Negotiate Anything

The #1 Career Trap Women Fall Into — And How to Avoid It - with Kweilin Ellingrud

Mar 28, 2025

Kweilin Ellingrude, a senior partner at McKinsey & Co and co-author of "The Broken Rung," shares her expertise on navigating career challenges women face. She discusses the vital concept of experience capital and the necessity for bold career moves to enhance success. Kweilin also highlights strategies to combat workplace biases and emphasizes the significance of negotiation skills and soft skills in professional advancement. The conversation connects health and well-being to career growth, urging proactive management in both areas for a prosperous future.

42:41

Episode guests

Kweilin Ellingrud

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Proactive career choices and aligning with the right companies are vital for women to enhance their lifetime earnings and professional success.

Developing experience capital through bold moves and leveraging negotiation skills are essential strategies to overcome workplace biases and advance careers.

Deep dives

Proactive Career Choices

Proactive career choices are crucial for long-term success and financial well-being, emphasizing that individuals need to take control of their professional journeys. Choosing companies that align with one’s career progression can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, as does stretching one's skill set through bold moves. It's essential to develop a robust network to facilitate career advancements, leveraging both social and emotional competencies. This holistic approach is about integrating financial health and mental wellness to create a balanced professional life.

Intro

2min

Proactive Career Strategies for Women

13min

Navigating Gender Bias in Negotiation

5min

Negotiation Empowerment and Career Growth

17min

Empowering Career Advancement Through Health and Representation

3min

Highlighting Soft Skills in Resumes for Career Success

2min

Buy Now The Broken Rung: When the Career Ladder Breaks for Women--and How They Can Succeed in Spite of It

In this enlightening episode of "Negotiate Anything," host Kwame Christian is joined by Kweilin Ellingrud and Simon Perez to discuss strategies for career advancement, overcoming workplace biases, and the importance of financial and physical health. Kweilin, a senior partner at McKinsey & Co, shares insights from her book "The Broken Rung," focusing on how women can proactively navigate their careers and increase their lifetime earnings. The conversation delves into topics such as the concept of experience capital, the significance of making bold career moves, and the evolving role of negotiation and soft skills in today's workforce. This episode provides listeners with a holistic approach to success, combining career strategy with a focus on health and well-being.

Topics Covered:

The concept of experience capital and its impact on career growth and earnings.
Strategies for overcoming workplace biases and advocating for oneself.
The importance of choosing the right company and the role of negotiation and soft skills.

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