Advertise on podcast: The Balanced Leader
Rating
5from
This podcast has
104 episodes
Explicit
No
Date created
2024/11/02
Latest episode
2026/09/30
Average duration
25 min.
Release period
6 days
Description
Are you a woman in leadership feeling lost and frustrated in a male-dominated workplace? Do you struggle with confidence, assertiveness, and managing emotions in professional conflicts? You're not alone. The Balanced Leader is your guide to mastering the often-overlooked soft skills crucial for women in management. Each episode delivers practical strategies to help you: *Boost Your Confidence Learn techniques to advocate for yourself effectively and assert your value in the workplace. *Navigate Workplace Dynamics Discover how to handle difficult conversations, manage conflicts, and build trust with team members. *Develop Emotional Intelligence Gain insights on balancing logic with empathy, and learn to leverage emotions for better leadership. *Cultivate Authentic Leadership Embrace your unique strengths as a woman leader without compromising your true self. You'll gain actionable advice to transform your leadership style, advance your career, and create positive change in your organization. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this podcast will equip you with the tools to thrive in today's corporate landscape. It's time to bridge the skill gap and unleash your full potential as a woman in leadership. Follow now and take the first step towards becoming the confident, assertive, and emotionally intelligent leader you're meant to be.
Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from The Balanced Leader podcast
102. How to Be Heard: Why Brilliant Women Go Quiet in High-Stakes Rooms
2026/09/30
You can be completely confident in your expertise and still walk into one room and feel like you lose access to the woman you were five minutes earlier. You know what you think. You know what needs to happen. But when the stakes are higher and the power dynamics shift, you may find yourself explaining more, softening your position, or leaving the conversation wondering why you didn’t just say what you wanted to say.
In this episode, I share why brilliant women often struggle to be heard in high-stakes rooms, and why the issue is not a lack of confidence. I break down what happens to women under pressure, including the ways we protect ourselves through patterns like shrinking, pleasing, fixing, over-controlling, or managing other people’s perceptions. You’ll learn how to recognize these patterns, reconnect with your authority, and practice the Command states that allow you to show up with grounded power and presence.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/102
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
Join Me in COMMAND: A 6-month Leadership Accelerator for Women
2026/09/24
You’ve built a career most people admire. You have the experience. The track record. The seat at the table.
And yet, in the rooms that matter most, you can still feel yourself calculating. Should I say it? How will this land? Am I being too direct? Do I need to explain more?
You’re not unsure of your ideas. You’re calculating the cost of fully owning them. And at this level of your career, it can quietly cost you visibility, influence, and opportunities you’ve already earned.
You don’t need another certification or another lesson in how to “be more confident.” You need a different way to lead under pressure. Not a different version of you. A more fully expressed one.
That's what I teach you in Command.
Click here to join or learn more about Command
101. Assertive Authentic Communication: How to Say What You Mean Without Losing Connection
2026/09/23
Authentic communication isn’t about saying whatever comes naturally. It’s about aligning what you say externally with what you truly think, feel, want, value, and choose internally. Sometimes what feels “natural” is simply a communication pattern you’ve practiced for years, not what is actually most aligned with who you are.
In this episode, I walk you through the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication, and why the goal isn’t to choose between clarity and connection. You'll learn how to recognize wishy-washy communication, stop making people guess what you mean, and practice the four steps of assertive authentic communication: align, express, connect, and hold.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/101
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
100. The Anger Advantage: Why High-Achieving Women Need to Stop Avoiding Anger
2026/09/16
What if the emotion you’ve been taught to control, hide, or get rid of could actually become one of your greatest leadership advantages?
In this episode, I share why anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions in leadership and why so many high-achieving women struggle to stay present with it, whether it’s their own anger or someone else’s. This is crucial to your career because as your leadership grows, your ability to hold difficult emotions without immediately reacting, fixing, or shrinking back becomes a key part of your emotional capacity.
Tune in this week to learn why avoiding anger can limit your leadership, how your relationship with other people’s emotions impacts your ability to lead, and how building emotional capacity allows you to stay connected to yourself while navigating high-stakes moments.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/100
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
99. From Leading Global IRONMAN Events to COMMANDing Her Next Level with Katie Svenson
2026/09/09
What happens when your identity expands beyond your title?
