January 23, 2026 • 24 mins
In this episode of Building Leadership Community, Coach Dora Mendez speaks with Dr. Falguni Shah—physician, organizational psychologist, and author—about Truth Lighting, a leadership framework designed to counter gaslighting and foster dignity, clarity, and trust at work.
Key Themes
- Leadership and cultural humility
- Career advancement for women of color
- Community, wellness, and mentorship
- Systemic change in organizations
Guest Dr. Falguni Shah, PhD Physician, Organizational Psychologist, Author of Truth Lighting
Resources
- Get Falguni Shah, PhD's book: https://amzn.to/3LLMkti
- Falguni Shah, PhD's website: https://www.fortruthlighting.com/
- Check out the Entrepreneur's Podcast Blueprint: https://bit.ly/46gso9B
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:02):
Welcome back, amazing leaders, to another
powerful episode of season threeof the Building Leadership
Community Podcast.
I'm your host, Coach DoraMendez.
And today today we have anamazing conversation for you.
Today's conversation is one thatwill speak to the heart of what
it means to lead with bothexcellence and humanity.
(00:27):
We are honored to welcome aleader who brings worlds of
medicine and organizationalleadership, clinical practice
and systems transformation,science and spiritual values.
Our guest today is none otherthan Dr.
Falguni Shaw, a physician,organizational psychologist,
(00:53):
speaker, and author who hasdedicated over 20 years to
helping people and organizationsnot just function but truly
thrive.
By the end of this conversation,you'll learn more about truth
lighting.
You will walk away with arenewed understanding of what it
means to lead with culturalhumility, a deeper appreciation
(01:17):
for building systems wherepeople can flourish, a practical
wisdom for creating workplacesrooted in dignity, justice, and
wellness.
This episode is an invitation tolead with both head and heart,
unapologetically, powerfully,and with purpose.
So settle in, take a breath, andget ready.
(01:40):
Hello and welcome to BuildingLeadership Community Podcast.
I'm your host, Dora Mendez.
I'm the founder and CEO of CoachDoor LLC, our guest for team
onto the Lord, small businessowners, and community leaders
that drive Coach Door on.
It can be lonely at the top, butit doesn't have to be.
(02:16):
It can be lonely at the top, butit doesn't have to be.
This is why we started thispodcast.
If you are new to BuildingLeadership Community, we are so
glad you are here.
Please don't forget to like,share, and subscribe.
Uh, so you never miss anepisode.
Say hi in the comments.
(02:38):
If you're thinking of startingyour own podcast, check out our
mini course.
I have some great resources toshare with you.
The Entrepreneurs PodcastBlueprint.
I've partnered with my husbandand co-producer of this podcast,
Dylan Rogers, to create fiveeasy to follow video modules,
(03:00):
along with a workbook that youcan download and follow along at
your own pace.
And you get a very handy AIprompt sheet that will make
getting your episode out thereinto the world a breeze.
The link in the descriptiontakes you right to our course.
Season three continues todeliver powerful conversation
(03:25):
with amazingly inspiringleaders.
Let me tell you about our guesttoday, Dr.
Falgouni Shaw.
Before we get started, I justwant to just share her book,
Truth Lighting, is a permanentpart of our set.
(03:46):
So let me tell you a little bitmore about our guests, only the
best and the brightest for ushere at Building Leadership
Community.
Dr.
Shaw holds a PhD inorganizational leadership from
Adler University, a master's incommunity counseling from Loyola
University, Chicago, and abachelor's in medicine and
(04:08):
surgery from the University ofMumbai.
With over 20 years of experiencein healthcare, Dr.
Shaw brings together clinicalexpertise, systems thinking, and
cultural humility in a way thattransforms organizations from
the inside out.
She has held leadership roles incommunity mental health and
(04:29):
federally qualified healthcenters with a deep focus on
quality and compliance, butalways with the human being at
the center.
Grounded in spiritual values andan unwavering belief in human
dignity, Dr.
Shaw is driven by justice,equality, and a passion for
(04:50):
wellness and travel.
She brings heart and purpose toevery space she enters.
And today, Dr.
Shaw is here to fill you withinsight and wisdom.
Let's hold for a pause and bringher on to the stage.
Hi, Dr.
Shaw.
(05:11):
Hi, Dora.
How are you?
I'm doing great.
I want to thank you so much forbeing here.
Your values are so aligned withwhat we're doing here on the
Building Leadership CommunityPodcast.
And I just love your book.
