Stepping Into The Arena

There’s a shift happening in leadership—and in this podcast.

In this episode of Stepping Into the Arena, Karen announces powerful changes coming to the show, all rooted in what modern leaders truly need today: clarity, calm, and grounded strength. Drawing on 28 years in corporate leadership and three years coaching successful executives, Karen shares five critical trends she sees in the market and how they are shaping the future of effective leadership.

If you're tired of reactive change, surface-level motivation, and leadership that costs your health and well-being, this is your invitation to something deeper. Get ready for a more aligned, intentional way to lead.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Leaders are exhausted. The current pace and intensity of corporate life is unsustainable—burnout is not a leadership strategy.
2. Trust is the new currency. Steady, grounded presence matters more than high energy or charisma.
3. Reactive change is harming teams. Organizations need to shift from chaos-driven change to structured, respectful transitions.
4. Clarity beats complexity. Clear expectations, decisions, and communication reduce friction and boost performance.
5. Growth needs grounding. As responsibilities increase, inner capacity must grow too—emotional regulation and self-leadership are essential.

“I want to promote leadership that isn’t going to cost people their health, their relationships, their self-confidence.” – Karen Gombault

Modern leadership isn’t about working harder—it’s about showing up in a way that is steady, ethical, aligned, and human. That’s why this podcast is evolving too. Karen shares her decision to rename the show and introduces a new daily format designed to meet you where you are—offering practical insights and grounded energy every weekday.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

🧭 1:1 Executive Coaching Services

You can be grateful—and still feel dissatisfied.

In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen unpacks a powerful phrase shared by her mentor: “You can be grateful and dissatisfied.” At first glance, those emotions may seem contradictory, but they often show up together at pivotal career moments.

Karen shares her personal experience of having a successful job, a fulfilling personal life, and yet feeling something wasn’t right. That subtle dissatisfaction was a signal—one she followed more than once, leaving high-level roles (even CEO) to pursue something bigger.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted by your desire for more while also recognizing how fortunate you are, this conversation will give you clarity and courage.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Gratitude doesn’t mean you have to stay. You can be thankful for your job, your team, and your life—and still know it’s time for change.
2. Dissatisfaction is often the first signal. Karen noticed a pattern in her career: every few years, a quiet feeling would emerge, pushing her toward growth.
3. Acting on dissatisfaction leads to expansion. Each time Karen made a bold move—whether it was a job switch or moving to southern France—life got better.
4. Guilt is part of the process. Leaving “good” roles brought emotional weight, especially as the main earner. But staying would have led to boredom and resentment.
5. Trust your intuition. Even when timing isn’t ideal or others question your decision, that inner pull is worth listening to.

"It is 100% okay to feel grateful and dissatisfied." – Karen Gombault

This episode is a reminder that your next chapter may begin with a subtle nudge—not a crisis. And acting on that feeling could lead to more satisfaction than you imagined.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

Your next level of leadership might just start with one conversation. In this episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen shares why mentorship—formal or not—is essential for sustainable growth and powerful leadership. With personal stories, real-life examples, and a clear call to action, this episode will inspire you to find your next mentor (or become one).

Whether you're navigating a new role or aiming to evolve your leadership style, this conversation will shift how you think about influence, inspiration, and the hidden power of being both mentee and mentor.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Mentorship isn’t always official—but it’s always impactful. Some of the most powerful growth comes from people you admire and informally learn from.
2. Different mentors serve different needs. From money mindset to business strategy, having mentors for specific stages accelerates your evolution.
3. Energy and perspective matter. Today, mentorship is less about tactical advice and more about mindset, energy, and modeling leadership behavior.
4. You are likely already mentoring someone. By simply showing up, sharing your truth, and leading authentically, you influence others more than you realize.
5. Mentorship is seasonal. It’s okay to outgrow mentors. When one phase ends, another guide will appear if you’re open to it.

"Be a mentor, find a mentor, and the growth and the change that you experience will be mind-blowing." – Karen Gombault

Great leaders don’t grow alone. If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply ready for more, finding the right mentor could be the key to your next breakthrough. And remember: someone is probably looking up to you right now.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

Book a call to discuss potentially working together → https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/introduction

What actually happens when you bet on yourself?

In this deeply personal year-in-review podcast episode, Karen shares the six most important lessons she’s learned after going all-in on executive leadership coaching.

If you’re a senior leader stepping into a new role or a bigger scope, this is the episode that will help you feel seen—and give you pragmatic insights to navigate the messy middle of growth and transition.

These are hard-won truths from a year of courage, discomfort, and intentional leadership—and they’re exactly what you need to hear if you're building something bold.

🔑 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. It never goes as planned. New jobs and bold moves always come with surprises—adaptability is your most valuable asset.
2. Discomfort is normal. Growth doesn’t feel easy—and that’s how you know it’s working.
3. Discipline builds sustainability. Setting boundaries and protecting your time is essential to success and well-being.
4. Credibility isn't handed to you—it’s earned. Even with a strong title or track record, relationships and follow-through matter most.
5. Networking is non-negotiable. Building genuine connections is what opens doors, builds trust, and makes the impossible happen.

Whether you’re one month into a new role or one year into a new chapter, this episode reminds you that leadership is a long game. The lessons that matter most aren’t flashy—but they’re transformative. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone. You just have to keep showing up with intention, connection, and courage.

📌 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

When You’re Not Confirmed in Your Role: What Now?

You took the leap. A big new role. A new company. A bold career move. And then, a few months in, the call comes: they’re not moving forward with you. You’re not being confirmed in your position. It’s unexpected, it’s brutal—and it can shake your confidence to its core.

In this podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault breaks down what not being confirmed really means, why it happens more often than people talk about, and how to leave with your leadership identity intact. It’s a raw, honest, and powerful conversation for any senior leader navigating transition, misalignment, or professional rejection.

If you’re carrying shame, questioning your worth, or wondering how to explain it—this episode is for you.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Being let go at the end of a confirmation period is not evidence of failure. It’s often a misalignment between values, expectations, or evolving business needs.
2. Reframe the story. It's not rejection—it's redirection. You get to own the narrative you carry and share.
3. Mandate shifts and cultural misfit are real. The job you were hired for might not be the job you walked into—and that’s on them, not you.
4. Extract the learning. Use this moment to clarify your non-negotiables, your ideal work environment, and what you now know about yourself as a leader.
5. Your leadership identity is intact. Your track record doesn’t vanish because one role didn’t work out. Walk away with your head held high.

"The danger isn't that the company asked you to go. The danger is that you made it mean something about yourself and your worth instead of seeing it as an opportunity for growth." – Karen Gombault

This episode is your invitation to rewrite the story. To stop shrinking, and start reframing. To take the data and carry it forward—to a role that truly aligns with who you are and how you lead.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

Set up a call to discuss potentially working together: