Leslie Grossman Featured On: Attract and Standout Podcast with Darlene Hawley
Discover the Power of Connection and Circles of Support for Entrepreneurial Success
Welcome back to another episode of the Attract and Standout Podcast! I'm your host, Darlene Hawley and today I'm thrilled to interview Leslie Grossman, a trailblazer in leadership, gender equality, and women's empowerment.
Leslie is an accomplished executive coach, dynamic keynote speaker, and respected researcher. She shares her journey of transforming executives and entrepreneurs with her insights and actionable strategies for success. Leslie discusses the pivotal moment in her career influenced by the 9/11 tragedy and how it led her to focus on helping women grow multimillion-dollar businesses.
We dive into the importance of having a clear vision and building circles of collaboration for achieving success. Tune in to learn valuable tips on networking, creating deep connections, and finding your supportive community to thrive both personally and professionally.
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and let's amplify the voices of amazing women together. #WomenEmpowerment #Leadership #Networking #entrepreneurship
00:22 Meet Leslie Grossman: A Trailblazer in Leadership
01:42 Leslie's Journey: From 9/11 to Empowering Women
05:34 The Power of Vision and Collaboration
10:56 Building Deep Connections and Circles of Support
20:49 Creating Safe Spaces and Community Support
24:14 Leslie's Future Plans and Final Thoughts
31:54 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks
For nearly two decades, Leslie Grossman has been a trailblazer in leadership, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. An accomplished executive coach, dynamic keynote speaker, and highly regarded researcher, Leslie transforms executives and entrepreneurs alike with her insights and actionable strategies for success. Leslie made her mark in New York City by founding the Women’s Leadership Exchange, the first national conference program for women entrepreneurs and executives. Over its 10-year run, she built a powerful platform that inspired thousands of women to reach new heights in their careers and businesses. Today, as Faculty Director and Senior Fellow of the Executive Women’s Leadership Program at The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, Leslie is a thought leader shaping the next generation of women leaders.
Leslie is also the author of three impactful books, including her latest, ‘Start with Vision’ (Apricity Publishing). This practical handbook equips women to craft and achieve their personal and professional visions through the 7 Tenets of Leadership: Vision, Presence, Communication, Mindset, Collaboration Circles, Courage, and Confidence. Her innovative framework provides a clear pathway for women to excel at every career stage. Previous books: LINK OUT: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connections (Wiley), SELLsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market, Women Entrepreneurs and Executives (WPE Press).
Leslie’s speeches and programs are uniquely tailored to resonate across diverse settings, including corporate environments, academic institutions, and women’s organizations. Whether she’s addressing senior executives, college students, or professional networks, or leading workshops online or in person, Leslie’s presentations are designed to connect deeply, offering audiences the tools to break barriers, step into leadership, and create a legacy of impact. With her research on women in senior leadership, Leslie offers unparalleled expertise and fresh perspectives.
From running a successful communications business in NYC to launching a groundbreaking leadership conference, and the Her Circle Leadership Coach Training Program, Leslie has a track record of transforming ideas into successful movements. Her programs seamlessly adapt to corporate, academic, and organizational contexts, ensuring meaningful impact in every environment.
Leslie, has a BA in Business/Psychology from The George Washington University and studied for a masters in Counseling Education at New York University. She grew up in York PA, raised her family in New York and presently lives in Connecticut. She is the mother of two successful adults, married to a supportive and patient husband, and grandparent to four amazing children – 2 boys and 2 girls.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliegrossmanleadership/
-----
Hi I'm Darlene Hawley, and I help entrepreneurs and executive leaders find their voice and mastering communication in high-stakes conversations and presentations, whether in the boardroom, on a sales call, or around the dinner table.
Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide
Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline
Grab a Chai and let's Connect:
Leslie Grossman Featured On: Judging Meghan with Meghan Judge
Circles of Collaboration: Building Authentic Connections for Growth
​
Watch on YouTube.
In this episode I sit down with executive coach, professor, and four-time author Leslie Grossman to talk about the themes of her newest book, Circles of Collaboration. Drawing from her decades of experience in leadership and her upbringing in a family that modeled the power of community, Leslie shares why genuine connection is more essential than ever in our families, friendships, careers, and beyond.
​
We discuss the unique ways women balance caregiving, connection, and career, and how these skills can become powerful strengths when used with intention. Leslie explains why women need trusted circles of support, how empathy and communication make us natural leaders, and why curiosity and authenticity always matter more than ego or desperation.
