Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Why K-12 Schools Are Running Women Leaders Ragged
Darlene Hawley
How School Expectations Add to the Mental Load for Women Leaders
It’s 8:00 p.m., and instead of winding down in a hot bath… I’m reading another text from my son’s fifth-grade teacher.
This time? It’s a signup genius link to volunteer with seven different ways to help out before the school year ends in two weeks.
Seven.
I’ll be honest... I’m actually excited to chaperone the Knott’s Berry Farm trip. That part sounds fun.
But that’s just one of many tasks. There’s also Park Day… Field Day… the class party… yearbook distribution… classroom clean-up… family picnic... end-of-year dance and their promotion ceremony.
And that’s just for one of my kids.
If you're a working mom, you know this routine. But even if you don’t have school-aged kids, I bet you’re still managing something:
- Coordinating care for aging parents
- Supporting nieces, nephews, or a close friend’s children
- Managing the never-ending to-dos at home
- Caring for your pets like they’re your children (because, let’s be honest, they are)
- Fitting in another doctor's appointment
- Reworking your schedule because the soccer coach added a scrimmge to the calendar
- Or reminding your partner that we're out of ranch… again
No matter your family setup, the reality is this: women carry the mental load.
And for women leaders, business owners, and high-achieving professionals, this invisible labor is slowly stealing the space we need to focus, grow, and lead with clarity.
The Mental Load Working Women Are Tired Of Carrying
The mental load isn’t just about remembering Crazy Hair Day or packing healthy snacks. It’s the constant, low-grade project management of everyone else’s lives. And it’s exhausting.
You’re trying to lead meetings, land speaking opportunities, grow your business, and take your next career step... while remembering permission slips, vet appointments, birthdays, and snacks for tomorrow’s field trip.
Even if you're craving that next leadership role or bold move in your business, your brain is already running at full capacity. Between managing everyone else's needs, dealing with perimenopause symptoms like brain fog, navigating anxiety, and trying to keep your own thoughts straight... there's just no room left to focus on your goals.
This is where career burnout starts. Not from lack of ambition, but from over-functioning in every direction.
Why Women Carry More of This Load
Whether you’re a parent or not, society has conditioned women to be the ones who:
- Notice what needs to be done
- Do it without being asked
- Anticipate everyone else’s needs
- And feel guilty if we don’t
This is why so many women say, “I’m always doing something, but I never feel caught up.”
It’s not just the tasks... It’s the emotional labor behind them.
How Women Leaders Can Reclaim Their Time and Energy
Here’s the reminder I give myself (and my clients): We weren’t meant to carry it all. And we don’t have to prove our worth by doing it all perfectly.
✅ 1. Drop the Ball on Purpose
Let “good enough” be good enough. Not every school activity or family obligation needs to be a masterpiece.
✅ 2. Automate What You Can
Set reminders for recurring school and household tasks
Use auto-ship for snacks, pet food, and essentials
Streamline your calendar and delegate anything that drains you
✅ 3. Block Time for You
Create white space in your calendar and protect it so that you can focus on what matters to you and your goals. Use it for content creation, career development, business strategy, a short walk around the block, 10 minutes in the sun, or rest.
✅ 4. Ask for Help and Let People Show Up
This applies at home and at work. Delegate. Offload. Teach others to take things off your plate.
✅ 5. Recognize That Leadership Starts at Home
Teaching your kids, team, or partner how to contribute isn’t nagging... it’s leadership. We model boundaries and balance by creating them for ourselves first.
Let’s Change the Conversation
This isn’t just about burnout or being busy, it's about finding a harmony or rythem that works for you. It’s about the way our culture still leans on women to keep it all running... at home and at work.
And it's time we call it out. Not to shame anyone, but to shift what we expect of ourselves... and of each other.
What About You?
Have you ever been in a season where you were carrying too much, and someone showed up to help? Or maybe you were the one who stepped in and helped lighten the load for another woman?
I’d love to hear your story.
When we talk about this out loud, we remind each other that we’re not alone... and that together, we can rewrite the expectations we’re done carrying.
Let’s stop leading from a place of burnout and start leading from a place of flow.
Ready to Reclaim Your Time and Lead with More Ease?
If this hit home, and you're tired of carrying it all alone,I’d love to support you.
Whether you're navigating the mental load of motherhood, leadership, entrepreneurship or just life, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Let’s schedule a call to discuss where you are, where you want to go, and how we can lighten your load, allowing you to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and calm.
📅 Book a free strategy call here... your voice, goals, and well-being matter.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
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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Explore the wisdom of Dr. Shradh as she discusses embracing one's authentic self, connecting deeply with others, and the power of storytelling in personal and professional growth.
