What if becoming a stronger leader had less to do with changing who you are... and more to do with becoming more of yourself?
For years, many of us have been taught that executive presence means speaking louder, being tougher, hiding emotion, or fitting into someone else's definition of leadership. But the women who create lasting influence find a way to do it on their own terms.
In this week's episode of the Leadership Laboratory, I sit down with Cyre Mercedes Quiñones, CEO of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), to talk about what it really takes to earn trust, lead with confidence, and grow into executive leadership without losing yourself along the way.
Cyre's story is extraordinary. She shares how growing up with tremendous adversity shaped her resilience, why authenticity became her greatest leadership advantage, and the lessons she learned on her journey to the CEO seat.
One of my favorite moments from our conversation was when she said:
"People confuse directness with bluntness. Bluntness is about relieving your own discomfort. Directness is about helping someone else succeed."
That distinction stopped me in my tracks.
If you've ever worried about being "too much," struggled with difficult conversations, or wondered how to be taken seriously without becoming someone you're not, this episode is for you.
Together, we discuss:
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Why courage comes before confidence.
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How warmth builds trust—not weakens your leadership.
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The difference between coaches and mentors (and why you need both).
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Why authenticity isn't soft—it might be your greatest competitive advantage.
This conversation is filled with practical wisdom you'll want to come back to again and again.
I hope you'll give it a listen, and I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway.
Listen here:
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