Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer

Ep #255: Don’t Know If You Want to Be an Executive? This Episode Is for You

Are you still waiting to be sure you want to be an executive before taking action to advance your career? I get why you’d feel that way. But here’s why it’s a big problem: Many ambitious women leaders get stuck in this career limbo, convinced they need to know without a doubt that the next level up is for them before making a move. And this indecision will not only stall your progress as a leader—it will also hold you back from receiving the influence, recognition and compensation you already deserve. But how do you move forward when you’re not even sure what path you want to take? Here’s the good news: You don’t need to be 100% certain about wanting an executive role before taking your next step. And those steps you take will pay off big time, even if you switch organizations, industries, or start your own business. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll show you how to take bold steps that help you advance your career and strengthen your leadership skills while also making each decision that follows easier, clearer, and faster.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #254: The Election Episode I Never Wanted to Record

Ever feel like you’re constantly proving your worth while someone less qualified than you gets a free pass? Like, no matter how capable or driven you are, the system is working against you? After last week’s election in the U.S., this feeling is hitting even harder for many women leaders, and I want to use this moment to speak to you on what we can do to move forward with confidence and strength. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’m getting honest and vulnerable, sharing the raw reality of what accomplished women face every day: being told to “smile more,” having their achievements questioned or undermined, and facing relentless scrutiny behind closed doors. And I’ll dive into why it’s essential to acknowledge your anger and frustration—not to let it take over but to transform it into fuel for your leadership and mission. I’ll also share strategies for recognizing these challenges without internalizing them, ways to carve out your path forward, and how to embrace your power with integrity and renewed purpose.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #253: The First, the Few, the Only with Deepa Purushothaman

In the corporate world, many Women of Color find themselves as “the first, the few, the only” on their teams, in their departments, or even in their entire companies. As a result, they’re often expected to adapt, contort, and conform themselves to fit into a mold that doesn’t reflect who they truly are, just to succeed. But what would it look like to create a corporate world where the talents and achievements of Women of Color are celebrated—not questioned, diminished, or undermined? And where Women of Color aren’t pressured to change who they are to succeed, but are empowered to lead with their unique strengths and on their own terms? This is the world my guest, Deepa Purushothaman, is working to create. As a former senior partner at Deloitte and the author of The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America, Deepa believes we have the power to reshape corporate culture—if we work together to make it happen. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership, Deepa and I discuss what a redefinition of leadership would look like – one that challenges outdated norms, fosters true inclusivity, and builds strong communities of support. Plus, Deepa shares her insights on how Women of Color can reclaim their power, and how their allies can help them confront systemic hurdles and inspire real change in the workplace.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #252: How to Navigate Feedback That You’re “Too Focused on Promotions”

Have you ever been told to stop focusing so much on your promotion and just do a good job with the role you already have? Maybe you’ve been warned that you’re talking about your professional development too often and that you need to “sit tight” and wait your turn. But as you've heard me say before: A promotion is not a reward for your hard work. And going back to your desk, putting your head down, and working really hard isn’t going to help you get to that next level. So how can you continue to advocate for your promotion without pushing too hard and pissing people off? You’re going to do this: Stop talking about your promotion and start talking about your work. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll show you how to shift the conversation from just pushing for a promotion to strategically demonstrating your impact and growth as a leader. I’ll also break down exactly why so many women leaders receive this “sit tight” feedback and provide practical solutions to stay on track with your career goals.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #251: Craft a Resume That Gets You Hired with Kate Wade

Is your resume getting lost in the pile? You’re a corporate badass with the experience, the results, and the vision – so why isn’t your resume opening the doors you deserve? If you’re submitting resumes and hearing nothing but crickets…Or landing interviews, but not for the roles you truly want…it’s time for a change. That’s where my badass friend and colleague, Kate Wade, comes in. Kate is the founder of Get Her Hired, and she’s on a mission to help 10,000 women—and some cool men and thems—secure the executive roles they’ve already earned by crafting scroll-stopping resumes that get noticed. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, Kate and I discuss how to transform your resume from a dull list of duties into a powerful, results-driven narrative that grabs attention. Plus, we also dive into the key mindset shifts that will help you stop downplaying your achievements, own your accomplishments with confidence, and clearly communicate the value you bring to the table.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #250: How to Build Allies at Work Without Pissing People Off

