LEAVE YOUR MARK: Freshly Brewed Career Advice with Aliza Licht

In today’s workplace, transparency is expected—but how much is too much? In this episode, I break down the new rules of leadership transparency, spotlighting recent real-world examples from JPMorgan, Meta, Delta, and Business Insider. You’ll hear what those companies got wrong—and what they could have done better. Plus, I share a practical decision-making filter to help leaders decide what to share, when to share it, and how to do it without eroding trust. You’ll learn: When transparency builds trust—and when it backfires The difference between honesty and oversharing What to say when you don’t have all the answers A 5-question leadership filter to guide communication How to avoid performative openness and drive real connection Whether you're a seasoned executive or a first-time manager, this episode is your toolkit for navigating transparency with clarity, empathy, and intention.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with history-making polar explorer, mountaineer, and leadership expert Alison Levine. We delve into her incredible journey from the boardrooms of Goldman Sachs to leading the first American women's Everest expedition and completing the Adventure Grand Slam despite having Raynaud's disease and undergoing three heart surgeries. Alison shares her insights on leadership in extreme environments, overcoming personal limits, and the importance of resilience. We also discuss her experiences at Goldman Sachs, her tenure as a leadership professor at West Point, and the valuable lessons she learned from the top of some of the world's tallest mountains. Not to mention incredible insights from her book, On the Edge. Find out how Alison's failures paved the way for her eventual successes and her approach to risk management both in the mountains and in corporate settings. Don't miss her profound thoughts on the true goals of mountaineering, the importance of resilience, and the power of encouragement.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Stacey Ross Cohen, CEO and founder of Co-Communications, bestselling author of the Brand Up series, TEDx speaker, and marketing professor, to discuss personal branding and career advancement for early professionals. The conversation dives into the essentials of beginner personal branding, highlighting a three-step framework from Stacey's book, Brand Up 2.0: Propel Your Early Career Success. It features invaluable career-building best practices and helps young adults tell unique stories highlighting their best selves and answering the million-dollar question: Why Choose You? Stacey shares insights on leveraging LinkedIn, networking, and the balance between content creation and genuine engagement. She also offers practical advice for young professionals on effective job application strategies and how to make a lasting impression during interviews. Additionally, the episode touches on the crucial role of follow-up skills and the nuanced use of LinkedIn's 'open to work' feature. No matter your career path or goals, Stacey's insights will teach you how to craft your professional digital presence and set you up for success. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:30 Target Audience for the Book 02:35 Understanding Personal Branding 04:39 Personal Branding in 3D Framework 06:24 Delivering Your Value 10:32 Navigating Social Media and Algorithms 13:58 Graduation Tips and Job Market Insights 18:31 Networking and Interviewing Skills 21:40 Brand Up Book Overview 28:39 Open to Work on LinkedIn 32:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mastering the Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback Welcome back to Leave Your Mark. In this episode, I delve into the essential skill of feedback—how to give it effectively and how to receive it with grace. I'll provide a step-by-step guide on giving timely, specific, and constructive feedback, including practical examples and methods like the SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact) framework. On receiving feedback, I'll cover how to regulate your emotional response, seek clarity, and act on advice. Whether you're a manager or climbing the corporate ladder, these tips will help you use feedback as a tool for professional growth. Tune in to learn how to transform feedback from a source of anxiety into a catalyst for personal and career development.

In this eye-opening episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn's career expert, to explore the critical skills you need to stay competitive in today's rapidly evolving job market. Catherine shares invaluable insights on AI literacy, conflict resolution, and how to seamlessly incorporate new skills into your professional life. We also discuss the best ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract top recruiters and stand out from the crowd. Whether you're actively job hunting, considering a career pivot, or aiming to stay relevant, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples to help you take control of your career journey.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:27 Navigating the Uncertain Job Market 01:45 Future-Proofing Your Career with Skills 03:56 The Importance of Soft Skills 04:57 Leveraging AI in Your Career 06:29 Conflict Resolution in the Workplace 08:24 Self-Assessment and Skill Development 13:30 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile 14:53 Job Market Trends and Strategies 16:53 Personal Branding and Visibility 32:01 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I chat with my former colleague and friend, Marina Luri, the founder and creative director of Marina Luri Events. Marina shares her inspiring journey from working in high-profile fashion PR to becoming one of the most sought-after event planners in the world, with offices in New York, Connecticut, and Italy. With over two decades of designing jaw-dropping events across the US and Europe, she's the mastermind behind high-profile weddings, galas, and private events that feature celebrity performances. Word of mouth is everything in an industry where you're as good as your last event. Marina's commitment to maintaining discretion — especially with high-profile clients — has kept her at the top. We dive into how her background in fashion influences her event designs, the challenges of running her own business, and her strategies for managing high-profile, luxurious events. Marina also discusses the importance of mentorship and her passion for helping the next generation of creatives. Tune in for some rich insights and career advice that you can put into action right away!  

