Have you ever walked out of a meeting thinking:
“I should have spoken up… but I didn’t want to sound aggressive”?
You are not alone.
This week’s episode of From a Woman to a Leader dives into one of the most common struggles women in tech tell me about:
How do I speak up in assertive rooms without becoming someone I’m not?
And this conversation with Juhi Ranjan, Head of Product Management at RTI, may change the way you approach leadership forever.
Why This Conversation Matters
Juhi has one of the most fascinating non-linear journeys I’ve featured so far.
She went from:
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Software engineer
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To research engineer
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To PhD in Computer Science
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To university professor
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To industry researcher
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To senior product leader in AI and real-time systems
But what stood out the most wasn’t her résumé.
It was her mindset.
Juhi learned to lead not by becoming louder or more aggressive—but by becoming more curious.
And that shift changed everything.
The Moment Everything Clicked
Juhi told me about the early days after she transitioned into product management.
She found herself in rooms with highly assertive colleagues making bold assumptions with total confidence.
And she stayed quiet.
Not because she didn’t have ideas.
But because the dynamic felt uncomfortable.
Familiar?
Instead of forcing herself to “be louder,” Juhi worked with a coach and discovered a framework that helped her transform these moments:
“You don’t have to be assertive.
You just need to stay curious.”
Now, when someone states an untested assumption or pushes a strong opinion, she simply asks:
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Why do we believe this?
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What evidence are we basing this on?
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What alternatives did we consider?
This isn’t confrontation.
It’s alignment.
And it immediately changes the tone of the room.
🌱 Why This Episode Is Important for Women in Tech
If you’ve ever felt:
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Overlooked
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Talked over
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Unsure how to challenge someone senior
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Uncomfortable being the only woman in the room
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Like you need to mimic extroverted, aggressive leadership styles
This episode will feel like a deep breath.
We talk about:
✨ How to challenge assertive colleagues without confrontation
✨ How to speak up when the room is full of loud personalities
✨ The power of curiosity as a leadership tool
✨ How women can leverage their natural strengths—empathy, listening, alignment
✨ Why psychological safety grows when diverse voices show up authentically
✨ Juhi’s bold pivots from research to product leadership
This is one of those episodes where women write to me later saying:
“I needed this more than I realized.”
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
👉 Listen to the episode here:
https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
▶️ Watch the conversation on YouTube:
Want More Personal Stories & Deeper Insights?
I share my more intimate stories, behind-the-scenes reflections, and personal career lessons on Substack.
It’s the best place to have real conversations with me.
👉 Join me on Substack:
https://limorbergman.substack.com/
About Juhi Ranjan
Juhi Ranjan is the Head of Product Management at RTI, a computer science PhD specializing in real-time systems, edge computing, autonomy, and safety-critical platforms.
She leads product strategy across RTI’s Connext portfolio, enabling mission-critical applications in automotive, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets.
Juhi is known for her ability to translate deep technical expertise into actionable product strategy—while leading with authenticity, curiosity, and integrity.
🔗 Connect with Juhi on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juhiranjan/
❤️ Final Thoughts
You don’t need to shout to be heard.
You don’t need to be someone you’re not to lead.
And you definitely don’t need to fit the mold to make an impact.
Your curiosity, your clarity, your perspective—those are your superpowers.
This episode will help you use them.