The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast
The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast

The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast

Rahul Karan Sharma | Leadership Development for Next Generation Leaders

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Episodes

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Leadership development for next generation leaders. Hosted by Rahul Karan Sharma, this Global Top 1.5% Podcast provides a practical roadmap to confident leadership. While many struggle to find their voice, The CLIMB offers the mindset shifts and career-advancement insights aspiring leaders need in the AI era. We help “accidental managers” build the human side of leadership—focusing on decision-making, self-awareness, and the executive presence that dashboards miss. Subscribe now to claim your seat at the table. Gain a new perspective on confident leadership and take charge of yourself.

Recent Episodes

Why Bad Leadership Destroys Mental Health: Mastering the Art of Delegation
FEB 19, 2026
Why Bad Leadership Destroys Mental Health: Mastering the Art of Delegation
Master Leadership Delegation and Facilitation Skills. Rahul Karan Sharma and Therese Miclot (co-author of The Facilitation Advantage) reveal how to save 6 hours a week and boost team engagement.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader podcast explores Organizational Psychology and high-impact coaching. Today, Therese Miclot joins us to dismantle the "Do-It-All" trap. We discuss the 30-Day Delegation Club, the profound impact of leadership on Mental Health, and why technologists must shift their mindset from "Technical Expert" to "Influential Facilitator."The CLIMB™ Framework InsightThis episode highlights L – Leveraging Your Strengths and M – Magnify Your Impact:L – Leveraging Your Strengths: Delegation isn't just about offloading work; it's about leveraging the unique strengths of your team. Therese explains how to move from a "control" mindset to a "development" mindset.M – Magnify Your Impact: Facilitation is the key to magnifying influence. By asking curious questions and creating a supportive environment, you move from an individual contributor to a leader who scales results.Key Insights for Aspiring Leaders01:55 – The personal motivation behind ending "Bad Leadership."10:11 – Why new leaders struggle with Leadership Delegation.14:04 – Inside the 30-Day Delegation Club: Saving 6 hours a week.20:07 – Mindset Shifts for technologists and technical experts.24:49 – Mastering Facilitation Skills for effective communication.ABOUT THE GUEST: THERESE MICLOTTherese Miclot is a premier leadership consultant and the co-author of The Facilitation Advantage. With a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, she has spent over 20 years helping organizations bridge the gap between technical expertise and executive influence. Therese is the creator of the 30-Day Delegation Club, a program designed to help leaders reclaim 6 hours of their week through actionable delegation strategies. Her approach combines deep psychological insights with simple, measurable solutions for modern leadership challenges.🌐 Learn more: theresemiclot.comABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders
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35 MIN
Beyond the Resume: Building Master Communicators and Confident Leaders
FEB 17, 2026
Beyond the Resume: Building Master Communicators and Confident Leaders
Master Mentorship and Confidence Building for the next generation. Rahul Karan Sharma and Dan Ulin (Elite Student Coach) reveal why leadership development starts with communication.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader podcast explores the intersection of Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship. Today, Dan Ulin shares his 98% success rate in elite admissions, but more importantly, he reveals why college is just a byproduct of deep Personal Development. We discuss how to abandon perfectionism, master the art of mentorship, and build unshakeable confidence in school, work, and life.The CLIMB™ Framework InsightThis episode highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and B – Building Your Legacy:C – Cultivate Your Mindset: Dan emphasizes "Abandoning Perfectionism." For a leader, this is the key to fostering a culture where growth and learning are prioritized over flawless execution.B – Building Your Legacy: Mentorship is a circular process. By empowering others to become mentors themselves, you create a ripple effect that extends your impact far beyond your immediate circle.Valuable Insights for Future Leaders0.46 – Dan's Leadership Journey.11:47 – The Secret to Empowering Future Leaders.20:44 – Why Confidence Building is the #1 skill for the 21st century.30:48 – Coaching Methodologies: Moving from student to Entrepreneurship.39:51 – The Importance of "Fit" in Leadership Development.ABOUT THE GUEST: DAN ULINDan Ulin is the Founder & CEO of Elite Student Coach and a premier educational consultant with a staggering 98% success rate in helping mentees secure admission to top-tier colleges and graduate schools. However, Dan’s mission goes far beyond the application. He specializes in Youth Empowerment, transforming students into world-class communicators and mentors who can monetize their talents and lead with curiosity. His unique one-to-one programs focus on building the "whole person" for a lifetime of success in school, work, and leadership.🌐 Learn more: www.EliteStudentCoach.comABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders
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32 MIN
Why Most Change Initiatives Fail: Mastering Organizational Culture and Continuous Improvement
FEB 12, 2026
Why Most Change Initiatives Fail: Mastering Organizational Culture and Continuous Improvement
