Can You Be Both Powerful and Likable as a High Performing Woman?

By
Hannah Kissel
August 12, 2025
•
45
min
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About the episode

The intricate relationship between likability and power often creates a subjective dichotomy for high-performing women. You can absolutely have both power and likability coexist in a professional setting by building genuine relationships on honesty and self-awareness rather than people-pleasing behaviors. In this episode, Life Coach Hannah Kissel interviews communications expert Kate Mason to explore how personal experiences and cultural contexts shape our communication styles. They discuss strategies for enhancing likability and managing tense relationships while maintaining your authority. Kate explains why maintaining calmness in communication can influence the room's energy and proves that these specific communication skills can be learned over time.

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Key Takeaways:

  • The dichotomy between power and likability is subjective.
  • Both power and likability can coexist in a professional setting.
  • Personal experiences shape our understanding of communication.
  • Cultural contexts influence perceptions of communication styles.
  • Self-awareness is key to improving likability.
  • Feedback should be viewed as a gift, not a threat.
  • Calmness in communication can influence the room's energy.
  • Communication skills can be learned and developed over time.
  • People-pleasing can undermine genuine relationships.
  • Disappointment is a natural part of relationships and can be communicated openly.

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I'm Hannah

Executive Coach, columnist, podcaster, and speaker.

My mission is to help high-performing leaders become more confident, successful, and fulfilled in thier careers.

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