The Likeability Trap and How to Escape It

Video Description

This week on Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Kate Mason - executive coach, world champion debater, and author of Powerfully Likeable: A Woman’s Guide to Effective Communication. Together, they tackle the "success–likability paradox," which challenges many women as they climb the career ladder. Kate argues that likability and power are not opposites and provides actionable strategies to help women embrace their authority while staying authentic. Drawing from her experience in debate and leadership coaching, Kate invites listeners to rethink how they communicate, lead, and thrive at work. Tune in to hear Kate’s insights on: • Why authority doesn’t mean abandoning authenticity • How over-preparation can hold leaders back - and how to stop it • Simple strategies to project confidence and influence • Why reframing failure as experimentation is key to success Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about redefining leadership. #linkedinnews #hellomonday #womeninleadership #effectivecommunication #authenticleadership 00:00 - Intro: The success likability paradox 03:31 - Communication as the key to authentic authority 06:23 - Lessons from debate - gender and feedback 08:16 - Conviction vs. Anger. Reframing perceptions 11:34 - The problem with “executive presence” 14:09 - Aligning body and mind for better communication 18:31 - Kindness as power 20:30 - The changing face of leadership 23:31 - Breaking free from over-preparation 25:34 - Failure as a teacher 27:18 - Final top takeaways