60. Worried You’re Always “In Trouble” at Work (Even When Nothing’s Wrong)? Here’s Why

🚨 RESILIENT enrollment is open. Final cohort of 2025. Secure your spot: https://melodywilding.com/resilient In this episode, I sit down with Sara, a team leader who grew up in a military family and carried that "stand at attention" mentality straight into the corporate world. Sara shares how she went from automatically deferring to anyone with authority while simultaneously babysitting her team through every decision, to building the backbone needed to challenge up, set boundaries, and actually develop her people. If you've ever found yourself nodding along in meetings when you have something valuable to add, saying "yes sir" when you should be pushing back, or constantly rescuing your team from problems they should solve themselves, this conversation will resonate deeply.What You’ll Discover: How Sara went from silent observer to strategic contributor in executive meetings – and why her boss started specifically asking for her inputThe childhood programming that made Sara cower around authority and how she broke free without losing respectHow she learned to redirect out-of-scope requests diplomatically while actually helping people get better solutionsThe fix that freed up hours of Sara’s week that she could reinvest in more important work https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🚨 RESILIENT enrollment is open. Get $300 off until 9/12 11:59pm with code SAVE300. Final cohort of 2025. Secure your spot: https://melodywilding.com/resilient In this episode, hear the replay of Melody’s recent training that will teach you 6 mental shifts elite leaders use to stay confident, calm, and in control in demanding roles – without sacrificing their sensitivity.What You’ll Discover:See how top performers at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft broke the cycle of grinding harder but advancing slower.Get the secret to handling draining office dynamics, without needing hours on the couch every Saturday recovering from the workweek.Step into the mindset needed to lead million-dollar budgets and bigger teams (no debilitating fear that you "can't handle it" necessary!)Spot the career-crusher hiding in your helpful nature and how to escape the "dependable but invisible" trapConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🚨 RESILIENT enrollment is open. Get $300 off until 9/12 11:59pm with code SAVE300. Final cohort of 2025. Secure your spot: https://melodywilding.com/resilient In this episode, I sit down with Karolina, a self-described "data ninja" who went from staring at blank email drafts for 20 minutes to confidently advocating for her promotion and building a powerful internal network. Karolina shares how she broke through the negative self-talk and fear of rejection that kept her standing in her own way, increased her confidence scores by 34% in just 13 weeks, and transformed from someone who avoided emotions to someone who uses them as strategic data. If you've ever found yourself knowing exactly what you want to say but freezing when it's time to speak up, this conversation is for you.Why Karolina's boss pulled her aside and said "you show up differently now" –– and what shifted to make this happenThe framework Karolina uses when her brain starts spiraling (it's a simple acronym that works in seconds)How a quarterly 20-minute strategy landed Karolina a referral to her dream role (even though most people ignored her messages)https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🗓️ FREE TRAINING: High Performance Under High Pressure – September 9th at 3pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/highperformance —If you feel like a pushover at work – as if you set limits but people ignore your requests – this episode is for you. Melody breaks down the subtle ways you may be sending the message that your boundaries don’t matter, and how to start commanding the same respect you already give your boss, colleagues, and customers. What You’ll Discover:Why your teammate keeps dumping last-minute requests on you despite your obvious stressHow to reset relationships that are testing you without seeming confrontational or difficultThe framing that makes you look unprofessional instead of protecting your reputationThe 2-second swap to avoid sounding defensive when pushing back on requestsHow to address disrespectful treatment even if you're worried about appearing oversensitive or causing conflicthttps://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🗓️ FREE TRAINING: High Performance Under High Pressure – September 9th at 3pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/highperformance —What happens when your greatest professional strengths become the very things that exhaust you? In this episode, Melody sits down with Elise, a graduate of the RESILIENT program, who shares her journey from taking leave for burnout after feeling trapped in cycles of overthinking and self-doubt to developing the confidence to take "imperfect action" and trust her instincts. What You’ll Discover: How "procrast-learning" keeps you stuck in endless preparation mode instead of taking actionThe specific mantras Elise used to push through discomfort and take "imperfect action" in challenging situationsHow to dramatically shorten your preparation time for important conversations and presentationsWays to share incomplete thoughts and disagree with confidence in meetings without second-guessing yourselfhttps://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🗓️ FREE TRAINING: High Performance Under High Pressure – September 9th at 3pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/highperformance —Accomplished professionals with decades of experience and impressive titles often find themselves trapped in a bizarre pattern: despite their proven competence, they regularly feel like scared children about to get in trouble at work. Melody explores this visceral reaction and how to rewire your response so you can show up with the confidence your experience has earned you. What You’ll Discover:Why a simple "Can we chat?" email from your boss can trigger the same physical response as facing your parents' disappointment as a childThe hidden connection between being a "good kid" and struggling with executive presence decades laterHow this pattern shows up differently as you climb the corporate ladder - and why it gets worse, not better (if you’re not careful) How to use this 7-letter word to pull yourself out of emotional panic and into logical reasoningThe one minute technique that instantly calms your brain's fear center when you feel triggered https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

