Success Story with Scott D. Clary

Episode: Lessons – Stop Talking, Start Intentioning | Gloria Feldt - Forbes 50 Over 50
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this "Lessons" episode, host Scott D. Clary sits down with Gloria Feldt—a former Planned Parenthood president, best-selling author, and a Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree—to explore the transformative power of intentional action, especially for women aspiring to leadership roles. Gloria introduces her coined concept of "intentioning," discusses practical tools from her book for career advancement, and provides actionable advice on aligning values and confidence with professional growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning and Power of "Intentioning"

• Gloria Feldt invented the term "intentioning" to shift focus from passive dreaming to active, empowered doing.

  • Quote [00:51] – Gloria:
    “I wanted to exemplify the fact that intention is great, but unless you’re doing, it doesn’t matter. Ambition is: I hope, I wish, I want, I've got a dream about it. Intention and intentioning is: I will, I am, I'm doing it. I see myself having already done it. I know it will happen. So it's a qualitative kind of difference.”

• She emphasizes that this mindset shift is particularly crucial for women seeking parity in leadership.

  • Quote [01:35] – Gloria:
    “That is a linchpin for helping women get to parity in leadership because they have to have that belief for themselves and the courage to act on it.”

2. Tool #1: Uncover Yourself – Authentic Leadership Through Self-Knowledge

• Gloria’s first (and foundational) tool: Know your core values and who you are before you can lead others authentically.

  • Quote [02:45] – Gloria:
    "Know who you are, get in touch with what your values are... The greatest leaders... are very clear about who they are and what they believe, what values they will stand on."

• She addresses how both women and men, particularly people of color, often “cover themselves” at work to fit into cultures not built for them, and advocates for environments that use diversity as a strength.

3. Tool #2: Modulate Confidence – Growth Over Comfort

• Gloria challenges the standard advice on confidence. She claims growth happens before full confidence is present—the act of “doing” outpaces the feeling of readiness.

  • Quote [04:45] – Gloria:
    “Confidence, however, is not something you can just learn... You get confident by doing things, by practicing, by actually rolling up your sleeves and doing the thing that scares you... If you’re totally confident, why do you have any reason to learn something new?”

• This tool encourages tackling challenges that spark growth, echoing JFK’s spirit of embracing difficult endeavors.

4. Choosing the Right Organization – Aligning Culture and Values

• Scott asks how to find or foster organizations aligned with personal values, especially when some workplaces may be barriers to advancement.

  • Quote [10:51] – Scott:
    "Do you think that you should try and champion [these traits] in the organization you’re already in? Or is this something that maybe the organization values has to align with your own personal values to really get the best effect?"

• Gloria recommends:

  • Self-awareness first: Identify non-negotiable values.

  • Research & discernment: Today’s transparency makes it easier to investigate a company’s culture and alignment with personal values. Don’t be afraid to “interview the interviewer” and ask about the organization’s mission and practices.

    • Quote [13:06] – Gloria:
      "I think [company culture transparency is] true, but increasingly companies are having to be more transparent about what their values are and what their mission is... As somebody who has hired a lot of people over the years, I appreciate it when people have done their research."

  • Assess alignment: Be willing to walk away if a core value is violated. This is crucial at all career stages, though more experience brings more discernment (and sometimes means a longer job search for the right fit).

5. Practical Career Advancement Tips

• Early Career: Use the luxury of research to find fit.
• Mid to Late Career: Leverage experience for discernment; take time to find a culture where you thrive.
• Ask questions in interviews: Don’t hesitate to explore how organizations serve their people and society.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On creating the word ‘intentioning’
  [00:33] – Gloria: “I made it up. I want it to be the word of the year next year.”
• On ambition vs. intention vs. action
  [00:51] – Gloria: “Ambition is: I hope, I wish, I want, I've got a dream about it. Intention is: I will, I am, I'm doing it.”
• On authentic leadership
  [02:45] – Gloria: “The greatest leaders... are very clear about who they are and what they believe... You have to know yourself first before you can show yourself to others authentically.”
• On the myth of confidence
  [04:45] – Gloria: “We need to learn to do things long before we're confident... That’s where the growth is.”
• On value alignment in organizations
  [13:06] – Gloria: “It’s perfectly legitimate to ask [about values] in interviews... I appreciate it when people ask me those questions.”

Important Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction of "intentioning" and its foundation for intentional leadership.
• [02:41] – Outlining the importance of self-knowledge and uncovering core values.
• [04:45] – Gloria explains why modulating confidence—acting before you feel ready—is key to leadership growth.
• [10:51] – Deep dive into how to find organizations that reflect and reinforce your values.
• [13:06] – Gloria encourages job-seekers to question company culture openly during their search.

Conclusion

This episode provides actionable strategies for transforming passive ambition into active intention, highlights the importance of authenticity and value alignment, and dispels confidence myths that hold people back from growth. Gloria Feldt’s wisdom is especially poignant for women and minorities in leadership but applies broadly to anyone seeking fulfillment and impact in their careers.