Dr. Anne Welsh is a psychologist, executive coach, author, and mom of four who has spent nearly 20 years supporting women's mental health and helping working mothers build sustainable careers. After experiencing burnout while working at Harvard and raising two young children, she made the difficult decision to leave and start her own private practice, forcing her to rethink what ambition and success really meant to her.

Anne talks about why perfectionism can hold women back in both leadership and motherhood, how workplace expectations contribute to burnout, and why traditional career advice doesn't always work for working moms. She also shares how leaving Harvard challenged her professional identity, why mothers need to get comfortable asking themselves what they actually want, and how small changes can help women build more fulfilling careers without completely upending their lives.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Meet Dr. Anne Welsh

(00:58) Supporting working mothers and women in leadership

(03:57) Why traditional career advice fails women

(07:00) How women internalize perfectionism

(08:41) When perfectionism starts holding you back

(17:15) Redefining ambition and professional identity

(21:13) Asking yourself what you actually want

(23:39) Navigating workplace politics and double standards

(27:46) Why motherhood builds valuable leadership skills

(29:44) When emotional intelligence goes unrecognized

(38:06) Managing burnout without quitting your job

(40:01) How small changes lead to lasting progress

(44:28) Save of the week

Connect with Mallory Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorylee/

Connect with Shannon Curran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-sweeny-curran/

Connect with Dr. Anne Welsh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drannewelsh/

Check out her website: https://www.drannewelsh.com/

Get Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home: https://www.drannewelsh.com/ambitious-mother-book

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

www.shareyourgenius.com