Smart, Reliable...yet Stuck

Why high-performing women stall short of leadership, and what acceleration can look like.

Every firm has them: the women who deliver, who are super capable, and who everyone trusts. They are also often the ones who aren’t realising their leadership potential as fast as they should.

It’s rarely a question of capability. Sometimes it’s that they doubt themselves, take on more to prove their worth, or stretch themselves thin to care for the team.

At the same time, most firms reward what is visible, billable and attributable. They recognise less of the care, connection and capability-building these high performers are often doing. The usual leadership response, “build their confidence”, tends to add to the load without changing where the effort goes.

In this session, you’ll:

• Recognise the patterns that keep high-performing women stalled, inside and out

• Consider what firms often unintentionally reward, and what they overlook

• Explore a more balanced approach: helping women accelerate their leadership journey, while reflecting on the firm’s role in smoothing the way

You’ll leave with a better understanding why even smart women get stuck sometimes, and what it takes to pull the levers of acceleration.

Who it’s for
High-performing women and leaders-to-be, plus the HR and talent leaders who want to develop them.

Dr Kirsten Peterson is a registered performance psychologist who has worked at seven Olympic Games. She has more than 20 years’ experience at the highest levels of performance and is the author of When Grit Is Not Enough. She now works with senior leaders and professional services firms on sustainable high performance.