Rachel Putman on Women In Leadership [Lessons in Leadership]

Carrie sits down with Rachel Putman for a powerful discussion on how women can navigate—and challenge—gender barriers in leadership. Rachel shares an eye-opening experience from early in her career when she was advised to make her professional feedback feel like a male colleague’s idea rather than presenting it directly. This moment shaped her leadership philosophy and her commitment to breaking down outdated norms rather than reinforcing them. If you’ve ever felt pressured to “play the game” rather than change it, this episode is packed with insights on how to create a better path for future women leaders.

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Key Takeaways

• Gender Bias Exists in Subtle and Direct Ways – Even well-meaning advice can reinforce outdated gender norms in the workplace.
• Women Shouldn’t Have to Play the Game – Instead of learning "hacks" to navigate bias, women leaders should focus on changing the system.
• Lessons in Leadership Last a Lifetime – Early career experiences shape how we lead, mentor, and advocate for future generations.
• Influence Grows Over Time – You may not always be able to change things in the moment, but you can use past experiences to shape future leadership.
• Empowerment Starts with Awareness – Recognizing gender barriers is the first step in creating a more equitable workplace for everyone.

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How do gender biases impact the way women give feedback?

Rachel Putman recalls a pivotal moment early in her career when she gave professional feedback to a male leader, only to be told by a female executive that she should have made the advice seem like the man’s idea instead. The conversation—which was framed as a "lesson on leadership"—made Rachel realize just how deeply ingrained some gender biases are, even among other women leaders. The idea that men and women should be respected in different ways didn’t sit right with her, and it became a defining moment in how she approached leadership.

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Should women adapt to workplace bias or push for systemic change?

Rachel acknowledges that many women develop “hacks” to navigate gender bias, like subtly shifting the way they speak in meetings or carefully framing ideas to be more accepted. While these strategies can be useful in the moment, they ultimately reinforce the very system that needs to change. Instead of simply working around bias, Rachel believes women in leadership should actively work to reshape workplace culture so that the next generation doesn’t have to deal with the same challenges.

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How can past experiences shape future leadership?

Carrie and Rachel discuss how career-defining moments don’t always lead to immediate action but can influence leadership philosophy over time. Even if you can’t change a situation in the moment, those lessons stay with you and can be used later when you’re in a position of influence. Rachel now applies this perspective in how she mentors younger team members, ensuring that they don’t feel the same pressure to conform to outdated gender norms.

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Make sure to check out the full Lessons In Leadership Playlists today.

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‍About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Lessons In Leadership is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

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