Leslie Grossman Featured On: the Women Road Warriors Podcast
The Power of Building Collaborative Relationships
What if the real key to success isn’t hustle — but collaboration?
​
In this compelling episode of Women Road Warriors, Shelley Johnson and Kathy Tuccaro explore The Power of Collaborative Relationships with leadership expert and author Leslie Grossman. A visionary in women’s leadership development, Leslie is the Faculty Director of the Women’s Leadership Program at The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, a Senior Fellow, executive coach, and founder of five businesses.
​
For years, women have been told to push harder, compete smarter, and climb alone. Leslie offers a different path — one rooted in courage, executive presence, trusted relationships, and intentional collaboration.
​
Drawing from her groundbreaking book Circles of Collaboration, she reveals how women can access mentorship and sponsorship, create inclusive professional networks, and build authentic relationships that accelerate career growth. She also shares insights from her transformative framework, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Women, showing how collaboration fuels confidence, influence, and momentum.
​
If you’re ready to shift from solo striving to shared success, this conversation will change how you think about leadership, connection, and power.
​
Because when women collaborate, they don’t just advance — they transform industries.
🎧 Listen now and discover how collaborative relationships can elevate your leadership and your life.
​
https://www.lesliegrossmanvision.com/
https://lesliegrossmanleadership.com/about/
Leslie Grossman Featured On: Soul of a Leader
Circles of Collaboration
In Episode 118 of the Soul of a Leader Podcast, we welcome Leslie Grossman, accomplished author, executive leader, and nationally recognized advocate for women in leadership at George Washington University.
​
Leslie brings decades of experience working at the intersection of policy, influence, and impact. As a thought leader and author, she has dedicated her career to advancing women’s leadership, strengthening civic engagement, and shaping meaningful dialogue across sectors. Her work at GW reflects a deep commitment to empowering leaders who understand that influence is not about position — it is about purpose.
​
In this powerful conversation, Leslie shares:
-
What it truly means to lead within systems of power
-
How women can navigate influence with confidence and clarity
-
The importance of voice, visibility, and values in leadership
-
Why policy and leadership must work together to create lasting change​
This episode is a masterclass in strategic leadership, authenticity, and impact.
​
If you are committed to leading beyond titles and into transformation, this conversation will inspire you to step more fully into your voice and your influence.
​
5 Words of Wisdom
-
Influence Is Earned Through Substance, Not Title
-
Your Voice Is a Leadership Asset
-
Policy Shapes Possibility
-
Visibility Requires Confidence and Clarity
-
Purpose Anchors Sustainable Leadership
-
​
Five Key Learning Points
-
Leadership is not about proximity to power — it is about preparation, credibility, and consistent contribution. Real influence is built through knowledge, integrity, and action.
-
Silence does not protect impact. Leaders must cultivate the courage to speak strategically, advocate clearly, and use their platform with intention.
-
Understanding systems, structures, and governance expands your ability to create change. Leadership inside institutions requires both vision and procedural fluency.
-
Women in leadership must own their expertise without apology. When clarity meets confidence, visibility becomes power.
-
Titles evolve. Roles shift. Influence expands. But purpose is the steady foundation that sustains a leader through complexity and change.
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.
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 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.