And I'm so um, I know ouraudience is gonna get so much
from this conversation.
(05:32):
Um so with no further ado, I'vetalked a lot.
So let's get um, let's pass theproverbial virtual mic to you.
And if you can share a bit aboutyour um unique story from
medicine to organizationalleadership.
SPEAKER_00 (05:47):
Sure, absolutely.
So um I was born and raised inMumbai, India, and after school
and college, I studiedbachelor's in homeopathic
medicine.
Um and I always had the drive tounderstand people more deeply.
And part of homeopathy is alsounderstanding the individual as
(06:09):
a whole.
And so I moved to the UnitedStates to pursue higher studies
in psychology, and I got mymaster's in community counseling
from Loyola University inChicago.
And from there, I built mycareer across community health,
counseling, accreditation,quality and compliance, and
(06:29):
other aspects of healthcare.
So I've been in healthcare, bothin clinical and leadership
roles, for about 20 years now.
When COVID hit, just like manypeople, you know, I found myself
at the intersection of um whatdo I do now, right?
What is the next big thing thatI need to do?
(06:49):
And uh it pushed me to pursue aPhD in organizational
leadership, partly also becauseI always wanted to study um
leadership and wanted to do moreresearch.
So honestly, you know, afterthat PhD, it opened up a whole
new chapter in my life.
As I was researching, one of thetopics that came to me was um
(07:14):
leadership journey and how dominority women excel in
leadership.
So as I was researching more, Ifound this study by McKinsey and
Company, which studied over aquarter of a million people and
they surveyed 750 companiesbetween 2015 and 2021.
(07:34):
And the study showed thatminority women dropped off by
more than 75% at every step ofthe promotion pipeline from
entry level to C-suite.
Ultimately, only 4% of minoritywomen ever reached the C-suite
position.
So that really hit me hard.
And also, I was going through myown struggles advancing to
(07:58):
leadership positions.
So I wanted to really understandwhy there is this lack of
representation.
And so I took a deep dive intoreal stories of women and I
interviewed them, and these weresome amazing, resilient women.
At one point I had tears in myeyes hearing their stories.
(08:19):
So I asked them about theirjourney, the obstacles they
face, and the successes thatshaped them, with the hope that
what their experiences are wouldreally tell me and teach me
something about my ownleadership journey.
So and it would also help otherwomen who are navigating similar
challenges.
Now, as I heard them, um therewas a pattern that kept showing
(08:43):
up, especially for women ofcolor.
They were being dismissed, theywere being underestimated, and
they were told that they werenot ready for that next big step
without any clear direction.
And um to that I called it as asubtle form of gaslighting,
where um they are meant tobelieve that they're not ready
(09:08):
for that next role.
There is a sense of self-doubt,and their confidence is eroded.
So because of this, I created anew concept called truth
lighting, which is like anintentional opposite of that.
It's about validating people'srealities, empowering them, and
giving them clarity andconfidence to do whatever it is
(09:31):
that they want to achieve, i.e.,you know, their next best step.
So, as an author and speaker,this is now my mission to help
leaders lead with principles oftruth lighting so the workplaces
can be fairer, more trustworthy,and truly inclusive.
SPEAKER_01 (09:49):
I love this concept because this is exactly um, I
mean, I feel like you're youwrote about my life.
Um, you know, as a woman ofcolor, I pivoted in my career,
um, you know, after so longbecause I was I was quite
frankly just really tired of thedisrespect.
(10:12):
Feeling undervalued myexperience, expertise.
And I said, you know, I I'mgonna work with people who value
my expertise and my experience.
That's a great segue to the nextconversation prompt.
Was we ask all of our guests issort of why community is so
important.
Leadership can be so lonely andisolating, and you describe some
(10:35):
of those reasons.
You know, here is kind of youropportunity to share some
wellness tips and how you'venavigating building community
throughout your journey to helpsupport you, giving the data
that that was so disturbing thatyou studied that.
Um so I'd love for you to sharewhat community means to you with
(10:57):
our with our community.
SPEAKER_00 (10:59):
Yeah, sure, absolutely.
Um, and I agree that leadershipcan often look glamorous, right,
from the outside.
But the reality is that it canbe lonely and isolating.
So leaders are expected to holdspaces for others, make tough
decisions, and stay strong inuncertainties.
And without a trusted community,it's easy to lose perspective,
(11:23):
feel unsupported, and also feelburnout.
Um, so in terms of self-care,um, here are some things that I
think would really benefitleaders.
