Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, host Karen Gombault dives into the hidden patterns of self-sabotage that hinder your leadership potential. Drawing from Positive Intelligence® and her coaching expertise, Karen unpacks the 10 saboteurs that hold leaders back and offers insights to help you recognize and overcome these behaviors.

Whether it’s procrastination, perfectionism, or people-pleasing, this episode will deepen your self awareness.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-sabotage often stems from ingrained mental patterns called saboteurs, rooted in survival mechanisms developed during childhood.

• The master saboteur, "The Judge," criticizes you, others, and circumstances, often working alongside accomplice saboteurs to amplify self-doubt and unproductive behaviors.

• The 9 accomplice saboteurs include The Controller, Avoider, Hyper-Achiever, Pleaser, Stickler, Hyper-Rational, Hyper-Vigilant, Restless, and Victim, each with distinct behaviors and impacts.

• Awareness of your saboteurs is the first step toward breaking these patterns and shifting toward more empowering behaviors.

• Tools like the free saboteur assessment can provide clarity on which saboteurs dominate your thinking and how to address them effectively.

"Your saboteurs are not a reflection of your value—they’re simply patterns you’ve developed over time, and with awareness, they can be changed."- Karen Gombault

Self-sabotage may feel like an unavoidable part of leadership, but it doesn’t have to be. By recognizing the saboteurs at play and taking intentional steps to address them, you can lead with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose. Start today by building awareness and taking the free saboteur assessment linked in the show notes. Every step you take toward understanding these patterns is a step toward transforming your leadership journey.

Karen is a leadership coach and mentor, working with recently promoted women to help them stop doubting and start leading.

Further resources :

• Ready to uncover your saboteurs and take the first step toward deeper awareness? Take the free saboteur assessment here: https://www.karengombault.com/saboteur-test-opt-in
• Follow along on LinkedIn: (13) Karen Gombault | LinkedIn
• Email me at Karen@karengombault.com

Disclaimer:

As a Positive Intelligence Coach, I am committed to upholding the standards and trademarks of Positive Intelligence, LLC, including but not limited to the following copyright notice and disclaimers.

© 2024 Positive Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction, alteration, translation, publication or distribution, in any form, printed or electronic, is permitted without the express prior written consent of Positive Intelligence, LLC. POSITIVE INTELLIGENCE®, PQ®, PQ COACH™, CERTIFIED PQ COACH™, and P+ logo™ are trademarks of Positive Intelligence, LLC.

Self-confidence is the foundation of effective leadership, yet it’s one of the most misunderstood skills. In this episode, Karen explores the critical difference between confidence and self-confidence, shares powerful personal and client stories, and provides practical strategies to help you trust yourself, navigate uncertainty, and grow as a leader.

If you’re ready to build unshakable belief in your abilities, this episode is for you.

5 Key Takeaways

• Confidence vs. Self-Confidence: Confidence relies on external factors such as experience, knowledge, and validation, making it situational and context-dependent. In contrast, self-confidence is an internal belief in your abilities and worth, regardless of external circumstances. It provides the resilience to navigate challenges and uncertainty, allowing you to trust yourself even when facing new situations.

• Reframe Failure: Failure is not the opposite of success but an essential part of the growth process. By reframing failure as an opportunity to learn and improve, you can shift your mindset and approach challenges with greater resilience. Reflecting on setbacks and identifying lessons learned strengthens your leadership skills and builds your confidence over time.

• Master Your Inner Dialogue: Your thoughts directly impact how you feel and act as a leader. Negative self-talk, such as doubting your abilities or fearing failure, can undermine your confidence. Replacing these thoughts with empowering beliefs like "I trust myself to figure this out" or "I am capable of growing through challenges" helps cultivate a positive, confident mindset.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing and celebrating progress, no matter how small, is crucial for building self-confidence. Keeping a confidence journal where you regularly note your accomplishments provides tangible evidence of your abilities and reminds you of your growth. This practice shifts your focus from what you lack to what you’ve achieved.

• Practical Exercises for Confidence Building: Building self-confidence requires intentional effort and practice. Exercises like a thought download—where you write down current thoughts about yourself as a leader and reframe limiting ones—can help you identify and replace self-doubt. Pair this with practicing empowering thoughts daily, such as writing them on sticky notes or reminders, to reinforce your belief in your capabilities.

"You already have what it takes to lead with confidence. The key is believing in your abilities and trusting yourself to grow through every challenge." – Karen Gombault

Self-confidence isn’t a trait you’re born with; it’s a skill you can develop. By reframing failure, mastering your thoughts, and celebrating wins, you can create a foundation of trust in yourself that fuels intentional leadership. Take a few minutes today to reflect on your inner dialogue and start building the self-confidence you deserve.

