C-Suite Network™

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Entrepreneurship Strategy Women In Business

The Human Side of Innovation – Leading with Courage, Clarity, and Conviction

Every now and then, I meet a leader who stops me in my tracks — someone who embodies courage, innovation, and conviction so fully, you can feel the ripple effect of their leadership the moment they speak. Sol Rashidi is one of those people. In this powerful episode of C-Suite Success, Sol takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of c-suite leadership — and what it truly means to lead in a time when change is the only constant.

If you don’t know Sol Rashidi yet, let me tell you: she’s a force. She’s held eight executive roles, served as Chief Data & Analytics Officer at four Fortune 100 companies, and been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Technology. But what sets her apart isn’t just her resumé — it’s her fearless approach to creating environments where innovation thrives, people grow, and transformation is real.

 

Human-First Leadership in a Tech-Driven World

One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Sol is the urgency — and the opportunity — of redefining leadership in our tech-saturated, AI-powered world. Yes, Sol is a data strategist. Yes, she’s deeply technical. But her lens is unmistakably human.

“Technology isn’t the goal,” Sol shared. “It’s the enabler. People are the point.”

In a world obsessed with automation, optimization, and scale, Sol reminds us that our role as c-suite leaders isn’t to get lost in the tools — it’s to stay grounded in the people we serve and the purpose we fulfill. She challenges us to ask not just what’s possible with tech, but what’s meaningful. What’s ethical. What’s sustainable.

 

From Disruption to Discipline

Sol doesn’t mince words when talking about the realities of c-suite life. Leadership isn’t glamorous. It’s grit. It’s emotional intelligence. It’s being willing to stand alone when you know your decisions are right — even when they’re not popular. That’s especially true when you’re the one tasked with leading transformation.

She shared story after story of being brought in to shake things up — of walking into cultures that needed a reset, strategies that needed overhauling, and teams that needed to believe in themselves again. And every time, she brought the same commitment: results without compromise.

“I’ve never been interested in just checking the boxes,” Sol said. “I’m here to build something that lasts.”

That’s a message every executive needs to hear. Real transformation isn’t about flashy presentations or chasing the latest trend. It’s about putting in the work — cultivating trust, clarity, and accountability until the breakthrough comes. And it does come, if you’re willing to stay the course.

 

Championing Diverse Perspectives

One of the things I admire most about Sol is her unapologetic stance on diversity — not just as a moral imperative, but as a strategic advantage. In a moment of candid reflection, she said, “Being different isn’t a disadvantage. It’s the superpower most organizations haven’t figured out how to unlock.”

Sol has built and led teams across global markets, spanning industries from retail to finance to entertainment. Her approach? Hire differently. Think differently. Reward differently. Because when you make space for multiple perspectives — and actually listen — the ideas get sharper, the strategy gets stronger, and the culture becomes resilient by design.

 

The Call to Modern Leadership

As we wrapped our conversation, Sol left us with a challenge I believe every leader needs to take seriously. The world has changed — and continues to change faster than ever. The next generation of leadership isn’t about hierarchy, control, or charisma. It’s about clarity, courage, and connection.

Here’s how Sol broke it down:

  • Clarity: Have a vision, but make it tangible. Your people need more than big words — they need direction they can act on.
  • Courage: Be willing to do hard things. Say no when others say yes. Say yes when others are afraid.
  • Connection: Remember that leadership is a relationship, not a title. You don’t need to have all the answers. You need to listen, learn, and lead with empathy.

 

A New Standard for the Executive World

What I love about our conversation is how Sol Rashidi gives us permission — and a plan — to raise the bar. Not just for ourselves, but for our organizations, our industries, and the people who are counting on us to lead with purpose.

She models what it means to bring both strategy and soul to the boardroom. And she does it while navigating the realities of being a woman of color in some of the most demanding executive roles in the country — never asking for pity, only for performance.

This is the purpose of the C-Suite Success series: to elevate the real stories of leaders like Sol who are shaping the future, not by accident, but by design.

So, if you’re ready to lead in a new era — one where character matters more than clout, and impact matters more than image — let Sol’s journey be your blueprint.

You can watch the full episode now, or listen to the podcast, and I promise you this: this conversation will challenge you, inspire you, and remind you why you chose the path of leadership in the first place.

Because success isn’t about status. It’s about service. And leaders like Sol Rashidi show us exactly what that looks like.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Personal Development Women In Business

The Empathy Deficit: Negotiating Connection in a Polarized World

Have you ever felt like the world’s just… louder these days? Like everyone’s shouting, but no one’s really listening?

We’re living in polarized times. It’s not just political debates or social media arguments. It’s at family dinners. In boardrooms. Between friends. Even within ourselves. Lines get drawn. Opinions harden. And suddenly, connection starts to slip away—not because we disagree, but because we’ve forgotten how to disagree with grace.

In this climate, empathy has become a radical act. A form of resistance. A strategic superpower. And at its heart, a core tenet of The Art of Feminine Negotiation.

We’re Not Just Divided—We’re Disconnected

It’s easy to blame algorithms and politics, but the truth is more intimate. We’ve stopped being curious about each other. We’ve replaced conversation with confrontation, understanding with certainty, and vulnerability with performance.

This isn’t just happening in public spaces—it’s happening in our most personal ones, too. In our relationships. Our partnerships. Our communities. And it’s taking a toll.