The first one is self-regulationthrough meditation, through
yoga, through such similarallied health practices, which
can really calm your nervoussystem, reduce stress, and um it
(11:48):
will prevent you from active,acting impulsively as a leader.
Um, so I recommend that every umevery day for at least 10
minutes that we practice somemindfulness, some meditation, or
yoga.
The second technique is realthat really has helped me in my
um clarity of thought isjournaling.
(12:09):
And I feel like writing reallyhelps us pause and reflect on
our thoughts and behaviors.
Um so, and that also empowers usby uh creating self-awareness.
Um, so that's that second tipthat I have for our community.
The third one is mentorship andcoaching.
(12:29):
Um, we all need somebody uh asour thought partners, somebody
who can be our sounding boards.
So seeking out mentors andcoaches really creates that safe
space for us to process thosechallenges, to gain new skills,
and to stay committed to our ownpersonal growth.
And last but not the least, joinleadership networking groups
(12:53):
that allows for some peernetworking, um, gives us both
support and inspiration, uh, andthen also helps us build a
community where we cancollaborate for more
opportunities and also providesus a sense of belonging.
SPEAKER_01 (13:08):
Dr.
Shaw, thank you for sharingthose four um wellness tips and
community with community reallybeing at the at the center.
As a coach, what you're sayingum to me is very validating.
Uh, for those who follow my showor follow me, journaling is one
(13:29):
of my biggest things.
Um and I I would just share on apersonal note, I'm also a
middle-aged woman.
So I have found thatself-regulation in the
journaling has helped me with myperimetopause symptoms, to be uh
quite frankly.
I, you know, I've had, you know,I have trouble sleeping, and I
(13:50):
have found that like justwriting it down, the act of
writing it down and likereflecting on, and I often uh
uplift gratitude journal, likeat least write down one to three
things that you're grateful for,and just put it down on the
paper and put it away, and thenit just allows me to sleep
(14:12):
better.
It's a practice that I'm sohappy that um you're validating
right now for our audience andjust for me as a coach and an
accountability partner to somany of my clients and
colleagues and uh and and folksin my network.
So thank you so much forvalidating that.
(14:34):
You're welcome.
Uh, I'd love for you to, youknow, we ask all our guests, uh,
what advice would they give tothe next generation of leaders,
whether that's something uh thatyou would want to go back and
tell your younger self.
Um what do you what would youlike to share?
SPEAKER_00 (14:56):
Yeah, so um to my younger self, I would really do
some of the things that I wouldreally do exactly that I did as
my younger self.
One was I would say that believein yourself, chase your ambition
and dream boldly.
This is something that I didmyself.
Make your own choices and don'tbe afraid to fail because every
(15:20):
failure teaches you how to risestronger.
Um, for future generationleaders, I would say this start
thinking about your career pathearly and seek out mentors who
can guide you.
Have a broader vision of whereyou want to be in the next two,
five, ten years and work towardsit.
I didn't have that guidance as Iwas navigating my own career
(15:45):
path.
Um, and so I would highlyencourage the future leaders to
seek that.
And to my peers, um, I wouldreally offer a reminder to
understand your privilege, yourexperience, and the resources
you have, and use that tosupport someone and bring them
(16:06):
up to speed, um, guide them sothey can change their life
trajectory.
And to the next generationleaders, I would say lead with
truth lighting, learn aboutprinciples of truth lighting,
create cultures where peoplefeel that their realities are
accepted and acknowledged andthey're respected and valued for
(16:26):
who they are.
SPEAKER_01 (16:28):
So I want to uplift uh two things you say.
So one is don't be afraid totake risks, don't have fear of
failure because everyone's gonnafail.
My son says to me, myeight-year-old says to me, that
fail that uh fail is firstattempt in learning.
(16:49):
I don't know where he got thatfrom.
It's probably one of hisbrilliant teachers, but um he
says it to us all the time, andthat speaks to young people, um
you know, encouraging youngpeople to take risks.
And then the other one is thementor mentee.
You know, you say you share thatyou didn't have that, and um,
(17:12):
but now you are that you arethat um mentor, you're that
shining example for so manywomen and and our allies.
Um I would love for you to sharea little bit more about uh
leading with truth lighting.
I think it's so important.
I just love I love the concept.
(17:34):
I I think the book is brilliant,and I love this whole app
opposite of gaslighting becausegaslighting feels like a trend,
but it's been around for a verylong time, besides the fact
there was like a famous movieabout it and play back in the
days.
