S7E11: Demonstrating Diplomacy & Political Savvy with Nakisha Muhammad
Release Date: 06/19/2025
S7E12: Using Your Introvert Superpowers with Dr. Nicole Bryan
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Nicole Bryan to discuss the unique strengths of introverts and the importance of recognizing and leveraging introverted qualities, such as deep thinking and observation, to succeed in the workplace. The discussion emphasizes embracing one's unique qualities and leveraging them for career growth and influence. Laura and Dr. Nicole explore the unique nuances of Black women introverts, with specific regard to navigating office politics in leadership roles. They discuss the importance of relationship building in office dynamics, and how introverts can...
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S7E11: Demonstrating Diplomacy & Political Savvy with Nakisha Muhammad
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Nakisha Muhammad to discuss the leadership competencies of diplomacy and political savvy, through her point of reference as an executive leader. Nakisha shares her unique journey from entrepreneurship to her current role as Chief Technology Officer at 1nHealth, chronicling how she learned to honor her own boundaries while navigating the demands of leadership and emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself and others in fostering effective communication and diplomacy. Laura and Nakisha share the intricate dynamics of leadership,...
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S7E10: 2025 BWL LIVE! Conference Recap
Black Woman Leading
In this bonus episode, Laura shares her highlights from the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference + Retreat, which took place May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach, VA. Black Woman Leading LIVE! is the premier leadership development conference to help Black women professionals learn, heal, and grow in their leadership capacity. Join us at the 2026 event, which will take place May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC! Learn more and register at www.BWLretreat.com. Credits: Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at Learn more about our consulting work with...
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S7E9: Navigating Change
Black Woman Leading
In this solo episode, Laura discusses the complexities of navigating change in both personal and professional contexts. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability as leaders face inevitable disruptions. The conversation explores various models of the human side of change, the emotional processes involved, and practical strategies for supporting oneself and others through transitions. Laura highlights the significance of understanding resistance to change and offers insights on how to effectively manage it while fostering a growth mindset. About Laura...
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S7E8: Asking for What You Want
Black Woman Leading
In this solo episode, Laura discusses the importance of asking for what you want in your career, particularly for Black women. She emphasizes that self-advocacy is not just about the words you use but also about your internal mindset and sense of worthiness. She shares frameworks to help listeners work on both the heart work and head work needed for effective self-advocacy. Laura encourages self-reflection on past experiences to understand internal and external factors that influence one's ability to ask for what they want. Ultimately, she empowers listeners to advocate for themselves and...
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S7E7: Driving the Narrative of Your Career with BWL Alums
Black Woman Leading
In this episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (Alexys Anderson, Shelby Norman, and SherAaron Hurt) to discuss our season’s theme of Driving the Narrative of Your Career. Emphasizing the importance of setting a personal vision and advocating for oneself while balancing heart work and head work along the career growth journey, they explore the significance of mentorship, the challenges of navigating identity, and the importance of community support. The discussion highlights how embracing...
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S7E6: Managing Uneven Power Dynamics with Nicole S. Palmer
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Nicole Palmer to discuss the unique experiences of Black women in corporate America, with regard to managing uneven power dynamics. Nicole shares the inspiration behind her book, and the concept of 'Black womaning' as a way to navigate the challenges faced in the workplace. They explore themes of fear, purpose, and the shared experiences of Black women across various industries, emphasizing the need for support and understanding in overcoming obstacles. Nicole also shares her personal journey of navigating a toxic work environment, the impact of PTSD, and...
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S7E5: Getting Attuned to Your Body’s Wisdom with Lauren Dike
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Lauren Dike to explore the importance of attuning to one's body wisdom, particularly for Black women. Lauren shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a nervous system resilience expert They discuss the significance of understanding one’s nervous system, the impact of societal expectations on Black women, and practical steps for self-regulation. The conversation highlights the importance of professional support in the healing process and the need to reconnect with our body's sensations, while emphasizing the need for self-awareness and...
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S7E4: Becoming Financially Unstoppable with Breanna Colón
Black Woman Leading
In this episode, Laura welcomes Breanna Colón to discuss the journey to becoming financially unstoppable. Breanna shares her insights on financial freedom, the importance of money behavior, and practical strategies for achieving financial goals. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset regarding money and the significance of understanding one's financial behavior to break free from cycles of debt to achieve true financial independence. Breanna emphasizes the importance of viewing budgeting as a financial planning tool rather than a chore. She discusses the significance...
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S7E3: Healing Out Loud with Sandria Washington
Black Woman Leading
In this engaging conversation, Laura and Sandria Washington explore the themes of healing, self-discovery, community, and self-advocacy. They discuss the concept of 'healing out loud,' which highlights the importance of vulnerability and stretching outside of your comfort zone through everyday moments. Sandria shares her own experiences and insights, emphasizing the significance of authenticity and the need to break cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and personal struggles. She shares her profound journey of discovering her adoption at the age of 38, the subsequent healing process that...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Laura welcomes Nakisha Muhammad to discuss the leadership competencies of diplomacy and political savvy, through her point of reference as an executive leader.
Nakisha shares her unique journey from entrepreneurship to her current role as Chief Technology Officer at 1nHealth, chronicling how she learned to honor her own boundaries while navigating the demands of leadership and emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself and others in fostering effective communication and diplomacy.
Laura and Nakisha share the intricate dynamics of leadership, focusing on integrity, boundaries, and the importance of self-care, while navigating work spaces as Black women. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining personal values in professional settings, the necessity of setting and respecting boundaries, and the strategies for dealing with resistance in leadership roles.
Overall, the dialogue emphasizes the need for political savvy as a crucial skill for career advancement, and strategies for engaging in difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism.
About Nakisha
Nakisha serves as the Chief Technology Officer at 1nHealth, bringing her cross-industry technology background into healthcare. A serial entrepreneur, Nakisha has founded, operated, and scaled SaaS businesses as well as eCommerce brands. A self-taught developer and technologist, Nakisha has built multiple data-management and data visualization companies, managing developer teams and IT infrastructure. Nakisha’s philosophy in software engineering is rooted in a methodology that centers on the user experience first and then building the functionality around the user’s needs.
Connect with Nakisha on LinkedIn
Resources:
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Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
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Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
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