There’s a shift happening in leadership—and in this podcast.

In this episode of Stepping Into the Arena, Karen announces powerful changes coming to the show, all rooted in what modern leaders truly need today: clarity, calm, and grounded strength. Drawing on 28 years in corporate leadership and three years coaching successful executives, Karen shares five critical trends she sees in the market and how they are shaping the future of effective leadership.

If you're tired of reactive change, surface-level motivation, and leadership that costs your health and well-being, this is your invitation to something deeper. Get ready for a more aligned, intentional way to lead.

1. Leaders are exhausted. The current pace and intensity of corporate life is unsustainable—burnout is not a leadership strategy.
2. Trust is the new currency. Steady, grounded presence matters more than high energy or charisma.
3. Reactive change is harming teams. Organizations need to shift from chaos-driven change to structured, respectful transitions.
4. Clarity beats complexity. Clear expectations, decisions, and communication reduce friction and boost performance.
5. Growth needs grounding. As responsibilities increase, inner capacity must grow too—emotional regulation and self-leadership are essential.

Modern leadership isn’t about working harder—it’s about showing up in a way that is steady, ethical, aligned, and human. That’s why this podcast is evolving too. Karen shares her decision to rename the show and introduces a new daily format designed to meet you where you are—offering practical insights and grounded energy every weekday.

🧭 1:1 Executive Coaching Services

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🎙️ New Daily Podcast (coming in December 2025)

Grounded & Aligned Coffee Chat — More news soon.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

You can be grateful—and still feel dissatisfied.

In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen unpacks a powerful phrase shared by her mentor: “You can be grateful and dissatisfied.” At first glance, those emotions may seem contradictory, but they often show up together at pivotal career moments.

Karen shares her personal experience of having a successful job, a fulfilling personal life, and yet feeling something wasn’t right. That subtle dissatisfaction was a signal—one she followed more than once, leaving high-level roles (even CEO) to pursue something bigger.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted by your desire for more while also recognizing how fortunate you are, this conversation will give you clarity and courage.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Gratitude doesn’t mean you have to stay. You can be thankful for your job, your team, and your life—and still know it’s time for change.
2. Dissatisfaction is often the first signal. Karen noticed a pattern in her career: every few years, a quiet feeling would emerge, pushing her toward growth.
3. Acting on dissatisfaction leads to expansion. Each time Karen made a bold move—whether it was a job switch or moving to southern France—life got better.
4. Guilt is part of the process. Leaving “good” roles brought emotional weight, especially as the main earner. But staying would have led to boredom and resentment.
5. Trust your intuition. Even when timing isn’t ideal or others question your decision, that inner pull is worth listening to.

"It is 100% okay to feel grateful and dissatisfied." – Karen Gombault

This episode is a reminder that your next chapter may begin with a subtle nudge—not a crisis. And acting on that feeling could lead to more satisfaction than you imagined.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

Set up a call to explore working together: https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/introduction

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Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

Your next level of leadership might just start with one conversation. In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen shares why mentorship—formal or not—is essential for sustainable growth and powerful leadership. With personal stories, real-life examples, and a clear call to action, this episode will inspire you to find your next mentor (or become one).

Whether you're navigating a new role or aiming to evolve your leadership style, this conversation will shift how you think about influence, inspiration, and the hidden power of being both mentee and mentor.

1. Mentorship isn’t always official—but it’s always impactful. Some of the most powerful growth comes from people you admire and informally learn from.
2. Different mentors serve different needs. From money mindset to business strategy, having mentors for specific stages accelerates your evolution.
3. Energy and perspective matter. Today, mentorship is less about tactical advice and more about mindset, energy, and modeling leadership behavior.
4. You are likely already mentoring someone. By simply showing up, sharing your truth, and leading authentically, you influence others more than you realize.
5. Mentorship is seasonal. It’s okay to outgrow mentors. When one phase ends, another guide will appear if you’re open to it.

Great leaders don’t grow alone. If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply ready for more, finding the right mentor could be the key to your next breakthrough. And remember: someone is probably looking up to you right now.

Book a call to discuss potentially working together → https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/introduction

Free Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

Explore 1:1 Executive Coaching → Work With Me

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

What actually happens when you bet on yourself?

In this deeply personal year-in-review podcast episode, Karen shares the six most important lessons she’s learned after going all-in on executive leadership coaching.

If you’re a senior leader stepping into a new role or a bigger scope, this is the episode that will help you feel seen—and give you pragmatic insights to navigate the messy middle of growth and transition.

These are hard-won truths from a year of courage, discomfort, and intentional leadership—and they’re exactly what you need to hear if you're building something bold.