The result? An empathy deficit. And like any deficit, it comes at a cost: trust erodes, opportunities are missed, and relationships fracture.

Empathy Isn’t Weakness—It’s Leverage

Let’s bust a myth right now: empathy isn’t about being nice or passive or avoiding conflict. It’s not about abandoning your beliefs to make someone else feel better.

Empathy is power. It’s what allows us to understand what’s truly driving someone’s behavior—not just what they’re saying, but what they need. And when we understand that, we can respond more effectively, more strategically, and with far greater impact.

That’s feminine negotiation in action. It’s not about domination. It’s about influence. Connection. Collaboration. Choosing to understand, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Listening to Understand (Not Just to Win)

One of the simplest—and most profound—shifts we can make is to start listening with the intention of understanding, not responding.

Most people listen with their rebuttal already loading. They’re not really in a conversation. They’re in a performance.

But what if we got curious instead? What if we asked questions like:

  • What’s really behind this reaction?
  • What are they afraid of losing?
  • What values are they trying to protect?

Those questions don’t make us weak. They make us wise.

Empathy with Boundaries Is Still Empathy

Now let’s be clear: empathy doesn’t mean tolerating toxicity. It doesn’t mean you have to stay in conversations that are abusive, demeaning, or unsafe.

You can have empathy and boundaries. You can say, “I see where you’re coming from—and I’m sure you prefer to treat people with dignity and respect, but I feel like we’re off track and maybe need to take a step back for now.”

Empathy without boundaries is martyrdom. But empathy with boundaries? That’s leadership. Feminine leadership at its finest.

Reclaiming Empathy as a Feminine Strength

In a culture that often rewards volume over values, choosing empathy is a rebellious act. It takes courage to listen when you’d rather shout. To soften when everything in you wants to armor up. To see the human being underneath the opposing opinion.

But this is exactly the kind of negotiation that changes the world.

It doesn’t always win headlines. It doesn’t always win arguments. But it builds trust. It opens hearts. It lays the groundwork for real, lasting change.

So, How Do We Start?

Here are a few small (but mighty) ways to start negotiating connection—especially when you disagree:

  • Truly listen with a view to understanding. Don’t simply wait for your turn to speak.
  • Pause before reacting. Ask yourself: What’s underneath their position?
  • Lead with curiosity. Replace judgment with genuine inquiry.
  • Use “I” statements. Reduce defensiveness and create space for vulnerability.
  • Speak from your values. Not just your volume.
  • Hold your center. Empathy doesn’t require you to lose yourself—it requires you to remember yourself.

Empathy is not a soft skill. It’s a powerful negotiation tool. And in these noisy, divided times, it might just be our most valuable currency.

Let’s be the ones who bring it back.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Personal Development Women In Business

Negotiating Mother’s Day: Not a Hallmark Holiday

Let’s be honest—Mother’s Day isn’t a Hallmark holiday for everyone.

Sure, it’s meant to be a day of celebration—of soft embraces, flowers in bloom, and handwritten cards filled with gratitude. But for many, this day doesn’t feel like a celebration. It feels like a reckoning. A reminder. A wound.

Celebrating Mother’s Day without my own mom is still new to me. After years of watching her slip further and further away—first physically, then mentally, as dementia and Alzheimer’s slowly stole the woman I knew—her absence now feels both quiet and deafening. Even before she passed, I had already started grieving. Losing someone in fragments is its own kind of heartbreak.

I know I’m not alone in that. So many of us carry complicated relationships with the idea of motherhood—whether we’ve lost our mothers, never had the mother we needed, are navigating estrangement, have struggled with infertility or pregnancy loss, or are mothers ourselves, trying to live up to impossible standards while quietly wondering if we’re getting any of it right.

So how do we negotiate a day like this when it doesn’t match the script?

Honor Your Truth

The first and most important step? Allow yourself to feel what you actually feel—not what you think you should feel. Grief. Anger. Relief. Loneliness. Gratitude. All of it is valid. There’s no gold star for pretending everything’s fine. Give yourself permission to show up exactly as you are.

That might mean stepping away from social media for the day (or the weekend). It might mean skipping the family brunch or choosing not to send a card. You get to define what Mother’s Day looks like for you. That’s not selfish—it’s self-honoring.

Reframe the Day

If traditional Mother’s Day celebrations don’t resonate, reframe it. Instead of focusing solely on the mother you’ve lost—or the one you never had—consider expanding your definition of “mothering.” Maybe it’s a mentor who guided you when you needed it most. Maybe it’s a sister-friend who always shows up. Maybe it’s you. Yes, you—mothering yourself with tenderness and care in the way you may have longed for.

Try creating a new ritual: light a candle, write a letter, go for a solo walk, donate to a cause that uplifts women and girls. These simple acts can turn a painful day into a sacred one.

Set Boundaries with Grace

If your relationship with your mother—or your child—is strained, Mother’s Day can dredge up a lot of guilt and emotional landmines. Remember: it’s okay to draw boundaries. In fact, it’s necessary.

You don’t owe anyone your peace.

Set limits on the conversations you’re willing to have. Choose not to engage in forced rituals that leave you feeling depleted. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re doorways to self-respect and healing.

Make Space for Grief and Gratitude

Grief and gratitude are not opposites—they often sit side by side, holding hands. You can miss your mother deeply and still be thankful for what she gave you—or what you’ve learned in her absence. You can resent the pain and still celebrate the love. It’s not a contradiction. It’s what makes us beautifully human.