Karen is a leadership coach and mentor, working with recently promoted women to help them stop doubting and start leading.

Further resources:

• Free resource: 5 Simple Ways to Protect Your Energy for busy leaders: www.karengombault.com/energy
• More information about coaching services here: Work With Me
• Follow along on LinkedIn: (13) Karen Gombault | LinkedIn
• Email me at Karen@karengombault.com

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, host Karen Gombault addresses a key challenge faced by newly promoted leaders: overthinking. While it’s tempting to analyze every decision, overthinking can stall progress, drain energy, and undermine confidence. Karen shares actionable strategies to help leaders break free from indecision, lead with clarity, and create momentum.

Key Topics Covered:

1. What Is Overthinking? Learn how overthinking traps leaders in endless loops of self-doubt and analysis paralysis, and why it’s a habit you must break.
2. 5 Reasons to Stop Overthinking: Discover why decisiveness conserves mental energy, builds momentum, reduces stress, and inspires confidence in your team.
3. The Hidden Pitfalls: Karen explains how indecision wastes time, creates bottlenecks for your team, and erodes both personal and team confidence.
4. The Power of Action: Taking quick, decisive action enables faster feedback, fosters adaptability, and leads to better outcomes.
5. Real-Life Leadership Stories: Karen shares personal and professional examples of how trusting her intuition and acting decisively led to success.

“Leadership isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about trusting yourself to decide, adapt, and keep moving forward.”

Why overcoming overthinking matters:

Karen’s insights emphasize the importance of trusting your instincts, making decisions quickly, and embracing progress over perfection. Decisive leadership empowers your team, clears mental clutter, and positions you for long-term success.

If you’re ready to stop overthinking and lead with intention, this episode is a must-listen.

Subscribe to Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading for weekly leadership strategies and actionable advice to help you grow in your role. Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who could use a confidence boost!

Karen is a leadership coach and mentor, working with recently promoted women to help them stop doubting and start leading.

• Free resource: 5 Simple Ways to Protect Your Energy for busy leaders: www.karengombault.com/energy
• More information about coaching services here: Work With Me
• Follow along on LinkedIn: (13) Karen Gombault | LinkedIn
• Email me at Karen@karengombault.com

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading! , host Karen Gombault explores the 10 most critical lessons for new leaders. If you’ve recently been promoted or stepped into a leadership role, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the transition with clarity, confidence, and success.

• Your Strengths Might Not Be Enough Anymore: The skills that got you promoted won’t necessarily help you succeed as a leader. Focus on vision, strategy, and empowering your team rather than relying solely on technical expertise.

• You Have to Earn Your Team’s Trust: Trust isn’t automatic. Build it through transparency, follow-through, and genuine investment in your team’s success.

• You Might Miss Being in the Weeds: Leadership shifts your focus to strategy and guiding others, which may leave you nostalgic for hands-on, tangible work.

• Not Everyone Will Be Happy for You: Promotions can change workplace dynamics. Maintain professionalism and focus on constructive relationships with those who support your success.

• You Can’t Please Everyone: Leadership decisions will inevitably upset some people. Focus on making decisions that align with organizational goals and your team’s needs.

• Imposter Syndrome Is Normal: Doubts are common in new roles. Recognize them as signs of growth and use them as motivation to learn, adapt, and build confidence over time.

• Boundaries Are Essential: Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries. This helps you avoid burnout and models healthy practices for your team.

• Delegation Is a Must: Leadership requires empowering your team to take ownership. Trust, patience, and letting go of perfectionism are key to successful delegation.

• Work-Life Balance Gets Harder (Initially): New roles bring increased demands, but intentional boundaries and prioritizing personal time are crucial for maintaining focus and energy.

• You Will Be Judged Differently: As a leader, your actions carry more weight. Set the tone for your team by being intentional, modeling healthy habits, and communicating effectively.

"Imposter syndrome is a natural part of stepping into a new role. Embrace it as a sign that you’re growing and stepping outside your comfort zone."

Understanding these lessons helps you navigate challenges, build trust, and lead with intention. Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional and aligned with your goals.

Stepping into a leadership role is an exciting journey that challenges you to grow in new ways. By keeping these 10 realities in mind, you’ll build confidence, create meaningful relationships, and lead with clarity.

Thank you for tuning in!

Karen is a leadership coach and mentor, working with recently promoted women to help them stop doubting and start leading.

