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PODCAST

Grounded and Aligned™

Grounded and Aligned™ is a podcast for people in senior roles who carry real responsibility - budgets, teams, visibility, and pressure that doesn’t switch off at the end of the day. If your role has grown faster than your comfort zone… If you’re managing up, setting boundaries, delegating, and absorbing more than you used to… If you care about being effective and human (without being inauthentic or pushing yourself past your limits), this show is for you. I’m Karen Gombault. I’ve spent decades

business careers

All Episodes

16:23

#48: Evolution

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/11/20

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,

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15:40

#47: Grateful and Dissatisfied Can Co-exist

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/11/13

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

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18:33

#46: The Power of Mentorship in Executive Growth

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/11/06

Your next level of leadership might just start with one conversation. In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen shares why mentorship—formal or not—is essential for sustainable growth and powerful leadership. With personal stories, real-life examples, and a clear call to action, this episode will inspire you to find your next mentor (or become one).Whether you're navigating a new role or aiming to evolve your leadership style, this conversation will shift how you think about influence,

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23:26

#45: Year in Review: Lessons from a Big Leap

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/10/30

What actually happens when you bet on yourself? In this deeply personal year-in-review podcast episode, Karen shares the six most important lessons she’s learned after going all-in on executive leadership coaching. If you’re a senior leader stepping into a new role or a bigger scope, this is the episode that will help you feel seen—and give you pragmatic insights to navigate the messy middle of growth and transition.These are hard-won truths from a year of courage, discomfort, and intentional

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15:16

#44: How to Recover When a New Job Doesn’t Work Out

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/10/23

When You’re Not Confirmed in Your Role: What Now?You took the leap. A big new role. A new company. A bold career move. And then, a few months in, the call comes: they’re not moving forward with you. You’re not being confirmed in your position. It’s unexpected, it’s brutal—and it can shake your confidence to its core.In this podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault breaks down what not being confirmed really means, why it happens more often than people talk about, and how to leave

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19:05

#43: Stop The Power Leaks

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/10/16

Awareness is only the beginning—real leadership transformation happens when you take bold, intentional action. In this powerful podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault lays out the exact steps you need to plug the four most common power leaks senior executives face.If you've recently stepped into a bigger role, and you're juggling visibility, credibility, and pressure, this is your tactical guide to reclaiming control, sharpening your presence, and protecting your energy.You don’t

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17:04

#42: How Power Leaks Erode Your Influence

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/10/09

When executives lose influence, it rarely happens in one dramatic crash—it fades away slowly, almost invisibly. In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault reveals the four most common ways senior leaders leak power in the first six months of a new role. These aren’t obvious failures; they’re subtle habits that silently drain your credibility, clarity, and presence. Learn how to plug these leaks so you can lead with stronger influence, more confidence, and measurable impact from day

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14:28

#41: Delegation Benefits Everyone

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen reveals why senior leaders hesitate to delegate and how it costs you time, authority, and impact. You’ll learn a simple, practical framework to define when you should decide, when you should collaborate, and when your team should take the lead.If you’ve been holding on too tightly—or becoming the bottleneck—this podcast episode gives you the tools to reclaim your calendar, empower your team, and scale your leadership influence.5 KEY

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16:45

#40: White Space: The Hidden Power Executives Overlook

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/09/25

When your calendar is packed back-to-back, you may think you’re maximizing your value. In reality, you’re draining your influence. In this podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault shares why white space—the intentional pauses in your day—is not a luxury but a leadership essential.If you’ve just stepped into a bigger role and feel like you’re always behind, this conversation will help you reset your rhythm, reclaim your energy, and show up as the steady, strategic leader your team

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16:20

#39: Influence Decisions Before the Meeting Starts

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/09/18

Influence doesn’t happen in the meeting—it happens before it.In this week’s Stepping Into The Arena podcast episode, Karen reveals why the real work of influence happens long before you step into the boardroom. She breaks down the three arenas of influence—before, during, and after the meeting—and shows you why shaping decisions ahead of time is the key to expanding your authority, credibility, and impact.5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Most of your leadership impact happens before. Pre-wiring, seeding ideas, and

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14:24

#38: Stepping Into the Arena: Own Your Executive Power

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/09/11

You’ve got the seat—now what?This premiere episode of Stepping Into the Arena is not just a rebrand—it’s a bold invitation to own your executive presence and expand your influence. Karen Gombault shares why this evolution matters and what it means for ambitious leaders facing high-stakes transitions.Whether you’re stepping into a new executive role, inheriting a larger team, or navigating a merger, this episode is your strategic reset. Karen walks you through the four essential lessons she’s seen

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17:41

#37: How to Lead Former Peers Without Losing Your...

