Find Your Authenticity

Donna Griffit is a corporate storyteller and Communication Coach at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where she works with students to improve their communication, executive presence, writing, storytelling, and pitching. For 30 years, Donna has worked with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors in 30 countries, helping them create, edit, and deliver powerful presentations. She is also the author of Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:12] Donna Griffit’s leap from working for a pet company to becoming an entrepreneur
  • [7:33] The elements of corporate storytelling
  • [16:31] Why you should embrace serendipitous moments
  • [23:01] How to obtain additional business funding for women
  • [29:05] Donna’s winning formula for crafting pitches
  • [32:15] Advice for women to generate sales

In this episode...

While women entrepreneurs have received significantly more funding in recent years, less than 2% of all VC funding goes toward female founders. How can you amplify women’s voices to ensure they receive fair funding?

According to pitch and storytelling alchemist Donna Griffit, the key to capturing investors’ attention is a compelling pitch. Her four-acts formula is based on universal archetypes startups can leverage to simplify their pitches. It involves identifying the villain as the problem, the solution as the hero, the business plan as the hero’s course of action, and the vision for the future as the happy ending. This creates a well-structured pitch that positions you as an authority figure. Founders should also prepare lists of answers to potential investor questions.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Donna Griffit about crafting winning startup pitches. Donna shares why she embraces serendipitous moments, how to generate more sales, and the essential elements of corporate storytelling.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I see life as a series of serendipitous signposts. Sometimes, in the moment of the greatest crisis lies opportunity.”
  • “The real alchemy happens when you realize it’s not about you; it’s about them.”
  • “The most important character in that story is the damn audience.”
  • “Think like them wanting to buy. It’s about the audience, not about you.”
  • “Find the best in yourself. Find it within you, front and center.”
Action Steps:
  1. Embrace the villain in your story: Understanding the “villain” or the problem your audience faces is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative. This approach helps you connect deeply with your audience by addressing the innate challenges they are eager to overcome, making your story more relatable and impactful.
  2. Adopt the four-act structure: Use Donna Griffit’s four-act framework — the problem, the solution, the business plan, and the vision for the future, to organize your storytelling. This structured approach ensures clarity and flow, making your message more coherent and persuasive.
  3. Know your audience intimately: Tailoring your story to reflect your audience’s needs and experiences allows them to see themselves in your narrative. This personalization transforms your storytelling from a self-focused pitch to a meaningful dialogue with the audience, enhancing engagement and impact.
  4. Cultivate authenticity in your narrative: Find your unique voice and style rather than mimicking others, as authenticity fosters trust and connection. This genuine approach helps create a memorable impression, allowing your story to resonate more deeply with your audience.
  5. Prepare for questions with a comprehensive Q&A strategy: Anticipate potential questions and prepare clear, concise responses to ensure you are ready for any inquiries from your audience or investors. This preparation demonstrates your expertise and confidence, addressing concerns while reinforcing your narrative’s credibility.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Embracing Your Emotional Awareness

Leah Diteljan is the Founder of MindSpa, a global movement of leaders. As a transformative coach and retreat facilitator, she has over 16 years of experience awakening emotional awareness and fostering personal growth in Fortune 100/500 CEOs and EO and YPO entrepreneurs. Leah spent over 13 years at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), working with aspiring leaders across 30 countries and six continents.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:13] Why Leah Diteljan founded MindSpa
  • [5:46] The retreats and programs MindSpa offers leaders
  • [13:58] What Leah loves about coaching high-achieving leaders
  • [15:56] The challenges high-achievers face in their journeys
  • [18:36] Leah teases her upcoming book, Heal Leah, and her featured chapter in Lead Like a Woman
  • [25:16] Advice for stagnant women leaders

In this episode...

When high-performing leaders experience a personal setback, they often focus more on their business while ignoring their private upheaval, leading to excessive burnout. How can you tend to your emotional needs to continue excelling in business?

