Every leader I speak to these days feels the tension: transformation is accelerating, AI is reshaping industries, employees are reevaluating what matters, and leadership expectations are higher than ever. In this environment, the choice is stark. Either cultivate workplaces where team members feel seen, valued, and empowered, or risk disengagement, turnover, and the loss of top talent.

In our latest episode of The Dr. Ginny Show podcast, I invited a powerful voice to join me: Hady Mendez, Director of Programs at Lean In Latinas, bestselling author of Calladita No More, and founder of Boldly Speaking. Together, we explored how leaders and organizations can step up now to truly wake up and empower their people. You can listen to this episode of The Dr. Ginny Show podcast on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video on our YouTube channel.

Betting on Yourself and Amplifying Your Voice

Hady’s career journey mirrors what so many ambitious leaders and professionals face. After over 25 years in tech and financial services, including leading equality at Slack, she was laid off in 2023. What followed was thousands of job applications and no offers. Instead of giving up, she bet on herself and launched Boldly Speaking, an organization dedicated to transforming the workplace experience for underestimated employees.

Her story resonates deeply because organizations today cannot afford to dismiss the potential of their people. When talent is overlooked, the consequences are costly. A Gallup study showed that employees who strongly believe their organization cares about their well-being are 69% less likely to actively search for a new job (Gallup, 2023). Hady’s bet on herself is a wake-up call to organizations: when we fail to see and elevate the talent within, they will take their value elsewhere, or build something new.

For individuals, her story underscores a powerful truth: silence is no longer an option. As she writes in Calladita No More, self-advocacy is not about bragging; it is about factually sharing your contributions and value so others can see and acknowledge them, and know when you can support them. Too often, leaders wait for recognition instead of articulating their impact. And as I frequently remind my clients, “hope is not a strategy.”

Rethinking Leadership and Organizational Culture

Our conversation highlighted a shift every senior leader must address: culture hasn’t been a nice-to-have; it is a deciding factor for retention. Gen Z team members, who make up a growing portion of the workforce, will not tolerate toxic or cutthroat environments. They expect psychological safety, belonging, and authentic leadership.

Hady shared a striking story of a college student she mentored who thrived in a small retail company because of its inclusive and supportive culture, only to later dread her internship at a major tech firm where fear and competition dominated. That experience shaped her career choices. And she isn’t alone. 

According to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, flexibility and work/life balance remain top priorities, with nearly half of Gen Zs (46%) ranking work/life balance as a top consideration when choosing an employer. Belonging and purpose were also highlighted as critical factors in deciding whether to stay with an organization (Deloitte, 2024).

Organizations that want to stay competitive must build leadership capacity around empathy, flexibility, and transparency. That’s where our work at ExecutiveBound becomes critical. Through our C.A.R.E.S. Leadership Success System, we partner with leaders to Connect to their truth and purpose, Align with organizational goals, Rise above challenges, Envision the future they want to create, and Seek support to scale their impact. This system supports senior leaders in modeling inclusive, human-centered leadership while driving results without burnout.

Owning Your Growth and Redefining Leadership Success

Hady and I both believe the future belongs to bold, visible leaders who take ownership of their growth and advocate not only for themselves, but also for their teams. Leadership requires setting the vision, removing obstacles, and enabling others to thrive; it’s not about having all the answers.

Yet too often, underestimated employees may be tapped on the shoulder to take on impossible assignments that set them up for failure. At the same time, organizations fail to define transparent pathways for advancement. That erodes confidence and costs companies their talent. As future-ready leaders, we must provide clarity, mentorship, and opportunities for employees to succeed, not tasks designed to push them past their breaking point.

For individuals, this is the moment to get clear about what you want, articulate it, and come prepared with solutions. As Hady wisely said, “You can’t sit on the sidelines with your fingers crossed, hoping people notice.” The leaders who will stand out are those who speak up with courage and bring forward constructive ideas that benefit the whole team.

Call to Action

So let me ask you:

• How are you demonstrating that your employees feel seen, heard, and valued today?
  
• What changes would happen in your workplace if every leader showed up with empathy, flexibility, and vision?
  
• And if you are an individual leader, what would be possible if you boldly used your voice to advocate for yourself and others?
  

At ExecutiveBound, we specialize in helping senior and C-Suite leaders in Financial Services and STEM rise to this challenge. Through our tailored leadership solutions, we empower organizations to retain top talent, prepare future-ready leaders, and foster resilient cultures that deliver growth without burnout.

If this conversation resonated with you, let’s connect:

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Email me directly at info@executivebound.com.

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You’re not alone. ExecutiveBound is here for you. Let us know when you’re ready to elevate!

Lead with purpose, live with joy!
Coach Ginny

About Our Special Guest: Hady Mendez is the Director of Programs at Lean In Latinas, Author of the Bestseller Calladita No More, and the founder of Boldly Speaking. With over 25 years of experience in improving outcomes, delivering results, and bringing authenticity to the workplace, Hady is dedicated to helping underrepresented employees excel in leadership positions. To connect with Hady, email her at hadyontheweb@gmail.com, visit her website, and follow her on LinkedIn.