<p>In this episode of <i>Leadership From The Heart</i>, Romie sits down with <b>Kae Williams</b>—a global software marketing executive, coach, speaker, and author of <b>Not Made For You</b>—to talk about what so many women (and marginalized professionals) feel but struggle to name:</p><p>Sometimes it’s not <i>you</i>… it’s the <b>system</b>.</p><p>Kae shares insights from over <b>30 years</b> rising from telemarketer to CMO in a male-dominated industry, and breaks down how bias shows up through microaggressions, vague feedback (“not strategic,” “not ready”), exclusion from informal networks, and credibility gaps in the room.</p><p>This isn’t a “complain about it” episode. It’s a <b>strategy episode</b>—about recognizing bias, reading rooms, building influence, and creating inclusive culture from wherever you sit.</p><h3>What you’ll learn in this episode</h3><ul><li>What “<b>Not Made For You</b>” really means—and why naming the system changes everything</li><li>The subtle ways bias shows up (and why it’s often hard to prove but easy to feel)</li><li>The lie many women are told: <i>“Work hard and promotions will come.”</i></li><li>What actually drives promotions: <b>influence + visibility + sponsorship</b></li><li>How to “read the room” and spot who holds real power (hint: not always the highest title)</li><li>How to advocate for yourself without being labeled “difficult”</li><li>The magic question when feedback is vague: <b>“Tell me what that looks like day-to-day.”</b></li><li>How to respond when your ideas get validated through a man in the room</li><li>What an inclusive culture <i>actually</i> feels like (beyond buzzwords)</li><li>When it’s time to walk away: toxic culture, no growth path, no influence, no learning</li><li>The simplest leadership action of the week: <b>Be human.</b></li></ul><p></p><h3>Links mentioned </h3><ul><li><b>Kae’s website:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://kaewilliams.com" target="_blank">kaewilliams.com</a> (K-A-E Williams)</li><li><b>Book:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-Made-You-Challenge-Thrive-ebook/dp/B0FXXYB1SB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LL96YZ8IYLWD&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ihtNPhUsFi9q7c0DsgW2Qw.xx5v_Naa5e2bWyFsEnHMEPTQd-ALUQ8FQVMH4PUPBZw&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=not+made+for+you+kae+williams&amp;qid=1771816496&amp;sprefix=Not+Made+For+You%2Caps%2C191&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Not Made For You</i></a> (available on Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble, etc.)</li></ul><p>Also found on: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaekronthalerwilliams/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/kaekwilliams/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, Substack</p><p></p><h3>🔗 Connect with Romie</h3><p><b>Website:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.leadershipfromtheheart.co" target="_blank">www.leadershipfromtheheart.co</a><br /><b>Email:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></p>