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47: How to Fast Track Your Promotion to VP
Are you trying to figure out how to get promoted to VP but feel like you are missing pieces of the puzzle? This episode is the career strategy for women in leadership that no one talks about openly.
April Little is an executive career coach and promotion strategist who helps senior women leaders build executive-level influence, positioning, and decision authority inside complex organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Human Resources. Prior to launching her coaching practice, April served as Vice President of Human Resources at a venture-backed startup. Immediately before that role, she led senior-level recruiting and talent strategy, advising executive teams on leadership selection, organizational design, and succession planning. She brings over 15 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, and leadership development.
In this conversation, Jill Avey and April Little cover the exact executive career strategy that gets women promoted faster. You will learn what executive presence for women really means, how to master strategic storytelling as a leader, how to communicate at every level of the organization, how to navigate the broken rung, and how to know when it is time to stop waiting and start looking for a new opportunity.
Whether you are a director aiming for VP or a senior manager ready to break through to the C-suite, this episode will give you a clear and actionable roadmap for your next career move.
0:00 --- Introduction: April Little's background and what makes her executive promotion expertise unique
2:32 --- How to assess your executive readiness using the 10 steps to building executive level influence
4:34 --- Executive presence for women: what the internal uniform concept really means and why consistency is everything
5:43 --- Storytelling and strategic communication: the leadership skills that drive influence at the executive level
10:16 --- How to tailor your communication style at every level of leadership from your direct manager to the C-suite
13:03 --- Breaking through the broken rung: shifting your mindset and using what you already have to rise into leadership
15:03 --- Sponsors, mentors, and peer networks: how to build the relationships that get your name in rooms you are not in
20:22 --- How to map your career path and determine what advancement is realistically and ambitiously possible in your organization
23:23 --- When to stop waiting and start looking: recognizing when your organization does not have a path forward for you
27:44 --- Education vs. executive coaching: what actually moves the needle when you want to get promoted to VP
In this episode you will learn:
- How to assess where you stand on the 10 steps to building executive level influence
- Why executive presence is really about consistent and predictable leadership behavior
- The 3 back pocket stories every leader should always have ready
- How to communicate differently with direct managers, skip levels, and C-suite executives
- Why the broken rung exists and the mindset shift you need to move past it
- The strategic difference between a sponsor, a mentor, and a peer network
- How to build sponsor relationships that get your name in rooms you are not in
- How to determine a realistic and ambitious career path inside your current organization
- The 18 to 24 month rule for knowing when it is time to leave
- Why doing your leadership development work before your job search gives you a competitive edge
- The honest truth about whether an MBA or executive coaching will actually get you promoted faster
Topics covered in this episode include women in leadership, how to get promoted to VP, executive presence for women, career advancement strategies, women in executive roles, how to get promoted as a woman, executive mindset, leadership skills for women, career strategy for women, women at work, women leadership podcast, career coach for women, leadership development, strategic communication for leaders, the broken rung in leadership, how to build a sponsor relationship, when to leave your job, women in the C-suite, how to fast track your promotion, and director to VP career path.
Mentioned in This EpisodeApril Little - Career Coach for Women:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprillatoyalittle
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/iamaprillittle
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamaprillittle
- April Little's Website: https://www.aprillittle.co/
About April Little
April Little is an executive career coach and promotion strategist who helps senior women leaders build executive-level influence, positioning, and decision authority inside complex organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Human Resources. Prior to launching her coaching practice, April served as Vice President of Human Resources at a venture-backed startup. Immediately before that role, she led senior-level recruiting and talent strategy, advising executive teams on leadership selection, organizational design, and succession planning. She brings over 15 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, and leadership development.
