Have you ever worked in a place where your confidence slowly eroded—not because you lacked skills, but because someone kept making you feel small?
I’ve been there.
And so has Kristin Zhivago.
In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sat down with Kristin—a trailblazing woman who started selling machine shop tools at 17, built a company in Silicon Valley, coached leaders at IBM and Dow Jones, and now runs a thriving digital marketing agency.
Her story is powerful—but her wisdom is what truly stayed with me.
Because success isn’t just about strategy.
It’s about knowing who you are—and refusing to shrink for anyone.
What We Talked About:
Kristin opened up about the moment that changed her entire life: being laughed out of a machine shop for not knowing her product. That day, she made a decision—to never again let herself be underestimated because she was unprepared.
She taught herself everything she could about tech, sales, and leadership, and went on to coach some of the world’s most respected companies. But what impressed me most wasn’t her resume—it was how deeply she understands the emotional journey of being a woman in a male-dominated world.
Here are a few powerful takeaways from our conversation:
Real Confidence Isn’t About Power
Kristin’s definition of confidence hit me hard:
“Confidence isn’t about control. It’s about treating yourself like a friend.”
It’s not about dominating a room—it’s about speaking to yourself with kindness, grace, and honesty.
How to Recognize (and Drop) the Jerks
Kristin doesn’t mince words. She has a clear philosophy in life and business:
“We don’t work with jerks.”
She shares how one toxic client derailed her team’s energy—and how walking away was the best decision she ever made. It’s a lesson we all need to hear, especially when we feel trapped in unhealthy environments.
Observe, Don’t Absorb
One of the most powerful mindset shifts she teaches is to stop absorbing negativity.
Instead, observe it. Get curious. Step back.
This is especially helpful for women who naturally empathize deeply and carry emotional weight that doesn’t belong to them.
Give Yourself a Break
Whether it’s through faith, meditation, or sailing the ocean (yes, Kristin does that too!), she emphasizes the importance of rest—not just for productivity, but for clarity and self-worth.
Why This Episode Matters
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job where you weren’t seen…
If you’ve ever doubted your abilities after working with a difficult boss or client…
If you’ve ever been told to act like someone else in order to succeed…
You’re not alone.
And you don’t have to keep playing that game.
This episode is your permission to rewrite the rules.
🎧 Ready to be reminded of your power—and walk away with practical tools to lead with confidence and integrity?
👉 Listen to the full episode here
💬 I’d love to hear from you—what’s one moment in your career when you had to choose yourself over a toxic situation? Send me a message or comment below. Let’s keep this conversation going.
About Kristin Zhivago
Kristin Zhivago is a Silicon Valley veteran, revenue coach, and the founder of Zhivago Partners, a digital marketing agency helping established businesses grow through ethical, customer-focused strategies. With a career that began in machine shops and grew into consulting for giants like IBM and Dow Jones, Kristin brings decades of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership.
She’s also the author of the 5-star-rated book Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customers Want to Buy—a practical guide for business owners and marketers ready to align their strategies with what customers actually want.
Known for her honesty, empathy, and no-nonsense approach (especially her “no jerks” policy), Kristin leads with wisdom and heart—proving that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of who you are.
🔗 Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn
About Me
I’m Limor Bergman Gross, a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. I help women rise into leadership roles with confidence—without burning out or compromising who they are.
🎙️ From a Woman to a Leader is where I bring you honest, powerful conversations with women who’ve been there—and want to help you get there too.
Let’s connect:
🌐 Website
▶️ YouTube
Want to Step Into Executive-Level Leadership?
If you’re a mid-to-senior woman in tech leadership who’s tired of being overlooked and ready to be recognized, respected, and promoted—without changing who you are—join the waitlist for my Strategic Influence & Executive Presence Accelerator. It’s a 12-week coaching experience designed to help you show up with clarity, confidence, and influence.
- Speak up with confidence
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Let’s get you the recognition you already deserve
