Get inspiration straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

podcastwithmolly

Episode 238- How to Lead Without Waiting for Permission with Shelley Zalis

What if the rules you’ve been told to follow were never designed for you to succeed? Shelley Zalis asked that question and then rewrote the…

Episode 238- How to Lead Without Waiting for Permission with Shelley Zalis

What if the rules you’ve been told to follow were never designed for you to succeed? Shelley Zalis asked that question and then rewrote the…

What if the rules you’ve been told to follow were never designed for you to succeed? Shelley Zalis asked that question and then rewrote the playbook. As the founder and CEO of The Female Quotient, she built the largest global community of women in business, spanning 30 industries and 100+ countries. A trailblazing entrepreneur and change agent, Shelley turned a defining career setback into a movement for workplace equality. In this episode, we talk about leading with courage, challenging outdated systems, and taking action without waiting for permission.

Change doesn’t require more time. It requires intention. Share on X

Follow Shelley: Instagram | Facebook | X

Show Notes

  • Shelley’s non-linear career path (2:18)
  • Never miss a moment in your life that matters. (5:52)
  • The performance review that changed everything (7:39)
  • The moment that Shelley stopped waiting for permission (9:21)
  • Reframe failure as how much risk you are willing to take (14:19)
  • The mission of The Female Quotient (17:36)
  • The role that Fortune 500 CEOs play in closing the gender gap (22:18)
  • The critical leadership skills needed in our workplace today (25:41)
  • What Shelley did when she was told there is “no place for emotion” in the boardroom (26:21)
  • Closing the gender gap in the workplace is something that we can fix with intentional action (29:37)
  • Why diversity matters in the workplace (35:01)

Resources / People Mentioned

Recommended For You

Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:

Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app and leave a rating or review.

Share This Post

Get Molly’s Free 5-Minute Morning Routine to Build Better Relationships

LATEST BOOK

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success
“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

Robin Sharma,

#1 Worldwide Bestselling Author of
"The Wealth Money Can't Buy" + "The 5am Club"

A #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success
In a world fixated on fleeting success, a bold framework for pursuing your goals unapologetically without compromising what matters most. This isn’t just another self-help theory: Dynamic Drive is your practical guide to unlocking your true potential. Through her decades of experience working with top athletes and peak performers across industries, renowned keynote speaker and leadership expert Molly Fletcher has created a proven formula backed by research that outlines the seven keys to sustainable success. The truth is fulfillment doesn’t come from setting and accomplishing goals in isolation. It comes from Dynamic Drive—a holistic approach that connects all parts of you with your purpose and allows you to engage in meaningful growth, both personally and professionally. Unlike traditional approaches that dilute drive into a mere means to an end, which can lead to burnout, Dynamic Drive is a way of life, a mindset. It’s about figuring out the parts of your life where you are playing small or safe or are dissatisfied. Dynamic Drive is the process by which we implement and sustain intentional change. The greatest reward isn’t in what you achieve, but who you become in the process. Your path to sustained high performance in all areas of your life begins here. This is your manual for an aligned, joyful, and relentless pursuit of a better you.
“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

Robin Sharma,

#1 Worldwide Bestselling Author of
"The Wealth Money Can't Buy" + "The 5am Club"

Recent Episodes

Dr. Cassie Holmes

If you had more time, would you finally be happier? Most of us believe the answer is yes. We tell ourselves that if we could just clear our calendars, get through the to-do list, or find a few extra hours in the day, we’d feel less stressed and more fulfilled....

Ron Friedman

Why do so many talented teams still underperform? The answer surprised me. Most people assume the answer is more collaboration, better chemistry, or simply working harder. But workplace psychologist and bestselling author Ron Friedman, author of the new book Superteams, says the highest-performing teams operate very differently. In this conversation,...

Blake Mycoskie

If success is supposed to make you feel fulfilled… why do so many high achievers still feel like they’re not enough? You hit the goal. You build the career. You create the life you thought would finally make you feel fulfilled… and somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough. Blake...

Shawn Achor

Most people are trying to change their results without ever changing the beliefs creating them. We tweak habits, push harder, and chase bigger goals— but underneath it all, our beliefs are shaping what we see, what we go after, and what we think is possible. In this conversation, I sit...

Cori Close

We love to celebrate winning—but we don’t talk enough about what it takes to get there without losing yourself along the way. After 15 years as the head women’s basketball coach at UCLA, Cori Close just led her team to a national championship. But behind that moment was a constant...

March Madness Coaches

This weekend, you’re watching the best teams in the country compete. But what you’re really watching is how elite coaches handle pressure. In this special March Madness episode, I’m bringing together some of the most powerful moments from my conversations with three of the game’s best—Geno Auriemma, Dan Hurley, and...

Search by Topics

Search by Guests

Matthew McConaughey
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
podcast-popular
Savannah Guthrie
podcast popular
Steven A. Smith
Simon Sinek