Coaching Real Leaders

Listener questions drive a rapid-fire session on sponsorship, including how to find and ask for influential advocates. Co-founder tensions get unpacked with curiosity, observation, and impact-focused language. A clear framework for recovering from major workplace mistakes is shared. Practical approaches for surfacing feedback and rebuilding trust round out the conversation.

A new marketing leader wrestles with misaligned expectations as sales-centric thinking threatens her growth plans. The conversation teases how unspoken assumptions, quiet execution, and lack of visibility can derail strategy. Listeners hear practical moves for checking assumptions, building executive alignment, and preparing multiple plans once clarity emerges.

A coach returns with unscripted conversations about leaders facing pivotal moments. Topics include gaining visibility and influence inside organizations. There are candid talks about choosing between career advancement and personal happiness. A new twice-monthly format and an Ask Anything series are also announced.

A leader finds herself unexpectedly in a CEO role and grapples with whether it's the right fit. The discussion digs into the difference between what she wants and what she feels capable of achieving. Personal obstacles like procrastination are explored, along with how curiosity can be leveraged as a strength. They talk about defining personal success and the importance of celebrating small victories. Ultimately, she decides to test her capabilities while reframing responsibility as both a challenge and a motivator.

A newly promoted manager grapples with the complexities of leading former peers. He shares experiences of friction with longer-tenured colleagues and the struggle to balance accountability with rapport-building. Insights on adapting leadership styles reveal how different motivations require tailored approaches. They delve into interpreting feedback and the importance of maintaining professionalism while inviting personal connection. Practical strategies are shared for handling resistance and fostering a positive team environment, leaving the leader feeling more optimistic about his role.

A seasoned leader faces uncertainty as her company shifts direction. She explores her value in a changing landscape, navigating the transition from generalist to specialist. Together with her coach, she identifies short-term goals to regain clarity and strategizes ways to leverage her institutional knowledge. With a focus on building networks and documenting her journey, she contemplates whether to lean into new challenges or step back. Ultimately, she’s equipped with actionable steps to tackle the unknown and define her future career path.

The conversation centers on a leader yearning for growth while grappling with feelings of inadequacy in senior meetings. Insights include how self-perception clashes with others' views, and strategies to embrace contributions despite insecurity. They explore overcoming perfectionism, reframing value away from execution, and adopting new beliefs around belonging. With practical tips to test hypotheses in real meetings, the host encourages proactive participation and the acceptance of occasional insecurity as a part of growth.

Join Amy Bernstein and Amy Gallo as they chat with executive coach Muriel Wilkins about the hidden beliefs that impede leaders' progress. Muriel delves into concepts like 'I need it done now' and the 'I know I’m right' habits that can stifle growth. With insights from her upcoming book, she explains how reframing urgency and cultivating curiosity can transform leadership. The discussion touches on collective beliefs that lead to excessive meetings and the importance of embodying the right mindset to foster organizational change.

Finding joy in a current role doesn't mean neglecting future opportunities. A leader grapples with how to plan her career while loving where she is. Key discussions revolve around defining values, maximizing impact in diverse teams, and addressing fears of making the wrong career moves. Emphasizing psychological safety, the conversation explores reframing risks and focusing on growth. With practical steps for career conversations and support requests, the session equips listeners to navigate their professional paths confidently.

A leadership transition sparks a conversation about the crucial role of visibility at work. The discussion highlights the difference between perception and performance, urging listeners to uncover what leaders truly value. Strategies for expanding one's network, along with the balance of personal reputation and strategic impact, are explored. Concrete steps for increasing workplace visibility emerge, emphasizing the importance of sponsorships and clear communication. Key takeaways provide a roadmap for defining and enhancing visibility in any organization.