For me, I miss the sound of my mom’s voice. Her laugh. Her stubbornness. I miss the way she could sometimes read my mind it seemed. But I also hold onto the lessons she passed down—about strength, resilience, and speaking truth, even when it’s hard.

You’re Not Alone

If this day feels heavy, know this: you are not alone. You’re not broken. You’re not bitter. You’re just real. And real is something to be celebrated—especially in a world that so often expects us to gloss over the hard stuff in favor of shiny surface smiles.

So whatever Mother’s Day looks like for you this year—whether it’s joyful, painful, quiet, loud, or some tangled mix of all of the above—I invite you to negotiate it on your own terms. Make space for your truth. Show yourself radical compassion. And remember: there’s power in rewriting the script.

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Entrepreneurship Growth Women In Business

Your Voice And Work Are A Legacy: What Kendrick, SZA, And Soul Legends Teach Us About Owning Our Power (And Building A Future To Be Proud Of)

Your Voice And Work Are A Legacy: What Kendrick, SZA, And Soul Legends Teach Us About Owning Our Power (And Building A Future To Be Proud Of)

By Kathleen Caldwell, Founder, Women’s Success Accelerator™            and C-SUITE NETWORK ™ Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™

Recently, in our Saturday Morning Women’s Success Circle™, we gathered to experience Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s powerful new video, Luther. This soulful track sparked a meaningful conversation about legacy, visibility, and the power of our collective voices to shape the future.

What do you—a woman coach, consultant, trusted advisor, or visionary—have in common with Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and iconic musical voices like Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, and Tammi Terrell?

More than you might think.

Luther is more than a hit. It’s a soul-stirring tribute that connects generations through music and meaning. The song samples the emotional 1982 rendition of If This World Were Mine by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn—originally performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. It’s a love song. A legacy song. A call to imagine and create something better.

When I heard it, I got teary-eyed. And I asked myself: “Am I using my voice and work to build a legacy—and inviting others to do the same?”

Your Message is Music. Your Business is a Legacy.

You may not be a Grammy-winning artist or awarded the Pulitzer Prize for music, but you are a messenger. A force. A voice for change. Like Kendrick and SZA, you’re transforming your life experience into something meaningful and original.

You’re not just running a coaching or consulting business. You’re writing the soundtrack of your legacy.

Legacy is Strategy

When Kendrick and SZA sampled soul legends and beautiful melodies, they weren’t just honoring the past—they were creating intergenerational impact. The estates of Vandross, Lynn, Gaye, and Terrell benefit financially. That’s legacy with purpose.

It raises a bold question: Are you structuring your work to build long-term visibility, income, and influence—not just for today, but for the future?

Too many women stay stuck in the daily hustle mode, chasing clients instead of claiming their space as Category Of One™ experts with a powerful voice and memorable song to sing.

From Overlooked to Unmistakable

I launched the C-SUITE NETWORK™ Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™ to change that. To elevate the visibility, credibility, and income of brilliant women doing powerful work—but still feeling overlooked, overworked or underpaid.

You don’t need permission. You need positioning, community and Success Swagger™ to execute.

Inside the Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council, you don’t whisper your wisdom. You own it. You rise.

We:

  • Elevate and promote your thought leadership
  • Clarify your brand
  • Align your offers with high-value markets
  • Teach you how to confidently enroll premium corporate and VIP clients
  • Position your voice globally.

This isn’t networking. It’s a launchpad for amplified success.

You Share More Than You Think

Collaboration is at the heart of every lasting legacy. Just like Kendrick and SZA brought together generations of musical voices, collaboration in business and thought leadership creates depth, resonance, and reach.

When women support each other, share the stage, and amplify one another’s gifts, something magical happens. Ideas expand. Opportunities multiply. Impact deepens.

Inside the Council, we believe that true power doesn’t come from standing alone—it comes from harmonizing with others who bring their own brilliance to the mix.

Like Kendrick, you speak truth. Like SZA, your emotional courage resonates. And like the soul legends they sample, your story deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

But being excellent isn’t enough. You must also be memorable.

What’s the Story You’re Telling?

Art lives on. So do the stories we share and the legacies we build.

Ask yourself:

  • What’s the ripple effect of your work?
  • Who benefits from your voice and point of view?
  • How can we lift each other up in harmony instead of competing for the solo?
  • Are you making it easy for the right people to find, engage and hire you?

You must choose to be known. As C-SUITE NETWORK Thought Leader and Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council esteemed faculty member, Sheila A. Anderson, founder of Image Power Play® frequently says: “People need to know you before they need you.” No truer words have been spoken!

This is the kind of deep, energizing, strategic work we do inside the Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council. Not hype. Not hustle. But instead, alignment, abundance and amplification.

The women rising now aren’t waiting. They’re claiming their Category Of One™ positioning and building a future that is expansive and powerful.

Your message is music. Your business is your amplifier. Your voice deserves to be heard—and remembered.

Ready to Rise With Us? Join the C-SUITE NETWORK Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council.
Your legacy deserves it.

Learn more at: https://c-suitenetwork.com/womens-coaching-council/

About Kathleen Caldwell

Kathleen Caldwell is the founder of C-SUITE NETWORK™ Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™ and the Women’s Corporate Coaching & Consulting Success Accelerator™—premier platforms guiding women coaches, consultants, trusted advisors, and visionary leaders to build six and seven-figure freedom businesses. Through transformational coaching, consulting, councils, and communities, Kathleen guides and mentors women to grow their income, impact, and influence with energetic passion and powerful focus on results.