Free resource: 5 Simple Ways to Protect Your Energy for busy leaders: www.karengombault.com/energy

More information about coaching services here: Work With Me

Follow along on LinkedIn: (13) Karen Gombault | LinkedIn

Email me at Karen@karengombault.com

You have what it takes to lead with purpose. See you in the next episode!

Welcome to the first episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading! In this episode, host Karen Gombault dives into the critical first 30 days of a new leadership role. Whether you’ve been promoted or joined a new company, Karen provides actionable strategies to help you set a strong foundation, build trust, and lead with clarity and confidence.

Understand Expectations

Start by clarifying your manager’s and stakeholders’ expectations. Schedule one-on-one meetings to ask questions like:

What are the top priorities for the next 90 days?

What does success look like in 6 months or a year?

Knowing these answers will help you focus on what truly matters, avoid missteps, and establish yourself as an aligned and proactive leader.

Listen and Observe Before Taking Action

Instead of diving into big changes, spend your first 30 days gathering insights. Meet with team members, peers, and key stakeholders to learn about the team’s strengths, challenges, and dynamics. Listening positions you as thoughtful and strategic—essential traits for a leader.

Define and Communicate Your Leadership Style

Clearly articulate how you plan to lead. Are you data-driven, collaborative, or focused on open communication? Sharing your vision early on sets the tone and builds trust, helping your team align with your expectations.

Achieve a Quick Win

Identify a manageable project or pain point you can address early. A quick win demonstrates your ability to take action and deliver results, building momentum for you and your team.

Set Boundaries to Protect Your Energy

Leadership roles can quickly become overwhelming. Avoid burnout by setting realistic boundaries, communicating your availability, and prioritizing focused work. Modeling healthy boundaries also empowers your team to follow suit.

Form your own opinions about team members and peers. Don’t let others’ biases shape your perspective. Give everyone a fair chance to succeed under your leadership.

The first month in a leadership role sets the tone for your relationships, credibility, and long-term success. Use this time intentionally to establish trust, define your vision, and start making an impact.

"Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about being intentional. The actions you take in the first 30 days will build trust, gain clarity, and position you as a confident, effective leader."

Transitioning into a new leadership role is both exciting and challenging, but with the right approach, you can set yourself up for long-term success. By understanding expectations, listening, defining your style, achieving quick wins, and setting boundaries, you’ll lead with confidence and clarity.

Karen is a leadership coach and mentor, working with recently promoted women to help them stop doubting and start leading.

• Free resource: 5 Simple Ways to Protect Your Energy for busy leaders: www.karengombault.com/energy
• More information about coaching services here: Work With Me
• Follow along on LinkedIn: (13) Karen Gombault | LinkedIn
• Email me at Karen@karengombault.com

You got the promotion — now what?

Welcome to Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, the podcast for ambitious women stepping into senior leadership and ready to lead with confidence, presence, and real influence.

Hosted by former CEO turned executive coach Karen Gombault, each episode brings practical tools and real-world strategies to help you navigate the challenges of your new role. Subscribe now and make your promotion the beginning of your next level.

Visibility can make or break your career. If no one sees your impact, do you really have any influence?

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, we dive into why strategic visibility is essential for career growth and leadership success.

If you’ve ever thought, “But I’m doing my job well—shouldn’t that be enough?”, this episode is for you. Learn how to position yourself for opportunities, build influence, and own your narrative—without feeling like you’re self-promoting.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Visibility drives career growth. Promotions, key projects, and leadership roles don’t happen just because you work hard—they happen because the right people know what you bring to the table.

✅ Influence comes from being seen and heard. When you show up in meetings, discussions, and industry events, you establish credibility and authority.

✅ Control your narrative before someone else does. If you don’t shape how people see you, assumptions will be made—and they may not work in your favor.

✅ Visibility doesn’t mean bragging—it means impact. Find natural ways to share your successes.

✅ Your network amplifies your visibility. Surround yourself with mentors, allies, and sponsors who will help raise your profile.

"If no one sees those contributions, you're going to struggle to get recognized, to get promoted, to negotiate your salary or your bonus, or even to get invited to the table where key decisions are being made." - Karen Gombault

Visibility isn’t about being the loudest—it’s about being seen by the right people at the right time. Are you making it easy for decision-makers to recognize your value? If not, it’s time to change that.

Want a clear strategy to build your visibility? Join my live workshop on March 28th, where I’ll walk you through my Visibility Pyramid and Networking Strategy to create a 30-day personalized visibility plan you can implement right away. Spots are limited.

