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

In this episode of the Big F*cking Dreams podcast, Life Coach Hannah Kissel interviews Kate Mason, who holds a PhD, a communications expert, and coach known for her work with executives and founders, particularly in the tech industry. They both explore the intricate relationship between likability and power, drawing from personal experiences and cultural contexts. They discuss strategies for enhancing likability, navigating tense relationships, and the importance of calm communication. The conversation emphasizes that communication skills can be learned and that genuine relationships are built on honesty and self-awareness, rather than people-pleasing behaviors.

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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.

Hi there, I'm Hannah

Executive Coach, podcaster, speaker, writer, and builder of big f*cking Dreams. My mission? To help ambitious professionals build self-acceptance, self-trust in their careers.

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