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W-Collective : Your corporate career BFFs.

@w__collective

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🔥 Escape toxic workplaces & get promoted
💰 Salary negotiation that won't make you vom
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International Women’s Day is meaningless

…if nothing changes on the other 364 days. Because honestly… this is the pattern we see ALL. THE. BLOODY. TIME.

Brilliant women doing the work, delivering the results, basically holding everything together… and somehow still getting overlooked, while someone less capable walks away with the promotion.

And it’s not because you’re not good enough.

It’s because no one ever showed you how the game at work actually works.

That’s exactly why we built The Blueprint Sprint: your 30-day reset designed to help ambitious women start thinking more strategically, making better decisions at work, and operating like the leader you already are.

And for International Women’s Day we’ve taken 50% off. Use the discount code BPFRIENDS.

Comment SPRINT for the link or it’s in our bio by @w__collective

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7 months ago

We have a FREE guide to help with burnout. Comment or dm 😵 and we will send it straight over.x
🆘 🛟

Burnout probably isn’t your fault and its probably not your manager’s either.

We love to pretend burnout is a you problem.
Like if you just did more yoga, downloaded another productivity app, or finally “learned to say no,” you’d magically feel fine.

But no, burnout is a system problem.

Your manager’s probably just trying to survive in the same broken setup.

So if you’re tired, snappy, or running on caffeine and spite… that’s not a personal failure. taken in Margate, Kent by @w__collective

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a year ago

Meet W-Collective - founded by two women on a mission to make work better for women everywhere.

So who are we?

Clare Mac, fiercely passionate and outspoken, is all about breaking down outdated systems and sharing knowledge to empower women in the workplace.
With 15 years in top commercial roles, and working with Europe’s biggest retailers, she knows a thing or two about making businesses thrive.

Katie May, the part-time vegetarian and full-time goth, brings 15 years of senior design experience from leading fashion brands like ASOS and H&M. A fierce advocate for sustainability, she knows how to build resilient, impactful brands.

We’re here to help women grow, thrive, and reshape the future of work.

#WCollective #Leadership #WomenInBusiness by @w__collective

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2 years ago

I wrote another substack. Happy Pride to everyone but the New York Times!

Link in bio ❤️‍🔥 by @w__collective

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4 months ago

Drop "GUIDE" in the comments, and we’ll send you something that actually helps—our FREE, zero-BS Toxic Workplace Survival Guide.

This isn’t some fluffy, feel-good advice. It’s a straight-talking, practical toolkit to help you navigate office drama, set boundaries that actually stick, and protect your peace while you figure out your next move.

Credit: Inspired by @samiraamin22

Don’t walk into another workplace nightmare! 🚩 Ask these interview questions to spot a toxic boss before you sign that contract.

1. How would you describe your leadership style?

- This one is about getting to know your boss's vibe. A toxic boss might sound bossy, while a cool one will probably talk about teamwork and helping everyone grow.

2. How does your team celebrate success?

- This question digs into how your boss and the team handle wins. A toxic boss might not care much about celebrating, or they might make it into a competition. But a good boss will likely want to share the success and make everyone feel good about it.

3. What does success look like to you?

- This one is about finding out what your boss thinks is important. A bad boss might only care about numbers or their own success, but a good one will see success as a mix of personal growth, teamwork, and hitting goals.

4. What does it look like to go above & beyond for this role?

- Here, you're asking about what your boss expects when you really put in extra effort. A toxic boss might have impossible standards or not appreciate your hard work, but a supportive one will likely give you clear goals and appreciate your hustle.

5. What do you love most about your team?

- This question is all about finding out what your boss values about the team and the job. A bad boss might not have much to say or only focus on results, but a good one will probably talk about how awesome the team is and how much they enjoy the work environment.

#careeradvice #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #womeninbusiness #corporatelife by @w__collective

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7 months ago

Hi @reesewitherspoon I love you, please don’t come at me. But please can we encourage women to follow their dreams? by @w__collective

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8 months ago

Right, let’s talk about what to do when someone at work pushes you to the edge of your professional persona. Because “take deep breaths” is not cutting it anymore.

Here’s what to say when you are one comment away from losing it:

“I’m going to stop you there.”
No please. No sorry. Just stop.
Sets a clear boundary and puts you back in control.

“Let me be very clear about what’s happening here.”
Names the behaviour, creates accountability, and makes it harder to gaslight you later.