In this episode, I’m joined by COMMAND member Katie Svenson, a global events expert with nearly two decades of experience working on major sporting events, from IRONMAN to FIFA. Katie shares her journey of expanding beyond the identity of being an Ironman employee, trusting herself through major life transitions, and stepping into a bigger vision for both her career and her life.
Together, we explore the identity expansion that happens when you stop looking outside yourself for permission and begin seeing yourself as the leader you already are. Katie shares how her experience inside COMMAND helped her strengthen self-trust, recognize her own authority, embrace discernment, and make decisions that align with the life she truly wants.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/99
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
98. Why High-Achieving Women Overexplain: From Convincing to Convicted
2026/09/02
Have you ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “Why did I say so much?” You made your point, someone challenged it, and suddenly you found yourself explaining, defending, and repeating your perspective because you needed them to understand.
In this episode, I’m exploring the subtle difference between convincing energy and convicted energy. High-achieving women often overexplain not because they lack knowledge or confidence, but because they become emotionally attached to getting someone else to see things the way they see them. The moment you move from “this is what I believe” to “I need you to believe me,” you start giving away your authority.
This week, you’ll learn how to recognize when you’ve shifted from conviction into convincing, why overexplaining can weaken your leadership presence, and how to communicate with clarity while staying grounded in yourself.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/98
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
97. The Cost of Indecision: Why High-Performing Women Wait to Make the Move with Katy Nicholson
2026/08/26
What is Waiting Costing You?
How long have you known it’s time to make a change, but kept yourself stuck in the space between deciding and acting? In this episode, I sit down with Command member Katy Nicholson to talk about what happens when high-performing women feel out of alignment but struggle to trust themselves enough to make the move.
Katy shares her journey from spending years questioning whether to stay in a successful role to realizing that the energy she was spending on indecision was far greater than the energy required to make the decision. You’ll learn why fear doesn’t disappear before a big decision, how listening to your emotions can reveal what needs to change, and why surrounding yourself with the right support can help you trust yourself and step into your next level of leadership.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/97
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
96. Assertive Communication for Women Leaders: How to Speak with Conviction
2026/08/19
Have you ever said yes while your entire body was saying no? You know what you want to say, but you hesitate, over-explain, or soften your message because you’re worried about how others will respond. The challenge isn’t that you need better communication scripts. It’s that assertive communication requires something deeper: the embodied conviction to trust yourself, hold your ground, and stand behind what you say.
In this episode, I explore why so many women struggle to communicate with conviction and how reconnecting with your will can transform the way you lead. You’ll learn how to build the muscle memory behind assertive communication, strengthen your command energy, and align your words, body, and decisions so you can lead with greater clarity, authority, and self-trust.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/96
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
How to Stop Getting Talked Over in High-Stakes Meetings (Even If You’re the Only Woman in the Room)
2026/08/17
This is a free, private leadership brief revealing the 5 ways high-performing women lose authority mid-conversation—and how to shift it immediately
Download the brief and identify the one pattern that’s costing you authority—so you can shift it before your next meeting: https://thebalancedleader.captivate.fm/5ways
95. Why Brilliant Women Struggle to Advocate for Themselves (Self-Advocacy Isn’t Selfish)
2026/08/12
How often do you prioritize “we” over “me”? You’re proud of your team, you care deeply about the people around you, and you want everyone to succeed. But when the “we” becomes so important that you disappear from your own story, your contribution, ambition, and leadership can get overlooked.
In this episode, I explore why so many brilliant women struggle with self-advocacy, not because they lack confidence, but because they’ve been conditioned to believe that advocating for themselves is selfish. We’ll look at why women often minimize their accomplishments, confuse humility with invisibility, and redirect recognition instead of owning the value they bring. You’ll learn how to shift from disappearing in the “we” to owning your role in the story.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/95
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
94. How to Grow Your Command Energy
2026/08/05
Have you ever walked into a meeting knowing exactly what you wanted to say, only to question yourself the moment someone challenged your idea or questioned your expertise? You may think you need more confidence or better executive presence, but the foundation of powerful leadership starts somewhere deeper: your ability to command yourself first.