But you know, making someonefeel crazy um when you, you
know, making someone feel crazyout of your insecurity or um
(17:58):
making someone feel likethey're, you know, they're
crazy, um, which is how what Ithink of gaslighting is.
So could you share a little bitmore about leading with truth
lighting?
SPEAKER_00 (18:10):
Sure, absolutely.
So um, truth lighting is anintentional opposite of
gaslighting.
So it's really about validatingpeople.
Um, so there are four main stepsto it, right?
Number one is validating theirrealities.
So when you're having aconversation, you're using terms
like, I hear you, you'relistening to understand, it
(18:32):
sounds like blah, blah, blah.
Uh you're rephrasing um whatyou're hearing to kind of make
the other person feel that theyare validated, right?
So that's the first step totruth lighting.
The second one is to um givepositive affirmations or
acceptance.
(18:53):
Um, so words like how um usingwords that will strengthen their
confidence in themselves.
Um, so that's the second aspectof truth lighting is to use
affirmations.
The third aspect is to providefacts or um data around what it
whatever it is that they'restruggling with.
(19:13):
So if somebody's struggling withtheir career progression
journey, you provide themconcrete actionable steps on
what they can take towards thatnext um um next role.
Yeah, their next goal.
Like what are what are thosefacts or what are those steps
that they can take?
(19:33):
Um and the fourth thing isreally um guiding them uh and
providing them resources on howthey can take those steps.
So these are really those foursteps uh or principles of truth
lighting, if you will.
SPEAKER_01 (19:50):
So I love that.
And I love the idea that truthlighting is almost like
illuminating, illuminating apath.
Like I see someone in like adark cave of doubt, and then you
know, you're this truth lighter,this mentor, this person sort of
like illuminating them out ofthe darkness into the light.
(20:10):
And I just I just love theconcept.
I think people are gonna get alot out of not only this
interview and getting to knowyou, but I hope they go out and
and buy the book today.
It's just it's so amazing.
And uh something that you sharedwith me that I would love to
have the audience know was thissort of the how the book was
(20:32):
born.
Um, can you know, I don't wantto speak for you, so but I just
want to leave it for you becauseuh you had shared that with me.
Um can you share a little bitabout the Genesis story of how
this, how Truth Lighting wasborn?
SPEAKER_00 (20:46):
Sure, absolutely.
So um, as I was um doing my PhD,you know, and um through
research, like I said earlier,um there was a stark statistic
that minority women um faceheadwinds to reach their final
leadership peak.
(21:06):
And um there's only one in fourwomen who are in leadership
roles, and there's only one in20 minority women of color in
CEO C suite roles.
And so uh I decided to focus onthat as my topic for the thesis.
And um as I interviewed women, Irealized that oh my God, these
(21:31):
are so many worthwhile tips thatwould help other women who are
in their leadership journey,right?
It will help other women who arelooking to excel.
Um, and it will feel, it willmake women feel validated, those
who are going throughchallenges.
Um, not only that, um itunfolded some things like um
(21:55):
there are biases in thepromotion decision making.
Or how those promotion roles areallocated.
And so it is important forleaders and managers to know how
they can create that culture.
And that dawned on me that Ineed to come up with some skills
(22:16):
and tools that leaders andmanagers can adopt to create
this culture where every womanfeels like they have a fair
chance and fair advancementopportunity.
So, how can we change thatculture shift?
And that's how truth lightingwas really born out of those
actionable steps.
And so my book has thoseactionable strategies, not just
(22:38):
for women who are looking togrow, but also for managers, HR,
and talent teams on how they canmake a systemic change towards a
fair career advancementopportunity for women.
SPEAKER_01 (22:53):
Oh, Dr.
Schott, thank you so much.
Um in this economy, in thiscurrent economy, so many women
of color are finding themselveslaid off and looking for their
next move.
And I think while this book wasborn out of something completely
(23:14):
different and was written at adifferent uh time, it is so
fitting uh for what so manywomen of color are going through
right now.
So I want to thank you so muchfor being on our show.
I want to uh let our listenersand our viewers know that we're
(23:34):
gonna share the link to how theycan get their copy of Truth
Lighting in uh in thedescription of this episode.
And uh I can I just I can onlythank you so much.
We're I'm so happy there'ssomeone like you out there doing
this work and elevating it andgetting out there.
So we appreciate you so muchhere on the Building Leadership
(23:57):
Community podcast.
We wish you well, and I'm gonnaask you to hold on one minute
while we roll our closingcredits.
