Resources for Executive Women Leaders
Practical tools, insights, and strategies to support you as a woman in leadership.
Here you’ll find a curated library of articles, guides, and conversations designed to help you thrive — not just survive — in executive life. Whether you’re leading a team, influencing change, or navigating what’s next, these resources are here to support you.
Explore Resources by Topic
WHY I’VE CREATED THESE RESOURCES
Leadership can be deeply rewarding — and equally demanding.
Even the most experienced leaders need moments of reflection, recalibration, and reassurance. These resources were created as an extension of my coaching work: to give you access to support, strategies, and perspective wherever you are in your leadership journey.
Scroll below to find the area that most resonates with where you are right now.
BURNOUT RESOURCES FOR EXECUTIVE WOMEN
Burnout can sneak up quietly — disguised as dedication, productivity, or service to others. These resources are here to help you recognise the warning signs early and recover in ways that sustain both your wellbeing and your impact.
They’ll guide you to create rhythms, boundaries, and renewal practices that allow you to keep leading — without losing yourself along the way.
STILL TREATING BUSY AS A BADGE OF HONOUR?
When I was burning out, “Busy!” was my go-to response when people asked me (casually or not) how I was. There were whole conversations that revolved around how ‘busy’ we were, because invariably my ‘busy’ response evoked a “yeah, me too!” in reply. Now, I’m not saying we WEREN’T busy. Indeed, ‘busy’ was code for…
Choose the discomfort
It’s funny how we so often think boundaries are for other people. Boundaries are for us. When somebody’s overstepped our boundary, it’s so often because we’ve opened the gate and beckoned them in. Or at least stood at the front door and allowed them to walk on through. When you’re feeling the onset of burnout,…
THE ICKY, GUILT-LADEN, UNCOMFORTABLE NO
Here’s a little schadenfreude for my executive women clients. I am the Queen of Boundaries, at least when I’m coaching others. I have some simple, elegant and thoroughly useful scripts for saying “no”, and I know through experience — my own and my clients’ — that they work. Well, most of the time they work.…
A lack of planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on yours.
You know, I get it. Executive women are very often service-centred leaders. The idea of letting somebody down, whether or not it’s our responsibility to help them, is anathema to us. We inhale it with the ‘good girl’ principles of supporting, of fixing, of caring, of pleasing that we breathe in from our earliest days.…
IMPOSTER SYNDROME RESOURCES FOR EXECUTIVE WOMEN
Even at the highest levels, self-doubt can linger. Imposter syndrome often shows up as perfectionism, over-preparation, or fear of being “found out.” These resources help you understand where that inner critic comes from and how to transform it into confidence and clarity.
They’re designed to help you own your success — and lead from a place of grounded self-assurance.
COULD YOUR PERFECTIONISM BE HOLDING OTHERS BACK?
Are you micromanaging? As a leadership coach for executive women, I often see this pattern emerge from a place of excellence and high standards. You’ve built your career on attention to detail and consistent delivery. Now, as a leader, those same qualities might be holding both you and your team back. Signs you might be…
WHAT’S BENEATH THAT NAGGING NEED TO APOLOGISE?
‘Oh, it was really the team who pulled that off…’‘I should have xxxed better…’‘It was my fault it didn’t meet expectations…’ Recognise these responses to praise or setbacks? Have you heard yourself saying one or more of these? In coaching executive women, I’ve noticed how often we deflect praise while absorbing blame — diminishing our…
30 WAYS YOU’RE NOT ENOUGH (OR ELSE YOU’RE TOO MUCH BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE WOMAN THING)
“There is always an excuse masquerading as a reason given for a woman about why she’s not quite right for any role,” says Leanne Dzubinski PhD, talking about the updated research she’s undertaken with Amy Diehl, PhD and Amber Stephenson and published in the peer-reviewed Human Resource Development Quarterly. The research indicates 30 types of…
Tame your imposter! Identify yours…
Tame Your Imposter: Know the Types That Trip You Up If you’re stepping into a new role, leading a new team, or facing a new challenge this year, it’s perfectly normal to hear that inner voice whispering, “What if I’m not ready?” That’s the familiar tug of imposter syndrome — and it comes in many…
EMOTIONAL MASTERY RESOURCES FOR WOMEN LEADERS
Emotional mastery is the key to leading with composure, empathy, and strength. These resources will help you navigate difficult conversations, manage pressure with calm, and bring emotional intelligence into every level of your leadership.
It’s about cultivating the presence that others trust — and that you can rely on, even in challenging moments.
WHOSE ANXIETY CAN YOU EASE TODAY?
How are you doing at the moment? How are you REALLY doing? How do you think your team members are doing? For many executive women — and I include myself in this — things feel uncertain and heavy in the world right now. And when it feels that way for us, you can be damned…
Find your circle, my love!
The Power of a Women’s Network: Find Your Circle Connection is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. In this heartfelt message from Wales, Women Leading Women Australia founder Karen Brinkley reflects on the power of belonging and the magic that happens when women lift each other up. Why your circle matters A strong women’s…
Find the people who lift and challenge you
The Women Leading Women Syndicate It’s 1 a.m. in Australia and Women Leading Women founder Karen Brinkley is online with her own circle of leaders — a community that mirrors the connection, support, and brilliance found in The Women Leading Women Syndicate. These spaces remind us that leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. Connection that…
Managing your emotions
How to Handle Uncomfortable Emotions Frustration, anger, guilt, fear — these feelings can feel heavy, but they are not your enemies. In this short video, Women Leading Women Australia founder Karen Brinkley explains how to understand and release uncomfortable emotions before they cause long-term harm. Why emotions matter Every emotion serves a purpose. Even the…
SOFT POWER LEADERSHIP RESOURCES FOR WOMEN EXECUTIVES
Soft Power Leadership is about influence, not dominance. It’s the ability to lead with integrity, wisdom, and authenticity — shaping outcomes without shouting to be heard.
These resources explore how to use empathy, values, and vision as powerful tools of leadership that inspire genuine followership and meaningful change.
CURIOUS?
How can you bring curiosity to any challenges you encounter today, instead of judgement? Why would you want to? For all sorts of reasons that mean better outcomes for you and your work. Bringing curiosity instead of judgement helps you manage any anxiety attached to a challenge. It helps you stay grounded and optimistic about…
ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH?
I’ve been working with some of my clients on the issue of executive courage, the quality we’ve agreed is far more important and far more challenging to achieve than executive presence. But the absence of executive courage? Now that really IS a challenge. What are the costs of NOT bringing courage into your executive leadership?…
An antidote to women bullying others
The Power of an Executive Women’s Syndicate Power doesn’t have to divide — it can unite. In this short video, Women Leading Women Australia founder Karen Brinkley explores how an Executive Women’s Syndicate creates a rare kind of leadership circle: one built on trust, safety, and shared purpose. Why safe spaces matter As women rise…
How do you use the power you have?
Executive Women in Leadership: Redefining Power What does power really mean for executive women in leadership? In this powerful reflection, Women Leading Women Australia founder Karen Brinkley explores how shifting our mindset about power can change not only how we lead, but what we make possible for others. Rethinking power The Latin root of the…
READY TO GO DEEPER?
These resources are a starting point — the spark for reflection and growth. But real transformation happens when insight meets intentional action.
If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, let’s start a conversation about how coaching or group programs can support you.