You don’t need to change who you are to lead effectively—just bring your whole self to the table.

I’m thrilled to bring you an encore presentation where I talk about what truly makes a successful leader—and, more importantly, how you can thrive by using your own unique leadership style.

In a world that craves authentic, open, and effective leadership, I believe it’s time to move away from a one-size-fits-all mentality and start embracing what makes each of us unique.

I share some of my own stories and experiences to illustrate how your personality, values, and strengths—not to mention your weaknesses—can become some of your most valuable assets. I discuss why being honest with yourself, understanding your core motivations, and even accepting your areas of weakness can help you stand out as a leader. I also offer practical strategies, like practicing radical transparency and creating a sense of purpose within your team, so you can empower others as well as yourself.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a manager, or just someone who wants to make a bigger impact, there’s something here for you.

Moments

00:00 Successful Leadership: Impact and Openness

04:39 "Finding Your Leadership Style"

08:33 "Passion + Brilliance = Impact"

10:49 "Why Pursue Health and Fitness?"

14:36 Collaborative Leadership and Transparency

17:21 "Reevaluating Spiritual Practices"

19:54 Leadership: Influence Through Authentic Style

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

What Does Successful Leadership Really Look Like?

You'll hear the characteristics of outstanding leaders—from being open and honest, to encouraging growth, setting clear goals, and focusing on impact beyond their own achievements.

How to Develop Your Leadership Style

You don’t have to lead like anyone else. I encourage you to discover your unique strengths and values.

Get Real About Values & Motivation

Dig deep and examine what truly motivates you. Sometimes your core motivation—like wanting to support your family or make a real impact—will drive your greatest growth and success. Keep asking “why” until you get to the heart of what fuels you.

Forward our podcast along to other Inspiring Women in your life.

This is THE podcast that advances women toward economic, social, and political achievement.

Hosted by Betty Collins, CPA, and Director at Brady Ware and Company. Betty also serves as the Committee Chair for Empowering Women, and Director of the Brady Ware Women’s Initiative.

Each episode is presented by Brady Ware and Company, committed to empowering women to go their distance in the workplace and at home.

For more information, Brady Ware and Company.

Remember to follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And forward our podcast along to other Inspiring Women in your life.

Brady Ware and Company

Whether you’re aiming for progress over perfection or learning to say “no,” this episode is packed with relatable insights, inspiration, and encouragement to help you face stress head-on—and come out stronger.

This is a topic that touches all of us: stress. As women, we juggle countless demands—from our careers and caregiving roles to the pressure to be everything to everyone. I know firsthand what it’s like to navigate 60-hour work weeks during tax season, all while trying to keep everything else afloat. In this episode, I share some light-hearted moments, as well as practical strategies that have helped me manage the inevitable stress that comes my way.

I’ll talk about the importance of pinpointing your core stressors, setting healthy boundaries, and breaking big tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. I’ll also look at how reframing negative self-talk and choosing progress over perfection can make a world of difference.

More than anything, I want to encourage you—stress isn’t something we can avoid, but it is something we can learn to navigate and even use as a catalyst for growth. Let’s tackle stress together, so we can show up as our best selves for ourselves and those we care about.

Here are my 3 key takeaways:

• Identify Your Core Stressors: Whether it’s caregiving, perfectionism, or overcommitment, recognizing what triggers your stress is the first essential step to managing it effectively.
• Progress Over Perfection: Betty reminds us that striving for perfection often causes more harm than good; making progress—even if it isn’t perfect—is what really matters.
• Set Boundaries & Prioritize: Audit your commitments, block time for yourself in permanent ink, and don’t be afraid to graciously say "no." Protecting your priorities is critical for your well-being.

Moments

00:00 Managing Stress During CPA Peak Season

04:53 Empowered by Modern Female Role Models

07:40 Managing Difficult Client Encounters

10:05 Efficient Email Management Strategies

13:27 Regular Reflection and Reevaluation

19:23 Perfectionism Causes Self-Induced Stress

20:49 Perfect Yet Stressful Celebration

25:20 Perfectionism's Costly Consequences

28:45 Regularly Reflect and Adjust Commitments

30:11 Challenge Assumptions, Seek Reality

33:58 "Confronting Unavoidable Stress"

Forward our podcast along to other Inspiring Women in your life.

This is THE podcast that advances women toward economic, social, and political achievement.

Hosted by Betty Collins, CPA, and Director at Brady Ware and Company. Betty also serves as the Committee Chair for Empowering Women, and Director of the Brady Ware Women’s Initiative.

Each episode is presented by Brady Ware and Company, committed to empowering women to go their distance in the workplace and at home.

For more information, Brady Ware and Company.

Remember to follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And forward our podcast along to other Inspiring Women in your life.

Brady Ware and Company

This episode is packed with inspiring advice for women at every stage of their careers, especially those ready to step into leadership roles and empower the next generation. If you’re looking for a dose of courage and actionable strategies, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

I welcome Michelle Madden, CEO of Epic. Michelle’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—from her humble beginnings as a young woman facing homelessness at 17, to leading an organization that provides 24/7 care for individuals with disabilities. I have known Michelle for years, and our conversation is filled with wisdom on what it truly means to scale up as a woman in leadership.

Michelle shares candidly about the importance of taking initiative, creating your own seat at the table, and fostering a culture of innovation and belonging at Epic.

You'll hear how her lived experiences shaped her compassionate but bold leadership style, and why advocating for yourself and others—especially in tough moments—can lead to real change.

This episode is packed with inspiring advice for women at every stage of their careers, especially those ready to step into leadership roles and empower the next generation.

Here are my top 3 takeaways for any woman striving to claim their seat at the table:

Lead Without Waiting for Permission: Don’t wait to be asked! Michelle’s advice: See a problem? Step up and solve it. Initiative and solutions-focused thinking earn that seat at the table.

Build a Culture of Belonging: Epic’s success is rooted in its inclusive culture, which values authentic voices and tough conversations. True innovation happens when everyone feels they belong and can contribute.

Prepare Others for the Table: Real leadership is about succession—investing in future leaders and making space for others to rise. Michelle’s approach to mentorship ensures others have the chance to scale up, too.

Moments

00:00 From Park Bench to CEO

04:26 Intuition and Decision-Making Discomfort

06:36 "Initiative Leads to Recognition"

11:45 "Epic's Rebranding and Mission Focus"

16:05 "Mentor's Retirement Concerns"

19:02 Persistence in Political Ambitions

22:25 "Listening and Confidence in Asking"

22:57 Empowering Frontline Female Leaders

27:38 Empowering Women Through Mentorship

30:07 "Embrace Change, Evolve Consciously"

32:49 "Embracing the Journey"

Forward our podcast along to other Inspiring Women in your life.

This is THE podcast that advances women toward economic, social, and political achievement.

Hosted by Betty Collins, CPA, and Director at Brady Ware and Company. Betty also serves as the Committee Chair for Empowering Women, and Director of the Brady Ware Women’s Initiative.

Each episode is presented by Brady Ware and Company, committed to empowering women to go their distance in the workplace and at home.

For more information, Brady Ware and Company.

Remember to follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And forward our podcast along to other Inspiring Women in your life.

Brady Ware and Company