Work From The Inside Out 275: Direction, Not Perfection: The Gap Between “I Want” and “I Do” with Irina Cozma
In this episode of Work From the Inside Out, I sit down with executive coach, organizational psychologist, and Harvard Business Review contributor Irina Cozma, PhD. From the volleyball courts of Romania to leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies, Irina has followed a powerful inner voice throughout her life: when she wants something, she takes action. No overthinking. No perfectionism. Just clear intention and bold movement. We talk about how this mindset helped her navigate international moves, earn multiple advanced degrees, a corporate career, and ultimately the launch of her coaching practice.
Irina shares how overthinking and perfectionism are two of the biggest challenges she sees in her clients and how developing direction can change everything. Whether you’re exploring a major career shift or simply trying to get unstuck, Irina’s story offers a refreshing and practical reminder: clarity beats complexity, and action beats anxiety. Tune in to hear how she helps others close the gap between “I want” and “I do” and how you can do the same.
In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:
- How embracing clarity, direction, and intentional action can supersede overthinking and perfectionism.
- Why having a strong sense of “what you want” makes decision-making easier, even when the path forward is uncertain.
- The power of following curiosity and interest as a compass for career choices, rather than chasing traditional markers of success.
- What it looks like to reinvent your career across industries, countries, and interests.
Learn more about Irina:
- Visit irinacozma.com
- LinkedIn: @irinacozma
- YouTube: @irina-cozma
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