How to Lead with Awareness, Curiosity, and the Courage to Unlearn

Dear Leaders, Members & Community Allies,

Spring always invites a fresh perspective—but at AWL, we’re leaning into more than a seasonal shift.

We’re inviting a mindset shift.

It’s easy to talk about growth.

It’s harder to talk about what we need to let go of to grow.

That’s why this month’s G.U.I.D.E. pillar spotlight is:

U – Understand and Unlearn.

As leaders, we carry learned behaviors, inherited narratives, and unspoken rules—some that serve us well, and others that keep us stuck.

From outdated beliefs about how success should look, to biases we’ve absorbed from our industries or past workplaces, leadership isn’t just about learning new skills—it’s about having the courage to question what we've normalized.

Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or navigating personal growth, here’s your challenge this month:

What do I believe about leadership that no longer serves me—or the people I lead?

What assumptions am I ready to unlearn, so I can lead with more clarity, equity, and emotional intelligence?

At AWL, we believe this type of reflection isn’t optional—it’s essential.

That’s why our work isn’t just about tools and tactics (though you’ll find plenty of those). It’s about creating space to rethink, relearn, and realign your leadership from the inside out.

Ready to Rethink the Way You Lead?

This newsletter isn’t just a roundup—it’s an invitation to reflect.

Because understanding yourself as a leader means being willing to challenge what you've been taught—and unlearn what’s no longer aligned.

So whether you're questioning outdated leadership norms, exploring new ways to support underrepresented voices, or simply trying to make more intentional decisions in your day-to-day, this month is your nudge to pause, recalibrate, and move forward with purpose.

From DEI conversations and systemic shifts, to inclusive events and leadership development opportunities—what follows is designed to help you lead with more clarity, courage, and compassion than ever before.

Let’s begin.

We will start with a recap of April: 

Check out their speaker pages:
Jen’s Speaking Page >> awlpartners.com/jen-slay/ 
Melissa’s Speaking Page >> awlpartners.com/melissa-maloney/ 

📩 Reach out to us at hello@awlpartners.com to explore what’s possible.

4 Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

1. Let’s Get Intentional: Redefining Imposter Syndrome -  Beyond Self-Doubt to Systemic Change
📅 May 15th, 2025 | 🕗 12:00 PM EST | 💻 Virtual

Join us for a thought-provoking "Let's Get Intentional" session that challenges conventional wisdom about imposter syndrome and explores its unique impact on marginalized communities.

Speakers:

• Technology veteran Laurie Allen brings her 25+ years of experience as both a Senior Accessibility Technology Evangelist and a person with disabilities to explore how imposter syndrome uniquely affects the disability community.

  Meanwhile, legal powerhouse Yola Ventresca, Managing Partner at Lerners LLP and two-time "Female Trailblazer Award" recipient, will challenge conventional wisdom with her talk "Hi, it's me, you're not the problem, it's them." She'll reveal why focusing on women's confidence rather than systemic barriers misses the mark.

What You'll Discover:

• The true roots of imposter syndrome
• Inclusion strategies that address structural issues
• Creating workplaces where everyone can thrive

Join us for this eye-opening conversation that moves beyond conventional wisdom to address the real barriers to inclusion.

Register today: awlpartners.com/events

2. The Art of Leadership Women - Ready to elevate your leadership?

The Art of Leadership Women is returning to Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto AND AWL PARTNERS will be attending!

Will you be there too?

This one-day conference features an inspiring lineup of speakers sharing actionable strategies and insights on today’s most critical leadership challenges.

Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to develop your leaders, engage your talent, and build high-performing teams.

Join us for an empowering day of learning, networking, and women’s leadership. Use promo code AWLP45 and save $50 per pass, or save $100 per pass for groups of 5 or more. 

Register at: https://info.theartof.com/25LW/AWLP45.html 

3. Free Training for Women in Trades: ConnectHER
Women in trades face unique challenges—from workplace bias to confidence gaps. That’s why we’ve partnered with ConnectHER at Fanshawe College to deliver a free, 6-module self-paced leadership program.

Who Should Join?
✔ Women currently in or considering a skilled trades career
✔ Employers + leaders committed to inclusion

Cohorts are forming with the next Live Recap Session for Modules 1 & 2 coming May 6th @ 7 PM EST
There’s still time to join!

📍 Register: Registration Link
📩 Questions? Info Link or email hello@awlpartners.com 

4. Actually, I Can Leadership Masterminds – Save $275
Ready to invest in your leadership? These small-group, high-impact mastermind tracks are designed to meet you where you are—and take you further.

