What We Made Possible

007. Why Women of Color Overcorrect

• Patricia Dayleg • Season 1 • Episode 7

Share episode

On today’s episode, I’m speaking to my fellow women of color leaders, especially those who know what it’s like to endure toxic work environments or survive in predominantly white institutions. Maybe you’ve found yourself working twice as hard, navigating a maze of microaggressions, and watching others get promoted while you’re left doing the heavy lifting. And now, after finally landing in a position of power, or maybe even creating your own seat at the table, everything suddenly feels heavier than expected.

 Let’s talk about overcorrection. I open up about the emotional labor, the struggle to avoid hierarchy at all costs, and how the desire to lead differently can sometimes backfire, leaving you and your team confused or burned out. Together, we unpack why these behaviors are not personal failures, but deeply human and understandable responses to the systems we’ve survived. The tools that protected us before aren’t always the ones that let us thrive now.

 You’ll hear stories from my coaching practice, like the leader so committed to protecting her team she ended up isolated, and how clarity (not just care) was what everyone really needed. I walk us through real strategies for shifting from reaction to intention: leading with both empathy and direction, sharing power with structure, and building liberatory leadership rooted in justice and care.

If you’re feeling stuck, know you’re not alone. I invite you to listen in, breathe, and imagine: What could leadership look like if it was shaped by your values, not your wounds?