How Top Women Leaders Negotiate—According to Stanford Business Expert Nita Singh Kaushal
How Top Women Leaders Negotiate—According to Stanford Business Expert Nita Singh Kaushal  
Podcast: SHE MD
Published On: Tue Jan 13 2026
Description: In this episode of the SHE MD Podcast, Nita Singh Kaushal joins Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney for an honest conversation about leadership, advocacy, and negotiating with confidence. As the founder of Miss CEO and NSK Leadership, Nita brings real-world insight from coaching executives, teaching at Stanford University, and supporting more than 200,000 students around the world.They dive into what it really takes for women to advocate for themselves, build confidence, and navigate high-pressure professional environments. Nita shares practical tips on visibility, mentorship, and sponsorship, helping listeners better understand their worth, negotiate strategically, and lead in a way that feels authentic—without falling into the common traps that can hold women back.The episode is packed with approachable, actionable takeaways for gaining clarity, confidence, and purpose in both work and life. Nita also reminds listeners that leadership isn’t just about personal success, but about opening doors for others and creating opportunities for the next generation of changemakers, especially women and underrepresented leaders.Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, Endometriosis, fertility, and hormonal balance. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.Sponsors:Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at PremierProtein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers.Momentous: Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off  your first order with promo code SheMDBobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to hibobbie.com — to the formula trusted by parents and loved by their babies — 700k and counting.Midi Health: Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit JoinMidi.com today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit.What You’ll LearnRecognize your value and advocate for it confidentlyReframe negotiation as a strategic leadership skillBuild visibility, mentorship, and sponsor networksCultivate clarity, confidence, and purpose in leadershipKey Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:32 Nita’s journey and teaching at Stanford for 15+ years06:15 How Nita learned leadership the hard way11:00 Why women have mental roadblocks when it comes to advocating for ourselves13:40 Helping students overcome noise and distractions19:16 Collecting data to empower and advocate for yourself 23:00 Tips for how to negotiate to a boss or leadership29:45 How to deal with rejection33:30 Difference between a sponsor and a mentor35:30 Learning from advice of admired leaders42:42 Advocating for yourself and others in professional settings46:09 Using strategic silence in negotiation47:27 Is pushing helpful or hurtful in negotiation52:00 Closing reflections and advice for young womenKey TakeawaysLeadership is about creating space for yourself and othersNegotiation is a strategy, not a confrontationAdvocating for yourself is essential, not braggingVisibility and sponsors amplify career impactConfidence comes from preparation, action, and supportGuest BioNita Singh Kaushal is a leadership expert and advocate empowering women and the next generation of changemakers. She is Founder and Principal of NSK Leadership and the founder of Miss CEO, which has trained over 200,000 students globally. Nita teaches leadership and negotiation at Stanford University and has held senior roles at Yahoo! and Intel. She helps women and executives recognize their value, advocate effectively, and cultivate authentic leadership.LinksNita Singh Kaushal’s Substack – Practical tips on negotiation and leadershipNita Singh Kaushal’s LinkedIn Nita Singh Kaushal’s InstagramNita Singh Kaushal’s Website NSK Leadership Miss CEO Registration link for Nita Singh Kaushal’s Stanford Continuing Studies course Advocate for More: Strategic Negotiation to Advance Your Career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.