Takeaways:

• Why being excellent at your job does not automatically lead to promotion

• The critical difference between tactical execution and strategic visibility

• Why many high-performing women of color are overlooked for leadership roles

• How positioning, advocacy, and proximity influence career advancement

• Why women of color cannot afford to be excellent and invisible

Chapters

00:00 – If You’re Excellent But Still Not Promoted

00:25 – Welcome to The Climb Podcast

01:10 – The Career Moment When the “Tap” Never Came

02:42 – Tactical Excellence vs Strategic Visibility

04:05 – What Tactical Really Means

05:06 – What Strategic Leadership Looks Like

06:30 – The “Prize Pony” Career Trap

07:32 – Why High-Performing Women of Color Are Rarely Taught This Shift

08:26 – The Economic Reality: 81 Cents vs 64 Cents

09:30 – Why Positioning Matters More Than Credentials

10:40 – Leadership Is About Proximity and Visibility

11:50 – Why You Cannot Afford to Be Excellent and Invisible

12:50 – What The Climb Is Really About

13:40 – Join the Conversation

Episode Description

If you are a woman of color who is excellent at your job but still not being promoted, this episode is for you.

In this opening episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith breaks down one of the most misunderstood dynamics of career advancement: the difference between tactical excellence and strategic visibility.

Many high-performing professionals are taught that working harder, delivering consistently, and staying prepared will eventually lead to opportunity. But the reality is more complex.

Organizations often reward execution — but they promote visibility, positioning, and influence.

In this episode, Felicia explains why many women of color find themselves stuck in high-performance roles that never translate into leadership access, and how understanding the rules of positioning can change everything.

This conversation introduces the core mission of The Climb: helping women of color move from being excellent and invisible to strategic and visible.

Connect with The Climb

🌐 Website: https://the-climb.org

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheClimb2024

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheClimb1

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/97178217

Subscribe to The Climb Podcast and share this episode with a woman who needs the language for what she’s experiencing in her career.

Because leadership isn't just about talent.

It's about positioning, visibility, and access.

And you don't have to climb alone.

About The Climb Podcast

The Climb Podcast is where leadership conversations get real.

Hosted by Felicia Smith, founder of The Climb, this show explores the unspoken rules of career advancement — especially for women of color navigating professional spaces where leadership access has not always been equitable.

Each episode breaks down the systems, strategies, and power dynamics that influence who rises and why.

Because the goal isn’t just individual success.

It’s building a pathway so more women can climb.