Emotional awareness coach Leah Diteljan urges entrepreneurs to treat their personal calamities like their business. This may involve developing a 90-day strategy to heal your emotions after a breakup. Leah has helped high-achieving women reconcile their emotions and create a sense of self-belonging through interactive retreats and experiences. Through introspective moments, leaders can learn to embrace and love every aspect of themselves.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Leah Diteljan, the Founder of MindSpa Movement, about emotional awareness for high-achieving leaders. Leah shares advice for women struggling with self-identity, the importance of intuition, and what she loves most about her career.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “Leaders create community and a sense of belonging for their teams and families.”
  • “Emotions are my greatest allies, showing where alignment is with my desires.”
  • “What went right is MindSpa; it’s an extension of the lifestyle that I live.”
  • “Awakening a sense of belonging within one’s self and with others and nature.”
  • “I’m under no obligation to be who I was five minutes ago.”
Action Steps:
  1. Stand in front of a mirror naked and compliment yourself: This increases self-acceptance and addresses the challenge of low self-esteem.
  2. Say “no” more often to prioritize personal needs: This teaches boundary setting, leading to better work-life balance.
  3. Connect with nature to find clarity and strength: Nature helps in stress reduction and mental clarity, which is essential for decision-making.
  4. Work on emotional awareness to raise consciousness: Emotional intelligence allows for better leadership and personal relationships.
  5. Develop intuition to anticipate and meet emotional needs: This improves decision-making by recognizing and addressing underlying emotions.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Allow Yourself To Be Brilliant

Jaime Mann is the Founder of The Amaryllis Project, a coaching and advisory firm for growth-oriented, high-performance women. As an advisor, coach, and connection cultivator, she helps women strengthen and grow their leadership skills and works with organizations to create a culture of connected leadership. Jaime is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:47] Jaime Mann’s journey from psychology to leadership coaching with The Amaryllis Project
  • [8:20] How Jaime found the inspiration to launch The Amaryllis Project
  • [12:44] Sensitivity as a strength and gift
  • [16:14] Methods for overcoming internal bullying
  • [21:14] The importance of connection in leadership
  • [27:52] Jaime discusses the leadership topics she speaks about
  • [31:32] How Jaime leads like a woman

In this episode...

High-performing leaders often restrict their potential by engaging in limiting self-beliefs and negative dialogues. How can you step into your full potential without letting internal voices hold you back?

Having struggled with internal and external bullying, high-performance coach Jaime Mann learned to accept and embrace her strengths. This involved altering her inner narrative, which requires practicing self-compassion by treating yourself as you would a close friend or relative. Jaime also recommends developing a close network of personal and professional connections who can support you in your leadership journey and engaging in exercises like the Johari window, which allows you to view yourself objectively.

Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston welcomes Jaime Mann, the Founder of The Amaryllis Project, to talk about redefining leadership through connection and self-love. Jaime delves into her leadership style, why she views sensitivity as a core strength, and how her psychology background led her to become a coach.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “Empowering female leaders to empower others is not just a mission; it’s a movement.”
  • “Connection to self is just as vital as connection to others.”
  • “Perfectionism isn’t a flaw; it’s a superpower that needs to be harnessed.”
  • “Sensitivity is a powerful strength, not a weakness to be hidden.”
  • “Lead yourself first before leading others.”
Action Steps:
  1. Practice self-compassion and speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend: This encourages emotional resilience and reduces self-criticism, leading to improved leadership presence.
  2. Embrace your unique strengths and allow yourself to feel proud of your achievements: This fosters self-confidence and authenticity, which are crucial for inspiring and leading teams.
  3. Cultivate deeper connections, both personally and professionally: This builds trust and engagement, which are essential for effective teamwork and leadership.
  4. Reframe negative thoughts and learn to view challenges as opportunities for growth: This promotes a growth mindset, enabling leaders to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments.
  5. Consistently ask yourself, “Why not?” when considering new opportunities or stepping outside your comfort zone: This encourages proactive decision-making and propels one toward achieving goals and embracing leadership roles.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Know What To Ignore

Connie Kwan is the CEO of 4Storyteller, where she helps leaders tell their stories. As a former product executive, she worked with companies like Microsoft, Atlassian, and six product startups. Connie has crafted and delivered thousands of stories to investors and boards to set company visions and motivate teams. She has spoken on stages at Cornell University, the Product Management Festival, and Google Tech Talk.

Connie Kwan
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:02] How Connie Kwan began researching the art of storytelling
  • [8:25] What are the four types of storytellers?
  • [10:06] Examples of stories that resonate with audiences
  • [14:18] Connie shares an anecdote of a champion storyteller in action
  • [18:37] The genesis of Nobody Studios
  • [22:14] Why Connie launched the AmplifyHer network
  • [32:55] Advice for reaching your audience through storytelling
  • [34:48] Connie talks about her leadership style

In this episode...

Many women are stuck in the Smurfette paradigm, where they compete with other women for a single leadership position in a male-dominated organization. Yet as more women fight for a seat at the table, amplifying each other’s voices becomes increasingly vital. How can you encourage women to find their voice and stand out?

