Lori Mazan is the Co-Founder, President, and Chief Coaching Officer of Sounding Board, a leadership development firm offering a tech-driven, human-centric approach to leadership development. With over 25 years of executive coaching experience, she has provided tens of thousands of coaching sessions to top leaders, including Fortune 100 CEOs and venture-backed startup executives. Lori is among the first 250 coaches globally to be certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF). She is also the author of Leadership Revolution: The Future of Developing Dynamic Leaders, which explores innovative approaches to leadership development.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:12] Lori Mazan’s journey from social work to executive coaching and tech leadership
- [9:41] How Lori and her co-founder built Sounding Board
- [16:37] Why women should take risks
- [21:49] The role of leadership coaching in professional development
- [25:29] Lori shares concepts from her book Leadership Revolution
- [31:02] The power matching strategy: how to assert yourself in male-dominated spaces
In this episode...
Many women leaders struggle with adapting to change, inspiring their teams, and making confident decisions in high-stakes environments. With evolving leadership expectations, how can executives and entrepreneurs develop the skills to thrive in today’s fast-moving world?
Executive coach Lori Mazan emphasizes the role of coaching in developing dynamic leaders. Coaching allows leaders to clarify their desires, develop resilience and adaptability, and challenge binary thinking. Through power matching — a technique for asserting presence in leadership interactions without overpowering or backing down — leaders can navigate complex workplace dynamics with confidence.
In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Lori Mazan, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Coaching Officer at Sounding Board, about leadership development. Lori explains why women leaders must embrace risk-taking, how to secure venture capital through persistence, and the importance of shifting your mindset.
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- “Stop fixing yourself. You’re good the way you are. Just get clear on what you want and go for it.”
- “Venture capital is all about the future. Investors want to see the dream, not just the numbers.”
- “If you can think of it, you can do it. Don’t let anyone else tell you no.”
- “Leadership isn’t about reacting; it’s about being at choice in how you navigate change.”
- “Power matching is about meeting authority where it is — not shrinking or overpowering, but standing strong.”
Action Steps:
- Take risks from where you are now: Don’t wait until you feel fully prepared. The right moment is now, and taking action will create momentum.
- Ask why when faced with rejection: If someone says no — whether for funding, a job, or an opportunity — ask why, fix the issue, and try again.
- Practice power matching: When encountering dominant personalities, match their energy instead of shrinking or overcompensating. This creates an equal power dynamic.
- Adopt a nonbinary mindset: Instead of choosing between two limited options, seek a third, better solution that expands possibilities.
- Get a leadership coach: Having a thinking partner who pushes you to reach your goals can be the difference between stagnation and success.
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This episode is brought to you by Lead Like a Woman, a podcast dedicated to empowering women to unlock their leadership potential and amplify their voices.
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