“This conversation needs to happen with HR present.”
Protects your interests, documents the issue, and shows you know your rights.

Plot twist: Being triggered is not unprofessional.
Letting people repeatedly cross your boundaries is.

Your anger is not the problem. It is your internal alarm system telling you something is wrong. Listen to it.

Want a 30-day reset to help you handle work without falling apart?
The Blueprint Sprint has you covered.
DM SPRINT to get the details.

Love, Katie & Clare x

P.S. To the woman drafting another “per my last email” when she really wants to say “what the actual f***”. We have better strategies 🤍 by @w__collective

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8 months ago

The idea of asking for 30% more used to make me feel physically sick. My hands would shake, my voice would wobble, and I’d rehearse a hundred ways to make myself sound “not greedy.”

✨ Comment SPRINT and we’ll show you how to ask with confidence (and actually get it).

But here’s the truth: the conversation that changed everything wasn’t about being liked. It was about showing value. I anchored high with confidence. I framed the raise as a return on investment, not a favour. And then I shut up and let the silence do the heavy lifting. Those few seconds of discomfort were brutal, but they worked.
The result? I got the raise. Not because I begged, but because I finally positioned myself as someone they couldn’t afford to lose.
Now I teach other women to do the same — because once you’ve asked for 30% and got it, you’ll never go back to apologising for small asks again.

✨ Comment SPRINT if you’re ready to finally get paid what you’re worth and stop second-guessing every conversation about money. by @w__collective

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8 months ago

#3 was used against me three years ago and it ultimately led me to resign as an Executive Director.

Ready to stop circling the same problems and actually do something about it?
Comment or DM SPRINT to learn about our 30-day transformation programme.

This is not fluffy, feel good advice. It is a straight talking toolkit to help you handle office politics, set boundaries that stick, and protect your peace while you plan your next step.

Follow for career advice made for women

They set you up to fail
Toxic bosses create unrealistic goals and expectations so you are set up to lose.
What to do: Clarify expectations, document everything, and get it in writing.

They criticise but offer no support
This creates fear, damages confidence, and hurts morale.
What to do: Ask for specific, constructive feedback and keep records. If it continues unfairly, escalate.

They sideline or exclude you
A subtle way to undermine your confidence, impact, and sense of purpose.
What to do: Stay proactive, track incidents, and raise concerns if needed, especially if discrimination may be involved.

They use bullying tactics
No one should tolerate intimidation at work.
What to do: Stay calm, document everything, and report it through the appropriate channels.

Have you ever experienced this at work? by @w__collective

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8 months ago

I thought feeling fried was the price of ambition. Everyone else looked the same, so I assumed it was normal.

💪 Comment BLUEPRINT and we’ll show you how to stay ambitious without burning out.

Turns out burnout isn’t a badge of honour, it’s a warning sign. Once I set boundaries, protected time for myself, and stopped saying yes to everything, I got my energy and focus back.
And funny enough, I actually got promoted faster once I stopped looking like I was drowning.

💪 Comment BLUEPRINT to learn how to build a career without sacrificing yourself. by @w__collective

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9 months ago

Burnout isn’t actually a you problem, even though we’re constantly told it is. Like if you just did more yoga, bought another productivity app or finally mastered the art of “saying no”, everything would magically feel fine. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Most of the time burnout is a system problem, and honestly your manager is probably just as knackered and stuck in the same broken setup, trying to survive it too. So if you’re tired all the time, a bit snappy, running on caffeine and low level resentment, or feeling like you’ve completely lost your spark, that’s not a personal failure. That’s what happens when decent people are pushed too far for too long. We’ve put together a FREE burnout guide to help you make sense of what’s actually going on and what to do next.

Comment or DM 😵 and we’ll send it straight over. by @w__collective

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8 months ago

I spent years waiting for loyalty to pay off. Spoiler: it never did.

💪 Comment BLUEPRINT and we’ll show you what actually moves the needle on pay and progression.

The second I switched jobs, my salary jumped. Not because I magically became better overnight — but because I finally had leverage. Companies don’t reward loyalty, they reward the people they’re scared to lose.
So if you’re still sitting there hoping loyalty will get noticed, you’ll be waiting forever.

💪 Comment BLUEPRINT if you’re ready to stop waiting and start getting valued. by @w__collective

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9 months ago