You've been listening toBuilding Leadership Community.
Watch on YouTube at CoachDoraand listen wherever you get your
podcast.
Follow me on LinkedIn,Instagram, and YouTube at
(24:19):
CoachDora and visit me on theweb at coachdoramendez.com.
Hosted by me, Dora Mendez.
Produced by Dora Mendez andDylan Rogers.
Graphics, editing, and soundmixing by Dylan Rogers.
Welcome back, amazing leaders, to another
powerful episode of season threeof the Building Leadership
Community Podcast.
I'm your host, Coach DoraMendez.
And today today we have anamazing conversation for you.
Today's conversation is one thatwill speak to the heart of what
it means to lead with bothexcellence and humanity.
(00:27):
We are honored to welcome aleader who brings worlds of
medicine and organizationalleadership, clinical practice
and systems transformation,science and spiritual values.
Our guest today is none otherthan Dr.
Falguni Shaw, a physician,organizational psychologist,
(00:53):
speaker, and author who hasdedicated over 20 years to
helping people and organizationsnot just function but truly
thrive.
By the end of this conversation,you'll learn more about truth
lighting.
You will walk away with arenewed understanding of what it
means to lead with culturalhumility, a deeper appreciation
(01:17):
for building systems wherepeople can flourish, a practical
wisdom for creating workplacesrooted in dignity, justice, and
wellness.
This episode is an invitation tolead with both head and heart,
unapologetically, powerfully,and with purpose.
So settle in, take a breath, andget ready.
(01:40):
Hello and welcome to BuildingLeadership Community Podcast.
I'm your host, Dora Mendez.
I'm the founder and CEO of CoachDoor LLC, our guest for team
onto the Lord, small businessowners, and community leaders
that drive Coach Door on.
It can be lonely at the top, butit doesn't have to be.
(02:16):
It can be lonely at the top, butit doesn't have to be.
This is why we started thispodcast.
If you are new to BuildingLeadership Community, we are so
glad you are here.
Please don't forget to like,share, and subscribe.
Uh, so you never miss anepisode.
Say hi in the comments.
(02:38):
If you're thinking of startingyour own podcast, check out our
mini course.
I have some great resources toshare with you.
The Entrepreneurs PodcastBlueprint.
I've partnered with my husbandand co-producer of this podcast,
Dylan Rogers, to create fiveeasy to follow video modules,
(03:00):
along with a workbook that youcan download and follow along at
your own pace.
And you get a very handy AIprompt sheet that will make
getting your episode out thereinto the world a breeze.
The link in the descriptiontakes you right to our course.
Season three continues todeliver powerful conversation
(03:25):
with amazingly inspiringleaders.
Let me tell you about our guesttoday, Dr.
Falgouni Shaw.
Before we get started, I justwant to just share her book,
Truth Lighting, is a permanentpart of our set.
(03:46):
So let me tell you a little bitmore about our guests, only the
best and the brightest for ushere at Building Leadership
Community.
Dr.
Shaw holds a PhD inorganizational leadership from
Adler University, a master's incommunity counseling from Loyola
University, Chicago, and abachelor's in medicine and
(04:08):
surgery from the University ofMumbai.
With over 20 years of experiencein healthcare, Dr.
Shaw brings together clinicalexpertise, systems thinking, and
cultural humility in a way thattransforms organizations from
the inside out.
She has held leadership roles incommunity mental health and
(04:29):
federally qualified healthcenters with a deep focus on
quality and compliance, butalways with the human being at
the center.
Grounded in spiritual values andan unwavering belief in human
dignity, Dr.
Shaw is driven by justice,equality, and a passion for
(04:50):
wellness and travel.
She brings heart and purpose toevery space she enters.
And today, Dr.
Shaw is here to fill you withinsight and wisdom.
Let's hold for a pause and bringher on to the stage.
Hi, Dr.
Shaw.
(05:11):
Hi, Dora.
How are you?
I'm doing great.
I want to thank you so much forbeing here.
Your values are so aligned withwhat we're doing here on the
Building Leadership CommunityPodcast.
And I just love your book.
And I'm so um, I know ouraudience is gonna get so much
from this conversation.
(05:32):
Um so with no further ado, I'vetalked a lot.
So let's get um, let's pass theproverbial virtual mic to you.
And if you can share a bit aboutyour um unique story from
medicine to organizationalleadership.
SPEAKER_00 (05:47):
Sure, absolutely.
So um I was born and raised inMumbai, India, and after school
and college, I studiedbachelor's in homeopathic
medicine.