Master Change Management and Organizational Culture Transformation. Rahul Karan Sharma and Sarena Diamond (Accenture, IBM, Pepsi) reveal how to sustain change and drive continuous improvement.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader podcast provides the blueprint for Leadership Development and Employee Engagement. In this episode, transformation executive Sarena Diamond shares over two decades of high-stakes experience. We dive deep into why cultural misalignment kills 70% of change initiatives and how to use positive influence to create a ripple effect across Fortune 100 enterprises.The CLIMB™ Framework InsightThis episode bridges L – Leveraging Your Strengths and M – Magnify Your Impact:L – Leveraging Your Strengths: Sarena highlights the role of the "Individual Contributor." Successful change isn't just top-down; it’s about leveraging the unique strengths of every team member to foster ownership.M – Magnify Your Impact: To magnify a transformation, leaders must be "the water, not the rocks." By focusing on outcomes and collective benefits, you turn resistance into momentum.Key Leadership Moments03:07 – Why Change Management is the #1 skill for modern leaders.06:02 – Navigating Change: Common pitfalls in Organizational Culture.09:02 – Sustaining Change: Moving from activity to outcomes.17:50 – Success Metrics: Leading vs. Lagging indicators in transformation.21:01 – The Ripple Effect: Using positive influence to drive Continuous Improvement.ABOUT THE GUEST: SARENA DIAMONDSarena Diamond is a multi-dimensional transformation executive with deep expertise in Organizational Change Management, project facilitation, and training. With a powerhouse career spanning Accenture, IBM, and Pepsi Cola, Sarena has guided Fortune 100 enterprises and PE-backed ventures through complex global shifts. She specializes in embedding culture from the top down and empowering individual contributors to become agents of positive change.🔗 Connect with Sarena: linkedin.com/in/sarena-diamond/ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders
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31 MIN
Strategic Pausing in Leadership: Moving Beyond Data to Drive Phenomenal Results
FEB 10, 2026
Strategic Pausing in Leadership: Moving Beyond Data to Drive Phenomenal Results
Master High Performance Leadership and Strategic Pausing. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma and Charles Achampong reveal how taking a "strategic pause" enhances decision-making and results.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader podcast is the premier resource for Leadership Development and Career Advancement. In this episode, bestselling author and keynote speaker Charles Achampong explains why our obsession with speed is sabotaging our success. After a year-long global sabbatical, Charles shares how to integrate pausing as a competitive advantage in government, finance, and corporate culture.The CLIMB™ Framework Insight- This episode highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and M – Magnify Your Impact:C – Cultivate Your Mindset: Charles challenges the "fixed mindset" that equates speed with value. By cultivating a mindset that prizes clarity over busyness, leaders reduce mistakes.M – Magnify Your Impact: Strategic pausing allows you to see the "human story" behind the data. When you lead with this depth, your impact on organizational culture is magnified.Key moments for aspiring Leaders00:00 – Redefining High Performance Leadership.05:13 – Why Strategic Pausing is a performance tool, not an escape.09:14 – How to handle urgent requests with a thoughtful pause.13:31 – Overcoming the internal resistance to slowing down.20:56 – Using Storytelling to drive Organizational Culture.Add 'The Climb: Leadership Development and the Confident Leader' to your Apple/Spotify Podcast library today to ensure you never miss a mindset shift.ABOUT THE GUEST: CHARLES ACHAMPONGCharles Achampong is a bestselling author and award-winning keynote speaker who specializes in the intersection of high performance and mental clarity. After leading major initiatives across government and finance, Charles took a year-long family sabbatical across eight countries—a journey that redefined his philosophy on success. Today, he equips global organizations to use Strategic Pausing as a high-performance strategy, helping teams lead with resilience, humor, and heart.🌐 Learn more: charlesachampong.comABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders
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30 MIN
Career Growth and Leadership Development: The Power of Clarity and Curiosity
FEB 5, 2026
Career Growth and Leadership Development: The Power of Clarity and Curiosity
Unlock the secrets to Career Growth and Leadership Development. In this episode, we explore how curiosity and clarity are the primary drivers of professional transformation and cultural fit.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Confident Leader podcast provides the blueprint for high-stakes career advancement. Today, we bridge the gap between "having a job" and "leading a legacy" by dismantling the barriers that keep NextGen Leaders stuck in roles that don't align with their gifts.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE NEXTGEN LEADERS:03:45 – Overcoming Barriers to Career Growth.06:49 – The Importance of Clarity in Leadership Development.15:54 – High-Impact Job Application Strategies.20:02 – Networking for Career Growth (The "Giver" Mindset).THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHTCarlee’s journey is a perfect execution of L – Leveraging Your Strengths and I – Integrating Purpose.L – Leveraging Your Strengths: Carlee discusses the shift from "job titles" to "personal gifts." This is the essence of leveraging what makes you unique to solve organizational problems, rather than just filling a role.I – Integrating Purpose: Her focus on "Cultural Fit" and asking "What do I want to be doing?" is a masterclass in aligning professional actions with personal values. This is how a Confident Leader moves from accidental success to intentional transformation.ABOUT THE GUEST: CARLEE WOLFECarlee Wolfe is a premier strategist, connector, and executive coach dedicated to helping high-stakes leaders and organizations thrive through complex transformation. With over 20 years of experience leading talent, culture, and organizational behavior for iconic global brands—including Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee—Carlee specializes in translating high-level strategy into tangible, high-performance behaviors. Her unique approach bridges the gap between organizational effectiveness and personal fulfillment, making her a leading voice for NextGen Leaders seeking clarity and sustainable Career Growth. Connect with her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleeawolfeABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry SpecialistRahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠] 📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders
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30 MIN