Register here: https://www.karengombault.com/offers/WFmjBNAT/checkout

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

Are you positioning yourself for career growth, or are you waiting for opportunities to appear?

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, we dive into the critical strategy of getting into the consideration set—the shortlist of candidates leadership thinks about when new roles open up.

The reality is that hiring managers often have a list of potential candidates before a job is even posted. If you're not on that list, you're already behind.

Learn how to strategically build visibility, develop key relationships, and make sure decision-makers know your impact—long before your dream job becomes available. Don't leave your career advancement to chance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start before you need to. The best time to build relationships with decision-makers is before you’re looking for a promotion. Be proactive.

2. Make yourself visible. Your results won’t speak for themselves if the right people don’t know about them. Advocate for yourself.

3. Identify and bridge skill gaps. Understand the competencies required for the role you want so you can start developing them early.

4. Expand your influence strategically. Build credibility with your boss, colleagues, cross-functional teams, and leadership to strengthen your position.

5. Master self-promotion. Learn to communicate your achievements in a way that highlights your leadership, business impact, and future potential.

“Being great at your job isn’t enough—people need to know you’re great. Advocate for yourself so that when opportunities arise, you’re already in the conversation.” - Karen Gombault

Your next promotion isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. If you want to be on the shortlist for leadership opportunities, you must actively position yourself for success. Start laying the groundwork now by building relationships, developing the right skills, and ensuring your contributions are recognized. Even if you don’t know your exact next step, preparing today ensures you’ll be ready when the right opportunity arises.

Subscribe to Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading for more high-impact leadership strategies.

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, I’m giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my upcoming virtual summit, Women Leading Boldly.

After interviewing 18 accomplished women—including executives, entrepreneurs, leadership coaches, and industry experts—I’m sharing the top leadership lessons and career strategies that will help you step into your power with confidence.

Discover how successful women overcome self-doubt, build influence, and lead authentically—without burnout. Plus, find out how you can get free access to all 18 interviews during the summit happening March 3-7, 2025, in honor of International Women’s Day.

If you're an ambitious woman ready to advance your career, break through barriers, and lead with impact, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

1. Overcoming Self-Doubt: Every successful woman faces doubt at some point—but they take action anyway.

2. The Power of Support & Mentorship: Top female leaders don’t do it alone; they seek guidance, invest in coaching, and take control of their growth.

3. Authentic Leadership & Visibility: Fitting in won’t help you stand out—finding your unique voice and embracing visibility will.

4. Money, Success & Work-Life Balance: Women are redefining wealth, ambition, and fulfillment—success doesn’t have to mean sacrifice.

5. Creating a Ripple Effect: Leadership isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about making a broader impact and lifting others along the way.

"Nobody is coming to save you. The most successful women take full ownership of their careers, their impact, and their lives."

Join the Women Leading Boldly Summit (FREE!)

Be part of the Women Leading Boldly virtual summit, happening March 3-7, 2025. Hear from 18 successful women who are breaking barriers, leading with confidence, and sharing their expert insights on leadership, influence, and career growth.

✅ Completely FREE to attend

✅ Exclusive access to all 18 interviews

✅ A must-attend event for ambitious women in leadership

💡 Sign up now: http://www.karengombault.com/bold

Follow & Connect:

📌 Stay updated on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

📌 Share this episode with a fellow leader!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from inspiring female leaders—sign up today and take the next bold step in your career! 🚀

Are you letting self-doubt hold you back in your leadership role?

Overanalyzing your words in meetings, second-guessing decisions, and hesitating to share bold ideas can limit your leadership potential.

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, we break down how to stop worrying about what others think and step into your power with confidence. Learn how to shift your mindset, own your expertise, and lead with authority—without seeking external validation.

• Stop overanalyzing and start leading. Most people are too focused on themselves to scrutinize your every move.
• Over-explaining undermines your leadership presence. Say what you mean, trust your judgment, and let your words stand on their own.
• Pushback isn’t a threat—it’s part of the job. Handling challenges with confidence earns respect, not over-explaining or backing down.
• Validation-seeking keeps you playing small. Shift from needing approval to making decisive contributions.
• Confidence attracts credibility. When you trust yourself, others will trust you too. Leadership is about conviction, not perfection.

"Respect comes from confidence, not people-pleasing."

If you’re a newly promoted manager or executive struggling with imposter syndrome, this episode is for you. Learning to detach from the fear of judgment allows you to lead with clarity, authority, and impact. By focusing on your contributions instead of second-guessing every interaction, you can accelerate your career and establish yourself as a strong, decisive leader