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Your values aren't preferences you pick from a menu. They're patterns that have been driving your choices all along — especially under pressure. The problem is, you're too close to your own patterns to see them. In this episode, Sarah breaks down how to excavate your real core values and turn them into language precise enough to guide every career decision you make.

Sarah shares how she accidentally discovered her own values while writing a business plan for someone else's company, why generic values like "empowerment" and "integrity" aren't precise enough to protect you, and what it actually feels like when you're in a role that honors what you stand for versus one that violates it. This episode moves between the moments that break you down and the ones that light you up — because both are showing you exactly who you are.

In this episode:

• Why you can't find your values through reflection alone — and what to do instead
• The difference between surface-level values and precise values that actually guide decisions
• How to recognize value violations before they cost you your health, your confidence, or your time
• What alignment really feels like — and why more complexity with the right fit means less exhaustion
• Three practices to start this week: a fury log, energy tracking three layers deep, and testing one values-based boundary

If this episode resonates and you're ready for precision instead of guesswork, the RVA Blueprint is a fully customized strategic analysis where Sarah helps you identify your real core values with precise language, map where they've been violated or honored, and build a focused action plan. Special pricing to celebrate the podcast release, delivered within 30 days. 

New episodes weekly. Follow The Career Strategist wherever you listen.

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

You've felt it — the meeting where your ideas get built on without credit, the  praise that somehow makes you smaller, the feedback that comes without names or specifics. That's power moving, and it rarely announces itself.

In this episode, Sarah breaks down the hidden power dynamics that shape your career before you even realize the game is being played. She introduces the "cardigan" — the polite power move that's cashmere on the outside, barbed wire underneath — and walks through the most common types: the moving target, the whispered warning, and claimed credit.

You'll learn a practical framework for reading any professional space (green, yellow, or red rooms), how to recognize when you've been cast in roles that serve the system instead of you — the fixer, the buffer, the daughter, the translator — and three strategic shifts you can make this week to stop shrinking and start reshaping the dynamic.

This episode is for anyone who's ever walked out of a room feeling smaller than when they walked in and wondered if they imagined it. You didn't.

Subscribe to The Career Strategist and leave a review if this episode gave you language for something you've been feeling but couldn't name.

Key takeaways:

• Power isn't just titles and corner offices — it's who gets to be comfortable, who gets forgiven, and who has to manage everyone else's reactions
• The "cardigan" is a polite power move that looks supportive on the surface but contains you underneath — learn to spot the moving target, whispered warnings, and claimed credit patterns
• Every professional space is a green, yellow, or red room — naming the color
• gives you back strategic choice about how much energy to invest 
• If you've been cast as the fixer, the buffer, the daughter, or the translator, you're propping up someone else's comfort at the cost of your own growth
• Three shifts to try this week: stop auto-volunteering, name the real decision maker, and replace "happy to help" with "I deliver [specific outcome]"

Resources Mentioned

•  The double bind research on women in leadership
•  The Career Strategist Episode 1: Defining yourself before someone else does

Connect with Sarah

LinkedIn / website 

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

Episode 1: The Right to Define Yourself

You walk into a room with years of experience, nuanced thinking, and complex capabilities. Within minutes, you've been reduced to something manageable. "She's so detail-oriented." "Such a team player." "Really approachable."

This is flattening. And you've been letting it happen.

In this episode, I break down exactly how flattening works—the daily patterns, the language traps, the performance of being smaller than you are. More importantly, I give you three strategic shifts you can practice this week to start resisting it.

This isn't about hoping things get better. It's about the tactical skills you need to demand better and create it yourself.

In this episode:

• What flattening actually looks like (and why you don't recognize it's happening)
• The cost of being "easy to work with"
• Professional masking: why you're exhausted from being someone you're not
• The three strategic shifts that change everything
• Why gratitude became the cage I built around my own growth
• How to start claiming authority you've already earned

Three actions you can take tomorrow:

1. Practice accurate self-representation - Write how you'd introduce someone else with your exact experience. The gap between that and how you introduce yourself? That's the flattening you've internalized.
2. Stop apologizing for your presence - Catch yourself saying "sorry" when nothing requires an apology. Practice occupying space without apologizing for it first.
3. Say no without elaborate justifications - "That won't work for me" is a complete sentence. People who respect boundaries don't need explanations.

Every episode of The Career Strategist gives you three actions you can take immediately. If something doesn't work for you, that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong—it means your context is different. Let me know. This is meant to be a conversation.

Season 1 taught me I could be public. Season 2 is me being powerful.

