99. Why Some People Get Promoted Everywhere They Go (It's Not What You Think)

This episode is a wake-up call and it might be the most important one you hear this year. See, most people are passive passengers in their careers, waiting to be noticed, developed, and rewarded by an organization that was never designed to put them first. In this episode, Melody breaks down the #1 mindset shift separating true high performers from everyone else – one with the potential to completely change the way you think about your career, your skills, and what it actually means to own your professional future.What You’ll Discover:The "conveyor belt" career model your parents handed you (how it’s now costing you $100k+)What Gallup's latest research says about the "restless but immobile" workforce – and how to make sure that's not youThe six-letter word that instantly signals a passive career mindsetThe #1 thing professionals who thrive in any economy, at any company, all have in common (no, it’s not talent, tenure, hustle, or their network)FREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

Getting talked over in meetings is one of the most common (and most demoralizing) experiences professionals face at work. But what if there's something in your communication style that's unintentionally inviting interruptions? In this episode, Melody unpacks the REAL reasons you keep getting cut off – and none of them have anything to do with developing a thicker skin.What You’ll Discover: How a Senior Account Director went from getting derailed every meeting to being described as "in command"The #1 thing you should ask yourself before opening your mouth (99% of people get this wrong)Specific phrases to reclaim the conversation when someone talks over you, without looking defensiveFREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

“You’re too detailed." "You’re too in the weeds." "You need to zoom out." You've heard the feedback, but nobody’s told you what to actually DO about it. Reshmi, a program manager at a major CPG company, was hearing this constantly despite being one of the most capable people on her team. In this conversation, she shares specific changes that turned "she's too tactical" into "I love how you framed that" feedback from executives.You’ll discover: Why "delegate more" is bad advice for the "too in the weeds" problemHow to stop over-preparing for every meeting and still sound intelligent and informedC-Suite goes on tangents? Here’s how to get the conversation back on trackFREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

If you're a working mom who feels like you're constantly falling short both in your career and at home, this episode will change how you think about why. Dr. Corinne Low joins Melody to discuss "the squeeze" — that period when caregiving demands and professional growth peak at the exact same time — and why so many women end up making permanent sacrifices to survive what's actually a temporary season. We also get into what you can do to redefine success during this period, from renegotiating the invisible labor in your household to thinking about your time like an economist.In this episode, you'll discover:The invisible iceberg beneath every "equal" partnership that most couples never talk aboutThink your career is over after 40? Here’s why your chance of promotion increases with ageAn economist's trick for figuring out which of your daily tasks you should stop doing entirelyFREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

If you've ever tried to build a new habit, change how you show up at work, or break a pattern that isn't serving you, and then give up when it didn't stick, this episode is for you. Eric Zimmer, host of the 50-million-download podcast The One You Feed and author of How A Little Becomes A Lot, joins Melody to discuss how to make change stick when your busy, overwhelmed, and “not the disciplined type.” What You’ll Discover: How to stay motivated when progress feels painfully slowThe secret to breaking the cycle of going all in, falling off, and feeling like a failureA simple “equation” for reducing stress and suffering at work — even when you can't change the situationWays to recover when you fall off track with goals that don’t involve scrapping everything and starting overAbout Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer is an author, teacher, speaker, and the creator of The One You Feed podcast—an award-winning show with over 50 million downloads across 800+ conversations exploring meaningful living. Through his behavior coaching, workshops, and mentorship, he's guided thousands worldwide in creating sustainable habits that last—not through willpower or epiphany, but through steady change. His approach blends cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom, offering practical pathways to more integrity and deeper meaning. https://www.oneyoufeed.net/ FREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

How do you hold your team accountable without becoming a micromanager? In this episode, I talk with Ashley Herd — employment lawyer turned HR leader and author of The Manager Method — about how to set clear expectations, follow up when things fall through the cracks, and have honest conversations about performance without it feeling punishing or personal.What You’ll Discover: Why agreement is not the same as accountability (and the one conversation most managers skip)How to delegate without ending up redoing everything at 10pm The real reason your team isn't following through (hint: it's probably not laziness)How to negotiate priorities upward so your boss's "urgent" request doesn't derail your team's weekAbout Ashley HerdAshley Herd is a former Chief People Officer and General Counsel , leadership speaker, and podcast host who has trained over 250,000 managers through LinkedIn Learning and live corporate trainings. Ashley has spent her career helping professionals navigate leadership challenges with clarity and confidence. Ashley built Manager Method after leading HR and Legal teams at McKinsey, Yum! Brands and Modern Luxury. She’s a top LinkedIn Learning instructor and co-host of the HR Besties podcast. As the CEO of Manager Method, Ashley works with organizations of all sizes to equip their managers with practical, proven tools that drive clarity, accountability and stronger teams - because better managers build better workplaces. https://www.managermethod.com/FREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

⏰ DOORS CLOSING: Apply for Lead from Within by March 20th: https://melodywilding.com/lfw Re-org fatigue is real. The constant waves of change – new bosses, shifting priorities, uncertainty about your future – can leave you feeling like you're just trying to keep your head above water. But what if you could use these moments to advance your career? In this episode, Melody shares the four mistakes you need to avoid if you want to come out of the next re-structure in a stronger position.FREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

Doors for Lead from Within close March 20th and this may be the only public enrollment until 2027. In this episode, I'm answering every question you might have about the program: what it is, what's included, who it's for, what kind of results clients have gotten, and how to know if it's right for you. If you've been curious or on the fence, listen in.RSVP for the Lead from Within Open House on March 17th: https://melodywilding.com/openhouse FREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

👉 Doors for Lead from Within close March 20th. Apply by March 13th and get $500 off enrollment. In this replay of the webinar, Rise Into Your Next Big Role, I reveal why everything you've been taught about getting ahead stops working at the mid-career level — and walk you through the four-part RISE formula my clients use to land promotions, build org-wide influence, and finally break through the mid-career ceiling.Apply to Lead From Within at melodywilding.com/lead-from-within, or RSVP for the Lead from Within Open House on March 17th: https://melodywilding.com/openhouseFREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up

👉 FREE LIVE CLASS: “Rise Into Your Next Big Role”: https://melodywilding.com/masterclass At a certain level, being great at your job isn't enough anymore. You need influence – the ability to get people to say yes to your ideas, your projects, your vision for where things should go. Mo Bunnell, author of Give to Grow, joins Melody today to discuss the practical side of building influence, without the politics, the schmoozing, or the icky feeling that makes most people avoid it altogether. You’ll discover:The three-step process for building a relationship with someone senior without looking like you're sucking upHow to figure out what to "give" when you feel like you have nothing to offer someone more powerful than youThe "cut to climb" method for finding 50 hours per quarter that you can redirect to relationship buildingAbout Mo BunnellMo Bunnell helps complex organizations grow by scaling business development skills across their organizations and creating a growth-oriented culture. He’s the author of Give to Grow, The Snowball System, the host of the podcast Real Relationships Real Revenue, and the founder of Bunnell Idea Group (BIG), who has trained tens of thousands of professionals. https://bunnellideagroup.com/ FREE TRAINING: Effortless Executive PresenceLIVE VIRTUAL EVENT May 5th @ 3pm ET5 secrets to speak with crisp, confident authority, even if you’re an introvert or overthinker.https://melodywilding.com/training/Connect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up