In this episode, I break down the three foundations of command energy and why they are essential for women who want to lead with more authority, presence, and trust in themselves. We explore why self-trust allows you to stay grounded in high-pressure moments, how building emotional capacity helps you navigate discomfort without letting it control you, and why inner authority matters more than seeking validation from the outside.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/94
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
93. Stop Negotiating with Yourself
2026/07/29
Has this ever happened to you? You know exactly what you want, what you believe, and what’s true in your bones, but then you start negotiating with yourself. Maybe you tell yourself to wait, maybe you question if you’re wrong, or worry about how others will feel. Most high-achieving women fall into this pattern. Spinning between fear, uncertainty, and the need to manage outcomes keeps you stuck and drains your confidence.
In this episode, I break down why negotiating with yourself silently undermines your self-trust and leadership authority. I guide you through a framework to identify where you’re negotiating with yourself, distinguish facts from your personal truth, and consciously rewrite the story you tell yourself so that it empowers rather than paralyzes you.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/93
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
92. Why Smart Women Leaders Spin & How Discernment Changes Everything
2026/07/22
Spinning can feel productive, but it often leaves you drained, second-guessing, and stuck. It’s not that you lack skill or knowledge—it’s that uncertainty is being mismanaged, and your brain treats the unknown like a threat. In this episode, you’ll see how spinning shows up in your nervous system, your thoughts, and your body, and why learning to pause and choose intentionally allows you to act with clarity, trust, and confidence even when outcomes are uncertain.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/92
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
91. Stop Letting Uncertainty Hijack Your Leadership
2026/07/15
How many opportunities have you delayed because you couldn’t guarantee the outcome? Promotions, projects, business decisions, and investments can all feel risky when the path isn’t clear.
In this episode, I discuss why trying to engineer for certainty can lead to self-sabotage, delayed decisions, and missed opportunities. You’ll learn how to stop letting uncertainty hijack your leadership and how to trust yourself to act decisively even when you can’t control the outcome.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/91
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
90. Why Self-Trust Matters More Than Confidence
2026/07/08
It’s not a lack of confidence holding you back. It’s trusting yourself to make the call, even when the outcome is unknown.
After coaching hundreds of women over the past five years, I’ve seen that the ability to act despite uncertainty is what separates capable leaders from confident ones. In this episode, I show you why self-trust is the foundation of leadership and how to build it even when you’re scared, uncertain, or hearing no.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/90
Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang
Mentioned in this episode:
COMMAND™ Leadership Accelerator - YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Join me for COMMAND™ (A 6-Month Leadership Accelerator)
When: October 7, 2026 – March 2027 on Wednesdays | 1:00–2:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom
Click here to join or learn more about Command
Podcast reviews
Read The Balanced Leader podcast reviews
Kabostwick 2026/03/15
Validation + Reality + Evolution = Change
Run - don’t walk — to subscribe! Yann’s podcasts are an essential for women leaders and aspiring ambitious women leaders. There are countless podcast...
TickStrong (Words w/ Friends AllStar) 2024/11/26
Superb!
I have two words. Thank you!
Benny Blanco 2 2024/11/13
Great content.
Thank you Yann!!! Your podcast is loaded with great content. I like how you steer listeners to having more meaningful interactions with coworkers and ...
SElnBG 2024/11/10
Actionable Coaching To Move Forward
Easy to follow with practical advice, “how to’s” … and very helpful real life cases to bring the challenges and how to move forward. Well worth the l...
clareochoa! 2024/11/10
Powerful podcast every leader needs to listen !
Yann shares practical tools to implement immediately that are simple and doable. I’ve been sharing it with my clients and colleagues who are thanking...
MildlyAnnoysDog 2024/11/09
Insightful and thought provoking
As always, Yann gets me thinking about all the ways I can show up more for myself and others. Her questions make you stop and think and grow.
CABaxtersMom 2024/11/09
Practical & Real - Live this Podcast
I love Yann’s energy and insights. This Podcast is so real, with practical insights from working with people experiencing the same things I am. It m...
Caitmoi 2024/11/09
Amazing!
Yann does a fantastic job explaining how to challenge our emotions and slow down to ensure our voices are clearly heard. Thank you for putting your th...
Fellow Female Leader 2024/11/09
Practical advice and useful information
From one female leader to another, Yann manages to feel like a personal friend while sharing with the masses.
Jason-London 2024/11/09
Valuable for men too!
Whilst targeted toward women working in male-dominated workspaces, Yann’s insights as to how family dynamics, fear & self-doubt might create unhelpful...