Um and I always had the drive tounderstand people more deeply.
And part of homeopathy is alsounderstanding the individual as
(06:09):
a whole.
And so I moved to the UnitedStates to pursue higher studies
in psychology, and I got mymaster's in community counseling
from Loyola University inChicago.
And from there, I built mycareer across community health,
counseling, accreditation,quality and compliance, and
(06:29):
other aspects of healthcare.
So I've been in healthcare, bothin clinical and leadership
roles, for about 20 years now.
When COVID hit, just like manypeople, you know, I found myself
at the intersection of um whatdo I do now, right?
What is the next big thing thatI need to do?
(06:49):
And uh it pushed me to pursue aPhD in organizational
leadership, partly also becauseI always wanted to study um
leadership and wanted to do moreresearch.
So honestly, you know, afterthat PhD, it opened up a whole
new chapter in my life.
As I was researching, one of thetopics that came to me was um
(07:14):
leadership journey and how dominority women excel in
leadership.
So as I was researching more, Ifound this study by McKinsey and
Company, which studied over aquarter of a million people and
they surveyed 750 companiesbetween 2015 and 2021.
(07:34):
And the study showed thatminority women dropped off by
more than 75% at every step ofthe promotion pipeline from
entry level to C-suite.
Ultimately, only 4% of minoritywomen ever reached the C-suite
position.
So that really hit me hard.
And also, I was going through myown struggles advancing to
(07:58):
leadership positions.
So I wanted to really understandwhy there is this lack of
representation.
And so I took a deep dive intoreal stories of women and I
interviewed them, and these weresome amazing, resilient women.
At one point I had tears in myeyes hearing their stories.
(08:19):
So I asked them about theirjourney, the obstacles they
face, and the successes thatshaped them, with the hope that
what their experiences are wouldreally tell me and teach me
something about my ownleadership journey.
So and it would also help otherwomen who are navigating similar
challenges.
Now, as I heard them, um therewas a pattern that kept showing
(08:43):
up, especially for women ofcolor.
They were being dismissed, theywere being underestimated, and
they were told that they werenot ready for that next big step
without any clear direction.
And um to that I called it as asubtle form of gaslighting,
where um they are meant tobelieve that they're not ready
(09:08):
for that next role.
There is a sense of self-doubt,and their confidence is eroded.
So because of this, I created anew concept called truth
lighting, which is like anintentional opposite of that.
It's about validating people'srealities, empowering them, and
giving them clarity andconfidence to do whatever it is
(09:31):
that they want to achieve, i.e.,you know, their next best step.
So, as an author and speaker,this is now my mission to help
leaders lead with principles oftruth lighting so the workplaces
can be fairer, more trustworthy,and truly inclusive.
SPEAKER_01 (09:49):
I love this concept because this is exactly um, I
mean, I feel like you're youwrote about my life.
Um, you know, as a woman ofcolor, I pivoted in my career,
um, you know, after so longbecause I was I was quite
frankly just really tired of thedisrespect.
(10:12):
Feeling undervalued myexperience, expertise.
And I said, you know, I I'mgonna work with people who value
my expertise and my experience.
That's a great segue to the nextconversation prompt.
Was we ask all of our guests issort of why community is so
important.
Leadership can be so lonely andisolating, and you describe some
(10:35):
of those reasons.
You know, here is kind of youropportunity to share some
wellness tips and how you'venavigating building community
throughout your journey to helpsupport you, giving the data
that that was so disturbing thatyou studied that.
Um so I'd love for you to sharewhat community means to you with
(10:57):
our with our community.
SPEAKER_00 (10:59):
Yeah, sure, absolutely.
Um, and I agree that leadershipcan often look glamorous, right,
from the outside.
But the reality is that it canbe lonely and isolating.
So leaders are expected to holdspaces for others, make tough
decisions, and stay strong inuncertainties.
And without a trusted community,it's easy to lose perspective,
(11:23):
feel unsupported, and also feelburnout.
Um, so in terms of self-care,um, here are some things that I
think would really benefitleaders.
The first one is self-regulationthrough meditation, through
yoga, through such similarallied health practices, which
can really calm your nervoussystem, reduce stress, and um it
(11:48):
will prevent you from active,acting impulsively as a leader.
Um, so I recommend that every umevery day for at least 10
minutes that we practice somemindfulness, some meditation, or
yoga.
The second technique is realthat really has helped me in my
um clarity of thought isjournaling.
