Walking the Tightrope: How Women Navigate
the Double Bind at Work with Loala McCann
Unleash Your True Value™
A Breaking Money Silence® Podcast
In this episode of Unleash Your True Value®, Kathleen Burns Kingsbury is joined by executive coach and former HR leader Loala McCann to explore the tightrope bias - a pervasive, gendered balancing act that women in leadership must perform just to survive, let alone thrive.
Have you ever been told you're “too much”... or “not leadership material”? You might be walking the tightrope.
Loala shares her lived experience of navigating dueling expectations: being likable and authoritative, warm and commanding. From being told early in her career that clients didn’t like her, to downplaying her own promotions out of fear of seeming arrogant, she breaks down how this bias shows up, how women internalize it, and - most importantly - how to build practical strategies to deal with it.
Whether you're a woman leader, aspiring executive, or a male ally, this conversation is a must-listen for understanding - and dismantling - the systemic forces shaping women’s careers.
Listen to this podcast and discover:
What the tightrope bias is and why 73% of women identify with it
The hidden cost of saying “I’m just lucky”
How likability becomes a “bank account” women must build to cash in leadership equity
Tips for navigating bias while still showing up authentically
Why community, coaching, and mentorship are key to resilience
Want to connect with Loala? Here’s how:
Loala's website
Loala’s LinkedIn
Special offer from Intrinsic CoachingInterested in talking to Loala or finding out more about her coaching? Schedule a complimentary coaching session: Get Started — Intrinsic Executive Coaching & Consulting. Remember to mention you heard about her work on the Unleash Your True Value®, a Breaking Money Silence Podcast.
KBK’S Group Coaching for Women in BusinessLoala mentions the Mentor Coaching Group for Women in Business as a strategy for dealing with the tightrope and being in a community of supportive professional women. Click here to learn more.
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