Breaking Barriers: Leadership, Resilience, and Redefining Success

 |  9 January 2025

Episode #137 | Creating Synergy Podcast

 

🎙️ What does it take to break through barriers and redefine what’s possible in your career and life?

In this empowering episode of the Creating Synergy Podcast, we sit down with Donny Walford, Founder of Behind Closed Doors, a trailblazer in business and a fierce advocate for women in leadership.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝:
 
▶︎ 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 - Twice denied a promotion, Donny turned the tables—and won. Her story will leave you asking: What’s stopping me from taking my shot?
 
▶︎ 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 - How Donny’s upbringing shaped her fearless leadership style.
 
▶︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 - “It’s not just what you know; it’s who knows you.” Learn how to stand out.
 
▶︎ 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 - How Donny is mentoring the next generation of leaders.
 
"𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺." – Donny Walford

This episode will make you question your limits and inspire you to step into your full potential.

Are you ready to break your own barriers and redefine success?

Tune in now!

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TIMESTAMPS

00:50 - Leadership and Emotional Regulation

08:18 - Breaking Gender Norms in Childhood

18:43 - Overcoming Workplace Challenges and Winning Promotions

28:36 - The Power of Resilience: "Don’t Let the Bastards Beat You"

29:58 - Tackling Imposter Syndrome and Backing Yourself

46:45 - Networking as a Career Game-Changer

47:31 - The Impact of Visibility in Hybrid Work Environments

52:06 - Setting KPIs for Networking and Professional Growth

59:52 - How Women Can Build Confidence and Seize Opportunities

1:09:16 - Raising the Next Generation of Leaders


Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

 

Guest Info

Donny Walford

Founder of Behind Closed Doors and Bottom Line

 

Donny Walford is the Founder of Behind Closed Doors and Bottomline, two nationally recognized organizations dedicated to empowering Boards, Executives, senior leaders, and business owners across industries, government, and the NGO sector.

With an impressive career spanning Board-level leadership, CEO, and Executive roles in banking, finance, business associations, and government, Donny is a driving force in strategic and transformational change. Her expertise lies in helping leaders tackle challenges, enhance business performance, and achieve their goals with clarity and focus.

A highly skilled Facilitator, Donny excels in creating engaging, interactive formats that lead groups toward impactful solutions. Her coaching and mentoring style is upfront and direct, leveraging insightful guidance tailored to the unique aspirations and challenges of senior executives, Board Directors, and entrepreneurs.

Donny's energy, vision, and passion for helping leaders with big dreams and bold goals make her an inspirational force in the business world.

 

Connect with Donny Walford

 

synergy iq_team_daniel frnaco-min

 

Meet your Host

Daniel Franco

Daniel is a 'People Collector' kind, a steadfast optimist who believes that the power of trusting relationships is foundational to our bright future. He believes that the world is a better place when we work together.

Meet Daniel

 

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