1. It never goes as planned. New jobs and bold moves always come with surprises—adaptability is your most valuable asset.
2. Discomfort is normal. Growth doesn’t feel easy—and that’s how you know it’s working.
3. Discipline builds sustainability. Setting boundaries and protecting your time is essential to success and well-being.
4. Credibility isn't handed to you—it’s earned. Even with a strong title or track record, relationships and follow-through matter most.
5. Networking is non-negotiable. Building genuine connections is what opens doors, builds trust, and makes the impossible happen.

Whether you’re one month into a new role or one year into a new chapter, this episode reminds you that leadership is a long game. The lessons that matter most aren’t flashy—but they’re transformative. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone. You just have to keep showing up with intention, connection, and courage.

Book a 1:1 Coaching Consultation – Strategic support for new execs: https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

Free Resource: Build Your Visibility at Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

Executive Coaching with Karen – High-impact leadership coaching for senior execs: https://www.karengombault.com/privatecoaching

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

You took the leap. A big new role. A new company. A bold career move. And then, a few months in, the call comes: they’re not moving forward with you. You’re not being confirmed in your position. It’s unexpected, it’s brutal—and it can shake your confidence to its core.

In this podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault breaks down what not being confirmed really means, why it happens more often than people talk about, and how to leave with your leadership identity intact. It’s a raw, honest, and powerful conversation for any senior leader navigating transition, misalignment, or professional rejection.

If you’re carrying shame, questioning your worth, or wondering how to explain it—this episode is for you.

1. Being let go at the end of a confirmation period is not evidence of failure. It’s often a misalignment between values, expectations, or evolving business needs.
2. Reframe the story. It's not rejection—it's redirection. You get to own the narrative you carry and share.
3. Mandate shifts and cultural misfit are real. The job you were hired for might not be the job you walked into—and that’s on them, not you.
4. Extract the learning. Use this moment to clarify your non-negotiables, your ideal work environment, and what you now know about yourself as a leader.
5. Your leadership identity is intact. Your track record doesn’t vanish because one role didn’t work out. Walk away with your head held high.

"The danger isn't that the company asked you to go. The danger is that you made it mean something about yourself and your worth instead of seeing it as an opportunity for growth." – Karen Gombault

This episode is your invitation to rewrite the story. To stop shrinking, and start reframing. To take the data and carry it forward—to a role that truly aligns with who you are and how you lead.

Set up a call to discuss potentially working together:

👉 https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

Free Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work →

👉 https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

1:1 Executive Coaching – My high-level, science-backed coaching partnership:

👉 https://www.karengombault.com/privatecoaching

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn:

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

Awareness is only the beginning—real leadership transformation happens when you take bold, intentional action. In this powerful podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault lays out the exact steps you need to plug the four most common power leaks senior executives face.

If you've recently stepped into a bigger role, and you're juggling visibility, credibility, and pressure, this is your tactical guide to reclaiming control, sharpening your presence, and protecting your energy.

You don’t need to do more—you need to do different.

1. Audit your altitude. Upgrade your calendar and your mindset. Shift from doing manager work to operating at strategic, high-level leadership altitude.
2. Reframe your meetings. Stop the updates. Start making decisions. Ask the questions that move your team—and your influence—forward.
3. Use the 3P Filter. Before saying yes, ask: Does this serve my Priorities, my People, or my Positioning?
4. Don’t let discomfort fester. Use a 48-hour rule to address tough conversations fast and with clarity. Avoiding conflict erodes your credibility.
5. Stay in your lane. Focus only on what you can control. Redirect drama and noise into decisions and action that strengthen your presence.

“Every time you reclaim your energy from things that are draining it, your presence, your authority and your credibility become much cleaner and sharper.” — Karen Gombault

Every time you close a power leak, you’re not just being more efficient—you’re strengthening your leadership identity. You’re teaching people how to treat you. You’re building trust, credibility, and authority.

Choose one leak this week and stop it. You’ll feel the shift instantly.

💬 Ready for personalized support? Let’s connect to see if 1:1 executive coaching is the right fit for you.

Book your call here → https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

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When executives lose influence, it rarely happens in one dramatic crash—it fades away slowly, almost invisibly. In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault reveals the four most common ways senior leaders leak power in the first six months of a new role.

These aren’t obvious failures; they’re subtle habits that silently drain your credibility, clarity, and presence. Learn how to plug these leaks so you can lead with stronger influence, more confidence, and measurable impact from day one.

Whether you're navigating a promotion, expanded scope, or a brand-new role, this episode is your wake-up call to take back your power—before it slips away.

1. Old habits don’t serve new roles. Operating from your previous identity keeps you stuck in the weeds—and undermines your strategic presence.
2. Saying yes to everything weakens your authority. Over-accommodating others’ expectations may feel productive but signals a lack of boundaries.
3. Avoiding discomfort erodes leadership. Postponing hard conversations or difficult decisions chips away at your credibility and decisiveness.
4. Focusing on what you can’t control drains energy. Redirect attention to what’s in your lane to reclaim influence and protect your well-being.
5. Power leaks aren’t fixed with big moves. Small, conscious decisions restore authority—one shift at a time.

