
Coaching Real Leaders
We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life leadership coaching sessions with high performers working to overcome professional challenges and grow as leaders. Listen in on real conversations and leave with new insights and practical guidance for your own career.
The views expressed on this podcast are those of its hosts, guests, and callers, and not those of Harvard Business Review.
Latest episodes

19 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 1min
How Do I Get Recognized as a Leader?
The discussion centers on the journey of a leader feeling overlooked in a new role. Key topics include strategies for gaining visibility, the importance of networking, and self-advocacy. Insights on navigating workplace dynamics and fostering belonging within teams highlight the role of personal contributions. The conversation emphasizes building trust and relationships for effective leadership, while also addressing the complexities of asserting oneself without coming off as self-serving. Overall, practical advice is shared for enhancing leadership recognition.

9 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 2min
Coming Soon: Season 9 of Coaching Real Leaders
Dive into the complexities of leadership as Muriel Wilkins tackles the common hurdles faced by executives. Explore how exhaustion and self-doubt can impact performance, and discover the transformative power of coaching. Get ready for insightful conversations that highlight growth and adaptation in the ever-evolving work landscape. This season promises to engage and inspire, providing tools to navigate professional challenges more effectively.

205 snips
Dec 16, 2024 • 50min
How Do I Position Myself to Influence Senior Leadership?
A leader navigates the mixed signals from senior management while striving for strategic impact. The importance of aligning personal values with professional goals is explored, along with the emotional challenges of transitioning from solopreneurship to corporate life. Insights on understanding organizational roles and influencing leadership dynamics provide clarity. Emphasis is placed on self-reflection for personal growth, addressing frustrations in advisory roles, and encouraging open communication to foster a supportive environment for change.

105 snips
Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 5min
How Do I Lead Change When There Is Stakeholder Resistance?
An experienced leader faces challenges in a new international change management role. Resistance from stakeholders complicates her mission, and discussions highlight the importance of collaboration and cultural understanding. Strategies for overcoming this resistance include fostering clear communication and addressing systemic biases. The journey emphasizes emotional resilience and reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth. Ultimately, it showcases how leaders can navigate tough transformations while maintaining their optimism and adaptability.

72 snips
Nov 18, 2024 • 53min
Do I Really Want To Be a C-Suite Leader?
A leader grapples with the tension between ambition and comfort as she considers a C-suite role. The conversation dives into the complexities of success, shaped by personal and societal expectations. Themes of self-reflection and understanding one's true aspirations emerge, highlighting the need to balance purpose with potential. The discussion emphasizes mindful decision-making in career transitions and the importance of aligning personal goals with professional opportunities.

155 snips
Nov 4, 2024 • 48min
How Do I Deal with Low Performers on My Team?
A leader grapples with managing low performers amid a rapidly growing team. He navigates the complexities of accountability and communication, especially between senior and junior members. Critical discussions focus on balancing motivation with the need for structure and clear expectations. The importance of giving effective feedback is emphasized, alongside strategies to foster trust and support. Insights into navigating difficult conversations and the emotional aspects of performance management aim to equip leaders for success.

53 snips
Oct 21, 2024 • 55min
How Do I Handle It When I Disagree with My Boss’s Decisions?
A new executive navigates the tricky waters of leadership while grappling with disagreements with his boss. The discussion highlights building trust, effective communication, and balancing personal values with organizational demands. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional challenges and complexities of workplace dynamics. Reflecting on discomfort as a growth opportunity, the conversation emphasizes strategic influence in decision-making. Ultimately, the coaching session leads to newfound clarity and confidence, illustrating the journey of growth in leadership.

27 snips
Oct 7, 2024 • 42min
How Do I Balance My Career Ambitions as Part of a Dual-Career Couple?
Discover the challenges of balancing career ambitions as a dual-career couple. Learn how to navigate feelings of stagnation while pursuing high-level positions. The importance of setting clear goals and strategic planning is emphasized. Explore various strategies for career advancement without major relocations or title changes. Redefine growth beyond promotions to include meaningful experiences. Finally, embrace setbacks as essential parts of the journey, encouraging consistent steps toward long-term aspirations.

Sep 30, 2024 • 2min
Coming Soon: Season 8 of Coaching Real Leaders
Muriel Wilkins, a seasoned executive coach, returns to tackle the intricate world of leadership challenges and career advancement. She dives into the tough conversations around butting heads with bosses and making bold moves like pursuing C-suite promotions. Muriel emphasizes the significance of coaching in navigating career crossroads, helping leaders discover unexpected insights about themselves, and outlining actionable steps for growth. Her insights promise to guide listeners through the complexities of real-life professional dilemmas.

54 snips
Aug 12, 2024 • 21min
How To Make the Most of Your Work Day (from Working It)
In this engaging discussion, bestselling author Daniel Pink, known for his expertise in productivity, teams up with Aaron Levy, CEO of Box, to explore the nuances of work rhythms. They reveal how understanding personal energy patterns can dramatically enhance productivity. Pink shares strategies on aligning tasks to peak performance times, while Levy discusses the freedom flexible schedules provide, especially for night owls. Together, they emphasize the importance of communication and breaks in fostering a thriving work environment.
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