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When Ambition Feels Like a Liability – And why it’s not.
Lately, I found myself in a room full of young professional women. Bright, talented, ambitious. And yet… the air felt tight. The tension was almost physical—like their shoulders were carrying something invisible but heavy. As I began to share my story, the ups and downs of my own career, I noticed something subtle: the room softened. Eyes lifted. Breaths deepened. Something shifted. Later, over coffee, they told me why. Just before our session, they had sat through a career talk where someone told them, “It doesn’t matter whether you get promoted this year or next. It’ll happen eventually.” Meant to be reassuring, perhaps. But what they heard was: “Your ambition…
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Why we should still lead with encouragement — even when it feels like no one is encouraging us
There are days when I leave meetings—internal ones, client ones, even 1:1s with people I deeply respect—and I feel… invisible. No “thank you.” No “great point.” No eye contact, even. Just a blur of agendas, deadlines, decisions. And me, sitting there, wondering: Does anyone even notice how hard I’m trying? If you’ve ever been in that space, I want to tell you—you’re not alone. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of consulting, coaching, and navigating boardrooms and back-to-back calls: We all want to be seen. And ironically, we’re all waiting for someone else to go first. The Silent Frustration It’s deeply human to crave acknowledgment. A simple “thank you”…
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Why Leadership Can Feel Isolating (and How to Stay Connected)
Suddenly, I was no longer one of the team. I was leading it. There was a beautiful pride in that moment—but also a quiet void. Meetings changed. Conversations shifted. People started looking to me for answers, but I still had so many questions. And somehow, it felt like I had to figure it all out… alone. If you’ve ever stepped into a leadership role and thought, “Why does no one talk about how lonely this is?”—you’re not alone in that thought either. We often assume that once we’ve “made it” into leadership, everything clicks into place. Especially when we’re surrounded by more experienced leaders who seem calm, composed, and confident.…
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The Leap: From Senior to Leadership — Why It’s Not Just About the Next Role
Today, I listened to a podcast from a well-known comedian. Not exactly your typical career guru, but his words hit me with surprising precision. He shared that everything changed for him when he decided to prioritize himself — not his career, not the next gig, not even success. Himself. For him, that meant going to the gym, showing up on time, preparing his material like it really mattered. The result? He didn’t just become physically stronger — he started taking himself more seriously. And in turn, others started doing the same. And I thought: that’s exactly the moment when careers take off — when we stop waiting to be discovered,…
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From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: What Your First Leadership Role Really Feels Like
You thought it would feel powerful. Like finally having a seat at the table. Like being the one who decides, not the one who follows. And yes, it does feel different. But probably not in the way you expected. Your first leadership role is rarely the victory lap you imagined when you were still working your way up — delivering results, trying to be seen, and occasionally wondering why your boss acts the way they do. Because the truth is: when you step into leadership for the first time, the world tilts. It doesn’t revolve around you anymore. It revolves around others. And that… can be both humbling and beautiful.…
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Grace Over Games: Leading the Person Who Tries to Undermine You
You’re in charge. A new team member joins. They shake your hand, smile, nod—and then proceed to ignore everything you say. At first, it’s subtle. A deadline slightly missed. A different format than the one you asked for. Small things, and maybe you think: “They’re just finding their feet.” You give it time. But soon, the pattern sharpens. In meetings, they talk over you. They change decisions behind your back. Their tone is passive-aggressive. To your face, they’re pleasant—but the results tell another story. You sense it. Others sense it too. And you ask yourself: What is going on here? And more dangerously: Did I do something wrong? Let’s pause…
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When a Team Member Falls Short: How to Lead Without Losing Heart
“He didn’t finish the work again…” The thought flashes through your mind, maybe with a mix of frustration, resignation, or even quiet anger. Sound familiar? You have a team member who falls short on tasks — and without meaning to, you find yourself carrying the extra weight. Again. If you’ve ever felt this way, this article is for you. Because leading through underperformance isn’t just about getting things done — it’s about how you carry yourself and your team through it. ✨ First Things First: It’s (Probably) Not Personal Before you act, pause. Ask yourself: Is this person intentionally trying to hurt me or the team? In almost every case,…
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Embracing the Blank Page: A Gentle Start to Journaling
Now here we are—the blank page staring back at me, as if daring me to make the first move. I’m seated in my favorite Munich café, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping me. Outside, the city hums with its usual rhythm, but inside, there’s a serene stillness. My journal lies open, pen poised, yet the words hesitate. This moment, this quiet pause before the first word, is both daunting and beautiful. It’s a space of infinite possibilities, a canvas for thoughts, emotions, and reflections. 🌟 The Hustle and the Hush In our fast-paced lives, we’re constantly moving—meeting deadlines, attending meetings, juggling responsibilities. Amidst this hustle, finding a moment…
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Journaling: The Science, the Practice, and the Power of a Pen
This morning, nestled in a cozy Munich café, I sipped my matcha latte and watched the world go by. Beside me sat a man, journal open, pen in hand, gazing thoughtfully out the window before writing again. There was a serenity to his presence—a quiet dialogue unfolding between him and the page. I felt a pull to ask him about his practice, to learn what brought him to this ritual. But I hesitated. Journaling is intimate, a sacred space where thoughts meet paper without pretense. I didn’t want to intrude on that private moment. It reminded me of my own journey with journaling—a practice that began not out of desire,…
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From Survival to Strategy: How Journaling Became My Anchor
More than a decade ago, I didn’t start journaling because I wanted to. I started because I had to. Life had placed me in a tough private situation—one that shook my foundation far beyond the walls of my home. Even though I kept showing up at work, leading teams, delivering results, and putting on the polished armor of professionalism, the truth was: my strength was stretched thinner than it had ever been. Every morning, I would power through, believing I could handle the day. Meetings, deadlines, leadership challenges—it all felt manageable at first. But then, around early afternoon, the emotions I had carefully tucked away would come rushing in like…