Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Ep 114 - Empowering Women Through Vision and Collaboration with Leslie Grossman
Darlene Hawley
Discover the Power of Connection and Circles of Support for Entrepreneurial Success
Welcome back to another episode of the Attract and Standout Podcast! I'm your host, Darlene Hawley and today I'm thrilled to interview Leslie Grossman, a trailblazer in leadership, gender equality, and women's empowerment.
Leslie is an accomplished executive coach, dynamic keynote speaker, and respected researcher. She shares her journey of transforming executives and entrepreneurs with her insights and actionable strategies for success. Leslie discusses the pivotal moment in her career influenced by the 9/11 tragedy and how it led her to focus on helping women grow multimillion-dollar businesses.
We dive into the importance of having a clear vision and building circles of collaboration for achieving success. Tune in to learn valuable tips on networking, creating deep connections, and finding your supportive community to thrive both personally and professionally.
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and let's amplify the voices of amazing women together. #WomenEmpowerment #Leadership #Networking #entrepreneurship
00:22 Meet Leslie Grossman: A Trailblazer in Leadership
01:42 Leslie's Journey: From 9/11 to Empowering Women
05:34 The Power of Vision and Collaboration
10:56 Building Deep Connections and Circles of Support
20:49 Creating Safe Spaces and Community Support
24:14 Leslie's Future Plans and Final Thoughts
31:54 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks
For nearly two decades, Leslie Grossman has been a trailblazer in leadership, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. An accomplished executive coach, dynamic keynote speaker, and highly regarded researcher, Leslie transforms executives and entrepreneurs alike with her insights and actionable strategies for success. Leslie made her mark in New York City by founding the Women’s Leadership Exchange, the first national conference program for women entrepreneurs and executives. Over its 10-year run, she built a powerful platform that inspired thousands of women to reach new heights in their careers and businesses. Today, as Faculty Director and Senior Fellow of the Executive Women’s Leadership Program at The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, Leslie is a thought leader shaping the next generation of women leaders.
Leslie is also the author of three impactful books, including her latest, ‘Start with Vision’ (Apricity Publishing). This practical handbook equips women to craft and achieve their personal and professional visions through the 7 Tenets of Leadership: Vision, Presence, Communication, Mindset, Collaboration Circles, Courage, and Confidence. Her innovative framework provides a clear pathway for women to excel at every career stage. Previous books: LINK OUT: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connections (Wiley), SELLsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market, Women Entrepreneurs and Executives (WPE Press).
Leslie’s speeches and programs are uniquely tailored to resonate across diverse settings, including corporate environments, academic institutions, and women’s organizations. Whether she’s addressing senior executives, college students, or professional networks, or leading workshops online or in person, Leslie’s presentations are designed to connect deeply, offering audiences the tools to break barriers, step into leadership, and create a legacy of impact. With her research on women in senior leadership, Leslie offers unparalleled expertise and fresh perspectives.
From running a successful communications business in NYC to launching a groundbreaking leadership conference, and the Her Circle Leadership Coach Training Program, Leslie has a track record of transforming ideas into successful movements. Her programs seamlessly adapt to corporate, academic, and organizational contexts, ensuring meaningful impact in every environment.
Leslie, has a BA in Business/Psychology from The George Washington University and studied for a masters in Counseling Education at New York University. She grew up in York PA, raised her family in New York and presently lives in Connecticut. She is the mother of two successful adults, married to a supportive and patient husband, and grandparent to four amazing children – 2 boys and 2 girls.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliegrossmanleadership/
www.lesliegrossmanvision.com
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Hi I'm Darlene Hawley, and I help entrepreneurs and executive leaders find their voice and mastering communication in high-stakes conversations and presentations, whether in the boardroom, on a sales call, or around the dinner table.
Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide
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Grab a Chai and let's Connect:
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Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
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Welcome back to the Attract & Stand Out podcast! In this episode, I’m chatting with the incredible Michele Risa, CEO of Collaborative Solutions. Michele takes us on a journey—from her early days in the corporate world to launching her own business back in 1991 (before entrepreneurship was even a buzzword!). She opens up about what it really means to follow your heart, trust yourself, and build a business that reflects who you are at your core. We dive into so many powerful topics—why collaboration always wins over competition, the real work behind diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how trust is the true foundation of great leadership. Michele also shares stories from working internationally and offers such grounded wisdom on staying resilient and growing with intention over the long haul. If you're a leader who wants to make an impact by showing up as your full, authentic self—you’re going to love this conversation. Here’s what we cover: 00:30 – Michele’s leap from corporate to entrepreneurship 02:56 – Why collaboration is the future 04:50 – How DEI creates stronger businesses 08:20 – What it takes to lead with authenticity 11:47 – Michele’s biggest lessons from decades in business 18:45 – Navigating challenges with resilience 26:58 – Rapid fire Qs + final takeaways Let’s dive in! Michele Risa, CEO Collaborative Solutions, Inc since 1991, is an Executive Consultant specializing in trust, engagement, and talent optimization. Michele’s most recent project is creating employment for 1 million low-income women in the MENA region- Middle East/North Africa. She is: a renowned speaker at Mastercard, Microsoft, TEDx, and more. Co-author of the award-winning book "Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion & Profit.” Former President of the Manhattan Holistic Chamber of Commerce. Certifications: PTSD, Breathwork, Reiki, Vipassana, and M.A. Columbia University. www.collaborativesolutionsco.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelerisa/
