The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast

Career Growth and Leadership Development: The Power of Clarity and Curiosity

Unlock the secrets to Career Growth and Leadership Development. In this episode, we explore how curiosity and clarity are the primary drivers of professional transformation and cultural fit.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Confident Leader podcast provides the blueprint for high-stakes career advancement. Today, we bridge the gap between "having a job" and "leading a legacy" by dismantling the barriers that keep NextGen Leaders stuck in roles that don't align with their gifts.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE NEXTGEN LEADERS:03:45 – Overcoming Barriers to Career Growth.06:49 – The Importance of Clarity in Leadership Development.15:54 – High-Impact Job Application Strategies.20:02 – Networking for Career Growth (The "Giver" Mindset).THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHTCarlee’s journey is a perfect execution of L – Leveraging Your Strengths and I – Integrating Purpose.L – Leveraging Your Strengths: Carlee discusses the shift from "job titles" to "personal gifts." This is the essence of leveraging what makes you unique to solve organizational problems, rather than just filling a role.I – Integrating Purpose: Her focus on "Cultural Fit" and asking "What do I want to be doing?" is a masterclass in aligning professional actions with personal values. This is how a Confident Leader moves from accidental success to intentional transformation.ABOUT THE GUEST: CARLEE WOLFECarlee Wolfe is a premier strategist, connector, and executive coach dedicated to helping high-stakes leaders and organizations thrive through complex transformation. With over 20 years of experience leading talent, culture, and organizational behavior for iconic global brands—including Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee—Carlee specializes in translating high-level strategy into tangible, high-performance behaviors. Her unique approach bridges the gap between organizational effectiveness and personal fulfillment, making her a leading voice for NextGen Leaders seeking clarity and sustainable Career Growth. Connect with her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleeawolfeABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders

The Self-Belief Blueprint: Why Your Personal Habits Dictate Your Leadership Legacy

Ranked in the Top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader is where high-performance strategy meets human vulnerability. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Kevin Palmieri (Founder of Next Level University) to discuss the "Success Paradox."For the Accidental Manager, career advancement often comes at the cost of mental health and self-awareness. We explore Kevin’s transformative journey from hitting rock bottom to reaching millions in 180+ countries. We reveal why vulnerability is a leader’s greatest strength, how to track personal habits as business KPIs, and the mindset shifts required to take full ownership of your executive evolution.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE ACCIDENTAL MANAGER:03:58 – The Growth Pivot: Transitioning from a "Fixed" to a "Growth" mindset for sustainable Career Advancement.05:45 – Vulnerability as Power: Why honest leadership fosters deeper connection and team trust than "perfection" ever will.08:32 – The KPI of Habits: Tracking your personal development with the same rigor you track company profits.14:48 – Overcoming the Imposter: Tactical mindset shifts to defeat self-doubt during rapid Leadership Development.THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:This session highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and B – Build Your Legacy. Kevin Palmieri proves that you cannot lead a team to the "Next Level" if your own mindset is stuck at the baseline. By Cultivating a Mindset (C) that embraces vulnerability, you create a culture where people feel safe to innovate. Kevin's "heart-driven" approach to scaling his global reach embodies Building Your Legacy (B)—turning personal pain into a global solution for a million listeners.ABOUT GUEST: KEVIN PALMIERIKevin Palmieri is the Founder, CSO, and Host of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 self-improvement podcast reaching over 1 million people in 180+ countries. After a life-altering brush with rock bottom, Kevin went "all-in" on holistic self-improvement and entrepreneurship. Today, he teaches a heart-driven, "no-BS" approach to leadership, consistency, and mindset, helping high-performers worldwide bridge the gap between financial success and personal fulfillment.🌐 Learn more at: nextleveluniverse.comABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders

The Athlete’s Edge: Why NextGen Leaders Need an "Off-Season" for Sustainable Career Advancement

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader is the premier destination for high-stakes leadership development. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Krystal Kohlberg (Mental Performance Coach & Human Design Expert) to dismantle the "one-size-fits-all" corporate leadership model.For NextGen leaders, career advancement requires more than just mimicry—it requires an understanding of your unique mental performance blueprint. We explore the critical mindset shifts needed to treat corporate leadership with the same intentional preparation as professional sports. We reveal how to identify your "Human Design," create a strategic executive "off-season," and harness mental preparation to build unshakeable confidence.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE ACCIDENTAL MANAGER:04:12 – The Human Design Advantage: Why self-awareness of your unique "wiring" is the key to effortless Confident Leadership.08:26 – The Preparation Gap: Why the corporate world fails where sports succeed—and how to close the gap in your Leadership Development.13:54 – The Executive "Off-Season": The strategic necessity of intentional rest to prevent burnout and ensure Career Advancement.17:01 – Mental Performance Mastery: Moving from accidental action to intentional, personalized mental preparation.THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:This session highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and L – Leverage Your Strengths. Krystal Kohlberg demonstrates that you cannot Leverage (L) what you do not understand; Human Design acts as the mirror for your internal strengths. By Cultivating a Mindset (C) rooted in sports psychology, leaders can stop copying others and start executing from their own "Flow State." This shift from "perfect action" to "imperfect, intentional action" is the ultimate catalyst for Leadership Development.ABOUT GUEST: KRYSTAL KOHLBERGKrystal Kohlberg is a Mental Performance Coach and Human Design Reader who specializes in helping leaders and teams create sustainable, aligned ways of working. With a deep background in sport and performance psychology, Krystal blends scientific rigor with soulful self-awareness to help her clients achieve clarity and connection. Her work is a direct challenge to outdated, high-burnout leadership models, offering instead a path to success honored by how each person is uniquely wired to thrive. Explore Krystal’s mental performance blueprints at krystalkohlberg.com and follow her daily insights on human design via Instagram @krystal.kohlberg.ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders #humandesign