Kathleen is also the CEO of Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC.™, a business strategy and peak performance consultancy dedicated to helping mission-driven professionals, teams and leaders enhance profitability, visibility, and legacy.

Connect with Kathleen Caldwell at: https://tinyurl.com/KathleenCaldwellLinkedIn or 773-562-1061.

Copyright © 2025. Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Branding News and Politics Women In Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Influence-Magazine.Today Launches Historic Women of Power Global Edition Celebrating Every Woman in Business
No nominations. No application. No limits. Every woman who submits by May 31 will be featured in the most inclusive business recognition issue to date.

CLEARWATER FL — April 1, 2025Influence-Magazine.Today, in collaboration with the C-Suite Network and LeadHERship Global, is proud to announce the launch of its most expansive editorial initiative to date: the Women of Power Global Edition—a special issue dedicated to celebrating women in business from around the world. Open to all women across every sector, this edition will include every valid submission received by May 31, 2025—with no application, selection, or nomination process required, according to contributor guidelines.

This landmark issue will elevate the stories of women entrepreneurs, executives, innovators, creatives, social impact leaders, and community business builders—regardless of title, background, age, or location. From global boardrooms to rural startups, the Women of Power issue promises to redefine what inclusion in business media looks like.

“We’re not creating a shortlist—we’re opening a stage,” said David James Dunworth, Publisher of Influence-Magazine.Today. “The women transforming our world aren’t waiting for permission to lead, and they shouldn’t have to wait for permission to be seen either. This issue is a celebration of all women in business who are shaping our future in their own way.”

Participants will be featured in the globally distributed digital edition of Influence-Magazine.Today, reaching audiences across industries and continents. The editorial will include profile stories, first-person essays, and thought leadership from women of all experience levels and regions. Each participant will also benefit from expanded exposure through the magazine’s social and partner networks.

Submissions are open now at:
👉mailto:davidjdunworth@gmail.com

Women may submit original articles or opt to answer guided questions that the editorial team will transform into a full-feature profile. There is no cap on participation—every woman who submits by the May 31 deadline will be included.

Key Details:

  • Open to women worldwide across all business sectors and stages.
  • No nominations, applications, or selection process—every story counts.
  • Deadline: May 31, 2025, for inclusion in the digital feature release.
  • Full editorial support is available for submissions that require guidance.

The initiative was developed in response to the ongoing underrepresentation of women in traditional recognition platforms, which often limit inclusion to narrow categories or elite criteria. With this special issue, Influence-Magazine.Today is making a bold editorial statement: there is no such thing as too many powerful women.

 

About Influence-Magazine.Today

Influence-Magazine.Today is a global digital publication spotlighting leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and transformation. Through its thought leadership features, editorial campaigns, and community partnerships, the magazine elevates voices that drive meaningful impact across business and society. It serves a global readership of professionals, investors, policymakers, creatives, and change agents seeking insight, inspiration, and influence that matters.

 

Media Contact:
David James Dunworth | Publisher
Influence-Magazine.Today
Email: mailto:davidjdunworth@gmail.com

Website: https://Influence-Magazine.Today

Categories
Entrepreneurship Personal Development Women In Business

Negotiating with Your Future Self: Setting High Aspirations for Personal Growth

Negotiation is a skill that permeates every aspect of our lives. We negotiate with others, with our circumstances, and though not talked about as much but perhaps most importantly, with ourselves. How can we take control of this last aspect to enhance our life? Have you ever considered the concept of negotiating with your future self? It’s a powerful tool for personal development. It goes beyond merely setting goals; it involves engaging in a dynamic dialogue with the person you aspire to become.

 

The Art of Self-Negotiation

Self-negotiation is powerful but can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it empowers us to challenge ourselves and push beyond our comfort zones. On the other, it can lead to self-sabotage if not approached with intention. Mastering the art of productive self-negotiation is key to unlocking your potential. When you negotiate with your future self, you’re essentially making promises and setting expectations. Think of it as entering into a contract with the person you want to become. This process takes courage, requiring honesty, introspection, and a willingness to confront your current limitations.

 

Understanding Your Inner BATNA

In negotiation theory, we often refer to BATNA – the Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement. Typically, we consider external options available to us. But when negotiating with yourself, it’s crucial to cultivate your “inner BATNA”, taking responsibility for meeting your own needs and freeing yourself psychologically from external constraints.

To develop your inner BATNA:

  1. Identify Your Core Values and Aspirations: Understand what truly matters to you.
  2. Cultivate Independence: Empower yourself to pursue your goals without relying solely on external validation.
  3. Create Alternatives: Develop options that enable you to move forward, regardless of external circumstances.

Your strongest negotiation position is rooted in self-sufficiency and inner strength.

 

Reframing Your Perspective

One of the most transformative aspects of negotiating with your future self is the opportunity to reframe your perspective. Your experience of life is determined by the perspective you choose to embrace. So why not choose more positive perspectives? Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, consider them stepping stones toward your aspirations. This mindset shift can profoundly influence how you approach personal growth and negotiations in all areas of life.

