For the past 30 years, Helene Lerner has made it her mission to empower thousands of women and girls to tap into their confidence and career potential, whether it be though her Emmy-award winning television programs, her multimedia company, her career development platform — Women Working — or the 15 self-help books she has written along the way.
Her commitment to help them achieve their dreams sprouted from her own untraditional journey: working as a New York City public school teacher, then moving up the ranks in a promising sales career, then pivoting entirely to TV production with virtually no experience — and an infant in tow.
After years of taking career risks — and learning to bet on her instincts — her message to women became clear: follow your passion with authenticity as opposed to adapting to what others want you to be.
In her latest book, “Smart Women Live Richly, No Matter What’s in Their Wallet!” Lerner doubles down on that principle, filling the pages with uplifting stories, practices, “power-formations” and “joy-formations” intended to ground and energize “every woman who’s ever been told that her worth is tied to her bank account, her title, or her ability to do it all without breaking a sweat.”
Lerner recently spoke to Know Your Value about the lessons from the book, reinvention at any age, and redefining wealth on your own terms to reach true prosperity.
Below is the conversation, which has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Know Your Value: Tell us about the six keys to unlocking wealth and prosperity. Where do women particularly struggle?
Lerner: The six keys in “Smart Women Live Richly” provide a roadmap to redefining wealth — not just in terms of money, but in how we live, lead and thrive. Each key is designed to help women shed outdated narratives and step into their power, purpose and prosperity.
- Key 1: Giving Up. This is about releasing what no longer serves us: the habits, patterns and personas that keep us small. We let go of the false self we’ve been performing and the fear that paralyzes progress. Fear may not vanish, but we can still move forward — with shaky knees, if we must.
- Key 2: Getting More. Here, we shift from a scarcity mindset to one of true abundance. Women are often expert givers, but receiving? This is where women struggle with the most. Receiving can feel unpredictable, even uncomfortable. This key is about learning to say a full-hearted “thank you” and strengthening the inner muscle that allows us to take in more love, support, money and opportunity.
- Key 3: Gaining Momentum. I call this soul power. When we align with what lights us up and serve from our gifts, we naturally begin to accelerate. This key encourages women to think bigger, dream wider and move forward from a place of authenticity and purpose.
- Key 4: Giving Back. Prosperity expands when it’s shared. As women, we bring empathy, perception and compassion into our leadership. This key is about using those gifts to uplift others and lead as servant leaders, creating impact that goes beyond ourselves.
- Key 5: Going the Extra Mile. This is where discipline becomes your ally. On the days we don’t feel like showing up, it’s routine, consistency and inner commitment that carry us forward. I also introduce a method for taking smart risks — because when the time is right, the boldest move can lead to the biggest breakthrough.
- Key 6: Growing a Greater Life. True wealth includes connection. We don’t grow alone and we don’t rise alone. This key is about reaching out — cultivating deep relationships with mentors who guide us and sponsors who advocate for us.
Know Your value: The book focuses on transforming a poverty mindset into a prosperous one. What does that mean and how can women embrace that shift?
Lerner: The difference between a poverty mindset and a prosperity mindset is the difference between living in fear and living in fullness.
A poverty mindset keeps us stuck in lack. It’s rooted in scarcity, small thinking and the fear that there’s never enough, never enough time, money, opportunity or self-worth. It’s driven by what I call the “Mad Mind Chatter” — those internal scripts that whisper, “You’re not ready. You’re not enough. It’s too late.” That kind of thinking is crippling. It shrinks our vision and dims our light.
A prosperity mindset, on the other hand, comes from the heart, not just the head. It’s about connection over control. It allows us to trust in our value, act with purpose, and embrace the abundance already available in our lives.
When we lead from this heart-centered space, we begin to notice the extraordinary in the ordinary. The “small things” become big things — a child’s smile, a co-worker’s kind greeting, a moment of peace in a chaotic day. Life begins to expand in meaning and joy.
So how do women avoid a poverty mindset?
