Emily: How She Broke the Glass Ceiling
Emily, was a Senior Manager in one of the biggest oil and gas firms in Nigeria. She has 10 years of experience in this. She was talented, driven, and consistently outperformed expectations. Yet, despite her track record, she found herself stalled in her career progression, passed over for promotions into C-Suite in favor of male colleagues with less experience.
Frustrated but determined, Emily reach out Dr. Abiola Salami’s office for coaching so she can understand how she could take charge of her success and navigate the unspoken barriers of the corporate world.
Through our coaching sessions, Emily learned how to take personal responsibility for her career growth, advocate for herself, and strategically position herself for leadership opportunities. She implemented critical strategies, from self-advocacy and executive presence to mentorship and visibility in high-impact projects. Within a year, Emily secured a General Manager position—and within two years, she was promoted to Executive Director.
Her story is a testament to the power of personal responsibility, strategic career planning, and empowerment. Let us delve into the 10 key strategies I applied to coach Emily to break through the glass ceiling, take control of her success, and emerge as an influential leader. Whether you are an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, these strategies will equip you with the tools to own your career trajectory and thrive in leadership.
1. Take Ownership of Your Success
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. Women often face systemic barriers in leadership, but waiting for an organization to “fix” the system can lead to stagnation. Women must actively take charge of their success, making intentional choices about their growth, leadership development, and career trajectory.
What I Did With Emily
Emily initially believed that her work alone would earn her promotions. However, through coaching, she realized that success is not just about competence—it’s about visibility, strategic relationships, and self-advocacy. She developed a clear career roadmap, sought feedback from senior leaders, and took proactive steps to position herself for promotion.
Emily’s Result
Two years later, Emily’s shift in mindset and strategy has transformed her career trajectory. She has successfully built a strong leadership brand and now mentors other women, helping them take ownership of their success as well.
2. Develop a Strong Leadership Presence
Emily struggled with speaking up in high-stakes meetings. You have to learn to own your space. Speak with confidence, and people will listen. Women in leadership often struggle with executive presence, which encompasses confidence, communication, and the ability to command a room. Developing a strong leadership presence ensures that your ideas are heard, respected, and influential.
What I Did With Emily
She feared being perceived as too aggressive or too soft. Through coaching, she worked on assertive communication, body language, and public speaking. Over time, she became a confident, respected voice in the executive team.
Emily’s Result
Emily is now recognized as a trusted strategic advisor in her organization. She leads boardroom discussions with confidence and has inspired other women to find their leadership voice.
3. Build a Strong Professional Network
Emily initially focused solely on her internal company relationships. Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. Success in leadership is not just about talent—it’s about who you know and who knows you. Building a strong professional network opens doors to new opportunities, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
What I Did With Emily
Through coaching, she expanded her network beyond her organization, attending industry conferences, leadership forums, and networking events. She also cultivated relationships with senior leaders and potential mentors, increasing her visibility in leadership circles.
Emily’s Result
Within 11 months years, Emily’s professional network played a critical role in her career growth. She was invited to join a high-profile leadership board, which eventually led to external executive opportunities.
4. Advocate for Yourself with Confidence
If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. Many women hesitate to negotiate for higher salaries, promotions, or leadership opportunities, often waiting to be recognized instead of actively advocating for themselves. Taking charge of your career requires assertiveness and self-promotion.
What I Did With Emily
Emily initially struggled with asking for what she deserved. Through coaching, she prepared a compelling case for a promotion, outlining her accomplishments, leadership contributions, and market value. She practiced negotiation strategies, which led to her successfully securing a pay increase and expanded leadership responsibilities.
Emily’s Result
Within 18 months, Emily not only negotiated her promotion but also mentored other women on how to advocate for themselves in leadership discussions.
5. Master the Art of Strategic Decision-Making
Emily used to second-guess her decisions, fearing mistakes. In the end, we are our choices. Strong decision-making skills distinguish leaders from managers. Women in leadership must develop the ability to assess risks, analyze opportunities, and make confident, strategic choices.
What I Did With Emily
Coaching helped her refine her decision-making framework, allowing her to weigh risks, seek diverse perspectives, and act with conviction. This transformation earned her trust from senior executives and positioned her as a strategic leader.
Emily’s Result
Emily’s ability to make bold, informed decisions has helped her lead high-stakes projects successfully. She is now a go-to executive for critical business initiatives.
