Abounding Solutions

Why becoming, belonging and visibility matter — and what the data reveals about where introverted women leaders are being held back Carol Stewart Writes: Becoming, Belonging, Being Fully Alive This is not just a weight-loss story. It’s a leadership one — and a story about becoming. As I embrace the last year of my 50s, […]

It’s not unusual for women to be undermined or ignored in the workplace. For Black women, there’s also racism and misogynoir on top of sexism. And for Black women introverts in workplaces that favour extroversion, it’s a triple whammy.  As Kimberlé Crenshaw pointed out in her groundbreaking work on intersectionality, the layering of identities results

I remember many years ago in my early days of leadership, when I was a Team Leader, and there were two women on my team (let’s call them Alice and Jill) who were close to retiring and very set in their ways. They didn’t embrace the new technology and ways of working and would often

Fear-based leaders are having a moment. Leaders who use their power to control, dominate, and inspire obedience rather than loyalty are sweeping across the public, private, and social sectors. It can feel like wherever you go, you end up back where you started: working for someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart.   

It’s been 14 years since I left my corporate career to complete an MSc Coaching Psychology and start my coaching practice, and I’ve been reflecting on that journey. If you’d met me many years ago, you’d have seen a shy, quiet young woman who clung to her mum’s leg on her first day of school

Over the years, I’ve seen leaders who seem to have it all — strategy, vision, reached far in their career… yet struggle to unlock the full potential of their teams. We often think of leadership as being the more confident, influential, and impactful a leader is, the better. And while those qualities are vital, they’re

I am increasingly coaching leaders who are experiencing stress, as well as being asked to speak on the topic. I have also had a few guests recently on my Quietly Visible Podcast who have experienced burnout. It appears that stress is on the increase. A study looking at the global trends and variations in emotional

Seven years ago, when I first started writing about the increasing use of AI in the world of work and the impact that this would have, I didn’t envisage that it would progress so rapidly. AI has become an integral part of our lives and our workplaces. And if you haven’t embraced AI as a

For many introverts, the workplace can be a challenging environment to navigate. Particularly those in their early careers, and those who are more advanced or senior and experience self-doubt and low self-confidence. The research supports this stance with a growing body of research finding that: ❌ Introverts get fewer opportunities in the workplace than their

Are you quietly doing great work but still being passed over for promotion? If so, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. For introverted women, the journey to senior leadership can feel like navigating a system designed for someone else. We’re often told to ‘speak up more,’ ‘be more visible,’ or ‘put ourselves