“Every time you close a leak, you reclaim a piece of your authority. You're going to walk into the room taller, your words are going to carry more weight, and you'll start to feel completely aligned with your job.” — Karen Gombault

Plugging power leaks isn’t about being perfect. Tt’s about becoming aware and choosing differently.

Start by identifying one area where your influence is slipping and commit to a single action this week. Over time, those micro-adjustments compound into massive leadership credibility.

📞 Book a strategy call for 1:1 executive coaching :

https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

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In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen reveals why senior leaders hesitate to delegate and how it costs you time, authority, and impact. You’ll learn a simple, practical framework to define when you should decide, when you should collaborate, and when your team should take the lead.

If you’ve been holding on too tightly—or becoming the bottleneck—this podcast episode gives you the tools to reclaim your calendar, empower your team, and scale your leadership influence.

1. Delegation isn’t just workload relief. It’s about building a team that thrives without your constant involvement.
2. The three delegation traps: lack of trust, guilt about overloading your team, and unclear boundaries.
3. Credibility is at stake. Holding too tightly signals a lack of trust and slows down execution.
4. The “I decide, we decide, you decide” model. This framework accelerates decisions, boosts team confidence, and frees up your time.
5. Delegation is a multiplier. It doesn’t reduce your control—it strengthens it by focusing your influence where it matters most.

“Remember that delegation is not an abdication of your power. It is a multiplier of your impact.” – Karen Gombault

Leadership isn’t about doing it all yourself—it’s about knowing when to step in, when to collaborate, and when to step back so your team can lead with you.

Set up a call to discuss potentially working together: https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

Free Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

1:1 Executive Coaching – My high-level, science-backed coaching partnership → https://www.karengombault.com/privatecoaching

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

When your calendar is packed back-to-back, you may think you’re maximizing your value. In reality, you’re draining your influence. In this podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault shares why white space—the intentional pauses in your day—is not a luxury but a leadership essential.

If you’ve just stepped into a bigger role and feel like you’re always behind, this conversation will help you reset your rhythm, reclaim your energy, and show up as the steady, strategic leader your team needs.

1. White space isn’t wasted time—it’s fuel for focus, composure, and strategic thinking.
2. Without pauses, you operate reactively and risk losing credibility by appearing rushed or scattered.
3. Over-responsibility, carryover from old roles, and fear of looking disengaged often crowd out white space.
4. Protecting your nervous system matters. When you’re constantly “on,” you deplete presence, authority, and team trust.
5. Practical strategies include defending calendar blocks, inserting micro-pauses, canceling nonessential meetings, and anchoring white space at the time of day when you’re most creative.

“White space isn’t about absence. It’s absolutely what gives you shape and power to everything else. Protecting it is not indulgent. It is a conscious act of authority and self-leadership.” – Karen Gombault

White space is the difference between leading reactively and leading with intention. Start treating it as non-negotiable, and you’ll amplify both your leadership impact and your well-being.

Set up a call to discuss working together: https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

Free Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

1:1 Executive Coaching – My high-level, science-backed coaching partnership → https://www.karengombault.com/privatecoaching

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

Influence doesn’t happen in the meeting—it happens before it.

In this week’s Stepping Into The Arena podcast episode, Karen reveals why the real work of influence happens long before you step into the boardroom. She breaks down the three arenas of influence—before, during, and after the meeting—and shows you why shaping decisions ahead of time is the key to expanding your authority, credibility, and impact.

1. Most of your leadership impact happens before. Pre-wiring, seeding ideas, and anticipating objections is where influence is won.
2. Authority in the room comes from presence, not polish. How you listen, challenge, and carry yourself matters more than slides and data.
3. After the meeting is where momentum sticks. Follow-up ensures decisions hold and builds long-term credibility.
4. Common missteps weaken influence. Over-preparing content, under-preparing relationships, and assuming your title guarantees buy-in.
5. Five steps to engineer influence. Map stakeholders, seed perspectives early, anticipate resistance, align with top priorities, and build momentum so decisions feel inevitable.

"By the time you walk into an important meeting, the decision has already been made. The only question is, were you part of shaping that decision?" – Karen Gombault

Meetings don’t make decisions—leaders do. And the leaders who shape decisions before the meeting are the ones who consistently expand their authority and impact.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

🎯 Join the 3-Day Influence Lab (October 20–24) → https://www.karengombault.com/budgetlab

Early bird pricing until Sept. 20th, use coupon code BUDGET

💼 Book a 1:1 Executive Coaching Call → https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

📘 Free Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

🔗 Connect with Karen on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/