Unlocking Leadership Potential with Victoria Song: Insights from a Podcast Interview In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, I had the pleasure of speaking with Victoria Song, a leadership advisor and author of Bending Reality: How to Make the Impossible Probable. Victoria’s work with tech CEOs and founders provides a transformative lens on leadership, blending emotional intelligence with business acumen to drive impactful results. Redefining Leadership for Modern Entrepreneurs Victoria’s journey from early-stage venture capitalist to leadership advisor highlights her passion for helping entrepreneurs thrive beyond just financial success. Having worked with notable clients like the founder of Honey, acquired by PayPal for $4 billion, Victoria emphasized the importance of integrating emotional intelligence into leadership. She noted that while analytical skills are often prioritized, it’s the ability to handle setbacks, give and receive feedback, and inspire teams that sets truly impactful leaders apart. She explained how unresolved personal patterns often show up in professional settings, creating barriers to effective leadership. For founders and leaders facing high stress and uncertainty, developing a grounded emotional state is critical for long-term success. The Path to Expansion: Overcoming Contraction Victoria shared a powerful framework from her book: the contrast between "contraction" and "expansion" states. Contraction, she explained, is characterized by stress, anxiety, and a lack of creativity, while expansion fosters curiosity, creativity, and openness. She works with her clients to transition from the former to the latter, teaching them how to sustain an expansive mindset even during challenging times. Her practical tips, such as outsourcing soul-draining tasks and visualizing success, resonated deeply. Victoria stressed the value of practicing success, sharing an inspiring story about a coach who trained his team to celebrate wins to lock in the feeling of achievement. Tools for Bending Reality Victoria’s book, Bending Reality, provides actionable techniques for leaders seeking to transform their mindset and unlock their potential. Free resources on her website, including a 15-minute mission statement guide, values alignment exercises, and a unique breathing technique, offer a starting point for those eager to embrace personal and professional growth.   Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest   Links Mentioned in this Episode: To learn more about Victoria’s work and access her free resources, visit victoriasong.me. On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/victoria-song-executive-coaching/   Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence:   We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here. Additional Resources: Victoria Song’s book, Bending Reality, on Amazon Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Research Simon & Schuster - Bending Reality