In this powerful episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles one of the most pervasive challenges facing women in the workplace: the exhausting pursuit of likeability at the expense of effectiveness. Drawing from research by Harvard Business Review and McKinsey, this episode reveals why focusing on trust rather than likability could be the career game-changer you've been searching for.
Through real-world examples and compelling data, you'll discover why women leaders who prioritise trust over likeability see 23% higher team engagement and 32% better retention rates. Amanda shares the story of Sam, a brilliant operations manager whose journey from constant people-pleasing to trusted leadership transformed not just her team's performance, but her entire career trajectory.
In this episode, you'll learn -
The crucial differences between being liked and being trusted in the workplaceWhy teams with high trust outperform their peers by 76%How to shift from energy-draining approval-seeking to empowered decision-makingPractical strategies for building trust while maintaining professional relationshipsThe "kind clarity" framework for giving direct feedback without compromising relationships
Don't miss the "coffee shot challenge" at the end of the episode - a practical exercise to help you begin implementing these insights immediately in your workplace.
Join all the career-focused women who tune in weekly to Career Espresso for evidence-based strategies and authentic advice on navigating today's workplace challenges. New episodes release every week wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
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