 

The Power of Personal Development

Investing in personal development is essential for effective self-negotiation. The best negotiators understand themselves deeply. This self-awareness allows you to:

  1. Recognize Personal Barriers: Identify issues that can hinder your growth.
  2. Build Confidence: Develop a strong sense of self-worth and capability.
  3. Enhance Emotional Intelligence: Navigate complex negotiations with greater ease.

 

Practical Steps for Negotiating with Your Future Self

  1. Clarify Your Vision: Define who you want to become. What does your ideal future self look like, feel like, and achieve? You can’t hit a fuzzy target so be sure to get clarity about where you’re heading.
  2. Set High Aspirations: Don’t be afraid to dream big. Your future self is capable of more than you might currently believe.
  3. Create Milestones: Break down your aspirations into manageable steps, creating a clear roadmap for your journey.
  4. Hold Yourself Accountable: Treat agreements with yourself as seriously as those made with others. Use tools like journaling or accountability partners to stay on track.
  5. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when facing setbacks; negotiation is about finding win-win solutions.
  6. Regularly Re-negotiate: As you grow and evolve, be open to adjusting your aspirations and commitments.
  7. Celebrate small wins: Be sure to celebrate along the journey to maintain motivation and momentum.

The ‘Feminine’ Approach to Self-Negotiation

Negotiating with your future self isn’t about harsh discipline or unrealistic expectations; it’s about creating a compassionate dialogue that propels you toward your highest potential. Embrace your innate qualities of empathy and intuition as strengths in this process – your secret weapons. Remember that in mastering the art of negotiating with your future self you’re actively shaping the person you’re becoming. It’s one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have. It’s an opportunity to align your actions with your values and aspirations, one decision at a time.

Are you ready to sit down at the negotiation table with your future self? This conversation might just be the key to unlocking the life you’ve always envisioned.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Personal Development Women In Business

Negotiating Tips to Stop Us Being Fools on April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s Day has just passed. Some people love it, while others hate being made the fool. Regardless of what side you come down on, there are some valuable tips we can learn from April Fool’s Day that will serve us on this auspicious day each year and well beyond. In fact, some of the things that will up-level our April Fool’s Day experience will also allow us to negotiate our best lives, both personally and professionally.

Before we dig in to those nuts and bolts, let me just observe that most people go through life fearing the possibility of looking like a fool. We fear failure. We fear rejection. We fear getting ‘no’ to our requests. These fears hold us back from stepping into the best version of ourselves.

Ironically, it’s in pushing past these fears that we can achieve our greatest triumphs. Failure is the path to success. Almost all great achievements throughout history came on the heels of repeated failures. When we can embrace the failure, we forge the path to breakthroughs.

I invite you to reframe the concept of looking ‘foolish’. Failing is not foolish. It’s brave and necessary. Accepting ‘no’s’ along the journey and pushing forward builds growth and momentum on the road to success. Challenging accepted dictums creates new perspectives and initiatives for expansion.

So, think bigger. Act bolder. Take chances. Trust in yourself, knowing that you will make mistakes and looking forward to the learning that comes from that.

Now, to the meat of how we can be fools on April Fool’s Day and beyond. Having clarified that failing and taking chances is not foolish, let’s explore what does constitute foolishness and how we can avoid it.

April Fool’s Day used to about trying to trick people as a gaffe or gag. It celebrated the art of trying to make others believe something that was patently false. It was a half-day ‘hall pass’ to fudge the facts and mislead.

Sadly, in today’s world it is increasingly common to see people being played the fool daily when they don’t distinguish between truth and lies. When they don’t bother to separate fact from fiction, reality from fantasy. This will become even more important with advances in technology that allow for outright fabrication of videos etc.

‘Fake news’ has become the rally cry of this generation. Whether in mainstream media or social media or in our daily exchanges, we are inundated with inaccurate information. The consequences of these falsehoods can be quite serious, as was evidenced when the world was ripped apart with vastly opposing views on COVID, with both ‘sides’ purportedly certain about the correctness of their convictions and little opportunity for meaningful dialogue.

So, how do we avoid being made the fool? Here’s a few quick tips to consider.

I Don’t believe everything you read

The breadth of the dissemination of information does not corelate with its reliability. In other words, just because you see something spreading like wildfire does not increase the reliability of the information. Viral videos do not afford them greater credibility. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true. Sensationalism attracts attention. Distortion can stand out and attract more attention.

Be intentional about distinguishing supported facts from bald assertions.

II Tap into your intuition

Allow yourself to invoke your intuition. The more you hone it, the more reliable it will become. If your guts send you a signal about the reliability (or lack of reliability) about information, trust it enough to explore the issue rather than accepting what you see or hear at face value.

Our intuition used to be relied upon to save our lives. If we sensed danger, we trusted that intuition and stood on guard for that sabre toothed tiger. Somewhere along the line we ceded its power to passive receipt of information from other sources. It’s time we tapped into our intuition again to guide our responses as others actively seek to mislead (whether for their own gain, for the chaos itself, or inadvertently through lack of responsible filtering).

Ask yourself if what you’re seeing or hearing is consistent with your experience of that person or thing. If questions arise, or a niggling doubt rubs, trust them.

III Do your homework

Rather than passively receiving information and blindly accepting it, do a little fact-checking.

  • Look to reliable sources that ensure vigorous fact-checking protocols.
  • Consider the internal consistency (or lack thereof) of the information you’re receiving. Is it at odds with your current understanding of the world on that issue?
  • Consider the external consistency of the information. Is it at odds with other external indicators?
  • Seek differing perspectives and viewpoints and look at it through multiple possible lenses.

