
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

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.

56 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.

24 snips
May 20, 2024 • 54min
How Can I Set the Right Boundaries in a New Job?
A discussion on preventing burnout in a new job by setting boundaries. Exploring the challenges of work-life balance, recognizing toxic work environments, and reframing approaches to work. Emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, prioritizing tasks, and empowering oneself with clear boundaries to avoid burnout.

40 snips
May 6, 2024 • 53min
How Do I Prove I’m the Right Person for a Different Leadership Role?
A passionate professional shares his journey from the marine industry to a corporate leadership role. He faces challenges in proving his value to senior colleagues while navigating job uncertainties. The discussion highlights the importance of self-advocacy, building trust, and aligning personal goals with organizational needs. The speakers offer insights on establishing credibility and fostering communication during career transitions. They emphasize the need to deftly frame contributions to resonate with decision-makers, aiming for impactful leadership.

36 snips
Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 3min
How Do I Avoid a Career Plateau at Midlife?
Experienced leader coaches individuals through midlife career transitions, addressing concerns about aging in the workforce, finding the right challenges, and planning for the future. The podcast delves into the paradox of feeling content in the present role while being drawn towards new opportunities, exploring the importance of adapting for long-term success and balancing ambition with contentment at midlife.

25 snips
Apr 8, 2024 • 1h 6min
How Do I Stay on the Fast Track to the Next Level of Leadership?
Experienced leadership coach, Muriel Wilkins, guides a leader on strategic advancement, emphasizing the importance of clear objectives, self-awareness, and balancing personal perspectives. They explore finding a 'North Star' in leadership, aligning actions with outcomes, and seeking validation through leadership coaching sessions.

30 snips
Mar 25, 2024 • 51min
How Do I Get Results Without Feeling Burned Out?
Exploring the challenges of a leader in a new role, navigating work-life balance, setting boundaries, managing email overload, embracing change while maintaining balance, detaching from external roles for self-worth, prioritizing learning over busyness, and balancing leadership with time management for sustainability.

5 snips
Mar 11, 2024 • 41min
How Do I Balance My Career Goals with My Company’s Needs?
Explore the challenges of balancing career goals with company needs as Sophie navigates the desire to return to her dream role while staying in a new location. Learn about advocating for career shifts, showcasing readiness for new challenges, and aligning personal goals with company interests