Ep #268: Stuck in Middle Management Hell? Here’s How to Escape FAST

Let’s be honest: Middle management is kind of the worst, right? You’re constantly caught in the middle - answering to leaders who don’t always value your input while trying to motivate a team that doesn’t always listen. You have some authority but not enough to make real change (the changes you really want to make). You’re expected to own your work but don’t always get recognized for it. And the worst part? It can feel like this is just how things are. But let me tell you something: this does not have to be your reality. Too many brilliant, hardworking women settle for middle management purgatory because they assume the only way out is to switch jobs, get lucky, or put in even more hours. But that’s not the path to true leadership. You actually don’t need to do more work to get yourself promoted to higher levels of leadership - you just need to position yourself differently. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down how to shift from feeling stuck in middle management to becoming a leader who is seen, heard, and valued. I’ll share real stories of women who landed the titles, pay, and recognition they deserved - not by working harder, but by using a simple strategy that made all the difference. 

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

Ep #267: The Biggest Career Risk You’re Taking (Without Even Knowing It!)

Are you taking the wrong kind of risk at work - or worse, avoiding risk altogether? Every week of this new year has felt a little overwhelming, exhausting, and - let’s be real - mind-numbing.  The world feels unpredictable, layoffs are happening left and right, and the temptation to keep your head down and just survive is strong. But here’s the thing: staying invisible is actually the biggest risk of all. I see it all the time. Women leaders - brilliant, hardworking, and beyond qualified - convincing themselves that now is not the time to speak up, to stand out, or to ask for more. But that mindset? That’s a disempowered observer mindset. And it’s keeping you stuck. On today’s episode of Women Changing Leadership, I’m breaking down exactly how to take more strategic risks in your career - especially in times of chaos and uncertainty. You’ll learn the difference between empowered risks that position you for influence and opportunities, and reckless risks that might actually be holding you back. Plus, I’ll show you the single most important strategy to ensure you’re seen as a leader - without having to fight tooth and nail for recognition.

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

Ep #266: How to Be Seen and Heard as a Badass Leader with Summa Simmons

Corporate badasses, this episode is extra special. Not only am I kicking off Black History Month by celebrating an incredible woman leader, but I also get to shine a spotlight on one of my clients—the phenomenal Summa Simmons. Summa is the Associate Vice President of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., where she makes sure the company’s financial strategies align with its growth and success. But here’s what I love most about her: She didn’t just climb the corporate ladder—she built her own leadership brand, put herself out there, and created opportunities where there weren’t any before. And now? She’s stepping fully into her voice, owning her impact, and helping other women do the same. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, Summa is breaking down the three pillars of success that transformed her career, the mindset shifts that helped her go from behind the scenes to thought leader, and why branding yourself as a leader isn’t about demanding more—it’s about showing up like someone people already assume is getting promoted. We also get into what it’s really like to navigate leadership as a Black woman, why documenting your impact is everything, and how to make career moves that actually feel good to you (not just what you think you should do).

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

Ep #265: The Evolution of a Woman Leader

Corporate women leaders, have you ever felt like the only way to get ahead is to play by rules that were never made for you in the first place? Rules that ask you to contort yourself into someone you don’t even recognize—just to get the promotion you’ve already earned? Those old rules don’t work. Not for us. And we’re not following them anymore. The good news is: You don’t need to change who you are to succeed. You’re already powerful. You just need to learn how to claim that power on your terms. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’m diving into the evolution of a woman leader—the new way that powerful women are rising to higher levels of leadership, leading authentically, and building the legacy they’ve always dreamed of without sacrificing the leader they’ve always wanted to become. We’ll explore how staying true to yourself not only leads to the career you want but also creates a lasting impact on your organization and the people around you. And you’ll hear stories of transformation, including how I helped a client shift from being overlooked to becoming her CEO’s most trusted advisor—proof that you can rise to positions of power and influence without abandoning the very qualities that make you extraordinary.

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

Ep #264: The Overlooked Technique Helping My Clients Reach the Executive Suite

What if I told you there’s one overlooked technique that could completely change your career? This is a technique that the corporate badasses I work with rarely think to do. But once they try it, the results are undeniable—huge wins that keep paying off throughout their entire careers. Imagine this: You try this technique, and within weeks, your CEO knows your value, trusts your leadership, and actively advocates for your promotion. Sounds impossible? It’s not. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll break down the exact steps you need to make this happen. You’ll discover how to build trust with top leaders, overcome fears of judgment from your peers, and show up as the brilliant, powerful leader you already are.

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

Ep #263: How Setting 'Impossible' Career Goals Leads To Breakthrough Results

During my last group coaching call of 2024, one of my corporate badasses shared what may seem like an absolutely impossible goal: Not just landing her dream role in 2025, but getting promoted in that same year, too. And you know what? This fired me up. Because here's the truth about "impossible" goals: They become possible the moment you realize somebody, somewhere has already achieved them. While everyone else is sitting around saying "Oh, that's impossible" or "Maybe someday" or "That's just not how things work here," my corporate badasses are turning their “impossible” goals into "I Am Possible" achievements. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I'm sharing super actionable steps for transforming ANY goal that seems out of reach into something achievable. And not only am I going to show you what's possible, I'm going to give strategies and real-life examples on exactly how to make it happen. Whether you're job hunting, feeling stuck, or dreaming of that next big move, the strategies I'm sharing will help you create massive career growth in ways you never thought possible.

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

Ep #262: My Personal Process for Using Small Steps to Achieve Huge Goals

Have you ever avoided making a New Year’s Resolution because you were certain you’d fail? Or stopped yourself from taking even small steps toward your career goals because those actions felt like they just weren’t “good enough”? I have. And so have my clients. But over the years, I’ve created a process to prevent myself and my clients from "failing ahead of time." And just the other day, I discovered a new secret strategy for turning those small, seemingly “not good enough” steps into massive results. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’m sharing my process for tackling big goals, embracing tiny, imperfect steps, and creating momentum to get the career and life you want. We’ll explore why it’s so important to let go of all-or-nothing thinking and how to stay motivated, even when the goal feels out of reach. If you’ve ever felt like your dreams are too small and insignificant— or too big and unattainable—this episode will give you the tools and inspiration to get started AND keep going.

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

Ep #261: Growing Your Career from Good to Great with Kristi Sarno

What does it take to go from good to great in your career? To go from being amazing in your role to finally landing that promotion to the executive level? If you’re reading this, I already know you’re brilliant. You’re a corporate badass. You get things done, see opportunities others don’t, and bring incredible value to your organization and team. But for some reason, this hasn’t yet translated into the recognition, pay, or title you know you deserve. Let’s change that. My client, Kristi Sarno, is proof of what’s possible when you commit to your growth and start showing up as the leader you’re meant to be. Kristi is a seasoned biotech leader with nearly 20 years of experience in business development, helping companies grow through strategic relationships and a passion for empowering others in their careers. And this year, I was beyond proud to support Kristi in landing her promotion to Senior Vice President of Business Development. 🎉 In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, Kristi and I dive into her incredible leadership journey, her secrets to success, and the biggest lessons she's learned along the way.

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

Ep #260: The Biggest Client Trends of 2024 That Led to Massive Success

What separates corporate women leaders who thrived in 2024 from those who stayed stuck? Let’s face it—2024 kind of sucked. Between layoffs, reorgs, stalled promotions, and bonuses that never materialized, many corporate women leaders felt like their careers were at a standstill. But… many of my clients had massive success in 2024. And not because they were immune from the chaos and BS everyone else was experiencing this year. It was because of what I call "unexpected gifts"—those things that happen in your career that make you feel like you're taking two steps backward in your professional development, but end up helping you unlock a whole new level of leadership. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll share what these "gifts" were, how my clients were able to use them to their advantage, and how you can do the same so you always have choices in your career, no matter what 2025 holds.

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

Ep #259:  Are You Saying ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ to the Wrong Opportunities in Your Career?

Are you accidentally stalling your career by saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the wrong things? So many of the women I speak with are quick to say ‘yes’ to things that don’t actually move the needle in their careers: Yes to putting out fires, to attending unnecessary meetings, to waiting patiently for that elusive promotion. And on the flip side, those very same women are almost reflexively saying ‘no’ to the very things that could transform their careers. No to exploring a new role because it might not be the “perfect” fit. No to that recruiter’s outreach because the timing doesn’t feel ideal. No to speaking engagements because you’re “not ready.” Here’s the truth: every yes and no you give shapes your career. And sometimes, your default responses might be holding you back. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll show you how to flip the script so you can confidently say ‘no’ to the things that don’t truly matter at work—and ‘yes’ to the career opportunities that will move the needle for your growth.

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