Choose your track:

✔ The Emotionally Intelligent Leader – Starts June 9th 
✔ Business Development & Growth – Join the waitlist >> WAITLIST
✔ The Confident Leader – Starts June 10th

10 spots per cohort. Morning + afternoon times.
Use code AIC275OFF to save $275.

📍 Learn More and Register Here: https://awlpartners.com/leadership-mastermind
📩 Want to explore if it’s the right fit? Email hello@awlpartners.com 

Jen and Melissa, I would love to attend these masterminds or send someone from my team, but with all the shifts happening right now, training is a priority but our budgets are slim. 

DON'T WORRY we have two options for you to explore: 

1. You can take advantage of the Multiple Payment option, basically splitting your cost over 3 months OR
2. We can work with you to securing the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) | ontario.ca to help mitigate all or a protion of the cost. You know what to do :-), if you would like more details on how we can support you, email us hello@awlpartners.com 

Thought Leadership: Women in the sky...and DEI...

In a world where DEI conversations are often either avoided or oversimplified, Jen is cutting through the noise—with truth, empathy, and just the right amount of real talk.

In her latest piece, Let’s Be Honest... Especially with Ourselves, Jen explores the quiet ways we avoid hard conversations—about leadership, about inclusion, and most of all, about ourselves.

This isn’t a call-out—it’s a call in.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

✔ Why our surface-level DEI language often hides deeper fears and resistance
✔ How performative support for equity shows up in leadership circles—and what to do instead
✔ What honesty looks like in practice: in hiring, in team culture, and in everyday decisions
✔ A powerful reminder: DEI doesn’t take—it expands. And growth, by nature, is uncomfortable.

If you’ve ever caught yourself nodding along while secretly struggling with change, this article is for you. Read the full piece on LinkedIn: ARTICLE

💬 Join the Conversation

We were having a chat about Blue Origin’s recent all-women space flight—a moment hailed as historic.

But the more we looked around, the more we saw people asking:

Was it progress—or performative?

It made us pause and reflect:

When it comes to symbolic representation in DEI, does it move the needle—or risk becoming a distraction from the deeper, systemic work still undone?

Jen shared her thoughts—but now we want to hear yours.

What does real equity look like to you? Drop your perspective in the comments → JOIN THE CONVERSATION

💡 Introducing the Actually, I Can Leadership Hub

We’ve made an intentional shift—and it reflects everything we’ve been hearing from some of your feedback and other women leaders like you.

The Authentically Yours Community has officially evolved into the Actually, I Can Leadership Hub™.

This isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a re-commitment. Because we know what today’s leaders really need isn’t another online space filled with noise.
You need structure, strategy, and support—aligned with how you actually lead.

Inside the Hub, you’ll find:
✔️ Monthly CPD-accredited leadership sessions
✔️ Downloadable tools and templates to save you time
✔️ Access to coaching, counselling, and curated content
✔️ A community designed to grow with you—not pressure you to perform

Same mission. Elevated experience.
Whether you're building your confidence or leading entire organizations, there’s a path for you here.

📍 Learn more or explore your membership options at >>> HERE

🧭 Coaching or Counselling? Here’s the Difference.

We offer both at AWL Partners—and it’s one of the most common questions we get.

Coaching helps you move forward.
It’s future-focused and action-oriented, designed to help you set goals, gain clarity, and unlock your potential in areas like career, leadership, or confidence-building.

Counselling helps you heal.
It’s reflective and supportive, often focused on working through emotional challenges—like anxiety, grief, trauma, or relationship dynamics—to foster personal resilience.

Both are powerful. Both are valid. And both meet you exactly where you are.

Not sure which one’s the right fit for you or your team?
📩 Let’s explore it together—email us anytime at hello@awlpartners.com or visit https://awlpartners.com/coaching-and-counselling.html to learn more about how we support growth, healing, and leadership transformation.

We’ve shared the what—now it’s time to reflect on the why, and what’s next. 

This month wasn’t just about leadership.

It was about questioning it. 

Redefining it.

And unlearning the parts that no longer align with who we’re becoming.

Because leadership isn’t about perfection or performance.
It’s about the courage to pause, reflect—and let go of what no longer fits.

So if you’re feeling the urge to shift… trust it.

You don’t have to carry outdated rules.
You don’t have to lead from someone else’s script.
You can unlearn.
You can grow.
You can write a new way forward—and lead with more clarity, compassion, and intention than ever before.

And we’ll be here, not just cheering you on—but walking beside you.

Until next time—keep shedding, keep growing, and keep showing up for the version of you that’s ready to lead.

Rooting for your growth, always,

The AWL Partners Team - We help people and teams grow smarter with their emotions to work better and achieve more.

P.S. Missed last month’s newsletter? Catch up here and keep the momentum going: LAST EDITION