Coaching Real Leaders

She’s demonstrated her leadership ability throughout her career, advancing to some of the most senior leadership roles. But her C-suite peers haven’t always valued what she brings to the table. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through how to demonstrate her value as an executive as she joins a new organization. For more on this topic: “Stepping into a Leadership Role? Be Ready to Tell Your Story.” “How to Get Yourself Invited to Important Meetings” “Seeing Ourselves As Leaders”

She’s ambitious and has always leaned into opportunities to lead. But in her current leadership role, her responsibilities just keep growing, which makes her feel like she can’t keep up. If this is what leadership is all about, she questions 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 a senior executive leading a division made up of professionals who are much younger than him and come from different racial backgrounds. He’s committed to helping his team members grow professionally, while generating positive results for the company. But he’s struggling with how to engage and motivate them. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through bridging those generational and racial differences to learn how to better support them. Further Reading: “Generational Differences At Work Are Small. Thinking They’re Big Affects Our Behavior” “How Companies Can Meet the Needs of a Changing Workforce” “A Survey of 19 Countries Shows How Generations X, Y, and Z Are — and Aren’t — Different”

Her boss is white. Her staff are people of color. She’s been walking a tightrope between addressing her boss’s microaggressions and making her team feel safe. But so far, it’s not working. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through this tension and toward the actions she can take to improve the situation and build a healthier culture at her organization. Further Reading: “When and How to Respond to Microaggressions” “What an Anti-Racist Business Strategy Looks Like” “Race at Work podcast”

Her out-of-the-box approach to solving business problems has made her successful in her current role – and she surpassed all her performance goals, despite the challenges of leading during a pandemic. But she’s been passed over for a promotion that would put her on track to the C-suite. Host Muriel Wilkins talks this leader through how she can reposition herself for a top leadership role at her company and what steps she can take to get there. Further Reading: “Why You Didn’t Get That Promotion“ “How to Ask for a Promotion“ “How to Get on the Short List for the C-Suite“

New from the HBR Presents podcast network: a show that takes you inside real-life coaching sessions with leaders working to overcome professional challenges. We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Host and longtime executive coach Muriel Wilkins has helped successful professionals – from team leaders to CEOs – get unstuck and grow as leaders. That work is often done behind closed doors, but this show opens that door to everyone. Listen in on coaching sessions with real leaders from all walks of life, as they work out the challenges they face at work. Join us this season, and gain new insights and practical guidance to take your own career to the next level. Are you a manager or senior leader facing a professional challenge? Apply to be on Coaching Real Leaders!