​
She also shares practical strategies for building strong, reciprocal relationships—whether you are reentering the workforce, navigating career setbacks, or trying to avoid burnout in a world dominated by screens. From reaching out with sincerity, to moving conversations beyond surface-level exchanges, to finding balance by stepping away from technology and reconnecting with nature, this episode is filled with guidance for both personal healing and professional growth.
​
This heartfelt conversation reminded me that none of us succeed alone. True resilience, purpose, and joy are born from connection, curiosity, and community, and small, sincere actions can change not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. Want to find out more? Get Leslie’s newest book Circles of Collaboration here: https://www.amazon.com/Circles-Collaboration-Christine-Merser/dp/B0FKGQD1V2
Leslie Grossman & Christine Merser Talk the Strongest Women Leaders Of 2022
Leslie Grossman and Christine Merser share their picks for the Women Leaders of 2022, with a few surprises.
Leslie's choices for Women Leaders of 2022 were all agents for positive changes: Allyson Felix, the most decorated runner in US history, was a bold voice, one which led to protections for pregnant female athletes in the world of corporate sponsorships; the late Frances Hesselbein, whose career began by transforming the Girl Scouts USA into a modern, diverse, organization, and became one of most respected leadership experts in the world; and Nancy Pelosi, the first and only female speaker of the House, who stood for unpopular causes and enacted legislation supporting the well being and diversity of Americans.
Christine went back in time to Hillary Clinton, who was never on her favorites list until now. Her reasoning is interesting and challenging. Next up is Heather Cox Richardson, the historian leading the country through these dark times with perspective around what’s happening in the political news and what its historical context might be. And, her last choice, is the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelensky, who risks it all each day to project the soul of the nation fighting for their right to exist. Correction: Christine, mistakenly, said Pelosi was not on list for the leaders this year. She was on the Forbes list as 25 on the Forbes 100 women list.
Cassidy Hutchinson & the Seven Tenets of Women Leaders
Cassidy Hutchinson, the woman who stunned the nation earlier this week with the information she shared about that day in infamy, January 6, 2021, was also stellar in the way she told her story. Leslie Grossman walks through why and how she made such an impact. She has all the tenets that are taught in the Her Circle Leadership program.
15 on Leadership: Courage in Leadership
Courage is under fire in Ukraine. Margareta Kull, founder of Kull Leadership in Sweden and author of the new book, The Courageous Leader, dissects the internal thought process of the most courageous leaders and how Ukraine's President Zelensky exhibits it, and inspires his followers - the Ukrainian People - to also show amazing courage
The New Leadership Coaching Program from Leslie Grossman
After years of providing one on one and group programs for women’s leadership across the country, Leslie is moving to providing business coaches with her tool box for success for women’s parity and confidence in gaining access to their leader roles. You will not want to miss some of the tools, and the establishment of the need to provide these tools for all coaches to use as they assist women grow.
The Inner Circle's Cary Broussard Invites Her Circle Leadership Founder Leslie Grossman & Other DE&I Laders to MLK Day Panel
Our C2CEO panelists had a lively MLK discussion to bring people together and work toward a more just world.
Leslie Grossman & Christine Merser Talk the Strongest Women Leaders Of 2021
Leslie Grossman, founder of Her Circle Leadership, and Christine Merser, Leader of Blue Shoe, each show up at the Circle Leadership table with three picks for the strongest Women Leaders of 2021. You may be surprised at their picks with some controversy, too. Don’t miss this podcast to hear how the women chosen show the leadership qualities of vision, courage, focus, collaboration and communication. Who are your picks? And why did you pick them. We’d love to know and we may highlight them, too!
Leslie Grossman Chats with Deb Boulanger on Life After Corporate Podcast
Life After Corporate podcast host, Entrepreneur Growth Coach Extraordinaire Deb Boulanger invited me to talk about how Mindset makes a difference when you lead your own business or want to take control of your career.
Leslie Grossman Chats with Stephanie Cartin & Courtney Spritzer
Circle Leadership launches our podcast series with Inner Circle members Stephanie Cartin and Courtney Spritzer, partners & creators of Entreprenista League and Socialfly.
15 on Leadership: Join Biz Organizations
Part 3 of the 3 Part Series: Join Biz Organizations
​
Activate your leadership with 2 organizations where you can connect, grow your Circle, contribute and learn! Join and get active!
15 on Leadership: Relationship Building
Part 2 of the 3 Part Series: 3 Actions to Boost Your Career or Business
Action 2: Build one relationship each week for the next 6 weeks.
​
No one succeeds alone. Listen to this podcast for a strategy sure to
grow your Circle of Influence.