Master storyteller Connie Kwan has identified four storytelling methods to help women amplify their reach and carve a niche for themselves. The champion and sage storytellers reach their audiences through emotional connections, whereas visionary and professor storytellers use logic to convince their audiences. Identifying your and your audience’s storytelling methods allows you to craft a message that conveys your needs while resonating with your audience.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Connie Kwan, the CEO of 4Storyteller, about how women can hone their storytelling techniques. Connie describes the psychological aspects of effective communication, how she leads like a woman, and her mission to amplify women’s voices.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • Where I started in engineering, storytelling was not part of the curriculum.”
  • “Knowing what to ignore is when you’ll start being really great.”
  • “Collaboration and the ability to bring all voices together, even when they’re sitting around different corners, is key.”
  • “The power of rising together is learned when we understand there are multiple seats at the table for women.”
  • “My superpower is helping managers become story-led leaders.”
Action Steps:
  1. Take a quiz to find your storyteller type: This allows individuals to understand their natural storytelling predispositions, enabling better alignment with their audience’s expectations.
  2. Craft your “why you?” story: A compelling personal story tied to your mission garners investor faith and resilience during challenging times.
  3. Practice collaborative storytelling: Collaborative environments enhance narrative richness and ensure multiple perspectives are considered, leading to more inclusive decision-making.
  4. Embrace the raw shared mindset: Sharing ideas in their nascent stages invites early collaboration and feedback that’s essential for innovation and growth.
  5. Support and amplify others: Amplifying colleagues’ and peers’ successes fosters a culture of mutual support and advancement, which is particularly crucial for marginalized voices.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Take the Plunge

Lizzie Mintus is the Founder and CEO of Here’s Waldo Recruiting, a boutique technical recruiting firm specializing in the video game space. Before founding her agency, Lizzie was a technical recruiter for Verticalmove, Inc. She received a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership from the University of Washington to enhance her leadership skills and grow her agency. Lizzie is also an ambassador at Women in Games, a platform empowering women in the gaming industry, and an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Lizzie Mintus
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:36] Lizzie Mintus’ journey from a Nordstrom sales associate to a recruiter and entrepreneur
  • [9:18] Lizzie talks about her decision to create a niche recruiting firm
  • [11:37] The growth trajectory of the gaming industry
  • [14:43] How Meta’s year of efficiency impacted Lizzie’s business
  • [16:25] Lizzie reveals her approach to leading like a woman
  • [20:35] Advice for women taking professional risks
  • [21:46] How Lizzie landed a meeting with the Founder of Xbox

In this episode...

Every entrepreneur knows that starting and managing a business means navigating market fluctuations, industry dominations and descents, and many failures. Yet among setbacks and losses, success and impact prevail.

Using her exceptional people skills, extroverted recruiter Lizzie Mintus went from losing profitable clients during Meta’s year of efficiency to landing a meeting with the Founder of Xbox. From this connection, Lizzie began paying it forward, providing her clients with valuable referrals and even offering to pay for an employee’s travel expenses to spend time with family during a crisis. Lizzie’s advice for women wanting to break into an industry with little experience is to take the risk and recognize that if it doesn’t work out, it’s never too late to start over.

In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Lizzie Mintus, the Founder and CEO of Here’s Waldo Recruiting, joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how she ventured boldly into entrepreneurship. Lizzie explains the importance of leading with empathy, the gaming industry’s evolution and growth, and why she created a niche recruiting business.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I’ve learned a lot. It was an excellent first job. You talk to people, and you have to figure out how to get people to talk to you, which is really my superpower.”
  • “I made a business plan in a notebook. It’s a simple beginning, but you never know where it might lead.”
  • “People were willing to take my call because I’d been good to them in the past. That’s the power of building long-term relationships.”
  • “You have to be somewhat crazy to start a business. If it fails, what’s the worst thing that could happen? You just get another job.”
  • “If you can’t take care of your personal life, you cannot be a good employee or a good person. So you need to take care of that first.”
Action Steps:
  1. Start building your business plan and keep iterating: Dive into the creation process of your business plan, allowing it to evolve as you gain more insight.
  2. Build and sustain long-term relationships in your network: Foster relationships by being genuinely interested in others and reaching out with personalized connections; this creates a valuable support system for entrepreneurial endeavors.
  3. Identify and leverage your unique superpower: Reflect on what comes naturally to you and use it as a cornerstone for personal and professional growth.
  4. Embrace change and learn from adversity: Adopt a flexible mindset to navigate industry shifts by reassessing and strengthening your business’ internal processes.
  5. Prioritize empathy and personal care in leadership: Lead like a woman by putting empathy at the forefront of your business decisions, which nurtures a loyal, caring workplace culture.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.