The #1 best thing you can do for your career? Build allies. Lots of them. Why? Because they can open doors and create opportunities that would take you ten times longer to reach on your own. But here’s the catch: “Ally” can feel like a four-letter word in the corporate world, right? If you’ve tried to build allies in the past and people were put off by it, that sucks. But here’s the truth: Building allies is completely normal. Your leadership team probably has them too—they just don’t call them that. So, if you've ever gotten pushback when trying to build allies... or you’ve built allies but don’t know how to leverage them for the promotion you deserve…This episode is for you. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll show you how to build 5, 10, or more allies at your organization and get them doing the heavy lifting for your next promotion. And you can start seeing results in as little as 15 minutes.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #249: Why The All-Or-Nothing Approach is Costing You Job Opportunities

Are you stuck in the "all or nothing" trap with your career? That cycle where you're either scrambling, stressed out, and desperate to land a job after being laid off…or you're happy in a job you enjoy, letting months—or even years—go by without putting any effort into attracting new opportunities and letting your resume, LinkedIn profile, and network become neglected and outdated in the process. This cycle is so harmful because it creates massive amounts of unnecessary stress and anxiety when you do need a job. The good news? That stress is completely avoidable. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership, I’m introducing you to a third way. A process that allows you to attract new opportunities in a relaxed way that yields much better results. And the best part? When you follow this path, you'll show up to interviews with more confidence, curiosity, and boldness, because you'll be fully prepared and positioned for whatever comes your way. It all starts with my ‘Always Be Interviewing’ approach. In this episode, I’ll show you how to shift into this ‘Always Be Interviewing’ mindset, stay prepared, and build the professional relationships that will keep opportunities coming your way year-round—without the burnout or desperation.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #248: Thinking at the Speed of Bias with Sara Taylor

Have you ever wondered how much of your decision-making as a leader is being driven by forces you’re not even aware of? As a woman leader, you’re all too familiar with bias in the workplace. You’ve encountered it, you’ve worked hard to try to overcome it, and you’ve made conscious choices to intervene and try to create a more equitable workplace for all. But here’s the shocking truth:  Despite our best intentions, only about 2% of individuals truly understand bias well enough to create lasting, positive change. As my guest, Sara Taylor, put it during our interview: “If so many of us have that positive intent… why aren’t we making progress?” Sara is the President and Founder of deepSEE Consulting and the author of Thinking At The Speed Of Bias: How To Shift Our Unconscious Filters. And in this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, Sara and I dive into the unconscious mind and how it shapes our biases in ways even we—educated, inclusive women leaders—don’t realize. We explore the hidden filters that influence your decisions, drive your actions, and, in some cases, hold you back from becoming the effective, conscious leader you strive to be.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #247: 4 Unexpected Ways My Coaching Transforms Your Leadership Growth

Sometimes my clients come to me, confused, because they tried something I taught them and didn’t get the result they expected. But what if the result they “thought” they were going for wasn’t really the goal? What if it's actually part of my bigger plan for them? Here’s the thing: When I guide you to take action in your career, the result you’re aiming for might not be the one I’m targeting. Whether it’s in my book, this podcast, or inside my coaching programs, sometimes the strategies I teach aren’t meant to give you that immediate win. They’re designed to set you up for a much bigger, bolder, badass result that will have a far greater impact on your career and the leader you’re becoming. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’m pulling back the curtain on these hidden agendas and showing you how they help my clients—and you—grow your careers, not just for a single promotion, but for multiple promotions that lead to a lifetime of influence and recognition.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com

Ep #246: Should You Go For a Higher Title Or "Settle" For a Lateral Move?

Are you stuck choosing between going for that shiny new title or “settling” for a lateral move? This is a question I hear from my clients all the time—and for good reason. On one hand, your title matters. And landing the high-level title you deserve matters, too. It’s how you elevate your resume and be recognized for the corporate badass leader you are becoming. But on the other hand, sometimes being too rigid about titles can stifle your career. A lateral move might actually lead to bigger, better opportunities at better-fit organizations where you can actually get promoted faster. So, how do you decide? In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of both options. We’ll talk through real-life examples, personal stories, and the strategic questions you should ask yourself to make the best decision for your career. And if you’re torn between taking a smaller step up when you're aiming for a skip-level role, or wondering if switching to a different-sized organization is the right move, this episode will help you get clear on those choices, too.

Unlock the missing piece in your leadership development. Take the quiz: www.ReadytoBePromoted.com