<p>In this episode, I’m joined by my co-host Carly Malatskey, a former software engineer turned entrepreneur and host of <em>She Leads</em>. Through 6 listener questions, we break down how mentors spot patterns others miss, and how you can use that insight to unlock your next move. Whether you're leading a team, switching paths, or just feeling off, this episode is packed with tactical advice for unlocking your career.</p><p>–</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><p>6 common patterns holding leaders back</p><p>How mentors can spot them, and what advice to give</p><p>Breaking through organizational barriers</p><p>Why smart people still get stuck</p><p>Navigating change vs. waiting it out</p><p>Thriving in early-stage chaos</p><p>Why strong reviews don’t always lead to promotion</p><p>Taking leadership roles before you feel ready</p><p>Finding—and becoming—a great mentor</p><p>How to ask better questions and get better advice</p><p>–</p><p><strong>Where to find Carly:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlymalatskey">LinkedIn</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.sheleadspod.com/">She Leads Podcast</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/carlymalatskey">Twitter/X</a></p><p>–</p><p><strong>Where to find Nikhyl:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/nikhyl">Twitter/X</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhyl/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>–</p><p><strong>Find The Skip:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.skip.community/">Website</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://theskip.substack.com/">Substack</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@theskippodcast">YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4oT2rxMsRP64h9NXuA11DJ">Spotify</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skip-podcast/id1663529202">Apple Podcasts</a></p><p>–</p><p>Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p>–</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>(00:00) How to spot patterns</p><p>(01:08) How to find and then become a mentor</p><p>(10:57) Scaling mentorship</p><p>(15:09) How to heat seek around patterns</p><p>(21:47) Question 1: How can I break through organizational barriers?</p><p>(22:29) Pattern 1: Are you actually stuck?</p><p>(30:05) Question 2: How can busy leaders stay technically up to date?</p><p>(30:28) Pattern 2: If you know what you should do, why aren’t you doing it?</p><p>(42:48) Question 3: How to navigate change?</p><p>(40:56) Pattern 3: Do you need to work on this problem, or just wait it out?</p><p>(52:23) Question 4: How normal is chaos in early stage companies?</p><p>(52:54) Pattern 4: Broken might be normal, and you were hired to solve problems</p><p>(61:07) Question 5: My performance reviews are excellent, but why am I not being promoted?</p><p>(61:41) Pattern 5: Are you growing faster than the company?</p><p>(67:35) Question 6: Should I take a leadership role that I don’t feel ready for?</p><p>(68:29) Pattern 6: Are you too humble or negative?</p><p>(73:23) Key takeaways and summary</p><p>(77:57) How to get in touch with Nikhyl</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theskip.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">theskip.substack.com</a>