She took on a leadership role as a scrum master because she wanted a new challenge. But after a few months on the job, she worries that she lacks the technical knowledge and years of experience to truly lead her team. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how to build credibility with her older, more experienced colleagues. Further reading: When You’re Younger than the People You Manage When Your Boss Is Younger Than You The Challenges (and Triumphs) of a Young Manager Can You Be a Great Leader Without Technical Expertise?

He’s developed a stellar reputation at his organization as the go-to person to solve some very specific, complicated problems. But he worries that the organization has pigeon-holed him as a subject matter expert, limiting his ability to lead more broadly. He speaks with host Muriel Wilkins about how he can break out of the specialist role to reach his goal of becoming a more general business leader. Further reading: All Hail the Generalist Generalists Get Better Job Offers Than Specialists Generalists Versus Specialists: The Winner Doesn’t Take It All When Generalists Are Better Than Specialists, and Vice Versa

She has risen very quickly in her career, often being the youngest in the room. She’s ambitious and wants to make it to the C-suite eventually, but she doesn’t know the right moves to make in the short term to fast-track her way to the top. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how to align her career path with her goals. Further reading: How Ambitious Should You Be? (HBR.org) Do You Want the Corner Office Someday? (Dear HBR)

She’s heading toward the apex of her career and wants to play a more strategic role in her company because she feels that’s where her strengths lie. While she’s great at creating the vision, she’s struggling to set direction and then follow through with her team. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how to lead with more accountability. Further reading: More About the Myers-Briggs Personality Test The Right Way to Hold People Accountable Does Your Team Have an Accountability Problem? Managers: Compassion and Accountability Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

He’s part of a real estate organization and loves his work but wonders what his future looks like at the company and how his role could grow in the coming decades. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through how he might use some of his entrepreneurial muscles to shift his career track toward a business leadership role within his current organization. Further reading: Why You Should Become an Intrapreneur Recognize Intrapreneurs Before They Leave The Strategic Side Gig

Coaching Real Leaders returns May 2 with new coaching sessions, new career challenges, and new leadership lessons. This season, host and longtime executive coach Muriel Wilkins will tackle questions like: How do I move from subject matter expert to business leader? How do I hold myself and my team more accountable? How do I navigate my entrepreneurial interests within a large established company? Listen in on coaching sessions with real leaders from around the globe, as they work out the challenges they face at work.

No matter how driven and capable you are, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a promotion and a new seat at the table. Host Muriel Wilkins speaks with a newly promoted leader who wants to make sure she’s as effective at this new level as she has been in past roles. Further reading: The Next Level, 3rd Edition: What Insiders Know About Executive Success Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence

He’s a senior-level executive with a goal to make it to the C-suite. While he’s come close, he’s been turned down and is not sure why. Host Muriel Wilkins helps this leader plan his next moves. Further reading: What to Do After a Final-Round Job Interview Cracking the Code That Stalls People of Color What Do Black Executives Really Want?

As we head into the holidays after a very stressful year, many of us are struggling with burnout. This week, we revisit a conversation from earlier in the year with a leader on the brink of burnout. She’s ambitious and has always leaned into opportunities to lead. But in her leadership role, her responsibilities just keep growing, making her feel like she can’t keep up. Now she’s questioning whether she even wants to lead anymore. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through her burnout toward strategies she can take to focus her energy and scale up her leadership. Further reading: ●      “6 Causes of Burnout, and How to Avoid Them” ●      “If You’re Overworked, Learn Which Tasks to Hand Off” ●      “Stop Doing Low-Value Work”

He’s been at his company for many years and has worked his way up from an entry-level position to a director role. Now, he wants to get to the next level in his career, but he feels stuck and unsure of himself. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader on how to regain his confidence so that he can move forward. Further reading: To Strengthen Your Confidence, Look to Your Past Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It Don’t Let Self-Doubt Hold You Back