My team doesn't respect me. How women leaders can earn authority at work

Your team talks over you. Questions your decisions. Goes around you to escalate issues. You're wondering if you're imagining it.

You're not.

In this episode, your host Amanda tackles one of the hardest challenges in leadership: when your team doesn't respect you. And if you're a woman leader or new manager, the problem runs deeper than most advice admits.

What you'll learn

Research shows women leaders face competence doubts at higher rates than men, your team is more likely to question whether you should be leading at all. We break down why this happens, what makes it worse, and what actually works. You'll get specific language for addressing disrespect in the moment, how to set clear expectations that stick, and why performing authority backfires completely.

Practical strategies for building respect

• How to address disrespect the first time it happens (not the fifth)
• Three non-negotiables every new leader needs to establish
• The difference between boundary testing and actual undermining
• Why being liked and being respected aren't the same thing

Stop waiting for your team to make this easy. Respect comes from consistent behaviour over time, and this episode shows you exactly how to start.

Perfect for new managers, women in leadership, and anyone navigating team dynamics that feel off.

Want more support with your leadership challenges? Check out our How to Build a Leader substack for in-depth guidance on getting onto and staying on the leadership ladder.

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Get the full transcript

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