(12:09):
And I feel like writing reallyhelps us pause and reflect on
our thoughts and behaviors.
Um so, and that also empowers usby uh creating self-awareness.
Um, so that's that second tipthat I have for our community.
The third one is mentorship andcoaching.
(12:29):
Um, we all need somebody uh asour thought partners, somebody
who can be our sounding boards.
So seeking out mentors andcoaches really creates that safe
space for us to process thosechallenges, to gain new skills,
and to stay committed to our ownpersonal growth.
And last but not the least, joinleadership networking groups
(12:53):
that allows for some peernetworking, um, gives us both
support and inspiration, uh, andthen also helps us build a
community where we cancollaborate for more
opportunities and also providesus a sense of belonging.
SPEAKER_01 (13:08):
Dr.
Shaw, thank you for sharingthose four um wellness tips and
community with community reallybeing at the at the center.
As a coach, what you're sayingum to me is very validating.
Uh, for those who follow my showor follow me, journaling is one
(13:29):
of my biggest things.
Um and I I would just share on apersonal note, I'm also a
middle-aged woman.
So I have found thatself-regulation in the
journaling has helped me with myperimetopause symptoms, to be uh
quite frankly.
I, you know, I've had, you know,I have trouble sleeping, and I
(13:50):
have found that like justwriting it down, the act of
writing it down and likereflecting on, and I often uh
uplift gratitude journal, likeat least write down one to three
things that you're grateful for,and just put it down on the
paper and put it away, and thenit just allows me to sleep
(14:12):
better.
It's a practice that I'm sohappy that um you're validating
right now for our audience andjust for me as a coach and an
accountability partner to somany of my clients and
colleagues and uh and and folksin my network.
So thank you so much forvalidating that.
(14:34):
You're welcome.
Uh, I'd love for you to, youknow, we ask all our guests, uh,
what advice would they give tothe next generation of leaders,
whether that's something uh thatyou would want to go back and
tell your younger self.
Um what do you what would youlike to share?
SPEAKER_00 (14:56):
Yeah, so um to my younger self, I would really do
some of the things that I wouldreally do exactly that I did as
my younger self.
One was I would say that believein yourself, chase your ambition
and dream boldly.
This is something that I didmyself.
Make your own choices and don'tbe afraid to fail because every
(15:20):
failure teaches you how to risestronger.
Um, for future generationleaders, I would say this start
thinking about your career pathearly and seek out mentors who
can guide you.
Have a broader vision of whereyou want to be in the next two,
five, ten years and work towardsit.
I didn't have that guidance as Iwas navigating my own career
(15:45):
path.
Um, and so I would highlyencourage the future leaders to
seek that.
And to my peers, um, I wouldreally offer a reminder to
understand your privilege, yourexperience, and the resources
you have, and use that tosupport someone and bring them
(16:06):
up to speed, um, guide them sothey can change their life
trajectory.
And to the next generationleaders, I would say lead with
truth lighting, learn aboutprinciples of truth lighting,
create cultures where peoplefeel that their realities are
accepted and acknowledged andthey're respected and valued for
(16:26):
who they are.
SPEAKER_01 (16:28):
So I want to uplift uh two things you say.
So one is don't be afraid totake risks, don't have fear of
failure because everyone's gonnafail.
My son says to me, myeight-year-old says to me, that
fail that uh fail is firstattempt in learning.
(16:49):
I don't know where he got thatfrom.
It's probably one of hisbrilliant teachers, but um he
says it to us all the time, andthat speaks to young people, um
you know, encouraging youngpeople to take risks.
And then the other one is thementor mentee.
You know, you say you share thatyou didn't have that, and um,
(17:12):
but now you are that you arethat um mentor, you're that
shining example for so manywomen and and our allies.
Um I would love for you to sharea little bit more about uh
leading with truth lighting.
I think it's so important.
I just love I love the concept.
(17:34):
I I think the book is brilliant,and I love this whole app
opposite of gaslighting becausegaslighting feels like a trend,
but it's been around for a verylong time, besides the fact
there was like a famous movieabout it and play back in the
days.
But you know, making someonefeel crazy um when you, you
know, making someone feel crazyout of your insecurity or um
(17:58):
making someone feel likethey're, you know, they're
crazy, um, which is how what Ithink of gaslighting is.
So could you share a little bitmore about leading with truth
lighting?
SPEAKER_00 (18:10):
Sure, absolutely.
So um, truth lighting is anintentional opposite of
gaslighting.
So it's really about validatingpeople.