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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/
Discover how living with an invisible illness taught me the true meaning of self-care. In this personal reflection for Mental Health Awareness Month, I share daily wellness rituals that support mental health and how we can build a stronger foundation for well-being in life and in the workplace.
In this episode of the Attract and Standout podcast, host Darlene Hawley chats with Lisa Raebel, owner and founder of Rebel Girl Marketing. Lisa shares her journey from corporate sales to starting her own marketing firm, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and telling the truth in marketing. They discuss the challenges of marketing oneself as an entrepreneur, the significance of storytelling in marketing, and the essential differences between marketing and sales. Lisa also introduces her latest projects, including a new workbook and training sessions designed to help businesses excel in their marketing strategies. Tune in to learn actionable tips on how to effectively market your business and connect with your ideal clients. 00:27 Lisa's Journey to Entrepreneurship 02:35 Challenges of Marketing Yourself 05:44 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing 11:43 Differentiating Marketing and Sales 17:35 Back to Basics: Effective Marketing Strategies 20:45 Mindset and Persistence in Business 23:25 Upcoming Projects and Personal Insights ----- Lisa is the Founder, Author, Speaker & Chief Storyteller of Rebel Girl Marketing, where she has developed her proprietary RebelMindset approach to help businesses stay in business by utilizing focused, uncompromising marketing strategies. With over thirty years of experience as a successful marketing executive and leading sales professional, Lisa cuts through the noise and breaks down marketing to what makes sense for her clients, creating strategies that are simple, relatable to their target audiences, and result in double-digit sales growth year after year. Lisa is an accomplished speaker and book author, sharing her expertise and insights with audiences around the world. Her approach emphasizes the importance of creating a positive first impression through attention-getting Power Pitches, and she believes that everything is marketing, from how you answer your phone to your final conversation with a customer. Her ability to help professionals make a great first impression sets her apart in the world of marketing, and she is passionate about teaching others the benefits of a RebelMindset. When Lisa is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children and husband of 30 years. Her passion for inspiration is found in her cooking, paddleboarding in Lake Country, or enjoying long hikes through the numerous trails in southeast Wisconsin. https://rebelgirlmarketing.com/ / lisaraebel / rebelgirlmarketing ----- 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/commu... Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com / darlenehawley
After a tough week and a canceled beach day, a spontaneous hike reminded me of the power of rest, movement, and presence. In this personal story, I share how honoring my energy... and my invisible illness... helped shift my mood and perspective. A gentle reminder for women leaders to care for themselves before burnout hits.
Welcome back to the Attract and Standout podcast with Darlene Hawley! Today’s episode 108 features the inspiring story of Leigh Burgess CEO of Bold Industries Group and co-founder of the company with her daughter in 2020. Tune in as Leigh shares her transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship amidst burnout during the pandemic. Discover how her ‘Be Bold Today’ framework (Believe, Own, Learn, Design) has empowered women in leadership roles, and learn about the unique dynamic of building a business with her daughter. She provides insight into the importance of storytelling, continuous learning, and maintaining a growth mindset. Don't miss practical tips on achieving success, the power of thought leadership, and the significance of sharing authentic stories to connect and inspire others. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting out, Leigh's journey offers valuable lessons in boldly pursuing your dreams. 00:32 Lee Burgess' Journey to Entrepreneurship 01:47 Mother-Daughter Business Dynamics 02:59 Generational Perspectives and Challenges 04:51 Corporate Skills in Entrepreneurship 06:18 The Bold Framework and Its Impact 10:31 Sharing Stories and Building Confidence 15:03 The Importance of Authenticity and Resilience 21:33 Business Growth and Strategic Planning 25:41 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights ----- Leigh Burgess is a thought leader, game-changer and powerhouse connector determined to ignite and support the bold journeys of others. After over twenty years in healthcare, she founded Bold Industries Group, a platform for uniting, inspiring and empowering women that brings together a unique global network via her Bold events, the Bold Leaders Collective membership, The Bold Lounge podcast and through her dynamic speaking, coaching, and consulting engagements. With a focus on the intersection of mindset, strategy and wellness, her Believe-Own-Learn-Design (B.O.L.D.) Framework is your map to the bold life. Leigh’s forthcoming book, Be BOLD Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset, and Achieve Success, which is all about how to apply the framework to your own life, will be distributed by Simon & Schuster in November 2024. LinkedIn: / leighburgess23 Instagram: / theleighaburgess YouTube: / @boldindustriesgroup Pre-Order Her Book, Be BOLD Today: https://www.simonandschuster.com/book... https://leighburgess.com/ ----- Hi I'm Darlene Hawley, and I help heart-centered entrepreneurs and executive women leaders solve the problem of not being seen, heard, or valued in high-stakes conversations, presentations, and marketing, so they can lead with confidence and attract aligned opportunities. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/commu... Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com / darlenehawley