IV Only share reliable information

Don’t be guilty of passing on information which may not be accurate … especially if that information has the potential to cause harm.

Apply Socrates triple filter test on truth:

If what you’re going to say/share is:

  • not true; and/or
  • (ii) not good; and/or
  • (iii) not useful;

don’t say it!

 

Don’t me made a fool. I hope these simple insights help you distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly so you can live into your best life.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Personal Development Women In Business

Understanding the Impact of Shame and Guilt on Negotiation

Do you recognize how shame and guilt impact on your life? We all experience both emotions. We often try to ignore them, hoping they might simply disappear in the process  – or at least fade into the background. Denial is rarely, if ever, an effective strategy. This is true in life, and in our negotiations.

Negotiation, whether in our personal or professional lives, involves more than just the exchange of offers and counteroffers. Contrary to many resources on negotiation, it is not a sterile academic exercise where we simply apply certain rules, tactics and templates to get a desired outcome. It’s important to consider the human element of our negotiations as the process taps into our deep-seated emotions. Understanding and managing these emotions is key. Among the most impactful of these emotions are shame and guilt, both of which can profoundly influence the outcomes of negotiations.

Let’s take a moment to explore shame and guilt as they arise in negotiations.

The Role of Shame and Guilt in Negotiation

Shame and guilt are distinct emotions that can manifest differently in our negotiations. Guilt typically arises from a sense that we’ve done something wrong, leading to a desire to make amends. Shame, on the other hand, is more deeply ingrained, stemming from the belief that something is inherently wrong with ourselves. This distinction is crucial in understanding how these emotions can affect negotiation strategies and outcomes.

In negotiation, guilt can be a motivating force, encouraging parties to find a resolution that alleviates their discomfort. For instance, if we feel guilty about an oversight or a previous decision, we may be more inclined to compromise or make concessions to rectify the situation. This can lead to more cooperative behavior and a quicker resolution.

Shame, however, can have more complex and potentially negative effects on negotiation. If we feel shame, we may approach the process with a sense of inferiority or inadequacy, which can undermine our confidence and assertiveness. This can result in us accepting unfavorable terms or avoiding the negotiation altogether. Additionally, shame can make us more susceptible to manipulation, as we may be more eager to please others or avoid conflict, even at our own expense.

Note though that the opposite shadow reaction can also occur. Sometimes individuals experiencing guilt and/or shame try to bury it and push past it, showing up with aggressive, bullying behaviour (rather than facing the monster under the bed and redressing it).

The Gendered Experience of Shame and Guilt in Negotiation

Research suggests that women, in particular, may experience shame and guilt differently in negotiation contexts. Societal expectations and cultural conditioning often place women in a position where we feel compelled to prioritize others’ needs over our own, leading to heightened feelings of guilt when asserting ourselves. Similarly, the fear of being perceived as too aggressive or unlikable can trigger shame, causing women to downplay our demands or withdraw from the negotiation process.

These dynamics can create significant barriers to effective negotiation. Women may struggle to advocate for themselves or fear the repercussions of doing so, leading to less favorable outcomes. Understanding these gendered experiences is essential for developing strategies that empower us to negotiate more effectively.

Take a Moment for Personal Reflection

Consider a time when guilt or shame impacted on how you showed up in a negotiation. How might you have gotten better results if you’d handled these emotions differently? Similarly, consider a time when someone in your life was hampered by shame or guilt in getting the outcomes they wanted or deserved. If you want to get ruthlessly honest with yourself, have you ever used someone else’s guilt or shame against them in getting what you want in a negotiation?

Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Shame and Guilt

  1. Self-Awareness: The first step in mitigating the impact of shame and guilt in negotiation is self-awareness. Recognizing these emotions and understanding their origins can help us address them more effectively in our negotiations (and beyond). This involves reflecting on past experiences and identifying patterns of behavior that may be influenced by shame or guilt.
  2. Reframing the Narrative: Reframing how we view the negotiation process can also be helpful. Instead of viewing negotiation as a conflict, choose to see it as a collaborative effort to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. This shift in perspective can reduce feelings of guilt and shame by focusing on shared goals rather than personal stakes.
  3. Preparation and Practice: Preparation is key to building confidence in negotiation. By thoroughly preparing for negotiations, we can feel more secure in our positions and less susceptible to the negative effects of shame and guilt. Role-playing and practice can also help us become more comfortable with asserting ourselves and handling difficult emotions during the negotiation. Be intentional about how you plan to deal with any feelings of guilt and/or shame as part of your preparation process.
  4. Seeking Support: Finally, seeking support from mentors, colleagues, or professional coaches can provide valuable insights and encouragement. Discussing feelings of shame and guilt with trusted individuals can help us develop strategies to manage these emotions and approach our negotiations with greater confidence.

Conclusion

Shame and guilt are powerful emotions that can significantly impact the negotiation process. By understanding these emotions and developing strategies to manage them, you can navigate negotiations more effectively, leading to more favorable outcomes you’re your awareness of these dynamics grows, it becomes possible to create a more equitable and empowering negotiation environment for all participants.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Human Resources Women In Business

The Future of Influence: How Coaches and Consultants Are Building Media Empires and Market Authority

The Future of Influence: How Coaches and Consultants Are Building Media Empires and Market Authority

By Kathleen Caldwell
Founder, C-Suite Network™ Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™ & Women’s Success Accelerator™

There’s a new game being played in the coaching, consulting and expert world—and it’s not about credentials alone. Influence now drives opportunity. Market authority commands premium fees. And the professionals rising to the top? They’re not just service providers. They’re visible, media-savvy thought leaders building ecosystems around their expertise.

