Empowering Women in Tech: A Transformative Journey with Executive Leadership Coach, Lynn Blades, Founder, Legacy Leadership

A Case Study

Executive Summary

A high-powered female tech executive faced severe burnout and discrimination in a male-dominated industry. Through personalized coaching, she rediscovered her passion, redefined her career goals, and transitioned into new, exciting opportunities outside traditional tech roles. This case study explores her journey from burnout to empowerment, highlighting key strategies and results.

Introduction

In the competitive landscape of the tech industry, women often face unique challenges that can impede their professional growth and personal well-being. My client, a high-powered female executive who worked for three industry giants, experienced these challenges firsthand. She struggled with discrimination, underpayment, and a toxic work culture that eventually led to severe burnout. This case study details how Executive Coaching helped her overcome these obstacles and reimagined her career path, offering insights for other women facing similar challenges.

The Problem

My client’s story is a poignant example of the systemic issues women in tech face. Despite her impressive credentials and high-ranking positions, she was consistently undermined, underpaid, and uncredited for her work. The pervasive "bro" culture made her feel like an outsider if she didn't conform to the campus dress code of chinos and Patagonia.

Her mental and physical health deteriorated as she was expected to be available 24/7. "I have never had a job impact my mental health the way that my last tech job did," she said. Even during vacations in remote locations, she was expected to answer calls and emails, contributing to her increasing sense of dread and disengagement.

Over the course of a year, she gained 40 pounds and had to start anti-depression medication due to the overwhelming stress and toxic environment. This led her to leave not only her job but also America, seeking refuge in Paris. "Best decision I’ve ever made was leaving San Francisco and moving to Paris. Second best decision I’ve ever made is getting out of tech," she shared.

Unfortunately, her experience is not unique. Statistics reveal that women are underrepresented at all levels of tech, particularly in management. Seventy-two percent of women in tech have faced sexism, including pay disparities and skill questioning. Discrimination is even more pronounced for Black and minoritized women, with nearly three in four experiencing racism at work. Women in tech often face imposter syndrome, with 66% of female entrepreneurs finding it challenging to secure business funding. Additionally, the scarcity of female role models can deter women from entering tech careers.

The Solution

Addressing burnout and career dissatisfaction requires a multifaceted approach. We began by exploring the "why" behind her experiences:

• Why did she ignore warning signs of mistreatment? She was motivated by the wrong things, money and status.

• Why was she afraid to speak up? She lacked a support system, sponsor or other women who would stand-up with her and for her.

• Why did she accept tasks outside her job description? She wanted to appear to be a team player eventhough she often felt apart from the team. Furthermore, she mistakenly thought she would be rewarded if she kept her head down and worked hard.

• Why did she allow others to trample her boundaries? She simply lost herself. Life conditions women to put their needs last. For my client, the hampster wheel became routine she couldn't stop spinning.

Understanding the anwers to these questions helped her gain self-awareness and ensured she wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.

Next, we tackled her lack of motivation. Despite her innate ambition, her terrible experience had convinced her that she only wanted low-stakes jobs. We revisited her core values, beliefs, passions, and purpose. This deep introspection rekindled her drive, leading to a pivotal realisation during one of our sessions—perhaps her intuition was telling her to close the door on traditional tech roles.

Rebuilding confidence and tackling Imposter Syndrome was also crucial. We pinpointed her five signature strengths, such as developing people, being tech-savvy, and appreciating diversity, with specific examples illustrating her excellence in these areas. Being aware of these strengths, alongside her achievements, helps reduce Imposter Syndrome and enhances confidence with facts and data—two elements that are hard to dismiss.

We explored her transferable skills and brainstormed potential career paths in AI tech and privacy, luxury industry consulting, government policy, and think tank work. By leveraging her extensive tech knowledge, she could transition into roles that aligned with her values and strengths.

Results

After four intense sessions, the transformation was palpable. My client felt more alive, confident, self-aware, and assured. She began to recognize and own her value, which opened new and exciting doors outside traditional tech roles.

While this is a journey in progress, the early results are promising:

• Increased self-awareness and confidence

• Identification of new career paths aligned with her values and strengths

• A renewed sense of purpose and motivation

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that tech needs female talent, and the industry must evolve to create inclusive, respectful work environments. Without diversity, tech companies miss out on the invaluable insights a diverse workforce brings.

Conclusion

Our client's experience underscores the urgent need for change in the tech industry. By addressing burnout, redefining career goals, and leveraging transferable skills, women can transition into roles that align with their values and strengths.

If you're facing similar challenges, know that you are not alone. Reach out for support:

Lynn Blades Executive Leadership Coach

Together, we can build a more inclusive, diverse, and thriving tech industry. #womenintech #diversityequityinclusion #bethechange

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