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

The best story you ever told wasn't memorized, it was just known and felt very deeply...

Discover the transformative journey of personal growth and purpose as we welcome Suneet Bhatt, the founder of My Authentic Journey, to the final episode of the podcast. Unearth the four significant eras of life, as inspired by geologic eras themselves, and learn how to embrace each phase—from the carefree days of childhood to the legacy-focused years. Suneet shares how vulnerability and presence can guide us through these stages, encouraging us to be intentional in our growth, allowing past experiences to mold but not define us. Expect actionable insights that will empower you to navigate life's transitions with clarity and purpose.

In an unexpected twist, find out how a job at Victoria's Secret and a quirky, poorly-drawn alpaca became pivotal in recognizing inherent leadership qualities and the significance of community. Suneet unfolds his creative journey, offering a fresh perspective on nurturing innate abilities and their impact on personal education and growth. This episode delves into the organic unfolding of purpose and the importance of patience in teaching methodologies, all while planting seeds of knowledge that flourish over time.

As we explore the evolving landscape of education, we acknowledge how career paths have evolved how that impacts the college experience. We also look into the power of EOS, transformative power of digital tools in enhancing productivity and the importance of decoupling personal identity from professional alignment.

Wrap up the first season of Epochal Growth with us, and get ready for more transformative narratives in the upcoming season in 2025. Stay connected through LinkedIn and the ElevateCX Slack community, and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates.

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

What if business could be more like art? Join me for a special birthday episode of Epochal Growth, where Craig Crisler, CEO and co-founder of SupportNinja, shares his unique journey from serial entrepreneurship to leading with humility and authenticity. Craig's personal story of recovery deeply influences his approach to leadership, bringing a fresh perspective on creating value in business through genuine relationships. Together, we explore the idea of business as an art form, where thoughtful interactions can have a lasting impact, much like a masterpiece.

Craig and I dig into the unconventional paths of leadership within the outsourcing industry, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with smarter individuals to drive growth and innovation. We share insights from our career journeys, highlighting how diverse experiences contribute to a unique leadership style. As SupportNinja grew, he remained committed to redefining traditional BPO models and embracing global collaboration, which has been pivotal in enhancing business practices and outcomes. Our candid discussion sheds light on the complex dynamics of customer experience (CX) and the significance of integrating it into the core business strategy.

The episode takes a heartfelt turn as we discuss finding alignment and fulfillment in both personal and professional life. Craig draws a beautiful analogy to the Beatles' harmonious era, describing a stage where everything feels in sync. We explore the joy and contentment that come from aligning our passions and efforts with our true selves, despite challenges. Craig's analogy of a band creating great music encapsulates the essence of striving for balance and fulfillment, celebrating the peace that comes with living and working authentically.

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

Discover the transformative insights of Greg Collins, Vice President of Revenue at Boldr, as he shares his journey from SaaS to BPOs. 

Learn how stepping outside conventional roles can lead to joy and growth in both personal and professional realms. Greg's conversation encourages us to focus on the intersection of talents and passions, offering guidance on creating a more fulfilling career path rather than merely chasing titles or companies.

Struggling with overcommitment and the pressure to please? Greg illuminates the importance of setting and communicating personal boundaries, introducing the concept of FOG—fear, obligation, and guilt—as a framework for decision-making. The episode underscores the power of radical candor in communication, emphasizing the need for caring enough to engage in conflict when necessary. Real-world anecdotes highlight how understanding one's needs and creating a supportive environment can lead to better leadership and healthier work-life balance.

Finally, we explore the significance of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in fostering meaningful team conversations, rather than just measuring success. Greg shares how setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) can inspire a culture of curiosity and collaboration. We discuss the value of cultural fit and leadership transparency, offering strategies for evaluating these aspects during job searches. We close the conversation asking everyone to think about the ripple effect they make in their daily work and life. Those small ripples can change the world. 

This episode provides reassurance on navigating career transitions and underscores the power of maintaining a supportive network amidst an ever-evolving job market.

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

In this special crossover episode, Sarah Caminiti teams up with Mat Patterson, host of Help Scout's The Supportive, to dive into one of the hottest topics in customer service: the future of self-service and AI. As businesses evolve, so does the way we support customers, and self-service is quickly becoming the go-to solution. But what does that mean for support teams, leadership, and customer experience?

Bring a notebook and listen as Mat breaks down the critical role self-service plays in streamlining operations, enhancing customer satisfaction, and freeing up your team for more complex, impactful work. From ancient vending machines to modern AI tools, Mat explores how tech is reshaping customer interactions and why human empathy remains irreplaceable.

