Since starting the Quietly Visible Podcast almost 3 years ago, I have had some amazing, inspirational women as guests. Introverted women not only have to contend with the gender bias that exists, they also have to contend with introvert bias—added to that if you are a Black woman, racial bias. And for women at varying other intersections, additional biases as well.
As a Black, introverted, neurodiverse woman myself, I am aware of the challenges faced, having faced many myself. That is why I use my platforms to amplify women’s voices, to encourage and empower, and to advocate for change.
It is currently Black History Month here in the UK and this week is also Black Introvert Week. The theme for Black History Month this year is Celebrating Our Sisters and this edition of the newsletter is dedicated to celebrating some of our Black introverted sisters in the UK. These women have all been guests on my podcast.
They have spoken about a variety of topics. Click on their names to follow them on LinkedIn and tap into the resources and services that they provide. Have a listen and be inspired (save the page to come back to as you probably won’t be able to listen to all episodes in one go):
Recovering From Chronic Stress And Burnout
As a senior leader, dealing with day-to-day events can be stressful. We can become so used to the stress that we automatically create coping mechanisms to survive the stress we feel, rather than manage it from the start. In this episode Lillian Lartey shares her story of experiencing chronic stress and burnout, what she did to recover, and how she helps others to manage stress, particularly those who are introverted and highly sensitive.
This discussion will inform you of ways to manage stress, so that it doesn't cause harm, but rather develop a level of resilience to it.
About Lillian Lartey
In this episode, amongst other things, Jennifer Blake discusses introversion through the lens of MBTI and why it can help women leaders with a preference for introversion to show up more authentically.
About Jennifer Beth Blake
In this episode I speak to Michala Liavaag, a Black, introverted, woman leader in cybersecurity, which is a White male dominated profession. We talk everything from challenges she faced and how she overcame them to get ahead in her career, to her experience of burnout and the conditions that led to it, and the 'aggressive' Black woman.
We discuss how cybersecurity can become more inclusive as a profession, and she shares advice and tips for anyone looking to start a career in it.
About Michala Liavaag
Personal branding will help differentiate you from others in your professional sphere, something that an introverted leader may struggle with (putting themselves 'out there'). In this episode I spoke to Marielle Legair, who "helps women build their leadership presence to excel in their career" about this.
About Marielle Legair
Dr Jummy Okoya, Leadership and Organisation Development Consultant, Positive Psychology Consultant and EDI expert is passionate about the topic of 'microaggression' (namely, comments and/or actions that negatively target and marginalise individuals or specific groups). In this episode, microaggression is explored in depth and advice given as to how it can be challenged and dealt with.
About Dr Jummy Okoya FRSA, FCMI, SFHEA, MCIPD, ICF (PCC)
Mildred Talabi specialises in helping female coaches leverage the power of LinkedIn to build profitable coaching businesses. She lives in the UK with her husband and two daughters and in this episode discusses how she bounced back from a major setback (brain tumour) to thrive as a professional business woman.
About 〰️ Mildred Talabi MCIPR
Being black and introverted, from early childhood Claudia Crawley has never felt that she fitted the mould. Driven by her top values of ambition and achievement, in this week's episode, Claudia, discusses how she has thrived as a leader who doesn't fit the mould, and how you can too.
About Claudia Crawley - Executive Coach, Anti-Racist Consultant
Ekua Cant, believes that you and I truly are the best advocate for ourselves. In this episode she discusses her journey to becoming the best advocate for herself, and own No.1 cheerleader. Her mission is to help and empower women to become their No.1 cheerleader, through the building of confidence, self-belief, and dispelling of negative internal chatter, and shrinking of their imposter syndrome.
About Ekua Cant
Patience Ogunbona (known as The Visionary Introverted Woman) using her own personal journey, shares some of the ways in which introverted women feel disempowered because of the pressure to conform to certain stereotypes. On discovering and realising in her early 30's that she was an introvert, Patience believed that it was something she had to overcome and cure. She walked around with a mask, pretending to be who she wasn’t until she became aware that being an introvert isn’t an all-or-nothing stamp on your personality. She also discusses ways in which you can be empowered to step out and step up to accomplish your goals, lead and thrive.
About Patience Ogunbona (FCCA CIA IAP-CM)
Being a parent is seen by many as rewarding, joyful and also difficult at times, and in our modern society, the task of juggling parenting with a career can be challenging. In this episode I am joined by Chioma Fanawopo who is not only the mother of 2 sons (aged 17 and 10), but an award-winning and Forbes-featured practitioner with over 10 years of experience in the education, charity and private sectors. We touch on quite a few topics including 'mum guilt', the importance of self-care, and whether mothers can 'have it all'. Chioma also raised the point that it is noted that introverts tend to be good listener's, which is a skill that parents also need to develop and utilise throughout their parenting.
About Chioma Fanawopo
Yinka Ewuola believes that whether you are a business owner or senior leader in the corporate world, what you bring to the marketplace has a value and that YOU are never for sale. In this episode, Yinka shares some of her journey and experiences from childhood, her career in the banking world, and current status as a multi-award winning business owner, coach, strategist, trainer and TEDx speaker working with inspired and ambitious women around the world wanting to have their all, on their own term.
About Yinka Ewuola
To all these women, I celebrate you!
First published on LinkedIn.
If you are an introverted woman and a senior leader and want to increase your confidence, influence and impact, take my free assessment and get a report identifying areas to develop. You can take the assessment here.