Grounded and Aligned™

#51: Leadership Lessons You Can't Script

In this episode of Grounded and Aligned™, Karen Gombault reflects on leadership through an unexpected but instructive lens: observing how people respond when authenticity, vulnerability, and respect are consistently present, without scripting or control.This is not a conversation about celebrity, though it is based on observations of Taylor Swift.It is an examination of why some leaders generate followership effortlessly, while others rely on position, polish, or performance.The episode uses real, observable moments to explore how leadership energy is experiencedand why it cannot be manufactured.What this episode examinesWhy authenticity is recognizable immediately—and difficult to fakeHow vulnerability can exist without undermining authorityThe leadership impact of spontaneous, human decisionsWhat happens when respect and passion are consistently visibleWhy people choose to follow leaders who feel real, not managed“People want to follow her because they want to be in that energy, in that positive energy.” - Karen GombaultAt senior levels, leadership is not only about decisions and outcomes. It is also about presence, and how others experience themselves in your energy.That experience compounds.Next stepsIf you are entering a new year with complex expectations and limited space to think, I offer a free 15-minute Executive Pulse Call.One situation.Clear perspective.A grounded decision on what matters next.🧭 Book an Executive Pulse Callhttps://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/executive-pulse☕ Join the free Grounded and Aligned™ Daily Coffee Chathttps://www.karengombault.com/offers/wuqAChoZ/checkout🤝 Connect with Karen on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

#50: Looking Back and Looking Forward

This episode was recorded on December 31, 2025. It’s a simple pause at the end of the year to look at what actually made a difference, personally and professionally. In this solo episode of Grounded and Aligned™, Karen Gombault walks through how she reviewed 2025: time with people she cares about, a full year living in the south of France, and a business that now feels settled and right-sized. There is no push for reinvention here. No pressure to optimize. Instead, this is about noticing what already works—and making sure it stays protected. The episode also touches on a practical question she now asks clients and herself at year-end: What is one thing you don’t want to bring with you into the next year? What this episode looks at: 1. What a full year outside Paris clarified about this moment in life 2. How space, boundaries, and reduced travel reshaped daily life and life decisions 3. Why stability and continuity can be a deliberate strategic choice, not a lack of ambition “There is nothing that I would change about this year.” — Karen Gombault Today's reflection is about discernment...knowing what deserves attention, and what to leave behind. January 2026 Live Atelier : Grounded Expansion A powerful moment to reflect, envision, and choose the priorities that will shape your year ahead. Register here: https://www.karengombault.com/atelier Next steps Other ways to connect: I offer a free, 15-minute Executive Pulse Call. One situation. Clear thinking. No performance theatre. 🧭 Book an Executive Pulse Call https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/executive-pulse ☕ Join the free Grounded and Aligned™ Daily Coffee Chat https://www.karengombault.com/offers/wuqAChoZ/checkout 🤝 Connect with Karen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

#49: When Stepping In Undermines Your Leadership

The meeting is scheduled for the next day.A decision needs to be made. Teams are waiting for direction.As you review the materials one final time, you see it immediately:the analysis is incomplete. Key inputs are missing. Several assumptions haven’t been tested.This is not new.You’ve been clear about expectations before. And there is no time left to send it back without delaying the decision.So you make a choice.In this episode of Grounded & Aligned™, Karen Gombault examines a pattern common at Director–SVP level: stepping in to protect outcomes, and the longer-term cost that decision quietly creates.This is not about commitment or competence. It is about what happens when responsibility repeatedly shifts toward you, without being explicitly agreed, named, or corrected.The episode explores how consistent intervention changes accountability, increases cognitive load, and alters how authority is experienced, not visibly, but structurally.If you often find yourself compensating so the business does not absorb the impact of someone else’s gaps, this conversation will feel familiar.What this episode looks at:How repeatedly absorbing work that isn’t yours reshapes accountability — even when done for sound reasonsWhy unresolved performance issues persist when consequences never land where they belongHow authority erodes quietly through accumulated mental load, not overt challengeThe difference between short-term decision protection and long-term organizational strengthWhen stepping back is not avoidance, but an intentional leadership decision“Staying accountable to outcomes is of course part of senior leadership. But taking on work that isn’t yours repeatedly, that is not.” — Karen GombaultAt senior levels, leadership is not demonstrated by how much you absorb.It is demonstrated by where responsibility sits and how you install boundaries.Next stepIf this pattern shows up in your job, I offer a 15-minute Executive Pulse Call.One situation.Clear perspective.A grounded decision on what to do about it.🧭 Book an Executive Pulse Call https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/executive-pulse🤝 Connect with Karen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