Um, so there are four main stepsto it, right?
Number one is validating theirrealities.
So when you're having aconversation, you're using terms
like, I hear you, you'relistening to understand, it
(18:32):
sounds like blah, blah, blah.
Uh you're rephrasing um whatyou're hearing to kind of make
the other person feel that theyare validated, right?
So that's the first step totruth lighting.
The second one is to um givepositive affirmations or
acceptance.
(18:53):
Um, so words like how um usingwords that will strengthen their
confidence in themselves.
Um, so that's the second aspectof truth lighting is to use
affirmations.
The third aspect is to providefacts or um data around what it
whatever it is that they'restruggling with.
(19:13):
So if somebody's struggling withtheir career progression
journey, you provide themconcrete actionable steps on
what they can take towards thatnext um um next role.
Yeah, their next goal.
Like what are what are thosefacts or what are those steps
that they can take?
(19:33):
Um and the fourth thing isreally um guiding them uh and
providing them resources on howthey can take those steps.
So these are really those foursteps uh or principles of truth
lighting, if you will.
SPEAKER_01 (19:50):
So I love that.
And I love the idea that truthlighting is almost like
illuminating, illuminating apath.
Like I see someone in like adark cave of doubt, and then you
know, you're this truth lighter,this mentor, this person sort of
like illuminating them out ofthe darkness into the light.
(20:10):
And I just I just love theconcept.
I think people are gonna get alot out of not only this
interview and getting to knowyou, but I hope they go out and
and buy the book today.
It's just it's so amazing.
And uh something that you sharedwith me that I would love to
have the audience know was thissort of the how the book was
(20:32):
born.
Um, can you know, I don't wantto speak for you, so but I just
want to leave it for you becauseuh you had shared that with me.
Um can you share a little bitabout the Genesis story of how
this, how Truth Lighting wasborn?
SPEAKER_00 (20:46):
Sure, absolutely.
So um, as I was um doing my PhD,you know, and um through
research, like I said earlier,um there was a stark statistic
that minority women um faceheadwinds to reach their final
leadership peak.
(21:06):
And um there's only one in fourwomen who are in leadership
roles, and there's only one in20 minority women of color in
CEO C suite roles.
And so uh I decided to focus onthat as my topic for the thesis.
And um as I interviewed women, Irealized that oh my God, these
(21:31):
are so many worthwhile tips thatwould help other women who are
in their leadership journey,right?
It will help other women who arelooking to excel.
Um, and it will feel, it willmake women feel validated, those
who are going throughchallenges.
Um, not only that, um itunfolded some things like um
(21:55):
there are biases in thepromotion decision making.
Or how those promotion roles areallocated.
And so it is important forleaders and managers to know how
they can create that culture.
And that dawned on me that Ineed to come up with some skills
(22:16):
and tools that leaders andmanagers can adopt to create
this culture where every womanfeels like they have a fair
chance and fair advancementopportunity.
So, how can we change thatculture shift?
And that's how truth lightingwas really born out of those
actionable steps.
And so my book has thoseactionable strategies, not just
(22:38):
for women who are looking togrow, but also for managers, HR,
and talent teams on how they canmake a systemic change towards a
fair career advancementopportunity for women.
SPEAKER_01 (22:53):
Oh, Dr.
Schott, thank you so much.
Um in this economy, in thiscurrent economy, so many women
of color are finding themselveslaid off and looking for their
next move.
And I think while this book wasborn out of something completely
(23:14):
different and was written at adifferent uh time, it is so
fitting uh for what so manywomen of color are going through
right now.
So I want to thank you so muchfor being on our show.
I want to uh let our listenersand our viewers know that we're
(23:34):
gonna share the link to how theycan get their copy of Truth
Lighting in uh in thedescription of this episode.
And uh I can I just I can onlythank you so much.
We're I'm so happy there'ssomeone like you out there doing
this work and elevating it andgetting out there.
So we appreciate you so muchhere on the Building Leadership
(23:57):
Community podcast.
We wish you well, and I'm gonnaask you to hold on one minute
while we roll our closingcredits.
You've been listening toBuilding Leadership Community.
Watch on YouTube at CoachDoraand listen wherever you get your
podcast.
Follow me on LinkedIn,Instagram, and YouTube at
(24:19):
CoachDora and visit me on theweb at coachdoramendez.com.
Hosted by me, Dora Mendez.
Produced by Dora Mendez andDylan Rogers.
Graphics, editing, and soundmixing by Dylan Rogers.
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