CareerSteps Insights – May Edition

Hi there,

May has been a month of real conversations—about presence, influence, burnout, and bouncing back. I’ve been working with brilliant professionals who are great at what they do… but who are realizing that being good isn’t always enough to get noticed, trusted, or promoted.

Whether you’re mid-transition, preparing for a bigger role, or trying to influence without authority, this edition is for you.

Expert Advice Why Are You Even in This Meeting?

Meetings are a mirror. They reveal how we think about our time, our voice, and our role. This month, I challenged the common habit of zoning out during Zoom calls or multitasking through team updates. It’s not just about attention—it’s about agency.

When we show up halfway, we reinforce a passive career. But when we claim presence—by asking why we’re there, what’s expected, and how we contribute—we reclaim ownership of our influence. That shift changes more than just your calendar.

Read my take and practical tips for shifting how we approach meetings

Client Success Story Boasting vs. Owning Your Achievements

There’s a common trap among high-performers: assuming good work speaks for itself. One client I coached this month realized her promotion wasn’t blocked by a lack of results—but by a lack of visibility beyond her immediate manager.

We worked together to shift from silent excellence to strategic influence. That meant mapping the decision-makers, leveraging her clients’ praise, and amplifying her credibility in new circles. The breakthrough? Understanding that visibility isn’t about self-promotion—it’s about making sure your impact reaches the rooms where decisions are made.

See how visibility becomes power here

Practical Tips Avoid the Trap of Overworking

Hard work is not the problem. Misplaced work is. Too often, I see clients taking on too much, saying yes to everything, and wondering why they’re exhausted but not advancing.

The real shift comes when we ask two questions:

1. What creates impact here?

2. Who sees it?

If your value isn’t visible to those who matter, your effort won’t translate into opportunity. It’s not laziness to set boundaries—it’s leadership.

Start here

Industry Insights The Real Power Isn’t Always on the Org Chart

In complex organizations, success rarely comes from following formal processes alone. I’ve coached project managers, analysts, and team leads who had the answers but lacked the influence. Why? Because they were speaking to the wrong people—or not speaking to the right ones.

The real power often lies in invisible stakeholders: those who control budgets, shape opinions behind the scenes, or quietly resist change. Learning to navigate these dynamics is essential if you want to lead without a title.

That’s why I’m launching a new training series this September: “Lead Without Authority.” Over four interactive sessions, we’ll work in small groups to help you:

• 🗺 Map the real decision network

• 🧠 Build influence strategies that work

• 🎭 Practice difficult conversations in a safe space

• 📈 Reinforce and anchor your leadership presence

This is designed for professionals who are already doing the work—but want to lead more powerfully.

Explore the full training and register here → Lead without authority

Personal Reflections “Why Me?”—When the Change Is Personal

I’ve led dozens of transformations. I’ve coached people through layoffs, restructurings, re-orgs. And yet, when I lost my own job years ago, the first thing I asked was, “Why me?”

That question isn’t just emotional—it’s human. What helped me wasn't logic. It was giving myself the space to feel the anger, the fear, the disbelief—without getting stuck in it.

If you’re in the middle of unwanted change, remember this: leadership isn’t about skipping the emotions. It’s about moving through them with intention. Your ability to reframe, regroup, and respond will define your next chapter more than any job title ever could.

Read the story here

Book and Resource Recommendations This month I returned to an old favorite: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Habit #2—Begin with the End in Mind—is especially powerful if you’re feeling stuck. So many professionals I coach are reactive, overloaded, and pulled in 10 directions. When you start with your goal, everything else sharpens.

And if you’re looking for quick clarity, don’t forget about Mentor Flash:

A single 20-minute session to untangle what’s holding you back.It’s simple. It’s effective. It’s working.

Book a Mentor Flash session

Upcoming Workshops in June

Before the summer break, I’m running two hands-on workshop:

✅ Know Yourself: Boost Your Self-Awareness to Succeed Clarify your behavioral style, communication patterns, and growth path. 📅 June 14 (12:00–13:00 online) → Register here

✅ Building High-Performing Teams Through Positive Communication Turn team friction into collaboration with proven tools and strategies. 📅 June 21 (12:20–13:10 in Bern) → Register here

Q&A Q: “How do I stay authentic when the system rewards conformity?” A: Think of it this way: adapting isn’t abandoning. You can learn the codes without losing yourself. The best leaders I know flex their communication without compromising their essence. Authenticity isn’t a fixed trait—it’s a daily choice.

Have a question you’d like me to tackle? Reply to this email—I’d love to hear it.

Conclusion 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned this month, it’s this: your voice, your energy, your influence—they’re not side-effects of your job. They’re the foundation of your growth.

🧭 Need fast, focused guidance on a challenge? Mentor Flash is for you. A powerful 20-minute session to unlock clarity and action. 👉 Book your Mentor Flash session

📈 Ready to strengthen your leadership—even without the title? Join me this September for Lead Without Authority, a 4-part training that builds real influence and confidence. 👉 Explore and register here

Take the step that moves you forward.

Until next time,

 Eric