In today’s economy, talent and training are only the beginning. If you want to be the go-to expert in your industry, you must own your platform, activate your presence, and position yourself as a global media brand. Otherwise, no matter how gifted you are, you risk being overlooked.

From Visibility to Market Authority: Own the Platform, Lead the Conversation

Visibility is no longer optional—it’s the starting point. But visibility without ownership is fleeting. Your intellectual property, your media presence, and your ecosystem of content are what make you memorable, hirable and magnetic to your ideal clients.

Whether it’s a podcast, VLOG, newsletter, council, mastermind or book, your platform becomes the foundation of trust. You’re not just showing up—you’re shaping the conversation. The most in-demand coaches and consultants don’t chase clients. They attract them by consistently demonstrating value and thought leadership in their space.

Influence Drives Buying Decisions

Across corporate, nonprofit, professional association and B2C sectors, hiring decisions are influenced not just by credentials, but by presence, platform, and perceived authority. Buyers don’t sift through endless résumés and LinkedIn profiles. They look for the expert who already appears to lead the field.

Early in my coaching career, I thought success was about stacking credentials. I pursued every certification I could get my hands on. But I quickly learned a hard truth: education that doesn’t lead to execution and results is just an intellectual exercise. Influence isn’t earned solely in the classroom—it’s built in the marketplace.

That’s why today, your credibility must be visible. A consistent media presence, strategic affiliations, thought leadership and community engagements that spark conversations—these are the assets that move you to the top of the consideration list.

The Influence Ladder: From Generalist to Market Icon

There’s a clear path to authority, and it’s built step by step. Generalists offer everything to everyone—and compete on price. Specialists narrow in, develop proprietary expertise, and build signature systems. Thought leaders amplify that expertise through scalable programs, councils, books, and summits. At the top? Category Of One™ Icons—professionals who are omnipresent, unforgettable, and undeniably in demand.

The truth? You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be strategic. Thoughtfully designed visibility, paired with consistent value delivery, is what creates traction.

Proximity Accelerates Credibility

Affiliation with high-caliber networks can compress years of credibility-building into months. That’s why I built the Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™ in partnership with C-Suite Network™—to give women the platform and power to rise faster, together.

Your network equals your reach. Borrowed authority is real—and being part of the right ecosystem and communities instantly elevate your positioning, mindset and satisfaction. I know firsthand how incredible it is to be in a group of like-minded professionals who are going fast and in the same direction… up!

Media Empires Aren’t a Luxury—They’re the Model

You don’t need to be everywhere. But you do need to be seen and heard where it matters.

Becoming your own media company means leveraging podcasts, articles, videos, summits, and social platforms to amplify your message. Repurpose content. Multiply your touchpoints. Make your expertise easy to find, consume, and trust… and always with a call to action!

Your intellectual property isn’t just content—it’s currency. Frameworks, systems, councils, group programs, and high-ticket offers rooted in your IP give you recurring revenue and scalable impact.

What the Most Successful Experts Are Doing Now

Inside our C-Suite Network Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council, we’re seeing our esteemed faculty and founding members:

  • Celebrate each other’s successes and elevate our collective visibility and income generating opportunities
  • Get featured on influential podcasts and media platforms
  • Publish high-authority articles and thought leadership content
  • Host corporate and B2C masterminds, group programs, VIP offerings and high-ticket councils
  • Create scalable frameworks that deliver lasting value.

These women aren’t just visible—they’re highly respected and hired! They’re confidently positioned as THE Category Of One™ in their field.

Strategic Takeaway: Engineer Your Demand

You don’t need to hustle harder—you need to position smarter.

You are no longer simply delivering transactional and ordinary coaching and consulting services. You are building a strategic brand, monetizing your message, and commanding opportunities because of how you show up, not just what you know.

This is the moment to shift from anonymous expert to visible authority. From consultant and coach-for-hire to an in-demand media thought leader. From optional to essential.

Final Word: Leverage the Ecosystem That Elevates You – C-Suite Network™ Is the Gold Standard

You weren’t meant to do this alone. And now, you don’t have to.

The Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™ is your springboard to strategic visibility, trusted affiliations, and premium client methodologies. In partnership with the global C-Suite Network ecosystem, we give you the structure, support, and spotlight to rise, shine and be paid as The Category Of One.

Whether you’re publishing your next article, launching a podcast, book, council, or turning your expertise into an empire—we’re here to Co-Accelerate™ with you.

Let’s rise. Together!

About Kathleen Caldwell

Kathleen Caldwell is the founder of C-Suite Network Women’s Coaching & Consulting Council™ and the Women’s Corporate Coaching & Consulting Success Accelerator™—premier platforms guiding women coaches, consultants, trusted advisors, and visionary leaders to build six- and seven-figure freedom businesses. Through transformational coaching, councils, and communities, Kathleen guides and mentors women to grow their income, impact, and influence with energetic passion and powerful focus on results.

