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.
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Coaching Real Leaders returns October 3 for another season of real-life coaching sessions, where host and longtime executive coach Muriel Wilkins takes you behind closed doors as she helps executives, managers, and entrepreneurs work through the challenges they face. This season, Muriel coaches real leaders from around the globe who are struggling with questions like: How do I make a career change later in life? How do I transition from a corporate job to an entrepreneurial one – and make the mo...
Every workplace has “difficult” people. No matter how hard we try, getting along with these colleagues is tough. But if we had better tools and approaches, could we not just improve our interactions with them but maybe even turn them into allies? This episode is an exclusive introduction to a new special podcast series from HBR’s Women at Work . It’s called “Getting Along” and is in Women at Work’s feed this September. Each of the four episodes is hosted by Women at Work’s Amy Gallo. In this one...
He’s had a successful career in the military and is deeply invested in his professional growth. As his transition out of the military approaches, he wants to figure out what’s next for him professionally. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches him through how to best prepare for the next phase of his career. Further reading: 4 Steps to Making a Successful Career Change The Right Way to Make a Big Career Transition Navigating the Emotional Side of a Career Transition See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...
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 Leade...
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 Gener...
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) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priva...
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...
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 See Privacy Policy at ...
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 challen...
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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...
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? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
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 towar...
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 See Privacy Poli...
No matter how hard you work and how good you are at executing tasks, there are always less tangible reasons people get tapped for more senior roles. Executive presence matters, as does finding the right sponsors. Host Muriel Wilkins speaks with a rising leader who understands the importance of sponsorship but doesn’t know how to get there – starting with learning to tell her own story. Further reading: The Relationship You Need to Get Right The Key to Landing Your Next Job? Storytelling. Sponsor...
There are all different kinds of leadership styles, but it’s hard to know what is authentic to you, or how much you should try to adapt to your environment. In this episode, host Muriel Wilkins speaks with a senior leader who is having trouble drawing a line between what is expected of her, and what feels true to her core. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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 Leadershi...
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...
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 Mana...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Reall...
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 . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
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 ” See Privacy Policy at h...
This episode coaches Fatima, an emerging leader in a cross-functional role, on how to build influence and lead initiatives without senior title authority. She faces challenges navigating power dynamics, advocating for her team, and ensuring visibility for her work, especially after losing her supportive manager. The coaching focuses on developing a strategic network, effectively managing diverse agendas, proactively communicating value, and building confidence in pushing back, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth.
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 ” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...
As a leader, she has always tried to find a balance between being directive and collaborative. But she has also struggled to bridge the gap between how she sees herself – and how her team experienced her as a leader. Now she’s building her own start-up and wants to make sure she is seen as a strong, effective leader in that new venture. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through how to understand and manage perceptions so she can be seen as a leader. Further Reading: “ Own the Room: Discove...
He’s been successful in his industry but feels like he’s been typecast in his role. Now he’s hoping for a change and wants to make sure his next position helps him redirect his career. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through figuring out what he really wants before he commits to a new company. Further Reading: “ You Don’t Have to Be CEO to Be a Visionary Leader” “ Finding Direction When You’re Feeling Lost” “ Negotiating Your Next Job” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and ...
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 ” See ...
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 Ov...
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 Wo...
