Host: Jennifer Cowley
Guest: Jo Tarnawsky
Welcome to Episode 16 of the Leadership Confidence Podcast with special guest Jo Tarnawsky. Following a 25-year career as an Australian diplomat and senior government executive, Jo is now a strategic advisor and the founder of This Is Leadership.
We explore how to read the unseen power dynamics in your workplace and why supporting other professional women is a strategic advantage. Jo shares her personal experience of a highly public career disruption. She explains how to redefine failure through post-traumatic growth rather than seeing it as a definitive end. Confidence and good leadership come from within, learning from mistakes, and accepting that perfection is unattainable. This conversation will help you decouple your identity from your job title and recognise the genuine power you hold at any stage of your career.
Key Takeaways
Redefining career setbacks: Stop viewing unexpected career changes as failures. Use professional difficulties to create new opportunities and learn. Jo refers to this process as ‘lemonading’ your experiences to build a stronger foundation.
Reading the second map: Every workplace has an official organisation chart and a hidden map of actual influence. Learning to read this second map helps you understand how decisions are really made and increases your value as a leader.
Dismantling the scarcity mindset: Seeing other women as competition diminishes collective influence. Championing your peers builds a community of support that expands your own presence and authority.
Decoupling identity from title: You are not your job. Prestigious titles can disappear. Build your confidence on your internal skills and a high-quality support network instead of relying on formal authority.
Links and Resources
Jo Tarnawsky
Connect with Jo on LinkedIn: Jo Tarnawsky or Instagram: @jo_tarnawsky
Visit Jo’s website: https://www.jotarnawsky.com/
Access Jo’s digital resources for navigating a toxic work environment. Use the discount code HELPISHERE at checkout for 20% off.
The Gender Index:
Jennifer Cowley
Book an Imposter Syndrome Reset Session: Jennifercowley.com/reset
Watch or Listen to Previous Episodes: jennifercowley.com/podcast
Connect with Jennifer: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
Shop Clothing for Professional Women: Peakwomen.com.au
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