Kathleen is also the CEO of Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC.™, a business strategy and peak performance consultancy dedicated to helping mission-driven professionals, teams and leaders enhance profitability, visibility, and legacy.

Connect with Kathleen Caldwell at: https://tinyurl.com/KathleenCaldwellLinkedIn or 773-562-1061.

Copyright © 2025. Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Personal Development Women In Business

Negotiation Lessons from a Corrections Crisis Negotiator: the key is leaning in to the feminine

In the male-dominated world of corrections, where strength and authority are often the currencies of power, Jane Korosi’s story stands out as a testament to the power of feminine negotiation. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jane on my Art of Feminine Negotiation podcast. With experience in a maximum-security facility for male offenders, Jane’s journey is a masterclass in navigating tough environments with grace, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Breaking the Mold

Jane’s corrections career spanned roles on the frontline in every area, from admissions and discharge to segregation, dealing with offenders across all security levels. Her extensive experience in such a high-stakes environment honed her negotiation skills in ways few could imagine.

Jane didn’t just survive in this challenging environment—she thrived. Her ability to remain calm under pressure, combined with her strategic use of communication and empathy, allowed her to effectively manage situations many would find overwhelming. She demonstrates that being successful in male-dominated spaces doesn’t require adopting the aggressive tactics often associated with those environments. Instead, by leaning into her strengths as a woman—such as active listening, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—Jane carved out a unique and powerful path.

The Power of Crisis Negotiation

One of the most prestigious roles Jane held was as a crisis negotiator, which allowed her to use her unique skill set to de-escalate the most volatile situations in the correctional system. Being selected as a crisis negotiator marked her as someone who could handle extreme pressure while keeping a clear, focused mind.

In crisis situations, the stakes are incredibly high. The ability to communicate effectively, empathize with the other party, and find common ground can mean the difference between life and death. Jane’s approach to negotiation in these critical moments serves as an important reminder: sometimes, undervalued soft skills—like empathy, patience, and active listening—are the most powerful tools in our arsenal.

Tactical Empathy: Beyond Just Understanding

Empathy is not merely about understanding another person’s feelings; in negotiation, it’s about using that understanding to influence outcomes. Jane mastered this art in her role as crisis negotiator. By genuinely tuning into the emotions and motivations of those she negotiated with—whether an agitated inmate or a staff member under duress—she could craft responses that de-escalated tension and guided conversations towards productive resolutions.

Tactical empathy allowed Jane to negotiate from a place of strength without needing to exert dominance. This approach is particularly useful in environments where trust is low, and tensions high. Building rapport through empathy created a psychological edge, allowing Jane to steer negotiations in a favorable direction without resorting to force.

The Art of Listening: A Powerful Negotiation Tool

One of the cornerstones of Jane’s success was her ability to truly listen. This involves more than just hearing words; it’s about picking up on subtle cues, understanding what’s unsaid, and reading between the lines. This level of deep listening allows for anticipation of issues before they escalate and to address concerns in ways that felt personalized and thoughtful.

In negotiations, especially in high-stress environments like corrections, listening can be a game-changer. When people feel heard, they are more likely to open up and cooperate. Jane created space where even the most hardened individuals felt they had a voice. This  led to negotiation breakthroughs that others might not have achieved.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Negotiation

Emotional intelligence (EQ) was another key element in Jane’s negotiation toolkit. In corrections, where emotions can run high and situations change rapidly, the ability to manage her own emotions and those of others was crucial. Jane’s high EQ allowed her to stay calm and composed, even in the face of provocation, which in turn helped defuse potentially explosive situations.

Jane’s approach to negotiation underscores the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation. This level of emotional maturity not only earned respect from her peers but also enabled her to handle complex negotiations with finesse.

Lessons for Everyday Negotiations

While few of us will find ourselves in the exact circumstances Jane faced, her experience offers valuable lessons for negotiating in any environment.

  1. Strength in Empathy: In situations where brute force might seem like the answer, empathy can be the more effective tool. Understanding the other person’s perspective allows you to connect on a deeper level, facilitating smoother negotiations.
  2. Strategic Patience: In high-pressure scenarios, the instinct might be to act quickly. However, taking a moment to assess the situation, understand all the variables, and approach with a calm mind can lead to better outcomes.
  3. Communication is Key: Whether you’re in a boardroom or a crisis situation, clear and effective communication is crucial. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. Tone, body language, and timing all play vital roles in successful negotiations.
  4. Flexibility in Approach: Jane’s roles required her to adapt constantly—whether she was dealing with a high-security inmate or managing a critical incident. Flexibility in your approach can make you more effective in negotiations, allowing you to pivot as needed to achieve your goals.
  5. Listening as a Strategy: Deep listening is a powerful tool that can provide insights into the other party’s true motivations and concerns. By mastering the art of listening, you can create opportunities for mutual understanding and collaboration, leading to more successful outcomes.
  6. Emotional Intelligence: Managing your emotions and understanding those of others can significantly impact the direction and outcome of negotiations. Cultivating emotional intelligence allows you to navigate complex situations with grace and effectiveness.

Breaking Down Barriers

Jane’s career is a powerful example of how you can excel by leveraging your feminine strengths. Her success as a crisis negotiator is a reminder that leadership and negotiation don’t always have to follow traditional, ‘masculine’ norms. Instead, embracing empathy, patience, and strategic thinking can break down barriers and create pathways for success in even the most challenging of environments.