Group 1 - The core dilemma faced by women leaders is being perceived as either competent but cold or likable but ineffective, leading to feelings of passivity and inauthenticity [1][3][4] - Impression management is crucial for leaders, as perceptions directly impact their reputation, credibility, and career trajectory, especially for those whose identities differ from typical leader traits [3][4][5] Group 2 - Women leaders need thoughtful and reliable strategies to counteract biases and assumptions that may hinder their advancement [5][6] - Strategies identified from interviews with hundreds of professional women include constructing counter-narratives, utilizing positive associations, and transforming feedback into strength [4][12][18] Group 3 - Ashley, a leader in the Australian financial services sector, successfully reshaped perceptions by actively promoting her strengths and seeking support from trusted mentors [6][7][8] - Anna, in a large consulting firm, took strategic actions to change perceptions about her commitment and capabilities, ultimately leading to a similar position she initially missed [9][10] Group 4 - Lisa Sun, CEO of Gravitas, transformed early feedback about her demeanor into a strength by exploring what authority means and developing her own style of leadership [12][13][14] - The article outlines actionable steps for leaders to manage feedback, communicate effectively, build alliances, and consistently convey their desired narrative [14][15][16][17][18]