What happens when your personal brand doesn’t match the moment?In this episode, I break down Meghan Markle’s recent TIME100 interview analyzing where her messaging went wrong, how she lost control of the narrative, and the branding lessons every leader, entrepreneur, and creator needs to know. From flower sprinkles to unboxing confessions, I uncover how small missteps can turn into big brand consequences — and what it takes to pivot with purpose. If you care about building a resilient, authentic brand, you don’t want to miss this episode.

Parents Please Don't Let Your College Kid Blow Their Summer Internship:Let's face it—most students aren't prepared for what real-world work demands. School doesn't teach soft skills like communication, professionalism, or how to read a room. That's where this episode steps in. It's a no-fluff guide to help young professionals show up, stand out, and succeed as summer interns. I cover the crucial skills and attitudes needed to succeed in a professional environment, including the importance of presence, professionalism, and people skills. I stress the importance of punctuality, effective email communication, and leveraging social capital. You'll also learn about the significance of building relationships, appropriate social media usage, and the value of asking thoughtful questions. As I emphasize throughout the episode, internships are auditions for future roles, and how you show up can set the tone for your entire career. This is the definitive guide to help your college student not only survive their internship—but thrive.00:00 Introduction to Leave Your Mark00:29 Special Episode for Parents and College Students01:53 The Reality of Internships03:20 Building Your Personal Brand04:32 Effective Communication Skills07:23 The Importance of Soft Skills09:04 Networking and Building Relationships11:33 Social Media Etiquette for Interns14:03 Collaboration Over Competition15:15 Asking Questions and Seeking Feedback16:44 Concluding Advice and Final Thoughts

Is this you? I sure hope not. In this snack segment of Leave Your Mark, I explore the recent workplace trends of micro-pettiness and performative workaholism. Learn about the humorous yet harmful ways employees resist toxic bosses and how the pressure to appear constantly busy is taking a toll on mental health. I offer actionable advice for both managers and employees on how to address these issues, from rebuilding psychological safety and modeling healthy boundaries to setting personal boundaries and advocating for yourself. 00:00 Introduction to Modern Workplace Trends00:26 Understanding Micro Pettiness01:43 The Rise of Performative Workaholism02:59 Strategies for Managers to Combat Toxic Work Culture04:34 Tips for Employees to Maintain Healthy Work Habits05:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, the choice is clear: either harness the power of artificial intelligence to propel you and your business forward or watch as competitors leave you in their digital dust. In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with my friend Mark Beckman, CEO of DMA United, bestselling author, podcast host, and NYU professor, to discuss the AI revolution, which is already here, transforming industries and reshaping our world at breakneck speed. Mark's new book 'Some Future Day: How AI is Going to Change Everything,' is a cutting-edge guide that not only shows how AI is transforming our careers, lives, businesses, and more, but also provides easy, actionable steps to make AI work for us. We have an insightful conversation about the transformative power of AI in various industries, especially in creative fields like fashion and advertising. We discuss his concept of the 'Age of Imagination' and how AI can democratize creativity, allowing individuals to compete with industry giants. We also discuss the broader implications of AI on job markets, privacy, and our personal lives. From ethical concerns and regulatory measures to practical ways listeners can utilize AI to enhance their careers and personal lives, this episode is packed with valuable insights.01:41 AI's Impact on Work and Personal Life03:04 AI in Creative Industries08:30 AI and Job Market Transformation10:02 Privacy and Security Concerns with AI27:24 AI's Role in Personal and Family Life35:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts