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

Ep #258: Your Year-End Career Opportunities Hiding in Plain Sight

The end of the year is pure chaos—but it’s also bursting with opportunities. If you’re like many corporate badasses I coach, your calendar is jammed with deadlines, performance reviews, and Q4 goals. It’s exhausting, and the idea of focusing on anything beyond just crossing the finish line might feel impossible. But here’s the thing: Amid all that chaos lies incredible career opportunities, just waiting for you to notice them. Opportunities like: Roles other people aren’t applying for, deep conversations with leadership that others aren’t having, and those unexpected, last-minute openings and projects that could catapult you into a new role. That’s why I recorded this episode—to help you lift your head above the noise, shift your focus, and not only get a head start on 2025 but actually have opportunities lined up before the year even ends. My clients are doing this, right now, as you read this. And you can too. On this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll show you what you can stop doing right now to reclaim your time and energy, AND I’ll show you how to shift your mindset and take intentional actions that set you up for the promotion and recognition you want in 2025.

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

Ep #257: When Work is Good with Moe Carrick

Is your organization evolving to meet the needs of today’s leaders? If you’re like many of the women I coach, the answer is a loud and frustrated:  No. Not even close. You see it every day—crappy outdated systems, clunky hierarchies, and the same-old same-old way of doing things that just doesn’t work anymore. You want a workplace where you can thrive as a diverse, inclusive, empathetic leader. But the challenge is: How do you actually make that happen? That’s where Moe Carrick comes in. Moe is an internationally respected pioneer in the study and practice of workplace culture, whose award-winning frameworks are used by organizations like Nike and Nintendo. She’s delivered three TEDx talks and has been praised by Glennon Doyle for “helping us change this toxic paradigm (at work).” In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, Moe and I team up to explore what it takes to build workplaces where everyone—leaders and employees alike—can thrive. You’ll hear us break down how to tackle change from the top down and how to start making a difference right now, exactly where you are.

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

Ep #256: How to Use Gratitude as a Secret Weapon for Career Growth

I’ve always seen myself as a naturally grateful person—glass half full, always looking for the bright side. But over the years, I’ve learned that gratitude can be so much more than just noticing the good things around you—you can turn it into a daily practice that can help you lead with confidence, make clearer decisions, and create real momentum in your career. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m reflecting on how gratitude has unlocked a new level of growth for me as a leader—and how it can do the same for you. In this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, I’ll share how focusing on the abundance in your life can help you move past stress and self-doubt and into a mindset of clarity and action. You’ll hear inspiring stories from the women in my Leadership Table mastermind coaching program who are raising their hands for new opportunities, strengthening relationships, and stepping into leadership roles while staying true to themselves. I’ll also guide you through a simple gratitude practice that’s helped me acknowledge my progress, reframe challenges, and set the stage for bigger opportunities ahead.

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

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