Fear of the unknown often traps individuals in toxic jobs, but leaving those environments is crucial for personal growth and creativity.
Building a supportive network and asking for help are essential strategies for managing the dual roles of entrepreneurship and family responsibilities.
Deep dives
Overcoming Fear and Taking the Leap
Fear often serves as a significant barrier to making substantial changes in one’s career or life. Individuals may hesitate to leave toxic work environments, conditioned to believe that stability outweighs the negative impact on their well-being. It's highlighted that finding the right moment to take bold steps is crucial, yet the truth is there is rarely a perfect time; one must create their own opportunities. A supportive partner or friend can play a pivotal role in this journey by providing encouragement and validation, reinforcing the belief in one's potential.
Recognizing and Leaving Toxic Work Environments
Many professionals remain in toxic workplaces due to fear of the unknown and the comfort of the familiar, even acknowledging their situations aren’t conducive to growth. The discussion emphasizes that staying in such environments can not only stifle personal growth but also contribute to a culture of mediocrity. Leaving a toxic job is framed not as a failure but rather as taking control of one’s life, a necessary step to foster environments that nurture development and creativity. It's imperative to challenge the stigma surrounding short tenures that often accompany resignations, redefining success instead by the quality of the workplace.
Seeking Support and Collaboration
Asking for help is often perceived as a sign of weakness, yet it is essential for personal and professional growth. Establishing a supportive network fosters a collaborative spirit that can lead to greater success and innovation. Many entrepreneurs face overwhelming challenges, from learning new skills to making strategic decisions, and recognizing the value of reaching out for guidance can be transformative. By embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and remaining open to learning, individuals can significantly expand their capabilities and achieve their goals.
Balancing Multiple Roles as an Entrepreneur
The journey of entrepreneurship requires adeptly balancing various roles while maintaining personal responsibilities. Women often bear the additional challenge of juggling family responsibilities alongside their professional aspirations, creating potential feelings of inadequacy in fulfilling all roles simultaneously. Effective time management and the strategic use of resources, like delegating tasks or using technology, can empower entrepreneurs to excel in their ventures while still being present at home. By prioritizing self-care and embracing the need to occasionally lower expectations in specific areas, entrepreneurs can foster a healthier and more sustainable work-life balance.
Wondering if it’s time to leave your job, launch your business, or finally take that big leap?
In this powerful episode, I talk with Mary Rombaut, startup founder and working mom of three, about how to overcome fear, escape toxic work environments, and take bold, intentional steps in your career. Within just 12 months, Mary made two major career changes while raising young children—and built her company Recommenda to help entrepreneurs make smarter marketing tech decisions.
We explore how to let go of what’s no longer serving you, how to balance career and personal life, and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or simply at a crossroads in your professional journey, this conversation will challenge you to face your fears—and take action.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to recognize fear and self-doubt as the biggest barriers to career growth
How to leave a toxic job without guilt—and why job tenure isn’t always a strength
Mary’s mindset and system for managing time and energy while launching a startup
Why mission-driven leadership and intentional career moves matter more than ever
How to ask for help, build your village, and lean into support as a leader
Advice for new entrepreneurs and leaders considering their next big career step
The importance of self-belief, personal investment, and strategic decision-making
How to balance being a parent, professional, and startup founder without burning out
And more!
“Fall into your fears. You have to own them—you have to acknowledge them. The sooner you start falling into them, the growth and the amazing achievements are really going to start.” – Mary Rombaut
What's Stopping You From Taking the Next Step?
Listen now and start taking action on your next bold move-–and share with a friend who’s stuck in indecision or dreaming about something bigger.
If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.
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