CareerSteps Insights – June edition

June was a month of energy, breakthroughs, and deep reflection. From Greece to Bern, from coaching sessions to Toastmasters, I witnessed again how growth often starts when we slow down and reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and with what really matters. Here's what stood out.

⚠️ Note: There will be no newsletter in July—I'm taking time to recharge and reflect in the mountains. See you in August with a fresh edition!

Expert Advice

Think Like a Negotiator When You Lack Authority

I first shared this mindset on LinkedIn—many professionals found it changed how they approach influence without authority. 👉 Read the post

If you’re leading without formal authority—whether as a consultant, project lead, or cross-functional contributor—start preparing your influence like a negotiation. What’s your fallback? What’s your ideal outcome? Most importantly—what does the other side want? This mindset shift helped a consulting client land a part-time setup that matched her needs and the company’s. Influence grows when you shift your focus from your pitch to their perspective.

Want to go further? My new training “Lead Without Authority” kicks off in September. Check it out here.

Client Success Story

From Shock to Strength: Reframing After a Layoff

This story sparked a powerful conversation online about resilience after layoffs. 

👉 See the original post

When Julia lost her job during a company reorganization, it was a real shock. One day, she was leading a team. The next day, her role was gone. No warning. No time to prepare.

At first, she felt numb. Then came anger: “How could they do this after everything I gave?”Then sadness and self-doubt: “Maybe I wasn’t good enough.”She was going through the emotions we all feel in big changes—what we call the change curve.

In our first coaching call, she said, “I don’t even know where to start.”We didn’t start with job searching.

We started with space—to talk, to feel, and to breathe.

Little by little, Julia began to see things differently.Yes, this had been unfair.But maybe it was also a chance to choose something better.

A few weeks later, she landed a new job. A better one. A role where she feels respected, trusted, and in control of her time.

Resilience doesn’t mean ignoring your emotions.

It means working through them—until something new becomes possible.

Practical Tips

Communicate Like a Pro with DISC

DISC is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you understand behavioral styles—both your own and those of the people around you.

When I shared this communication tip based on DISC, many leaders realized why their message wasn’t landing—and what to do differently. 👉 Read the post

Each letter stands for a core style: • Dominance – fast-paced and task-oriented • Influence – energetic and people-oriented • Steadiness – calm, relational, and stability-focused • Conscientiousness – precise, logical, and detail-driven

By recognizing someone’s natural style, you can adapt your communication so your message lands the way you intend. It’s not about changing who you are—it’s about flexing to connect.

Curious about your own DISC profile, or want to explore this for your team? Let’s connect and I’ll walk you through how it works.

Industry Insights

Systemic Team Coaching: Why Team Building Isn’t Enough

After I posted about this systemic team coaching session, I got messages from leaders saying, “This is exactly what we’ve been missing.” 👉 Take a look

During my June workshop in Bern, we explored what it really takes to build high-performing teams—not just functional groups. 

One of the key takeaways? Team building exercises help build relationships—but they’re only a piece of the puzzle.

In systemic team coaching, we look at the whole system: 

• Team task and Roles

• Stakeholder expectations and relationships

• Learning and reflection practices

We also debunked the myth that “more output = more performance.” And I shared this story:

Five years ago, I supported a project manager whose team had just finished an exhausting 18-month CRM rollout in Brazil—only to be told to do nine more countries in eight months.

Instead of pushing harder, we paused. 

We clarified priorities, roles, and boundaries. The team aligned on what truly mattered.

The result? They delivered all 9 rollouts on time—without burning out.

Want the the slides from this workshop? Contact me—I’ll be happy to share them.

Personal Reflections

The Impostor Voice Still Visits Me

I still remember one of my first corporate workshops. The room was full of experienced leaders—confident, smart, very senior.

And I was the one in front of them, supposed to guide the session. Inside, a voice started to whisper: “Who are you to coach them?”, “Are you good enough for this?”

That’s the impostor feeling. And even today, after many years and many workshops, it still shows up sometimes. But now I understand it better.

That voice often shows up just before something important. Before a moment of growth. Before we stretch into something new.

So now, when I hear it, I stop. I take a breath. And I say to myself: “You’re allowed to feel this. And you’re doing it anyway.”

Because being confident doesn’t mean you never doubt. It means you keep going—even when you do.

This honest post about impostor feelings got one of the strongest responses I’ve seen—clearly, I’m not alone. 👉 Read or comment here

Book and Resource Recommendations

This month, I found myself returning to a classic: Start With Why by Simon Sinek.

Why this book? Because so many of the professionals I coach are highly capable, highly driven—and yet, at some point, they feel stuck. They’ve been working hard, doing everything “right,” but the spark starts to fade.

This book is a powerful reminder that success without purpose quickly becomes draining. Sinek’s central idea is simple but deep: People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.

And the same goes for your career. When you reconnect with your “why”—your purpose, your impact, your reason for showing up—it becomes easier to lead, influence, and make strategic choices.

I recommend this book especially if: 

• You feel like you’re on autopilot

• You want to lead with more intention

• Or you're preparing for a bigger role and want to lead from the inside out

It’s not just a good read—it’s a reset. Have you read it? I’d love to hear what your why is.

Also, if you haven’t yet, download my free Influence Scorecard—a 2-page tool to prepare for high-stakes conversations using all four influencing styles: persuading, asserting, bridging, inspiring. 

📥 Comment “Influence” on LinkedIn or reply to this email to get your copy

Q&A

Q: How do I set boundaries without hurting my chances for promotion?

This is a very common question—and an important one. Many people think that to be seen as a leader, you need to say yes to everything. Be helpful. Be available. Never push back.

But here’s the truth: if you're always saying yes, people start to rely on you to do the work—not to lead it. You become the go-to person for getting things done, but not the one who sets direction or strategy.

Leadership is not about being constantly busy. It’s about focusing your time and energy on what really matters.

When you start setting clear boundaries—about your time, your priorities, your availability—you send a powerful message:

• “I know what’s important.”

• “I’m thinking at a higher level.”

• “I’m making space for the work that creates real impact.”

If that feels scary, start small. Block one hour in your calendar each week to focus on strategic work. Say no to something that doesn’t move your goals forward. Or delegate a task that doesn’t require your attention.

Your calendar tells a story.

Make sure it says “strategic partner”—not “always available.”

Want help identifying where to set boundaries without guilt? Let’s talk. Book a 30-minute clarity call

Conclusion

Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. Whether you're bouncing back from a setback, navigating without authority, or setting boundaries—it all starts with clarity, presence, and courage.

Ready to lead with more influence, even when you don’t have formal authority?

📅 Secure your seat for my September training: careersteps.ch/lead

💬 Or book a 30-minute clarity call with me here careersteps.ch/contact

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