Timing is Everything
Sometimes, the right opportunity comes at exactly the right moment—even if you don’t realize it at first. In my role as a Community & Partnerships Manager at Female Founders, I had the chance to join the Leadhers Academy Inclusive Leadership Program by Vera Steinhäuser. In hindsight, the timing couldn’t have been better, as it supported me to redefine my career goals, motivations, and ambitions.
This was actually the first leadership program I ever participated in, so I was very curious and not quite sure what to expect. I was also part of the first English edition of the program, which made the experience even more exciting. I was pleasantly surprised to find that many other participants were close to me in age, which made the experience even more engaging and relatable.
With a background in Psychology, I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior, motivation, and leadership. Vera’s approach, deeply rooted in both practical leadership frameworks and psychological insights, immediately resonated with me. It wasn’t just another leadership program—it was an opportunity to reflect, realign, and redefine what leadership means to me.
The Leadhers Academy Experience
Spanning five weeks, the Leadhers Academy program brings together a diverse group of professionals in an interactive and deeply personal journey. Conducted online, it allows participants to engage from anywhere, making it accessible no matter where life or work takes you.
The curriculum is structured around three core pillars:
✅ Personal development & values
✅ Goal setting & communication
✅ Conflict management & team dynamics
Like many leadership programs, Leadhers Acadamy provided frameworks and tools—but what made it truly stand out was the depth of self-reflection it encouraged.
Asking the Tough Questions
One of the program’s key insights is simple but powerful: You can’t lead others effectively if you don’t first understand yourself. And that’s exactly where the real work began.
Some of the most thought-provoking questions I confronted during the program included:
- Which of my core values do I actively prioritize in my career decisions, and which ones do I unintentionally neglect?
- What kind of leadership style do I naturally lean towards, and how does it impact my team?
- How do I typically handle conflict—do I avoid, confront, or mediate?
- When was the last time I received feedback that truly helped me grow? What made it effective?
- What do I want my career to look like in 5 years, and what steps am I taking to get there?
These weren’t just theoretical exercises; they were eye-opening reflections that helped me identify patterns in my career journey. The program gave me a framework to align my decisions with my values more intentionally.
The career mapping exercise was another standout. It helped me see not just where I want to go, but what strengths and values I need to lean into to get there. Having structured prompts helped me tremendously in organizing my thoughts and uncovering deeper insights about myself.
The Vera Effect
What truly set this program apart was Vera herself. As both a seasoned business coach and a psychologist, she brings a unique mix of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. She doesn’t just teach leadership principles—she challenges you to confront limiting beliefs, break unhelpful patterns, and step into a more authentic version of yourself.
For instance, the workbook exercises on self-perception and power posing were particularly eye-opening. The program introduced me to Amy Cuddy’s research on power posing—a technique that boosts confidence through body language adjustments.
She asks the tough questions—the ones that make you pause, rethink, and even get a little uncomfortable. And that’s where the real transformation happens.
Beyond personal growth, the program also provided practical tools and strategies to apply in real-world leadership scenarios, from navigating difficult conversations to building a strong personal advisory board.
My Biggest Takeaway
After completing Leadhers Academy, I feel fully equipped with tools, reflective prompts, and frameworks to tackle my next career step with confidence and clarity. One of the most valuable lessons came from an exercise on defining my values, strengths and my passion.
This program has given me a structured approach to self-leadership and team management, and I am eager to put these learnings into action. Instead of feeling uncertain about the future, I now feel curious and excited to explore new opportunities and apply everything I’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
A huge thank you to Vera and the Leadhers Academy community for this incredible experience. If you’re considering a leadership program that goes beyond the surface, I can’t recommend this one enough.Ready to dive into your own leadership journey?
👉 Check out the program here: Leadhers Inclusive Leadership Program