Coaching Real Leaders

We check in with three guests from Season 1 to see what they took with them from their coaching meetings and where they are now. First, we hear from a leader who had been struggling to communicate effectively, especially in high-level management meetings. Then we get an update from a leader who had been on the brink of burnout. Finally, we catch up with a leader who had been managing racial tensions between her team and her boss. Season 1 episodes referenced in this episode: Finding My Leadership Voice On the Brink of Burnout Caught in the Middle

She’s recently been promoted to a senior role, after working her way up in the industry from an entry level position. But she’s become a leader at a time when there’s also a lot of change. Now she’s the legacy person on her new team, and she feels constantly questioned and defensive about the way things work and the culture she helped build. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader on how to figure out what to keep from the past and what to let go of, so she can be effective. Further reading: The Right Way to Respond to Negative Feedback Don’t Let Your Brain’s Defense Mechanisms Thwart Effective Feedback Defend Your Idea Without Being Defensive

In his most recent role, he excelled as a hands-on manager, jumping in to solve the hardest problems. But now he’s moving up a level to take on a new leadership position. He’s managing other managers for the first time and realizing that it’s a big leap to go from managing individual contributors to managing other managers. Host Muriel Wilkins helps this leader understand how to approach his new role and what new skills he must develop in order to succeed. For further reading: How to Manage Managers What Great Managers Do Managers Can’t Be Great Coaches All by Themselves

She made it to a coveted senior role, but she isn’t feeling excited about her future career path. And now she’s wondering how to balance all the competing commitments in her life – children, spouse, elderly parents, and work – while still pursuing what she really cares about. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through discovering what’s important to her, so that she can figure out what’s next. For further reading: Facing Your Mid-Career Crisis You Don’t Find Your Purpose — You Build It How to Beat Mid-Career Malaise

He’s a senior leader in a hospital, who has long seen himself as an advocate for equality for his female colleagues. But in the past few years, he’s faced a few instances where women he works with have been offended by exchanges with him. While there is much talk about gender equity at the organizational level, there’s still a lot of discomfort around how it actually plays out interpersonally at work. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader toward a stronger understanding of his own assumptions and how he can manage across differences. For further reading: 4 Conversations Leaders in the #MeToo Era Should Be Ready For That’s What She Said How Those With Power and Privilege Can Help Others Advance Work with Me: How gender intelligence can help you succeed at work and in life

She’s a C-suite-level executive with 20 years of experience working in corporate finance. Earlier in her career, she stayed at companies for long periods of time. But in her last few roles, she’s been jumping ship as soon as the going gets tough. Is she leaving too quickly, or has she not yet found the right role? Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through her discomfort and toward strategies that can help her see her role through to a successful conclusion. Further Reading: “Are You Really Ready to Quit?” “Don’t Quit Your Job Before Asking Yourself These Questions”

Coaching Real Leaders returns October 6 to tackle new leadership challenges – from when to quit your job to communicating across differences, navigating imposter syndrome, and more. Listen in on coaching sessions with real leaders from all walks of life, as they work out the challenges they face at work, with host and longtime executive coach Muriel Wilkins.

She’s worked her way up from an administrative assistant to a leadership position. But she still struggles to come across as confident, especially in high-level management meetings. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader on how to communicate more effectively. Further Reading: “To Strengthen Your Confidence, Look to Your Past” “Will You Ever Be Taken Seriously?” “Make Yourself Heard” “Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence”

She’s relatively new to the organization and more junior than most of her stakeholders. But her success hinges on her ability to lead initiatives cross-functionally. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this emerging leader through how to cultivate strategic relationships and increase her influence without the formal power of a senior title or position. Further Reading:  “How to Increase Your Influence at Work“ “Learn to Love Networking” “How to Figure Out How Much Influence You Have at Work”

He’s spent much of his career successfully solving complex problems. Now, as he works his way up, he’s realizing that always trying to fix everything won’t let him focus on leading – or help his team succeed. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through adapting his approach to lead more effectively. For more on this topic: “Leading by Letting Go” “How Leaders Can Let Go Without Losing Control” “Why Your Team Should Practice Collective Mindfulness”