Career Success Coach

You’re doing the work. So why aren’t you moving? Most senior leaders don’t have a capability problem. They have an  influence problem . In this episode, I break down the  three traps  that keep high performers stuck—despite delivering at a high level. Because at this level, it’s not about doing more. It’s about whether people back you. If you feel...

Have you ever walked out of a meeting thinking: “I know I’m capable… so why didn’t that land?” Maybe someone spoke over you. Maybe someone repeated your idea and got the credit. Or maybe your voice tightened&n...

You’re good at what you do.  You deliver.  You prepare.  You work hard.  So why are others getting elevated ahead of you?  In this episode, Sarah unpacks the uncomfortable truth most high performers miss:  It’s not about competence.  It’s about presence.  Research from the Center for Talent Innovation found that executive presence...

Have you ever wondered why you aren't achieving more with so much experience? Maybe you're a professional who has a great career but still feels frustrated not achieving your desired result. In this episode, we will explore the art of shifting paradigms and cultivating a mindset worthy of breakthrough success.  Karen Brook, a High-Performance Mindset coach, shares her deep understanding of th...

Middle managers — often referred to as the B-Suite — are facing a structural squeeze. In this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Houghton, author of More Impact More Easily, to unpack why this layer is experiencing significantly higher burnout and greater redundancy risk than other organisational levels. We explore: Why middle leaders are caught in an identity crisis The pressure of...

In this episode of the Career Success, Sarah Makris speaks with Hannah Jones, Executive Manager of Payments and Customer Success at Commonwealth Bank, about what really happens when accomplished leaders decide to become visible. Hannah shares her career reinvention journey — from event planning in New York, to corporate banking, fintech, and back into one of Australia’s largest financi...

You can be senior — and still invisible. And for many experienced leaders, that’s the real career risk. In this episode, Sarah Makris unpacks how highly capable, well-respected leaders quietly lose momentum — not because they lack talent, but because their visibility doesn’t match their value. Through a real corporate leadership story, Sarah shows how “quiet excellenc...

In this episode, I’m joined by Petra Davison for a sharp, honest conversation about leadership, transition, and what it really takes to stay relevant at senior levels.  We explore the gap many accomplished leaders experience between capability and visibility — and why performance alone is no longer enough. Petra shares grounded insights on navigating career inflection points, maki...

Technology Leader Sheena Peeters joins me to share her career journey, from consulting to starting her own business in personalized stationery to transitioning back into the corporate world. She discusses the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way, including the importance of maintaining relationships. Sheena also emphasizes the importance of developing soft skills and beco...

In today's fast-paced and competitive world, effective communication is more important than ever. If you are a corporate executive or business leader who wants to make a lasting impression, harnessing the power of your voice is an important element in building a credible personal brand.. In this thought-provoking podcast episode we explore the challenges people face with their voice, the importanc...

Courageous leaders start with strategic and effective communication. When leaders communicate better, they establish trust, credibility, and confidence, making it easier for them to have influence and make a positive impact. Summary: Leah Mether, Communications expert and author, joins me to share her valuable insights on effective communication and relationship building. She emphasizes the import...

In a fast-paced world that glorifies the hustle, tuning into the body's intelligence is critical to maintain health and performance and ultimately show up as an authentic, energised leader. Summary: Clare Robinson, an executive coach and leadership program facilitator, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of managing energy to avoid burnout in the workplace. She explains that humans operate...

Your career is your business, and you are the Chief Marketing Officer, so building a powerful personal brand and marketing yourself well can set you up for future success. Bec Chappell, a Marketing Strategist for small businesses, joins me to discuss showing up on LinkedIn and building your online presence so that, like her, you can create opportunities in your career or grow your business. Bec Ch...

If you want to keep progressing in your career and attract better opportunities It's Important you cultivate a strong network of advocates who can support you in reaching your goals.  One of the most powerful yet commonly avoided ways to do this is through strategic networking. In this episode, we’ll discuss how you can start building your own strategic networks for career success.  Top...

Ready to take your career in a different direction? If you've ever thought about moving into a new industry then this episode is for you   Kathie van Vugt, a former client and accomplished executive, joins me to share her journey from being made redundant during the pandemic to relaunching herself in the deep tech industry and landing her dream role. Kathie van Vugt is an Operation Execu...

Do you struggle to stay focused and productive throughout the day? Need help getting through that TO Do list, then this episode is for you! Donna McGeorge, THE productivity expert, author of  11 books  and speaker, joins me to share some techniques to sharpen your focus and become more productive.  She also shares some amazing tips on how to use Chat GPT, to get more done in your pe...

Having a strong online presence is key to becoming known in your industry. And the right images are an integral part of your personal brand and positioning. Whether they are for LinkedIn, your website, or the speakers' circuit - the right portraits matter. In this episode, Prue Aja Steedman, a portrait and branding photographer, joins me to share how to create the perfect pictures that capture peo...

Executive presence is a must for any leader who wants to accelerate their career. This means you inspire confidence in those you lead and work with - showing up the right way and making the right impact as a leader. In this episode, Sue Rosen, an accredited Executive Coach, joins me to unravel how to achieve executive presence. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: You will hear how to meas...

Do you have clear career goals?  Without clear career goals, you can find yourself drifting and unhappy. In this episode, I share with you 5 of my favourite strategies to find career clarity so that you can set powerful goals that inspire you. Having clear goals is the first step in creating a  credible, relevant personal brand that positions you for career success. Top reasons to listen...

How do you use your time and effort? Maybe you are a professional who dreams of making a bigger impact in your career and life but is struggling with finding the time and energy to get the results you desire. If so, this episode is for you! John Soforic, the author of The Wealthy Gardener: Lesson on Prosperity Between Father and Son, joins me to talk about how to intentionally use your time to rea...

Are you leading yourself to be better? Wearing the leader's hat is more than just sitting in the corner office and delegating tasks. Great leaders understand their impact and influence on the people and the organization. In this episode, Julie Hyde, a leader for leaders, joins me to share how she uses obstacles as an opportunity to transform herself and others to become better leaders. Julie Hyde...

Why you need to be game ready and how to attract the attention of recruiters even when you aren’t looking for a new role. In this episode, Suzie Mclnerney, Executive CEO of Six Degrees Executive, an industry leader in Executive recruitment, joins me to share her advice on what recruiters and companies are looking for in 2023. She also  discusses the importance of being game ready and how to a...

LinkedIn is the top professional platform in the world, but many executives fail to leverage it effectively to drive their career. In this episode, we are going to talk about the five most common mistakes executives make on LinkedIn. I share with you how these mistakes can affect your current and future career and provide simple and easy-to-implement strategies to help you achieve your career succ...

Resumes are an essential part of the job application process, and executives must have a strong and effective resume. However, many executives make mistakes on their resumes that can hinder their chances of landing the job they want. In this episode, I will explore some of the common mistakes that I see and share the nine powerful tips that you can implement today to ensure your resume wins your i...

The way you dress and show up at work has a direct impact on your personal brand. Lucy Owens, a personal stylist and image consultant, joins me to explore the importance of creating the right visual impression and how you can create a signature style and personal brand image that positions you as a credible, relevant, and polished professional. Lucy Owens is the Founder of Style Rises, a style ser...