Over the past few weeks, the conversation around women and artificial intelligence (AI) has shifted dramatically. First, the headlines warned us: AI could put women’s careers at risk. Then came a new perspective: Women are already leading the ethical AI conversation.
A few short weeks ago, conversations about women in leadership and artificial intelligence (AI) carried a note of concern. Reports and trend pieces warned of AI’s risk to women’s career advancement…fears that automation, bias in algorithms and uneven access to tech upskilling could leave women behind.
High-achieving women often hold themselves to impossibly high standards. You juggle demanding careers, personal responsibilities and societal expectations…yet somehow still feel you’re not “enough.”
One of the hardest truths to confront is what we can be our own harshest critics. If you wouldn’t speak to a colleague, a loved one or a friend the way you sometimes speak to yourself, why is it acceptable to direct that treatment inward?
“I’ve done everything I set out to do…so why doesn’t it feel the way I thought it would?”
I see it every day in my work as an executive coach for women in leadership: brilliant, accomplished women who’ve climbed every rung, hit every milestone and checked every box…yet still find themselves wondering:
“Is this how it’s supposed to feel?”
This isn’t burnout.
She has the title. The team. The achievements.
To everyone else, she’s made it. But when she closes her laptop at the end of the day or looks in the mirror before heading into a meeting, something feels off. Not broken.
Just…off.
If you’ve ever felt like the demands of leadership are pulling you in a hundred directions, you’re not alone. The higher you rise, the more blurred the lines become between your professional responsibilities and your personal life. And while many people talk about “work-life balance,” I prefer a different approach…work-life harmony.
AI is transforming our workplaces faster than we ever imagined. It’s reshaping how we work, who does the work and even the skills required to stay relevant.
For executive women and those aspiring to lead, AI isn’t just another tech trend…it’s a leadership issue. And one that comes with a critical risk: If we don’t act now, AI could shrink the leadership pipeline for women before it ever begins.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should be able to figure this out myself” of “Coaching is for people who are struggling”…you’re not alone.
I’ve coached hundreds of brilliant women, and I see the same thing over and over: they don’t hire a coach because they aren’t capable…they hire a coach because they are.
This week, headlines reported something alarming: women are steadily disappearing from leadership roles in tech and major social platforms.
At first glance, it might feel like a “tech sector problem.” But it’s not. The implications ripple far beyond Silicon Valley and affect every industry we touch.
“I said yes even when I wanted to say no. I skipped meals, worked through exhaustion and smiled while doing it.”
Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever said yes when you meant no…you’re not alone.
One of the most overlooked leadership skills…are boundaries.
For women in leadership, boundaries can feel like a double-edged sword. Set them, and you risk being seen as inflexible. Don’t set them, and suddenly your calendar, your energy and your well-being belong to everyone but you.
There’s a moment many women leaders can recall…that first post, podcast or public message where they finally decided to share their voice. It took courage. It took clarity. And for many, it took years to get there.
But today, even that moment of bravery is under threat.
We’ve celebrated more women entering leadership than ever before. And rightfully so.
But beneath the headlines, a quieter story is unfolding.
Women are leaving leadership pipelines at every stage…and we’re not talking about it enough.
This isn’t a pipeline issue. It’s a retention issue.
