Pleasantly Aggressive

Dear Women Leaders,
As of today, I have two kids in high school.

It seems like just yesterday I was freaking out about having toddlers.
Now I’m freaking out about how close they are to leaving the nest.

Parenting is just a series of freakouts while we try to manage our careers, our homes, our relationships, and our health.

Not all of my clients are moms, but all of them have experience with caregiving.

They are working so hard to support everyone around them...
I love that I get to the person supporting them.

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

Dear Women Leaders,
I’m feeling uninspired.
It happens.
It also sucks.

How am I supposed to inspire others when I can’t even inspire myself?

It reminds me of a quote hanging in my husband, Jason Meslin’s, office:
"When there is no wind, row."

When there is no inspiration, you don’t give up; you just … begin.
You take action to move things forward.

Even when it’s not your best work.
Even when it's hard.

I went through several, and I mean several drafts of a new presentation before getting it to the place I wanted it.

Did I begin to doubt my skills? YES
Did I spend a stupid amount of time on it? YES
Was there another way? NO

I couldn’t wait around for inspiration to strike.
If you are feeling this way about a project, I see you.
Keep going.
You’ll get there.

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

Dear Women Leaders (To Be),
If you don’t identify as a leader, perhaps you’re a leader in disguise.

A while back, a friend of mine who is a classroom teacher told me how much she enjoys my content “even though she isn’t a leader.” I assured her that I write for her - the leader in disguise, the leader to be.

Even if you’re not in a traditional leadership position or don’t want that role, you’re probably leading something or someone already...

🔸 You’re setting an example
🔸 You’re supporting others
🔸 You’re problem-solving
🔸 You’re thinking strategically

My mission is not for every woman to ascend to high-level leadership.

My mission is to close the gender gap in leadership by supporting women who want to lead.

If that’s you, I’m glad you’re here.
If you’re not sure if that’s you, I’m also glad you’re here.

I hope you stick around the Pleasantly Aggressive community.

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

Dear Women Leaders,
If you haven't had the chance to attend one of my workshops, this is a great way to hear some of the strategies I share with my clients and in larger audiences.

Check out this episode of Mastering Social Media for Schools with Andrea Gribble for a great conversation about burnout, delegation, tooting your own horn, and more!

I’m genuinely excited to share this with her listeners and my clients. I guarantee you’ll get some great takeaways.

Also, I LOVE being a podcast guest! If you have a podcast or know someone who does, reach out!

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-toot-your-own-horn-at-work-with-rebecca-malotke-meslin/id1509779834?i=1000762362653

Dear Women Leaders,
What is your essential role in team meetings?

As you think about your senior leadership team and your regular meetings, your retreats, your strategic planning sessions, what role do you find yourself playing?

Do you quietly observe?
Do you synthesize information well?
Do you bring everyone back to the topic?
Do you ask thoughtful questions?

Having trouble answering this question?
Ask your peers how they see you.

It's a great way to build self-awareness.

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

Dear Women Leaders,
That's me in a sea of pink!

I spent the day in Springfield, IL, at the Illinois Capitol, lobbying lawmakers to support Planned Parenthood's legislative agenda.

My commitment to women goes beyond leadership training and support.

⭐ Women leaders can only thrive in their careers when they have access to healthcare and family planning. ⭐

Women can’t control lawmakers, but we can influence them. That's why there are folks like me, and organizations like Planned Parenthood, who are fighting to protect and expand reproductive rights.

Want to be a “woman who supports women”?

We need your volunteerism, your board service, your money, your voice, and your votes. I am on the Board of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) and would love to tell you more about the work we’re doing in Illinois.

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

Dear Women Leaders,
You need to update your headshot.

They’re not supposed to last 10 years.

You’re growing and evolving. You look different from how you did 5 years ago.

The face you put out into the world should reflect who you are today. Get a gorgeous photo taken that looks like the best version of you, but still looks like you!

But the process of getting a new headshot should be fun, not stressful.
💥 If you can afford it, I recommend a full-on photo shoot.
💥 Tell the photographer WHO you want to see when you look at your photos.
💥 Create a look that makes you feel confident - wear clothes in colors, shapes, and textures that make you glow, fix your hair and makeup to look the way you want.

I want you to look at your photo and smile every time you do.

I took a walk down memory lane to my headshots of the past. I love them all!

Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach

Dear Women Leaders,
We spend a lot of time talking about the barriers.
The moments where we weren’t seen, heard, or supported.

Those conversations matter.

But so does this one: There are men who are doing it right.

- Men who advocate behind closed doors.
- Men who create space instead of taking it.
- Men who want to see you succeed.

I’ve worked with them. I’ve learned from them. I trust them.

Brendan Schneider has been a longtime colleague and friend who always looks out for me. He is a man of integrity and kindness, and he’s really smart, too. 
He even picked me up at the airport when I flew into his hometown last night. Top shelf friend!

So, tag a man in the comments who has supported your career. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Not because he needs recognition, but because this is the kind of leadership we want more of.

Sincerely, 
Your Leadership Coach

Little me isn't surprised by where we ended up.
She lives inside of me and cheers me on every day.

Everyone wants bangs at some point in their life. I decide to revive mine every 5 years or so.

They always look great but I forget the downside to having bangs:
💨 Wind is not your friend.
🌊 Water is not your friend.
🧢 Hats are not your friend.

After the first day of fighting to make them look normal at the beach, I just said “screw it” and let them exist in their natural state.

It wasn’t worth my energy.

My OOO reply message for this week:

Hello! 
I’m resting and recharging with my family for Spring Break. If I run out of books to read, I might check my emails, but it’s a safe bet that you won’t hear from me until I return on April 6th.

If you’re interested in scheduling a meeting with me, you can find a time on my calendar here: https://lnkd.in/gbmrDCs7

Thanks for your patience, and have a beautiful day!

Sincerely,
Rebecca Malotke-Meslin (she/her)