Podcast Title: This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil
Episode: How To Get What You Want with Jenny Wood | 293
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Host: Nicole Kalil
Guest: Jenny Wood

Introduction

In episode 293 of This Is Woman's Work, host Nicole Kalil welcomes Jenny Wood, a former Google executive, author, and career development expert. Jenny brings a wealth of experience in helping individuals pursue their ambitions boldly and unapologetically. The episode delves into practical strategies and mindset shifts necessary for women to achieve their goals, challenging traditional notions of "woman's work."

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Overcoming Internal and External Barriers (00:31 - 04:10)

Nicole opens the conversation by addressing common obstacles women face in pursuing their desires—ranging from financial constraints and mindset issues to lack of clarity and confidence. She emphasizes that fear, overthinking, and people-pleasing behaviors often hinder progress.

Notable Quote:

"Worrying, overthinking and obsessing has never gotten me what I want. Neither has being apologetic, overly cautious, or caring about what everybody thinks."
— Nicole Kalil (02:15)

Jenny concurs, highlighting that obtaining what you want necessitates courage and the willingness to embrace risk and uncertainty.

2. The Importance of Mindset Shift (04:10 - 07:09)

Jenny introduces the concept of the "Play to Win" mindset, which involves recognizing and adapting to changing circumstances within a professional environment. She recounts the story of Claire Tory, a session singer for Pink Floyd, who successfully negotiated fair compensation and songwriting credit, illustrating the power of advocating for oneself.

Notable Quote:

"When your circumstances change, it takes courage to ask for what you want, but that's how you get it."
— Jenny Wood (05:45)

3. Embracing the "Muck" (07:09 - 09:45)

Nicole and Jenny discuss the paradox of needing to embrace messy and uncertain situations to achieve meaningful outcomes. Jenny relates this to her analytical mindset, finding clarity amidst chaos, while Nicole likens it to navigating through challenging moments to reach one's goals.

Notable Quote:

"It's in that space, the messy, uncertain, doubt-filled space that fear tells you to avoid at all costs, where the magic actually happens."
— Nicole Kalil (04:30)

4. The Nine Power Traits (10:04 - 23:03)

Jenny unveils her framework of "Nine Power Traits" essential for getting what you want. These traits—Weird, Selfish, Shameless, Nosy, Obsessed, Manipulative, Brutal, Reckless, and Bossy—are traditionally viewed negatively but are reframed as powerful assets when used thoughtfully.

Notable Quotes:

"These traits all, at first glance, raise eyebrows, but they help break the invisible cage that keeps you small."
— Jenny Wood (11:00)

"Reclaiming and reframing words, especially ones we’ve been taught to avoid, empowers us to use them as tools for success."
— Nicole Kalil (12:19)

Subsections:

• Manipulative: Jenny redefines manipulation as the strategic influence over others, using empathy to build meaningful relationships without harm.

  Example: Jenny shares a personal story where she adjusted her flight to meet a mentor, illustrating benign manipulation for positive outcomes.

• Reckless and Brutal: Emphasizing taking healthy risks and setting firm boundaries, Jenny explains how these traits can drive career advancement and personal growth.

• Weird: Encouraging authenticity and boldness, Jenny discusses standing out by embracing one's unique qualities rather than blending in.

Trait Traps: Jenny cautions against overextending these traits, introducing the concept of "trait traps" or "guardrails" to maintain balance and prevent burnout.

5. Maximizers vs. Satisficers and the Importance of Celebration (24:30 - 27:10)

The conversation shifts to the balance between striving for more and appreciating achievements. Jenny references Barry Schwartz’s research on maximizers (those who seek optimal outcomes) versus satisficers (those who settle for "good enough") and discusses the impact on happiness and fulfillment.

Notable Quote:

"Maximizers get slightly more of what they want in life, but they are less happy. Satisficers get slightly less but are happier."
— Jenny Wood (25:30)

Nicole agrees, emphasizing the importance of celebrating small victories to maintain satisfaction and motivation.

6. Understanding the 'Why' Behind Your Goals (27:10 - 31:14)

Nicole probes the significance of introspection in goal-setting, urging listeners to understand their motivations to ensure their pursuits align with personal values and well-being. Jenny shares her internal dialogue about aspiring to become a New York Times bestselling author, balancing ego with practical business considerations.

Notable Quote:

"It's part ego and part business sense. You have to ask yourself which one is taking over."
— Nicole Kalil (28:48)

7. Defining "Wild Courage" (31:14 - 33:02)

In the final segment, Jenny elaborates on the concept of "Wild Courage," which embodies the belief in deserving and achieving one's goals despite societal expectations and personal fears. She distinguishes it from "mild courage," highlighting its role in leadership and personal transformation.

Notable Quote:

"Wild Courage is asking to lead the project when you're not necessarily the leader on the team. It's taking that next step with confidence."
— Jenny Wood (31:35)

Conclusions and Takeaways

Nicole wraps up the episode by reinforcing the necessity of clarity, courage, and the willingness to embrace uncertainty in the pursuit of one's desires. She encourages listeners to adopt the nine power traits responsibly, celebrate their achievements, and continuously strive toward their goals with "Wild Courage."

Closing Quote:

"Getting what you want requires risk and therefore lots of courage. It's wild courage that changes lives, especially your own."
— Nicole Kalil (33:02)

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a motivational blueprint for women aiming to redefine and achieve their version of "woman's work." Through Jenny Wood's insights and practical tools, listeners are equipped to navigate the complexities of ambition with authenticity and resilience.

Learn More:
For additional resources and information on Jenny Wood’s book Wild Courage, visit jennywood.com.