Sarah also jumps in throughout the episode to offer her leadership insights on how to navigate the transition to AI-powered self-service without losing the personal touch that defines great support. If you’re a leader, CX professional, or just curious about the future of work, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways on using AI and self-service to empower your team and elevate your customer experience.

Tune in for a forward-thinking conversation that will change the way you approach customer service, strategy, and leadership in the age of AI!

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

Imagine transforming your workplace into a hub of creativity and purpose, where AI serves as an empowering co-pilot rather than a replacement. In our latest episode, we invite you to discover how global expert Luke Jamieson transitioned from baking pastries to leading dynamic contact centers, all while championing the cause of meaningful employee experiences. Get ready to challenge traditional motivation methods and usher in a human-centered leadership approach that moves beyond the mundane and taps into the vast potential of every team member.

AI isn't just a tool; it's a catalyst for redefining the future of work. Picture a world where organizations shed their task-oriented routines in favor of pursuing purpose-driven goals, enabling employees to connect deeply with their core values. Luke and I discuss how this shift enables intrinsic motivation to flourish, reducing stress, and enhancing job satisfaction. We also delve into the pitfalls of traditional reward systems, advocating for a culture of appreciation and gratitude that fosters transparency and dismantles silos in the workplace.

Our conversation takes a thought-provoking turn as we explore the importance of community-building and collaboration. We highlight the need for leaders to create spaces where growth and interaction thrive, viewing challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. Join us as we tackle topics ranging from Australia's tall poppy syndrome to innovative evaluation methods in education. Together, we redefine leadership as a journey of shared success, inviting you to engage with our RVA framework to align your personal values with your career goals, driving meaningful and lasting change in your leadership journey.

Huge thank you to Mario Hernández for editing this content and PostFlow for helping me with the clips! 

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

How does one transition from the fast-paced world of Austin startups to leading a remote-first team in Denver? Find out in our enlightening conversation with Cheryl Spriggs, the Manager of Premier Support at Zapier.

Cheryl opens up about her evolution from an individual contributor to a leadership role, offering candid insights into overcoming imposter syndrome and navigating the tech industry's male-dominated landscape. You'll hear stories of her pioneering efforts, like creating maternity leave policies in her former company, and how embracing neurodiversity has transformed her leadership style.

In this episode, we tackle the real-life challenges and opportunities Cheryl faced while managing high-stakes programs and global teams. Learn how she dealt with the fear of failure and leaned into self-validation, trusting that her colleagues and leaders believed in her capabilities. Cheryl also shares practical anecdotes about global time zone mishaps and the importance of extending grace to oneself during these professional hurdles. Her journey serves as a masterclass in employee empowerment, particularly in times of organizational changes and personal challenges, emphasizing mentorship and support.

Finally, we discuss the critical role of self-care in leadership. Cheryl shares her personal journey of reducing self-imposed pressure and redefining failure as a learning experience. She talks about the importance of having a supportive network of peers, leaders, and family to maintain a balanced perspective. Cheryl’s narrative is a testament to the power of empathetic and supportive leadership, showcasing how fostering growth and stability, especially among women, can significantly impact team morale and career progression. Join us for an episode filled with empowering lessons on leadership, growth, and self-belief.

Don't forget to check out The Support Human Podcast! 

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

Text me with feedback or questions!

Discover the ageless principles of customer support with our special guest, Mat Patterson, the Customer Service Content Lead at Help Scout. We embark on a historical journey through the fundamentals of customer service, examining how they've endured through time while facing modern challenges. Mat digs into the transformative potential of AI in customer support, offering invaluable insights on crafting effective self-service platforms and integrating AI thoughtfully without compromising service quality.

Next, we tackle the transitional phase companies experience when adopting AI tools in customer support. Learn about the common pitfalls of cheap AI solutions and the crucial role of maintaining high-quality support professionals. Mat shares his perspective on the rewarding aspects of nurturing talent in the support field, emphasizing the alignment of personal and workplace values, and the opportunities arising from market frustrations. We also explore skill improvement and career growth in a refreshing take on leadership within customer service.

Finally, we dive into the essence and mission of "The Supportive" Podcast & Newsletter and it's related content. Mat shares the unique challenges faced by support teams and the vision of Help Scout's founders. We discuss the importance of maintaining core values under financial pressures and the profound learning curve experienced by support teams. Tune in to understand the value of community in fostering growth and alleviating the stresses of support roles, and why everyone, including non-support staff, should appreciate the nuanced skills and emotional labor involved in customer support.

Support the show

You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone.

I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.