6. Foster Resilience and Adaptability
Emily faced setbacks, including a major project failure that threatened her reputation. It is said that A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a peak performing woman knows it is in the journey where she will become strong. Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks and persisting in leadership roles. The ability to adapt to change, bounce back from failures, and remain focused on long-term success is essential for career advancement.
What I Did With Emily
Instead of retreating, she applied resilience techniques, took responsibility, and turned the situation into a learning experience. Her ability to navigate challenges gracefully strengthened her credibility as a leader.
Emily’s Result
Today, Emily thrives in high-pressure environments and is recognized for her ability to stay composed under adversity. She now coaches rising leaders on developing resilience.
7. Embrace Continuous Learning and Skill Development
Emily initially relied on her past achievements to prove her leadership capabilities. Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. The corporate landscape is constantly evolving, and leaders who fail to upskill risk becoming obsolete. Women in leadership must continuously invest in their professional growth to remain competitive and innovative.
What I Did With Emily
Through coaching, she recognized the importance of ongoing learning. She enrolled in executive leadership programs, took courses on strategic thinking and innovation, and actively sought industry certifications to enhance her expertise.
Emily’s Result
Within two years, Emily became a thought leader in her field, frequently invited to speak at industry events. Her expanded knowledge base made her an indispensable leader, allowing her to take on high-impact projects and board-level responsibilities.
8. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence and Effective Communication
Emily struggled with managing difficult conversations and often avoided workplace conflicts. Emotional intelligence is the ability to use emotion to increase your own and others’ success. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a critical leadership skill that influences decision-making, conflict resolution, and team engagement. Women leaders who develop strong EQ are better equipped to build relationships, navigate workplace politics, and inspire teams.
What I Did With Emily
Through coaching, she learned to enhance her self-awareness, regulate emotions, and practice active listening. She read The Magic of Emotional IntelligenceTM, implemented empathetic leadership techniques, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative work environment.
Emily’s Result
Emily’s ability to manage emotions, communicate effectively, and handle workplace challenges strengthened her credibility as a leader. Her improved interpersonal skills led to higher team morale, reduced conflicts, and stronger professional relationships.
9. Break Free from Impostor Syndrome
Emily frequently questioned her qualifications and hesitated to take on executive-level projects. Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. Many women experience impostor syndrome, doubting their abilities despite clear evidence of success. Overcoming self-doubt is essential to building confidence, seizing opportunities, and stepping into leadership roles.
What I Did With Emily
Through coaching, she worked on shifting her mindset, acknowledging her accomplishments, and rewiring negative self-talk. She began documenting her successes and proactively seeking stretch assignments.
Emily’s Result
Emily no longer second-guesses her leadership abilities. Today, she mentors other women experiencing impostor syndrome, helping them recognize their worth and confidently pursue leadership positions.
10. Pay It Forward: Mentor and Support Other Women
Someone said there is a special place in hell for women (and men) who don’t help other women (and women) but I think if we want to make the world a better place, everyone should commit to lifting other women and men up.
True leadership is about lifting others up. Women who mentor, sponsor, and advocate for other women and men contribute to a more equitable workplace and create lasting leadership legacies.
What I Did With Emily
After breaking through the glass ceiling, we ensured that Emily supports and mentors high-potential female leaders. She launched a mentorship initiative, providing guidance and career support to young professionals navigating corporate leadership.
Emily’s Result
Emily’s mentorship program has successfully helped multiple women rise into leadership roles. Her commitment to paying it forward has created a ripple effect, fostering a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and inclusive leadership.
Conclusion: Owning Your Leadership Journey
You don’t need permission to lead. Step forward, take space, and own your success. Navigating the glass ceiling requires determination, strategic action, and self-empowerment. As Emily’s story demonstrates, taking ownership of your success is the first step toward breaking through barriers and achieving leadership excellence.
By implementing these 10 strategies, women can overcome limitations, establish themselves as powerful leaders, and pave the way for future generations to thrive in leadership roles.ender diversity drive better performance, attract top talent, and create workplaces that reflect the world we live in.
Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Contact us today on +2347026668008 or hello@abiolachamp.com
About Dr. Abiola Salami
Dr. Abiola Salami is the Convener of Dr Abiola Salami International Leadership Bootcamp ; The Peak PerformerTM Festival Made4More Accelerator Program and The New Year Kickoff Summit. He is the Principal Performance Strategist at CHAMP – a full scale professional services firm trusted by high performing business leaders for providing Executive Coaching, Workforce Development & Advisory Services to improve performance. You can reach his team on hello@abiolachamp.com and connect with him @abiolachamp on all social media platforms.