#48: Evolution

There’s a shift happening in leadership—and in this podcast.In this episode of Stepping Into the Arena, Karen announces powerful changes coming to the show, all rooted in what modern leaders truly need today: clarity, calm, and grounded strength. Drawing on 28 years in corporate leadership and three years coaching successful executives, Karen shares five critical trends she sees in the market and how they are shaping the future of effective leadership.If you're tired of reactive change, surface-level motivation, and leadership that costs your health and well-being, this is your invitation to something deeper. Get ready for a more aligned, intentional way to lead.5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Leaders are exhausted. The current pace and intensity of corporate life is unsustainable—burnout is not a leadership strategy.Trust is the new currency. Steady, grounded presence matters more than high energy or charisma.Reactive change is harming teams. Organizations need to shift from chaos-driven change to structured, respectful transitions.Clarity beats complexity. Clear expectations, decisions, and communication reduce friction and boost performance.Growth needs grounding. As responsibilities increase, inner capacity must grow too—emotional regulation and self-leadership are essential.“I want to promote leadership that isn’t going to cost people their health, their relationships, their self-confidence.” – Karen GombaultModern leadership isn’t about working harder—it’s about showing up in a way that is steady, ethical, aligned, and human. That’s why this podcast is evolving too. Karen shares her decision to rename the show and introduces a new daily format designed to meet you where you are—offering practical insights and grounded energy every weekday.RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:🧭 1:1 Executive Coaching Serviceshttps://www.karengombault.com/workwithme🗓️ The Monthly Atelier https://www.karengombault.com/atelier🎙️ New Daily Podcast (coming in December 2025)Grounded & Aligned Coffee Chat — More news soon.🤝 Connect with KarenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/

#47: Grateful and Dissatisfied Can Co-exist

You can be grateful—and still feel dissatisfied.In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen unpacks a powerful phrase shared by her mentor: “You can be grateful and dissatisfied.” At first glance, those emotions may seem contradictory, but they often show up together at pivotal career moments.Karen shares her personal experience of having a successful job, a fulfilling personal life, and yet feeling something wasn’t right. That subtle dissatisfaction was a signal—one she followed more than once, leaving high-level roles (even CEO) to pursue something bigger.If you’ve ever felt conflicted by your desire for more while also recognizing how fortunate you are, this conversation will give you clarity and courage.5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Gratitude doesn’t mean you have to stay. You can be thankful for your job, your team, and your life—and still know it’s time for change.Dissatisfaction is often the first signal. Karen noticed a pattern in her career: every few years, a quiet feeling would emerge, pushing her toward growth.Acting on dissatisfaction leads to expansion. Each time Karen made a bold move—whether it was a job switch or moving to southern France—life got better.Guilt is part of the process. Leaving “good” roles brought emotional weight, especially as the main earner. But staying would have led to boredom and resentment.Trust your intuition. Even when timing isn’t ideal or others question your decision, that inner pull is worth listening to."It is 100% okay to feel grateful and dissatisfied." – Karen GombaultThis episode is a reminder that your next chapter may begin with a subtle nudge—not a crisis. And acting on that feeling could lead to more satisfaction than you imagined.RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:Set up a call to explore working together: https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/introductionFree Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed1:1 Executive Coaching – Explore private coaching options: https://www.karengombault.com/workwithmeConnect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/