We begin by getting quiet enough to hear our inner wisdom over the noise. We question the fear-based stories we’ve been told — and the ones we’ve told ourselves. We develop daily practices that nurture our self-trust, our gratitude, and our joy. And just as importantly, we surround ourselves with people who reflect our potential and give us honest feedback—mentors, sponsors, and trusted allies who hold us accountable to the truth of who we are and what we’re capable of.
Shifting from poverty to prosperity isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to lead with courage, connection and conviction. And when we do, we stop chasing validation — and start creating lives that are rich in every sense of the word.
Know Your Value: The book describes power as multidimensional. Explain that dynamic?
Lerner: I describe power as multidimensional because it shows up in different forms — each equally valid, each deeply powerful. For women to fully step into their power at work, they need to recognize and own the dimension that best serves the moment.
There’s Compassionate Power, which is rooted in empathy, connection, and service. It’s the power to listen, to lead with heart, and to create cultures of trust. This is often the foundation of transformational leadership — quietly fierce, deeply human and profoundly effective.
Then there’s Confrontative Power. It’s not about aggression, but about courage. This is the power to set boundaries, to challenge injustice, to speak truth in the face of resistance. It’s the power to say “no” with clarity, or “yes” with full ownership. When women tap into this, they disrupt patterns, command respect, and open new paths forward.
And finally, there’s Silent Power, the kind that doesn’t need to announce itself. It’s the strength of stillness, of knowing your worth without having to prove it. It’s presence, poise, and the quiet confidence that often speaks louder than words.
True power is knowing which dimension to lean into, and when. Too often, women are told to suppress or edit parts of themselves to fit someone else’s definition of leadership. But real success comes when we integrate these forms of power and trust our own internal compass to guide us.
Know Your Value: What are some smart risk-taking strategies for women?
First, smart risk-taking isn’t about being reckless, it’s about being strategic, self-aware and in tune with timing.
I introduce the concept of the 'Risk Quotient' — a method women can use to evaluate whether a risk is worth taking. Not all risks are created equal and understanding which ones to take — and when — can change the trajectory of your life or career.
There are three outcomes in my risk quotient:
Best Bets: These are the risks that align. The conditions are right, the timing feels strong, and your intuition and logic agree. When everything lines up, it’s time to act. Best Bets are the opportunities that stretch you and excite you — even if they scare you a little.
Not Now: These aren’t necessarily bad risks, but the timing or context isn’t quite right. It could be a great idea, just not yet. Recognizing a “Not Now” is key to preserving energy and confidence. It’s not a no — it’s a delay — and sometimes that delay allows you to prepare more fully.
No Go: These are the risks that don’t align with your values, your vision or your well-being. They drain more than they offer. And here’s the truth: you don’t have to prove your courage by jumping into a pool with no water. Wisdom is knowing when to say no without guilt.
Know Your Value: What career advice do you offer women over 50 who want to pivot, start a new career or pursue a passion later in life but worry it’s too late?
Lerner: Women over 50 are not running out of time — we’re stepping into our prime.
At this stage in life, we bring something powerful to the table: experience, emotional intelligence, resilience and the clarity that only comes from lived wisdom. That’s not a limitation — it’s an incredible advantage.
If you’re feeling called to pivot, start something new, or finally go after a dream you’ve put on hold, I encourage you to listen to that inner voice. It’s not too late, it’s actually the perfect time.
Many people talk about retirement — I prefer the word refirement. This is not about stepping back; it’s about stepping forward with renewed passion, purpose and energy. It’s a time to ask: What have I placed on the back burner that now deserves to be front and center?
Here’s the advice I give all women over 50:
Start small — but start. You don’t need a five-year plan to begin. You just need the courage to take the next right step.
Resurrect your passions. Reconnect with the parts of yourself that may have been set aside for family, work or others’ needs.
Surround yourself with people who reflect your strength. Not the naysayers, but those who remind you of what you’re capable of.
Reach out for support. Mentors, sponsors, collaborators — there’s power in community.
Stay open to learning. Yes, it may feel uncertain — but growth always involves a little discomfort.
And make room for fun. This next chapter should be meaningful, but it should also bring joy.
After 50, women have the beauty, the wisdom and the skills to make a bold and lasting impact. It’s not starting over, but starting from a place of deep experience. And that is one of the most powerful places to begin.