Vlog
One Question Before You Quit Your Job
We work with several organizations and corporate executives that suffer from burnout. In fact, 50% of managers are currently experiencing burnout. This is a major reason individuals are leaving their jobs. And you may be one of these people that’s considering quitting. I was one of them! But before you decide to quit your job, I offer for you to answer this one question that I share in this video.
3 Exercises to Build Your Leadership Muscles
I love to work out! But all those years of cardio weren’t supporting what I, and you, really need in order to develop healthy bodies and bones – strong muscles! So I’ve integrated strength training as a way to focus on muscle building. This got me thinking about the other muscles I love to build – my leadership muscles! And just like the rest of my training, we need exercises to build those. That’s why I’m giving you three exercises in this week’s video that you can implement to build your own leadership muscles.
Mental Health Resources Alone Won’t Cure Burnout
Mental health resources alone won’t cure burnout! A CDC study shows that employees at risk for depression had the highest healthcare costs, even after taking risks such as smoking and obesity into account. Depression had the highest healthcare costs! So it makes sense that organizations are offering mental health resources, such as sleep improvement programs, meditation workshops, and therapy sessions. However, these are primarily reactive strategies, after many are already on the verge of burnout leading to depression. Instead, in this video, find out the three actions organizations can take to proactively fight against burnout and ultimately depression.
A Middle School History Lesson to Advance Women in Leadership
When I’m working from my home office, it’s a weekday routine for my 14-year-old daughter, Reese, to pop in after school. She loves to spill the tea about her day! She recently shared what they learned in history class that day. Trying to engage in the conversation, I chimed in but she was quick to correct my contribution. And as soon as she explained, my eyes got bright. Find out in this week’s video what Reese’s history class can teach us about advancing women in leadership!
False Start for the Win
False start for the win! I recently spoke at a conference and one of the other speakers talked about her high school days of running and racing. When she mentioned “false starts,” my ears perked up. While I don’t recall her purpose for sharing this, it certainly spoke to me. Your professional journey is just that, a journey, in which you’re constantly starting, stopping, accelerating, and decelerating. And each time you begin the next leg of that journey, you’re most likely aiming for perfection, that perfect start. Perhaps it’s a promotion and you want to kick off your new position just right. Or you’ve decided to transition to a new company and you want to nail your interview. But what if it all goes wrong? What if it isn’t perfection? This is what I mean by a “false start,” and in this video I talk you through what happens next if you find yourself in the wrong lane at the beginning of the next leg of your journey.
Celebration vs Support
Stop celebrating and start supporting! It’s been a month since we concluded Women’s History Month – a month in which we celebrate women. It’s a wonderful time of year, but it’s not enough. Find out how you can support and truly accelerate women in the workplace.
Now You Can Predict Employee Turnover
There is one thing that is 10x more powerful in predicting employee turnover than any other indicator. And it’s the one in which Gen Z is more likely to leave its employer compared to any other generation. Find out what that predictor is and the strategy to mitigate.
How to Advocate for Yourself Without Sounding Arrogant
A statement I often hear: “Colleen, I know I’m supposed to advocate for myself, but I don’t want to sound arrogant.” Sound familiar? Learn the strategy we recommend to showcase your strengths without coming across as vain or smug. Bonus – it’s one of the same strategies we recommend to mobilize people, including in your negotiations!
Surprising Opportunity for You and Your Employees
One of our obsessions at The Corporate Refinery is the acceleration of women in leadership, yet one of the challenges organizations share is the lack of ready-now female leaders in the pipeline. While we know several of the major causes, there’s one culprit that’s been on the radar and could be the main reason your company is experiencing this issue. Here I address this issue and what organizations could be doing to shift and create change today.
Where are the Women in the Leadership Pipeline?
One of our obsessions at The Corporate Refinery is the acceleration of women in leadership, yet one of the challenges organizations share is the lack of ready-now female leaders in the pipeline. While we know several of the major causes, there’s one culprit that’s been on the radar and could be the main reason your company is experiencing this issue. Here I address this issue and what organizations could be doing to shift and create change today.
Avoid This Communication Mistake
Stop making this mistake in your communication! Ever have a peer talk over you during a meeting? Or a direct report miss a deadline? Or possibly a senior leader is suddenly short and rude to you? In situations such as these, even the most well-intentioned leaders will make this common mistake. Find out what to avoid and then how to properly approach the communication so everyone wins!
New Leadership Alone Won’t Solve the Problems
New leadership team, same old problems! This is exactly what I heard at a conference I spoke at last week. One particular executive shared that their mostly white, male leadership team transitioned to an extremely diverse one, yet they’re facing the same problems. I’m not surprised! We know that a new leadership team alone won’t solve many of the challenges in organizations, but we do know what will. Find out in this video.
Leadership Lesson from The Office
A positive leadership lesson from The Office. I’ve used several clips from the television show The Office as examples of what NOT to do as a leader! But after listening to an interview with Steve Carell, there’s much to learn about what TO do from the behind-the-scenes of the show. In this video, I share one of the biggest leadership lessons from this show for you to foster a supportive environment.
The Missing Ingredient for Advancing Women
We believe there are four ingredients to keeping your employees happy, but unfortunately, one of them is often missing when it comes to advancing women, especially women into leadership positions. Find out in this video which one is missing and what you can begin doing to create change today.
It’s Hard to Let Go
I broke up with my boyfriend! It was in 8th grade and it wasn’t easy. In fact, I avoided it for several weeks because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. The funny thing is, I often see managers doing the same. It’s hard to let go! In this week’s video, uncover the costs when you hold on for too long.
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Books

Women Who Ignite
Best-Selling Book
A collection of 20 women’s enlightening stories to reconnect, uplift and inspire your soul’s journey

Why Didn’t Anybody Tell Me Sh!t Before
Hard-won lessons from women who’ve been there – written as letters to their future selves.
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