Coaching Real Leaders

Hosted by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

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Jun 2026

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We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life leadership coaching sessions with high performers working to overcome professional challenges and grow as leaders. Listen in on real conversations and leave with new insights and practical guidance for your own career. The views expressed on this podcast are those of its hosts, guests, and callers. ]]>

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June 8, 202646 min

Ask Muriel Anything with Special Guest Amy Gallo

Have you ever had ongoing disagreements with your boss? Do you struggle trying to become more visible to leadership at your organization?Have you gotten feedback that YOUR feedback style needs improvement?In this episode, Amy Gallo workplace expert and author of “Getting Along,” joins host Muriel Wilkins to tackle questions from the Coaching Real Leaders community and listeners on their toughest leadership problems. For further reading: Learn more about Amy here: www.amyegallo.comCheck out her book Getting Along: How To Work With Anyone (Even Difficult People): https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Along-Anyone-Difficult-People/dp/16478210618 Practices to Break Free From Conflict: https://jengoldmanwetzler.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/8-Practices-to-Break-Free-From-Conflict-.pdfSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 25, 20261 hr 0 min

How Do I Find Fulfillment In My Leadership Role?

She recently transitioned to a new role and organization and is having trouble finding inspiration and motivation. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through why she feels professionally unfulfilled, and what she can do about it. For further reading: When Work Truly Fills Your Cup: https://karen-onpurpose1.medium.com/when-work-truly-fills-your-cup-83b0890ccf8b3 Questions to Ask When Your Job Isn’t Fulfilling: https://hbr.org/2022/11/3-questions-to-ask-when-your-job-isnt-fulfillingHow to Transition from Public Service to the Private Sector: https://www.executivegov.com/articles/how-to-transition-from-government-to-industryConnect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel’s book: LeadershipUnblocked.com Masterworks: Visit masterworks.art/leaders to view their track record and inquire for membership.Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investing involves risk. See important disclosures at masterworks.com/cdSee the Offering Circular for our current offering featuring work by Jean-Michel Basquiat here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 11, 202635 min

Ask Muriel Anything: Productivity, Layoffs, and Visibility

Are you worried that you have developed a habit of quitting when times get tough?Do you struggle with finding authentic ways to be seen by senior leadership?Are you trying to find the time and energy to develop your team?In this episode, Muriel is joined by her producer Mary to tackle leadership questions from listeners like you.For further reading: Why the Most Productive People Don’t Always Make the Best Managers: https://hbr.org/2018/04/why-the-most-productive-people-dont-always-make-the-best-managersWhy Visibility Has Become the New Test of Leadership: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/why-visibility-has-become-the-new-test-of-leadership/Ready to Quit Your Job?: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/aug/12/ready-to-quit-your-job-here-are-the-17-questions-to-ask-yourself-firstWhat? So What? Now What? (Matt Abrahams): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qdZwQdn7ScSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 27, 202651 min

How Do I Help My Boss Without Doing Their Job For Them?

She's energized by her company and the possibilities of her role, but keeps running into tension with her boss around how they work together. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through examining her approach, understanding what her boss actually needs from her, and deciding what she's willing to do about it.  For further reading: How Can I Get Along with My “Difficult” Boss?: https://hbr.org/podcast/2022/09/how-can-i-get-along-with-my-difficult-boss-from-hbrs-women-at-work5 Reasons Your Boss is Holding You Back: https://www.fastcompany.com/91277735/5-reasons-your-boss-is-holding-you-back 10 Signs Your Boss is Holding You Back: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/11/27/ten-signs-your-boss-is-holding-you-back/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 13, 202644 min

Ask Muriel Anything with Special Guest Dave Stachowiak

Have you ever felt like your boss might be holding you back? Do you have a hard time determining your non-negotiables? Do you struggle with constantly changing priorities from the C suite?In this episode, executive coach Dave Stochowiak, host of the Coaching For Leaders podcast, joins host Muriel Wilkins to tackle questions from the audience on their toughest leadership problems. For further reading: Check out Coaching For Leaders: https://coachingforleaders.com/Manage Yourself to Lead Others: https://www.amazon.com/Manage-Yourself-Lead-Others-Self-Understanding/dp/1541705688Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel’s book: LeadershipUnblocked.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 30, 202648 min

How Can I Move Forward When My Company Won’t Promote Me?

She’s been at her current organization for decades, and loves the leadership role she’s in. But she’s always aspired to make it to the C-suite. As that opportunity seems less and less likely to attain where she is now, executive coach, Muriel Wilkins, helps her work through what trade-offs she’s willing to make to achieve  her professional goals. For further reading: 3 Ways to Make Tough Career Choices with Confidence: https://melodywilding.com/3-ways-to-make-tough-career-choices-with-confidence/Career Crossroads: https://hbr.org/podcast/2019/07/career-crossroadsHow to Navigate Change at Any Career Stage: https://hbr.org/podcast/2024/05/how-to-navigate-change-at-any-career-stageConnect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel’s book: LeadershipUnblocked.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 16, 202628 min

Introducing: Ask Muriel Anything

Long-time executive coach and Coaching Real Leaders host, Muriel Wilkins, takes questions from listeners, past guests and community members and helps them unpack some of the thorniest workplace challenges they face. In this episode, she’s joined by her producer Mary Dooe to talk about when business partnerships go bad, what to do when you make a significant mistake at work, and more. Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel’s book: LeadershipUnblocked.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 2, 202649 min

How Do I Get Buy-In From My Boss?

She’s an ambitious leader with a strong vision to drive value and growth for the company. But she’s concerned that plan may now be in jeopardy due to lack of buy-in from her boss. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her on how to handle getting the alignment needed to move a strategy forward.Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel’s book: LeadershipUnblocked.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

February 16, 20261 min

Coming Soon: Season 11

From uncovering the belief that’s quietly holding you back… to mapping your path to the C-suite… to recovering after a career-defining mistake — executive coach Muriel Wilkins is back with real, unscripted coaching conversations that take you inside the lives of leaders at pivotal moments. And for the first time ever, you’ll get new episodes twice a month, all year long - no more waiting between seasons.Listen in as leaders wrestle with ambition, visibility, competition, fulfillment, and the hard challenges that come with the job.  Plus, check out a brand-new monthly series — Ask Muriel Anything — where Muriel answers the toughest leadership questions straight from listeners.The new season of Coaching Real Leaders drops March 2. Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel’s book: LeadershipUnblocked.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

December 1, 202541 min

Do I Really Want to Be CEO?

She’s a leader who unexpectedly finds herself running a company, but isn’t sure it is the right role for her long-term. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through defining what she can do versus what she wants to do, the level of responsibility she truly wants, and what might lie at the heart of her current discomfort. Apply now to be on Coaching Real Leaders in 2026: CoachingRealLeaders.com Further reading: Check out Muriel’s new book, Leadership Unblocked: leadershipunblocked.com Join Muriel in her Group Coaching Intensive Program: Leadershipunblocked.com/group The Skills and Habits Aspiring CEOs Need to Build Is the C Suite Right For You? What It Takes to Become a CEO The Hard Truth About Being a CEO Soft Skills Matter Now More Than EverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.