full ACtS! definition!) in the truest sense. She has created exceptional outcomes for business and women in the Tech industry. She continues leading today and has the curiosity and energy to keep learning and pushing herself into new territory. We were so inspired by this episode, and hope you are too!

Learn more about Lead to Soar! and A Career that Soars! by visiting LeadToSoar.c...

Cheryl Morrison Deutsch, CEO of Zillion, joins us on episode 28 of the Lead to Soar podcast to share her career story and philosophies on leadership.

Guest Bio: Cheryl Morrison Deutsch, CEO of Zillion, brings almost three decades of experience in translating business and technology requirements into actionable plans to provide superior user experiences. Morrison Deutsch most recently served as Executive Director of Customer Experience, Collaboration & Transformation at Kronos. Before this, she was a thought leader at Cloud Technology Partners, a premier cloud services and software company serving Fortune 500 companies, developing technical and organizational strategies to support customers’ bus...

Guest Bio: Laura Ryan BA (Hons), MSc, DipM MCIM 

Laura has a First-Class Honours in Marketing and a Masters in Management and has also achieved Chartered Marketer status via the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Laura joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in 2007 after successfully launching premium beef & lamb brands within a large butchery business in the North East of England. Working her way through the ranks she was appointed as Sector Strategy Director for Beef & Lamb Board in 2015. She led the strategic review and development for the Beef & Lamb sector in England by identifying key chal...

Guest bio: Julie Escobar is a sharpened international market-driven leader and international businesswoman. She has driven the achievement of tremendous sales goals - from $20M to $50M in 3 years. Escobar is co-founder of Global Women Fresh, an organization whose mission is to leverage the talent of Women in produce to close the food industry’s gender divide by inspiring, connecting, and empowering women around the world.

Episode Quotes

“To go where you really want to go, you have to put the hours, you have to put the energy, the investment – financial and non-financial – and ultimately...

Heather Polinsky is an environmental consulting professional with over 20 years of experience. She started as a civilian project manager for the US Army Environmental Command. She found herself in consulting not too long ago and has had a wonderful career trajectory that's taken her from Project Management through Program Management and Client Development. She is now a leader of leaders in Operations. In this episode of the Lead to Soar Podcast, Heather reflects on some of the ways mentors have helped her most, the best career advice she's ever received, and how she has developed The Missing 33% (business strategic...

Michelle Redfern sits down with Lizzy Goldfinch to explore the crucial intersection of money, leadership, and women’s potential. Lizzy shares her professional expertise and personal experiences to illuminate how financial literacy and independence are foundational for closing the leadership gender gap. The conversation focuses on breaking down harmful money myths, embracing financial empowerment, and taking actionable steps to build wealth and create choices.

Whether you’re navigating your career, seeking financial freedom, or dreaming of a larger impact in your community, this episode will inspire you to take control of your financial future.

Episode High...

In this follow-up episode, Michelle and Renata Bernade, host of The Job Hunting Podcast, tackle the other side of the equation—job hunting. For job seekers, the holiday season can be a nerve-wracking time, but Renata offers insights and strategies to stay proactive, avoid burnout, and prepare for success when the market picks up.

Topics include:

• Navigating the anxiety of job hunting during the quieter holiday season.

• Crafting your personal narrative for holiday gatherings and professional networking.

• Why LinkedIn optimisation is critical for being found by recruiters.

• Using downtime to reflect...

In this episode of Lead to Soar, Michelle welcomes back a friend of the pod, Renata Bernarde, to discuss hiring from the manager’s perspective.

Does the thought of hiring fill you with joy or dread? They explore this question because managers tell us that hiring often feels like a burden.  

Topics include:

• Why hiring feels like a chore for many leaders.

• Common pitfalls in hiring practices, including rushing decisions or hiring for “ghost jobs.”

• Strategies to make hiring purposeful and aligned with organisational goals.

• The importance of skills matric...

Michelle Redfern is joined by Lisa Saunders and Natalie Moore from Own Your Health Collective to explore how workplaces can better support women through perimenopause and menopause, pivotal life stages impacting women at the peak of their careers. Together, they address the often-taboo subject of menopause, highlighting the need for awareness, education, and supportive policies to ensure that women can continue to thrive professionally during these changes. Lisa and Natalie share actionable insights for both organisational leaders and individuals to foster inclusive environments, reduce stigma, and introduce practical solutions that make a difference for women's health and well-being at...

In this episode, Michelle Redfern is joined by Susan Colantuono, founder of Be Business Savvy and co-founder of the Lead to Soar Network, to discuss the transformative coaching approaches needed to support women’s advancement into senior leadership. This conversation focuses on how managers, mentors, and coaches can go beyond traditional coaching frameworks to build their own business acumen—and effectively coach women on these skills. By developing these critical coaching capabilities, we can bridge the leadership gender gap and elevate women leaders to new heights.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Transformative Coaching for Women Leaders: Michelle and Su...

In this episode of Lead to Soar, host Michelle Redfern is joined by Trina Sunday, founder of Reimagine HR, for a candid conversation about the need for a major overhaul in HR.

Michelle and Trina discuss the shortcomings in traditional HR practices, including the “policy police” reputation, and discuss how HR functions must evolve to be effective partners in strategic leadership. They explore why HR often attracts criticism, how changing workplace expectations affect HR’s responsibilities, and the skills gap that prevents HR from meeting the needs of a modern workforce. From adopting design thinking to embracing proact...

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern explores the concept of learning conversations and their role in career and leadership development. Michelle shares how mastering the art of these informal but intentional discussions can significantly enhance your leadership journey.

Key Discussion Points:

What are Learning Conversations?

Michelle defines learning conversations as informal, intentional dialogues with someone whose experience can help broaden your perspective. Unlike traditional mentoring, learning conversations are more flexible and less structured, focusing on real-time knowledge sharing and feedback.

Why Learning Conversations Matter for Leaders<...

In this episode, Michelle Redfern discusses the Hour of Power, a weekly group coaching call within the Lead to Soar network. This session provides a safe and consistent space for women to share their career challenges and insights, offering practical advice, support, and a strategic network that empowers women to thrive. Michelle highlights the importance of psychological safety, the value of women supporting each other in their careers, and the real-world outcomes participants experience through Hour of Power.

Key Takeaways:

What is Hour of Power?

Hour of Power is a weekly, one-hour online...