Career Espresso

Remote work is here to stay, but is it silently hurting your career? In this essential episode, Amanda tackles the "proximity paradox" – the surprising reality that while remote work offers better work-life balance and higher productivity, it might be damaging your long-term career prospects.Stanford research reveals remote workers are promoted 35% less often than their in-office counterparts. Your professional network shrinks by about 17% per year when working remotely. Yet 90% of us want to maintain flexible work arrangements.This episode unpacks why being good at your job is no longer enough in a remote environment. You need visibility – a separate skill that requires intention and strategy.Amanda breaks down the four types of visibility that matter for your career:- Results visibility: What you produce- Process visibility: How you work- Relationship visibility: Who sees you as a trusted colleague- Value visibility: How others connect your work to what mattersYou'll learn practical strategies to overcome the proximity paradox:- Design your visibility rhythm with consistent touch points- Use the right communication channels for different messages- Master micro-visibility techniques throughout your workday- Curate and share your impacts effectivelyThis isn't about self-promotion – it's about ensuring your contributions get the recognition they deserve. In a remote-first world, visibility doesn't happen by accident. It happens by design.Listen now to transform how you approach remote work and take control of your career trajectory, no matter where you're working.

In Episode 84, your host Amanda questions common career advice that might send you in the wrong direction. If conflicting guidance about staying relevant leaves you confused, this episode offers clarity.Episode Highlights➡️ Why technical certifications often miss the mark for long-term success➡️ Three capabilities that make you valuable regardless of workplace changes➡️ How to manage your skills like an investment portfolio➡️ A practical 15-minute exercise to help you apply your strengths across different rolesAmanda challenges three major assumptions about future-proofing - You need to predict the future to prepare for it - Focus on adaptability instead of prediction.Technical skills are what future-proof you - Develop the ability to evaluate and leverage innovations rather than mastering current technology.Future-proofing means adding more - Strategic subtraction is as important as thoughtful addition.This episode builds on previous conversations about career myths and power dynamics, offering a fresh perspective that values adaptability over prediction.Try Amanda's coffee shot challenge: a 15-minute value translation exercise to see how your strengths apply across different contexts.Career Espresso: Your weekly shot of career wisdom.Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topicsGet a full transcript of the episode hereLove the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Are you stretching yourself too thin trying to master every skill in your industry?In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles "The Generalist Myth" – the misguided belief that career success depends on being a jack-of-all-trades. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by job descriptions demanding 15+ different skills or worried that specialising might limit your opportunities, this episode is your wake-up call.What You'll Learn -Why spreading yourself across multiple domains leads to "excellence dilution"The surprising research showing specialists are 37% more likely to be promoted than generalistsHow gender expectations push women particularly toward the "do it all" mentalityThe power of finding your unique "genius zone" where your talents, skills, and interests overlapPractical strategies to develop "strategic depth" instead of shallow breadthWhether you're feeling burnt out from trying to do it all or simply questioning your career development strategy, this shot of career wisdom will transform how you approach your professional growth.Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topicsGet a full transcript of the episode hereLove the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Are your exceptional skills keeping you stuck?In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles the counterintuitive paradox that's holding back talented professionals everywhere: The Expertise Trap.Discover why the common advice to "keep your head down and do excellent work" might be the biggest career myth preventing your advancement. Through compelling research and real-world examples, Amanda reveals how technical excellence alone isn't enough to climb the career ladder—especially for women in the workplace.What you'll learn -The three-part equation for genuine career progression (hint: technical skills are just one piece)Why organisations often promote based on leadership potential rather than technical expertiseFive warning signs that you've fallen into the expertise trapWhether you're feeling stuck in your current role or want to proactively avoid the expertise trap, this episode delivers actionable insights to transform your approach to career development. "Sometimes the path up means stepping sideways first."Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topicsGet a full transcript of the episode hereLove the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Are you constantly struggling to achieve the perfect work-life balance? What if that elusive ideal is actually holding you back from creating the flexible, fulfilling career you truly deserve?In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda challenges the conventional wisdom around work-life balance, revealing why this oversimplified concept might be causing more harm than good in today's interconnected world.What You'll Discover -➡️ The surprising history of "work-life balance" and why it's an outdated framework for modern careers➡️ Revealing statistics from Microsoft's Work Trend Index and McKinsey showing how the pursuit of perfect balance leads to burnout➡️ Why women are disproportionately affected by work-life balance pressures (42% of women report burnout compared to 35% of men)➡️ A real-life case study of "Maria," a senior marketing director who transformed her approach to managing career and familyDon't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topicsGet a full transcript of the episode hereLove the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Is the traditional career ladder holding you back?In this episode of Career Espresso, your host Amanda challenges the outdated "career ladder" metaphor that dominates so many development conversations. If you've ever felt like a failure for not getting a promotion, worried that a lateral move means "giving up," or stressed about "falling behind" after taking time off—this episode reveals why those feelings stem from an obsolete framework that no longer serves us.What you'll discover➡️The historical context - Learn why the career ladder metaphor, which emerged in the 1950s, doesn't align with modern career trajectories where the average person holds 12-15 jobs in their lifetime.➡️ The three major problems with ladder thinking and how it creates tunnel vision, unhealthy comparison, and ignores structural barriers—especially for women➡️ Real-world transformation - Hear the compelling story of "Elise," who discovered that her ladder-focused mindset had blinded her to a landscape of possibilities that ultimately led to greater success and fulfillment➡️ Modern alternatives to the ladder - Explore three powerful new metaphors, the Career Lattice, Career Portfolio, and Career Jungle Gym—backed by Harvard Business Review research showing that "zigzag" careers often lead to greater leadership rolesIncluding practical takeaways you can implement immediately - ✅ A 15-minute exercise to redefine success beyond titles and promotions✅ Strategies to develop a "T-shaped" skill profile that combines depth and breadth✅ Techniques for building a multi-dimensional network that provides more opportunities than vertical connections aloneWhether you're facing a career transition, feeling stuck in your progression, or simply questioning if there's a better way to approach your growth, this episode provides the framework to break free from outdated thinking and embrace a more expansive, authentic approach to career development.Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topicsGet a full transcript of the episode hereLove the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!