The Future of Leadership Is Already Here with Don Barden, PhD

What still works may no longer be what the world needs next.

In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, Lisa McGuire welcomes back Dr. Don Barden, researcher behind Here Come the Girls and founder of ArchitectHer, to explore the leadership shift already reshaping business, work, culture, and community.

This conversation moves past the tired framing of men versus women and looks instead at an old leadership model losing its grip, giving way to one built on trust, human-centered decision-making, empowerment, and collaboration, where people actually feel seen, heard, understood, and valued.

Dr. Barden shares the research behind his prediction that women will reach and surpass the tipping point of global leadership by 2028. What matters even more than the numbers is why: the way many women naturally lead already matches what employees, consumers, teams, and communities are asking for right now.

Together, Lisa and Don dig into why women-led businesses are outperforming traditional models and how empowered teams translate into stronger economic outcomes. They also get into something less obvious: the ways men benefit from this shift too, and what high-achieving women actually need to carry this next era without burning themselves out in the process.

If you're a leader, entrepreneur, high performer, or a woman standing at the edge of her next chapter, this episode will help you recognize what's changing and why your leadership may matter more than ever.

The future is not waiting for permission. It is already being architected.

Bonus: Mention that you heard about ArchitectHer on this podcast and receive a complimentary one-hour Identity Integration Session with Lisa upon enrollment in the ArchitectHer experience.