How to Resolve Workplace Discrimination: A Leader’s Guide to Conflict Resolution with Dana Carter

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The Confident Leader is the premier resource for leadership development and executive growth. In this episode of The Climb, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins certified mediator Dana Carter to discuss how to navigate the legal and emotional complexities of corporate discrimination.Is your workplace culture thriving, or is there a "silent killer" of productivity hiding in plain sight? Workplace discrimination and unresolved conflict are the primary roadblocks to career advancement for NextGen leaders. We explore the mindset shifts necessary to lead with kindness, the power of meditation, and how proactive leadership development can rescue a toxic culture before it’s too late.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE NEXTGEN LEADER:04:11 – Identifying the Invisible: How discrimination often goes unnoticed until it impacts the bottom line.06:40 – The Leader’s Mandate: Why dismissing employee complaints is a failure of Confident Leadership.09:33 – Culture Architecture: Using workshops and conflict resolution to foster Leadership Development.11:53 – Strategic Self-Defense: Advice for employees on documentation and seeking professional mediation for Career Advancement.THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:This session highlights I – Integrate Purpose & Vision. Dana’s journey proves that when a leader integrates social justice and kindness into their core vision, they don’t just resolve conflicts—they Magnify Their Impact (M). For any NextGen leader, mastering the "Mindset Shift" from defensive management to empathetic mediation is the key to building a sustainable Legacy (B).About Guest: Dana CarterDana Carter is a certified Mediator, a dedicated Social Justice Advocate, and the founder of Carter’s Pre-Court Services. With a career rooted in the pursuit of equity and workplace restoration, Dana specializes in helping individuals and organizations navigate the complex legal and emotional landscapes of discrimination and corporate conflict. Join her Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Carters-Pre-Court-Legal-Service-61557945547282/ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters,Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/]⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders #workplacediscrimination

NextGen Leaders: How to Lead Without Authority and Break Organizational Silos

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The Climb Leadership Development and Confident Leader is the premier resource for leadership development and executive growth. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Jennifer Hawkins (Founder of Launched Performance) to discuss the transition from technical expert to enterprise strategist.For NextGen leaders, career advancement requires more than skill—it requires the mindset shifts necessary to lead without authority. We explore how Jennifer managed high-stakes operations across seven states while facing profound personal challenges, proving that confident leadership is a design of resilience. During our conversation, we reveal how to break organizational silos and lead "up, across, and out" to build a legacy that transcends the boardroom.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE ENTERPRISE STRATEGIST:02:29 – The Legacy Blueprint: Why Purpose is the Foundation of Confident Leadership05:53 – Mindset Shifts: Maintaining Performance Standards During High-Stakes Personal Challenges07:36 – Organizational Architecture: Breaking Down Silos to Ensure NextGen Leaders Succeed13:26 – Leading Up, Across, and Out: The Essential Skills for Career Advancement28:02 – The CLIMB Connection: Navigating Leadership Stages from Invisible to InfluentialTHE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:This episode is a masterclass in C – Cultivate Your Mindset and B – Build Your Legacy. Jennifer Hawkins proves that confident leadership is forged in the fire of personal adversity. By implementing critical mindset shifts (C), she turned underperforming centers into top-tier successes. Her "SHIFT Method" perfectly complements the CLIMB™ Framework, showing NextGen leaders how to break silos and Magnify Your Impact (M) to ensure a lasting professional Legacy (B).ABOUT GUEST: JENNIFER HAWKINSJennifer Hawkins is the founder of Launched Performance, a premier leadership advisory firm specializing in succession planning and enterprise-level strategy. With a career spanning five industries, Jennifer is known for turning the worst-performing operations into top 20% performers, even during economic recessions. She famously led blood banking operations across seven states while managing a family health crisis from a hospital room. Today, she equips NextGen leaders with the strategy, confidence, and resilience needed for rapid career advancement.🌐 Connect with Jennifer: launchedperformance.comABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun Chambers and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify and Apple#JenniferHawkins #theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders #mindsetshifts #CareerAdvancement