Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills
Jul 1, 2026 · 28 min · 10 segments
One look at the headlines and it’s clear: experienced professionals don't feel free or at ease at work right now. Middle layers are being flattened, the path upwards is narrowing, and even the most…
Melody WildingHost
I will die on this hill, and that is what we are unpacking today, why and how this will create results like we have seen in Lead From Within with our clients, one who got 140% bonus, another who went through a lightning-fast six-week recruitment process, came out the other side with a role at a competitor company at the top of the salary band.
We also had a data leader who was given a very generous retention package, the most they have ever earned, with a very coveted long-term incentive plan.
These are just some of the things that are possible when you intentionally focus on setting yourself up to have more possibilities come to you at work, in your current organization and beyond.
First, July 4th is right around the corner here in the US, so I think a lot of us find ourselves postulating on what freedom is.
Yes, in the political, national sense, but also in a much more personal way, too.
What does freedom actually mean in our careers specifically? It's not a question a lot of us ask ourselves, because for many of us, work is something we just have to do, and we don't always feel like we have a lot of control over it, especially as you become more seasoned, and you feel like so much more is riding on your decisions, your paycheck, your reputation.
Second reason I wanted to do this episode, the idea of freedom is top of mind for me.
I'm always a little more reflective around this time, taking stock of what I want my year ahead to look like, what's important to me.
And if you asked me to name my top values, freedom would be number one on my list.
That surprises a lot of people in my life, because I am not the type of, "I want to travel year-round" person.
It is about having say over how I spend my time, dictating what I work on, who I work with, the terms I do it under.
To me, it is the difference between having a life that happens to you and one you are in charge of.
And the third reason I wanted to do this episode today, all you have to do is take one look at the news, and it is obvious that people do not feel free in their careers right now.
There are fewer of those VP, SVP seats to move into, and there's more people competing for each one.
I will die on this hill, and that is what we are unpacking today, why and how this will create results like we have seen in Lead From Within with our clients, one who got 140% bonus, another who went through a lightning-fast six-week recruitment process, came out the other side with a role at a competitor company at the top of the salary band.
We also had a data leader who was given a very generous retention package, the most they have ever earned, with a very coveted long-term incentive plan.
These are just some of the things that are possible when you intentionally focus on setting yourself up to have more possibilities come to you at work, in your current organization and beyond.
First, July 4th is right around the corner here in the US, so I think a lot of us find ourselves postulating on what freedom is.
Yes, in the political, national sense, but also in a much more personal way, too.
What does freedom actually mean in our careers specifically? It's not a question a lot of us ask ourselves, because for many of us, work is something we just have to do, and we don't always feel like we have a lot of control over it, especially as you become more seasoned, and you feel like so much more is riding on your decisions, your paycheck, your reputation.
Second reason I wanted to do this episode, the idea of freedom is top of mind for me.
I'm always a little more reflective around this time, taking stock of what I want my year ahead to look like, what's important to me.
And if you asked me to name my top values, freedom would be number one on my list.
That surprises a lot of people in my life, because I am not the type of, "I want to travel year-round" person.
It is about having say over how I spend my time, dictating what I work on, who I work with, the terms I do it under.
To me, it is the difference between having a life that happens to you and one you are in charge of.
And the third reason I wanted to do this episode today, all you have to do is take one look at the news, and it is obvious that people do not feel free in their careers right now.
There are fewer of those VP, SVP seats to move into, and there's more people competing for each one.
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