Resources and Links- FREE Passport to Promotion Private Podcast: 7 Steps to Get Promoted from Director to VP - https://joinsistersinleadership.com/7-steps
- Apply for the Sisters in Leadership Program - An 12-month coaching program for women leaders who want to rise up and get promoted from director to VP - https://joinsistersinleadership.com/
- Explore Our Leadership Courses - https://sistersmart.com/leadership-courses
- Subscribe and Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sistersmart-leadership/id1705796088
- Subscribe and Leave a Review on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/14Yh9jytQjaYRwmeiT5pBs
Connect with Jill
- Website: https://sistersmart.com/
- YouTube: https://linktw.in/uWD3ko
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillavey/
#WomenInLeadership #HowToGetPromoted #ExecutivePresence #CareerAdvancement #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipSkills #CareerCoach #WomenExecutives #GetPromoted #DirectorToVP #ExecutiveMindset #StrategicCommunication #CareerStrategy #WomenAtWork #SisterSmartLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #WomenLeaders #ProfessionalDevelopment #BreakingTheGlassCeiling
—
Register for the Free Executive Presence for Women Masterclass: The 3 keys to Increase Authority and Influence, happening live on Thursday, August 8 at 12 PST.
A replay will be available for those that register! https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkdOsrDItGdHchQv1BXFozsGRUjL74xlK#/registration
—
🌟 FREE MASTERCLASS: Achieve Your VP Promotion: 3 Steps to Success in the Next Year
https://sistersmart.com/register-sil
—
✈️ FREE PASSPORT TO PROMOTION PRIVATE PODCAST: 7 STEPS TO GET PROMOTED FROM DIRECTOR TO VP
Get access to the Passport to Promotion Private Podcast
—
👩💻 APPLY FOR THE SISTERS IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
An 12-month coaching program for women leaders who want to rise up and fulfill their career potential and get promoted from director to VP
Join Sisters in Leadership to Get Promoted to VP
—
💻 EXPLORE OUR LEADERSHIP COURSES
We offer a few leadership courses for you to begin sharpening your skills from meeting management to executive presence and productivity.
Sign Up for a Leadership Course
—
👋 CONNECT WITH JILL
🌐 Website: https://sistersmart.com/
🎥 YouTube: https://linktw.in/uWD3ko
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillavey/
View all episodes
By Jill AveyAre you trying to figure out how to get promoted to VP but feel like you are missing pieces of the puzzle? This episode is the career strategy for women in leadership that no one talks about openly.
April Little is an executive career coach and promotion strategist who helps senior women leaders build executive-level influence, positioning, and decision authority inside complex organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Human Resources. Prior to launching her coaching practice, April served as Vice President of Human Resources at a venture-backed startup. Immediately before that role, she led senior-level recruiting and talent strategy, advising executive teams on leadership selection, organizational design, and succession planning. She brings over 15 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, and leadership development.
In this conversation, Jill Avey and April Little cover the exact executive career strategy that gets women promoted faster. You will learn what executive presence for women really means, how to master strategic storytelling as a leader, how to communicate at every level of the organization, how to navigate the broken rung, and how to know when it is time to stop waiting and start looking for a new opportunity.
Whether you are a director aiming for VP or a senior manager ready to break through to the C-suite, this episode will give you a clear and actionable roadmap for your next career move.
0:00 --- Introduction: April Little's background and what makes her executive promotion expertise unique
2:32 --- How to assess your executive readiness using the 10 steps to building executive level influence
4:34 --- Executive presence for women: what the internal uniform concept really means and why consistency is everything
5:43 --- Storytelling and strategic communication: the leadership skills that drive influence at the executive level
10:16 --- How to tailor your communication style at every level of leadership from your direct manager to the C-suite
13:03 --- Breaking through the broken rung: shifting your mindset and using what you already have to rise into leadership
15:03 --- Sponsors, mentors, and peer networks: how to build the relationships that get your name in rooms you are not in
20:22 --- How to map your career path and determine what advancement is realistically and ambitiously possible in your organization
23:23 --- When to stop waiting and start looking: recognizing when your organization does not have a path forward for you
27:44 --- Education vs. executive coaching: what actually moves the needle when you want to get promoted to VP
In this episode you will learn:
- How to assess where you stand on the 10 steps to building executive level influence
- Why executive presence is really about consistent and predictable leadership behavior
- The 3 back pocket stories every leader should always have ready
- How to communicate differently with direct managers, skip levels, and C-suite executives
- Why the broken rung exists and the mindset shift you need to move past it
- The strategic difference between a sponsor, a mentor, and a peer network
- How to build sponsor relationships that get your name in rooms you are not in
- How to determine a realistic and ambitious career path inside your current organization
- The 18 to 24 month rule for knowing when it is time to leave
- Why doing your leadership development work before your job search gives you a competitive edge
- The honest truth about whether an MBA or executive coaching will actually get you promoted faster
Topics covered in this episode include women in leadership, how to get promoted to VP, executive presence for women, career advancement strategies, women in executive roles, how to get promoted as a woman, executive mindset, leadership skills for women, career strategy for women, women at work, women leadership podcast, career coach for women, leadership development, strategic communication for leaders, the broken rung in leadership, how to build a sponsor relationship, when to leave your job, women in the C-suite, how to fast track your promotion, and director to VP career path.
Mentioned in This EpisodeApril Little - Career Coach for Women:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprillatoyalittle
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/iamaprillittle
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamaprillittle
- April Little's Website: https://www.aprillittle.co/
About April Little
April Little is an executive career coach and promotion strategist who helps senior women leaders build executive-level influence, positioning, and decision authority inside complex organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Human Resources. Prior to launching her coaching practice, April served as Vice President of Human Resources at a venture-backed startup. Immediately before that role, she led senior-level recruiting and talent strategy, advising executive teams on leadership selection, organizational design, and succession planning. She brings over 15 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, and leadership development.
Resources and Links- FREE Passport to Promotion Private Podcast: 7 Steps to Get Promoted from Director to VP - https://joinsistersinleadership.com/7-steps
- Apply for the Sisters in Leadership Program - An 12-month coaching program for women leaders who want to rise up and get promoted from director to VP - https://joinsistersinleadership.com/
- Explore Our Leadership Courses - https://sistersmart.com/leadership-courses
- Subscribe and Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sistersmart-leadership/id1705796088
- Subscribe and Leave a Review on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/14Yh9jytQjaYRwmeiT5pBs
Connect with Jill
- Website: https://sistersmart.com/
- YouTube: https://linktw.in/uWD3ko
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillavey/
#WomenInLeadership #HowToGetPromoted #ExecutivePresence #CareerAdvancement #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipSkills #CareerCoach #WomenExecutives #GetPromoted #DirectorToVP #ExecutiveMindset #StrategicCommunication #CareerStrategy #WomenAtWork #SisterSmartLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #WomenLeaders #ProfessionalDevelopment #BreakingTheGlassCeiling
—
Register for the Free Executive Presence for Women Masterclass: The 3 keys to Increase Authority and Influence, happening live on Thursday, August 8 at 12 PST.
A replay will be available for those that register! https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkdOsrDItGdHchQv1BXFozsGRUjL74xlK#/registration
—
🌟 FREE MASTERCLASS: Achieve Your VP Promotion: 3 Steps to Success in the Next Year
https://sistersmart.com/register-sil
—
✈️ FREE PASSPORT TO PROMOTION PRIVATE PODCAST: 7 STEPS TO GET PROMOTED FROM DIRECTOR TO VP
Get access to the Passport to Promotion Private Podcast
—
👩💻 APPLY FOR THE SISTERS IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
An 12-month coaching program for women leaders who want to rise up and fulfill their career potential and get promoted from director to VP
Join Sisters in Leadership to Get Promoted to VP
—
💻 EXPLORE OUR LEADERSHIP COURSES
We offer a few leadership courses for you to begin sharpening your skills from meeting management to executive presence and productivity.
Sign Up for a Leadership Course
—
👋 CONNECT WITH JILL
🌐 Website: https://sistersmart.com/
🎥 YouTube: https://linktw.in/uWD3ko
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillavey/