Step Up from Middle Management to Senior Leadership

The HBR On Leadership podcast episode "How to Manage Rising from Middle to Senior Management" features a conversation about navigating the challenges of moving from mid-level to senior leadership roles, particularly for women. Amy Bernstein interviews career coach Cynthia Pong, who discusses the common feelings of being stuck, the unique challenges women face in middle management due to gender stereotypes, and strategies for overcoming these obstacles, such as strategic networking and clearly stating career ambitions. Bernstein then speaks with COOs Megan Bach and Lauren Reyes, who share their personal experiences of feeling stuck in their careers, the importance of self-evaluation, taking calculated risks, and building an external reputation to advance to senior management. They also offer advice to a listener, Maggie, who feels stuck in her middle management role, suggesting she consider whether her current organization truly values her potential and, if not, to explore opportunities elsewhere while building her external reputation.