S2-Ep52: Lessons from Governors, Athletes, & Activists on Growing Women Leaders

Guest: Dr. Susan Madsen, Professor of Leadership, Utah State University

 

How did ten female governors become powerful, authentic woman leaders? What can you learn from them for your own leadership path?

 

In this inspiring conversation, host Maureen Metcalf sits down with Dr. Susan Madsen, founder of the Women and Leadership Project, to explore how women grow into their leadership identities—not just in the boardroom, but over a lifetime. Leadership development begins in childhood, with fathers playing a critical role. Decades later, midlife becomes a perfect time to develop and grow your leadership to new heights.

 

Here's what Susan and Maureen cover:

1. How to look back and reflect on your own journey to unlock your untapped leadership potential;
2. Why women often wait for permission (and how to reclaim their voice and courage); and
3. The overlooked childhood experiences that shape confident, resilient leaders in adulthood.

Other episodes on women in leadership you'll enjoy:

- The Bonobo Sisterhood with Diane Rosenfeld

- Empowering Women for the Prosperity of Nations with Amanda Ellis & Augusto Lopez-Claros

- Winning in the Face of Adversity: The Next Gen of Women Leaders with Congresswoman Joyce Beatty

 

 

For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

 

RESOURCES:  

Susan’s website is https://www.susanrmadsen.com/.

 

The books she mentioned include On Becoming a Woman Leader: Learning from the Experiences of University Presidents and Developing Leadership: Learning from the Experiences of Women Governors.

 

Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here. 

 

Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

 

Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here. 

 

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OUR PODCAST TEAM:  

Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

Booking producer: Jenna Reik

CONNECT WITH US: 

YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership 

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 

TikTok: @innovativeleadership

Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com 

 

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About Our Guest:  

Professor Susan R. Madsen is considered one of the top global thought leaders on the topic of women and leadership. Her research has been featured in the News and World Report, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Parenting Magazine, Chronicle of Higher Education, The Washington Post, and she is a regular contributor to Forbes. She has been an executive coach for over a decade and enjoys doing personal, professional, and leadership development work with her clients. She also consults with companies, educational institutions, municipalities, and other entities on how to design programs, systems, initiatives, and networks to better help women thrive and advance.

 

Professor Madsen is the Inaugural Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. Prior to this, she spent 18 years as the Orin R. Woodbury Professor of Leadership and Ethics in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. She is also a Visiting Fellow of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Zagreb (Croatia), a former Fellow o