Behind the Scenes: A Coaching Debrief

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1. 

   E104 · 12 Oct 2026 · 50 minNew

   How Do I Ensure I Get Promoted?

   She’s a leader who has worked hard to grow her career, but is currently feeling held back from reaching the next level. She wants to know what she needs to do to earn a promotion, especially given the challenges she faces with her team. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how to manage the tension she’s feeling, and helps consider how she can keep developing even when there’s no guarantee of promotion.Vote for Coaching Real Leaders in the Signal Awards! https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/genre/advice-how-toFor Further Reading: Leadership Unblocked by Muriel Wilkins…

2. 

   E103 · 28 Sep 2026 · 41 min

   Ask Muriel Anything with Special Guest Matt Abrahams

   How do I show my team I’m listening when I don’t agree with them?How do I project confidence when I don’t know what the future holds?How do I balance empathy with accountability?How do I influence others when I don’t have formal authority?In this episode, Muriel and communication expert Matt Abrahams, lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and host of Think Fast, Talk Smart, answer listeners’ questions about some of the trickiest communication and leadership challenges. They discuss how to demonstrate that you’re listening without having to agree, how to communicate with confidence…

3. 

   E102 · 14 Sep 2026 · 55 min

   How Do I Lead with Confidence Without Always Needing To Be Right?

   She’s a leader who’s built a reputation for being direct, confident, and decisive. But she’s recently received feedback that her communication can create tense interactions with colleagues. Host Muriel Wilkins helps her look beyond the feedback itself to understand what’s driving those moments, and how she can exude confidence without the need to always be right. For further reading: The Right Way to Respond to Negative Feedback: https://hbr.org/2018/05/the-right-way-to-respond-to-negative-feedbackHow to Make Sense of Conflicting Feedback on Your Leadership:…

4. 

   E101 · 31 Aug 2026 · 35 min

   Ask Muriel Anything: Staying Motivated, The Pros and Cons of People Management, and Handling Ambitious Employees

   How do you stay motivated in your career after years of success - and conquering so many mountains? How do you decide if taking on people management is the right move for you? How should you respond to an ambitious employee that you think needs to be more patient? In this episode, Muriel and her producer, Mary, answer listeners’ questions to help leaders of all levels navigate the challenges they are facing. For further reading: A Guide to Motivating Yourself at Work: https://hbr.org/2023/07/a-guide-to-motivating-yourself-at-workThe 7 Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back:…

5. 

   E100 · 17 Aug 2026 · 48 min

   Best of CRL: Why Haven’t I Made it to the C-Suite?

   He’s spent years coming close to landing the most senior level executive roles, only to be passed over without clear feedback. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches him through what to do when you feel you've done everything "right" but still don't get the opportunity you were hoping for. For further reading: What to Do After a Final-Round Job Interview: https://hbr.org/2021/01/what-to-do-after-a-final-round-job-interviewCracking the Code That Stalls People of Color: https://hbr.org/2014/01/cracking-the-code-that-stalls-multicultural-professionalsWhat Do Black Executives Really Want?:…

6. 

   E99 · 3 Aug 2026 · 47 min

   Ask Muriel Anything with Special Guest Damien Faughnan

   Have you ever been passed over for a promotion?Are you wondering whether you're ready for the CEO role—or your next big career move?Are you struggling to figure out when it's time to leave for good?In this episode, CEO Coach and Advisor, Damien Faughnan, joins host, Muriel Wilkins, to answer questions from the Coaching Real Leaders community.For further reading: Learn more about Damien: https://damienfaughnan.com/Rewriting the Playbook: Leading Through Compounding Uncertainty:…

7. 

   E98 · 20 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

   How Do I Lead Someone Who Doesn’t Seem to Fit the Team Culture?

   She’s recently taken on a bigger leadership role and with that shift comes a new challenge: how to lead a team where one person’s style doesn’t seem to fit the culture she’s worked so hard to build. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how to manage a difficult dynamic while addressing the larger team leadership issues it raises.For further reading: More on the DISC assessment: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8692-disc-assessment.htmlDifficult People: https://hbr.org/podcast/2018/02/difficult-peopleStop Hiring for Culture Fit: https://hbr.org/2018/01/how-to-hireHow To Handle Employees…

8. 

   E97 · 6 Jul 2026 · 35 min

   Ask Muriel Anything: Becoming My Friend’s Boss, Upsetting a Coworker, Dealing With Micromanagers

   How do I handle becoming my close friend’s boss? How do I recover after upsetting a coworker?How do I get my boss to stop micromanaging?In this episode, Muriel and her producer, Mary, answer listeners’ questions to help you navigate the issues you face at work.For further reading: Good Leaders Admit Mistakes: https://hbr.org/video/2228473497001/good-leaders-admit-mistakesTransitioning from Peer to Manager? Here’s What to Expect: https://www.csinsider.co/email/transitioning-from-peer-to-managerThe Secret to Building a High-Performance Team:…

9. 

   E96 · 22 Jun 2026 · 56 min

   How Do I Lead When Being the Expert Isn't Enough?

   He's built his career on technical excellence and those skills have always been his path to success. But as AI reshapes his organization and his role, he senses that expertise alone won't carry him to the next level and he's unsure where to spend his time and energy to grow. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches him through how to expand his identity beyond the technical expert he's always been. For further reading: Our Favorite Management Tips on Leading With AI: https://hbr.org/2026/03/our-favorite-management-tips-on-leading-with-aiAI Won’t Replace Leaders:…