"Exceptional leadership is forged through the experiences of the good, the great, and sometimes the ugly of our working lives. There is no triumph without adversities to teach us along the way." ___________________________________ 👉 Join the "Big Sister" Mentorship Program Waitlist 🎥 Watch the full episode on Youtube  👯‍♀️ Sisterhood Club - Website 🔗 Connect with Georgie - LinkedIn  Thanks to our sponsor - CH Talent Solutions  ___________________________________ 🔗  Connect with Ann: LinkedIn 👚 Learn More and Donate to Fitted for Work ___________________________________ In this week's episode of the Career Confidence Podcast, Georgie sits down with Ann Burns, an executive coach who has worked with over 2000 female leaders. Discover the two critical obstacles that often hold women back in their careers and learn how to overcome them. Ann shares her invaluable insights and practical advice from years of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and career growth. About Ann Burns: Ann Burns is a wise woman with an insatiable curiosity in the evolution of leaders. She is highly regarded for the bespoke leadership programs she designs and delivers with executive teams, diverse women, and in 1:1 executive coaching. As the founder of ‘Triumph & Adversity,’ Ann provides leaders with frank and fearless advice where it counts. With 25 years of experience as a senior executive at Accenture, she has honed her strategic thinking, innovative ideas, and ability to navigate through disruption. Ann is a strong advocate for sustainability, learning, and true inclusion. She is widely published on ‘TRIPLE ZERO’ (zero loss, zero harm, zero waste) and the importance of inclusion and diversity. A proud member of Chief Executive Women (CEW), Ann re-designed and delivers the Leaders Program and Executive Leaders Program to empower the next generation of women leaders. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director at Fitted for Work, a charity supporting disadvantaged women in finding employment. Ann’s passion for leadership development, combined with her extensive experience, makes her a powerful force in driving transformational growth and gender equality. ____________________ Key Takeaways  What are the two main obstacles that hold women back in their careers, and how can they be overcome? Why is mastering your craft essential before stepping into a leadership role? How can taking risks and embracing failure lead to career growth? What three guiding words can help you build a strong personal brand? Why is maintaining composure and executive presence crucial for effective leadership? How can having both mentors and sponsors benefit your career advancement? What does "lift and climb" mean for women in leadership? Why is seeking male allies important for achieving gender equality in the workplace?   ____________________ Chapters 01:26 Background and Career Journey08:13 Lessons from Accenture: Learning, Risks, and Reputation26:27 Triumph and Adversity: Frank and Fearless Advice29:27 Empowering Women Through Coaching and Development Programs31:26 Overcoming Challenges: Body Language and Critical Thinking36:17 Creating Equal Opportunities for Women in the Workplace40:07 Building Confidence: Embracing Imperfection and Playing to Strengths50:27 Seeking to Understand: The Key to Gender Equality54:48 The Role of Male Allies in Achieving Gender Equality ___________________________________ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Career Confidence Podcast, leave a review, and share it with your colleagues. Be sure to connect with us on social media for updates and more Career Confidence tips!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️