You're smart, strategic, and full of ideas… so why aren’t they landing? In this episode, I share why storytelling is the missing leadership skill that elevates your influence and builds real trust.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• How storytelling creates instant credibility and connection
• Why you don’t need “big stories” to be compelling and what to use instead
• The four keys to telling stories that make your message stick

Curious what it's like to work together? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram (Katy McFee) and tell me what you are working toward and we can take it from there.

Remember, there's room for all of us at the table.

Have you ever been put on the spot in a meeting and asked for a decision you were not prepared to make? In this Encore episode, I walk you through why these moments can feel so uncomfortable and the exact language you can use to stay confident and credible even when you need more time to think.

You will learn how to buy yourself time without losing authority, how to make a strong recommendation with incomplete information, and how to strengthen the decisiveness that senior leaders are known for.

If you want support applying this in your own role, send me a DM and we can talk about what it could look like to work together.

What You’ll Learn

• The three reasons we struggle with on the spot decisions and how to identify your own pattern
• Why the leaders who seem great at thinking on their feet have actually prepared in advance
• Phrases you can use to sound confident while asking for more time or making a preliminary recommendation

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another woman who would benefit from these tools. The more we support each other, the more women we get into senior leadership.

Remember, there is room for everyone at the table.

Curious what it's like to work together? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram (Katy McFee) and tell me what you are working toward and we can take it from there.

Remember, there's room for all of us at the table.

If you've ever wondered what coaching actually looks like behind the scenes, this episode is for you. I'm answering real questions from women in my community about annual reviews, credit-stealing coworkers, and how to think strategically when you have zero support. Have a question for me? Send me a note on Linkedin - I love hearing from you.

Episode Summary

In this Ask Katy episode, I pull back the curtain on three common career challenges I see over and over again in my coaching program and community. You'll hear how I coach women through frustrating annual reviews, peers and managers who seem to take credit for their work, and the pressure to be strategic when you're still doing everything yourself.

I walk you through the exact questions to ask your manager so your next annual review reflects your true impact, how to protect your strategic ideas without damaging relationships, and how to balance high-level thinking with the tactical work on your plate. If you're a senior manager or director on the path to VP, this is a powerful window into the kind of support that helps you move faster and feel less alone.

What You'll Learn

• The specific questions to ask now so your annual review is clear, fair, and aligned with your goals
• How to handle coworkers or managers who seem to be taking credit for your ideas while still protecting your leadership brand
• Practical ways to create visibility for your work so people actually see your impact
• How to act like a strategic leader even when you don't have a team yet, including how to use time blocking to protect your deep work
• Why so many high-performing women feel isolated in their roles and how the right community can change that

If this episode resonates, please share it with another woman in leadership who's working toward her next promotion. The more we support each other, the more women we'll see in VP and executive roles.

Curious what it's like to work together? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram (Katy McFee) and tell me what you are working toward and we can take it from there.

Remember, there's room for all of us at the table.