The Power Of Women To Stand Up and Lead

Margaret Graziano is Founder and CEO of Keen Alignment, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach.

By Margaret Graziano

I learned early that silence protects the wrong things. Years ago, I watched a male CEO remove my protégé from a project without warning. Her questions threatened him. Her insight made him uncomfortable. When she told me, I confronted him. He told me to leave if I didn’t like his choice. Walking away would have been easier, but I didn’t. I fought for my IP. I stood for the work we built, for her, and for my own values. That moment changed my life, becoming the seed of Keen Alignment.

Taking action in that situation taught me that change requires a clear stand and steady follow-through. When I founded my company, I built programs that guide leaders to face fear, resistance, and conflict directly. I wanted workplaces where people lead with confidence and engage in conversations that move teams forward.

I continue to change myself every day. My son once told me the woman who raised him would never hide from a hard moment. He was right. I worked with an executive coach. I rebuilt my routines. I took responsibility for my choices. That discipline shaped my ResponseAgility™ framework. I use it to support leaders in regulating their energy and making aligned decisions under pressure.

Some practices in my field still rely on correction and control. They ignore the emotional load people carry. That approach drains teams and slows execution. My approach is simple, teaching leaders to pause, assess what is happening inside them, and choose actions that match their values and their aim in work and life. That shift alone changes how people work together.

I have watched it reshape teams and companies. When people align choices with values, they reclaim power. They lead with steadiness. They build workplaces where trust replaces fear. They move from friction to flow.

Margaret Graziano is Founder and CEO of Keen Alignment, Executive Coach and Keynote Speaker. https://www.facebook.com/margaret.graziano ; https://www.instagram.com/magigrazi/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretgraziano/ ; https://keenalignment.com/ ; https://www.margaretgraziano.com/