If you’ve ever felt like your personal style doesn’t match the professional you are – or want to – become, then this episode is for you. Joining me is Cassandra Sethi, founder of Next Level Wardrobe and the creator of the NLW Style System, which helps executives and entrepreneurs create stress-free, high-impact wardrobes that give you confidence and presence in any room. What You’ll Discover: The embarrassing moment that made Melody fully revamp her personal brand The exact steps to build a personal brand that feels authentic and leadership-readyCommon mistakes you might be making when you try to look “executive”How decision fatigue shows up in your closet—and how to eliminate itAbout CassandraCassandra Sethi is the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a top-rated virtual and in-person personal styling service for professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry, her and her team help executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders build streamlined, polished wardrobes without stress. Her signature NLW Style System teaches clients how to shop smarter, dress for their goals, and feel confident in any setting. Known for her practical, strategic approach, she believes great style should be simple, sustainable, and aligned with who you are. Cassandra’s mission is to take the guesswork out of getting dressed—so clients can focus on making a greater impact in their work and lives, while always looking and feeling their best.https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🗓️ FREE TRAINING: Discover which one of 6 traits drives you to overthink & people-please at work -- and how to finally break free. RSVP for 60 Minutes to Defeat Self-Sabotage, happening August 14th 12pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/60minutes—Have you ever gotten the promotion you wanted, only to feel completely overwhelmed instead of excited? Today's guest, Amy, knows that feeling intimately. As an administrative manager at a major research university, she transitioned from a role where she felt confident and at the top of her game to a new position that challenged everything she thought she knew about herself. You’ll hear how after joining RESILIENT she went from second-guessing every interaction to being recognized as a strategic leader across her organization.What You’ll DiscoverThe "popcorn strategy" Amy used to build rapport with someone who initially found her annoying (now they work seamlessly together)How she went from dreading Monday mornings to feeling energized about challenges – without changing jobs or teamsThe mistake Amy was making that was sabotaging her credibility (even though she thought she was being professional)Connect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

🗓️ FREE TRAINING: Discover which one of 6 traits drives you to overthink & people-please at work -- and how to finally break free. RSVP for 60 Minutes to Defeat Self-Sabotage, happening August 14th 12pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/60minutes—In this episode, Melody breaks down the sneaky, subtle ways self-sabotage shows up at work. Not the obvious stuff you see in every career listicle, but things you’re praised for yet quietly hold you back from the success, recognition, and peace of mind you actually want.What You’ll Discover:▪️Why your "responsible" decision-making might actually be based on completely made-up math▪️ How you're unconsciously treating yourself worse than you'd treat your most unreliable colleague▪️ One emotional habit that feels like self-awareness but actually prevents you from solving problems▪️ The seemingly professional behavior that's actually laziness in disguisehttps://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

In this episode, get a special peek into Melody’s recent training that will show you how the simple roadmap to sound credible, clear, and get paid 20-40% more – without working extra hours. What You’ll Discover:Pinpoint exactly what’s going wrong if you aren’t commanding credibility and respect – even if you're doing the work of someone two levels upWhat it REALLY means when you're told "you need executive presence" (hint: it has nothing to do with being louder or wearing nicer clothes)Small tweaks you can make TODAY to articulate yourself with such polish and precision, your boss’s boss says, “We need you looped in earlier.”Unveil Melody’s 5-step system that gets clients at top Fortune 500 companies tapped for 6-figure promotions (without annoying buzzwords or 10 hours of prep)Connect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up