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/08/27

You’ve just been promoted—and now you’re leading the people who were your peers last week. It’s one of the most awkward, emotionally charged leadership shifts out there.In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen Gombault walks you through how to manage this transition without losing authority, overcompensating, or shrinking yourself. If you’ve ever wondered how to handle blurred lines, shifting dynamics, or that one colleague who wanted the job you now have—this episode is for

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17:34

#36: Stop Waiting for Your Boss to Change

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/08/20

In this powerful episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen Gombault dives deep into one of the most frustrating realities for new leaders—having a difficult boss. Whether they're a micromanager, invisible, indecisive, or political, these leaders can block momentum, drain your energy, and make you question your authority.The truth is that your boss doesn’t need to change for you to lead effectively.Karen shares six clear, actionable strategies to help you navigate the dynamic with

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19:12

#35: 7 Strategies for Instant Leadership Credibility

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/08/13

First impressions in a new leadership role are powerful—they can define your influence, trust, and freedom to lead. In this podcast episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen Gombault walks you through the seven pillars of early leadership impact so you can focus your energy where it matters most."You don't have to be perfect on anything, but you do need to create some awareness around what your strengths are and where there are areas for improvement that will give you the most

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17:00

#34: Wellness At Work: Leadership Boundaries

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/08/06

In this podcast episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen Gombault dives into the leadership essential no one talks about enough—protecting your energy through clear, actionable boundaries.Whether you're stepping into a new role or leading at a higher level, your ability to stay grounded, focused, and well-rested isn't optional—it's strategic. Karen shares powerful personal stories and practical examples from her executive career to help you avoid burnout, stay intentional, and create

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14:58

#33: When The Honeymoon Is Over: Managing Messy

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/07/30

Stepping into a new leadership role often starts with excitement and ambition—but what happens when reality doesn’t match your expectations?In this raw and honest episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen shares how to navigate those destabilizing moments when the shine of a new role wears off, and things get messy. Whether you’re two months or a year into the job, this episode is your playbook. It’s time to stop waiting for perfection and step into your power, right in the middle of

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22:57

#32: How To Uplevel Your Self-Concept

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/07/23

You’ve got the title—now it’s time to step fully into owning it.In this bold and honest podcast episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen dives into a challenge that nearly every newly promoted leader faces—but few can name: the identity lag. When your title says “leader,” but your inner voice still whispers “doer,” your self-concept might be holding you back.Karen shares a personal story about her own transition to CEO and the pivotal moment a coach told her, “You are not carrying

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17:18

#31: Your First 90 Days - Deliver Impact and Build...

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/07/16

You’re past the honeymoon phase—now it’s time to show what you’re made of.The first 90 days in a new leadership role mark a critical shift: from being new to being noticed. This episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading dives deep into what it really takes to move from early impressions to lasting influence.Karen Gombault breaks down five strategic moves that build your credibility, establish your authority, and help you drive meaningful progress—even if everything still feels new. Whether

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18:27

#30: Your First 30 Days - Build Relationships and...

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/07/09

Your first month as a leader matters—don’t let the momentum fade.In this week’s episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen Gombault breaks down what really needs to happen in the critical first 30 days of a new leadership role. The initial excitement has worn off, the hallway hellos have faded, and now all eyes are on you to lead.This episode delivers five strategic moves to help you transition from being the “new hire” to a respected, trusted leader who gets things done—without

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17:09

#29: Your First 5 Days — Show Up Intentionally [Start...

Grounded and Aligned™ ·

2025/07/02

Your first week sets the tone—make it count.In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, Karen kicks off a powerful three-part series on navigating the critical first 90 days in a new role. Whether you’ve been promoted internally or joined a new company, that first week is more than just logistics—it’s your opportunity to establish presence, build relationships, and protect your energy.Karen shares actionable strategies and coaching insights to help you avoid the most common mistakes,

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108 results

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