Career Success

Sarah Makris

What does it take to stand out in your career? What do you do when your education and experience are no longer helping you to reach that next level? In Career Success Coach, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to thrive as an accomplished professional while positioning yourself as a leader in your industry, building your ideal network and attracting next-level opportunities.

  1. FEB 5

    Quiet Influence: How strategic visibility changes the trajectory of capable leaders

    In this episode of the Career Success, Sarah Makris speaks with Hannah Jones, Executive Manager of Payments and Customer Success at Commonwealth Bank, about what really happens when accomplished leaders decide to become visible. Hannah shares her career reinvention journey — from event planning in New York, to corporate banking, fintech, and back into one of Australia’s largest financial institutions — and the mindset shift required at each transition. Central to the conversation is the fear many senior professionals experience when they consider putting their ideas, opinions, and expertise into the public domain. Together, they unpack imposter syndrome, career plateaus, and the hidden risk of relying too heavily on internal reputation. Hannah explains how strategic visibility, consistent thought leadership, and intentional networking helped her expand her influence, grow her external profile, and create career optionality — without compromising credibility inside large organisations.  This episode is a practical and honest conversation for senior leaders who know they are capable, but suspect that capability alone is no longer enough. Sharp lesson: your work may be excellent — but if no one beyond your immediate circle sees it, opportunity stays limited.  Learn more about Shine Career Accelerator -  https://sarahmakris.com.au/shine-for-corporates/  Download - 10 networking stragtegic  - https://sarahmakris.com.au/10-proven-networking-strategies/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min
  2. From Capable to Visible: Why leadership today requires more than competence With Petra Davidson

    JAN 21

    From Capable to Visible: Why leadership today requires more than competence With Petra Davidson

    In this episode, I’m joined by Petra Davison for a sharp, honest conversation about leadership, transition, and what it really takes to stay relevant at senior levels.  We explore the gap many accomplished leaders experience between capability and visibility — and why performance alone is no longer enough. Petra shares grounded insights on navigating career inflection points, making intentional moves rather than reactive ones, and building influence in complex, fast-moving environments.  This is a conversation for leaders who know they’re capable of more — and are ready to be deliberate about their next chapter.  Key Themes & Insights  Why high performers get overlooked  Strong execution doesn’t automatically translate to recognition, influence, or opportunity.  Career transitions are a leadership skill  The most effective leaders manage their narrative before change forces their hand.   Visibility without ego  Being seen and heard is not self-promotion — it’s strategic leadership.  Clarity creates momentum  When leaders articulate what they want and how they want to be known, decisions become easier and opportunities more aligned.   Playing the long game  Sustainable careers are built through positioning, relationships, and timing — not just hard work.  Who This Episode Is For  Senior leaders questioning their next move  Executives feeling under-recognised despite strong track records  Leaders navigating change, uncertainty, or transition  Anyone who wants to lead with greater influence, not just effort  If this conversation resonates, it’s likely time to step back and get intentional about how you’re positioning yourself for what’s next.  Listen in, reflect honestly — and if you’re ready to be more deliberate about your career and leadership impact, explore how we can work together.  Resources mentioned  Learn more about SHINE - Career Accelerator - https://sarahmakris.com.au/shine-for-executives/ Download 10 Proven Networking Strategies  - https://sarahmakris.com.au/10-proven-networking-strategies/  Books  Do Hard Things https://www.amazon.com.au/Hard-Things-Resilience-Surprising-Toughness/dp/006309861X  Extreme Ownerships - https://www.amazon.com.au/Extreme-Ownership-Jocko-Willink/dp/1250067057  Chronicles of Narnia https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-chronicles-of-narnia-all-seven-books-in-one-paperback-volume--c-s-lewis/book/9780007117307.html?source=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21611718657&gbraid=0AAAAA-Ia9hNVPSuEGA86Lhvm9_JP2qUQ1&gclid=CjwKCAiA7LzLBhAgEiwAjMWzCDXAAYvu6rOOuMV56W3q_kXBBM6wAXk5IO50ZNCLv8-z5RGaMWHj9hoCx70QAvD_BwE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min
  3. From Entrepreneurship to Corporate Tech Success with Sheena Peeters

    08/24/2023

    From Entrepreneurship to Corporate Tech Success with Sheena Peeters

    Technology Leader Sheena Peeters joins me to share her career journey, from consulting to starting her own business in personalized stationery to transitioning back into the corporate world. She discusses the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way, including the importance of maintaining relationships. Sheena also emphasizes the importance of developing soft skills and becoming a strategic business partner. We discuss the need to allocate time for self-reflection and the benefits of building your personal brand as Sheena shares her experience with my SHINE program - Career Accelerator for executives.  Key Takeaways: Running her own business provided flexibility but also required breaking the rules and consuming a lot of time.Transitioning back into the corporate world was challenging, but leveraging existing relationships helped find opportunities.Maintaining connections and deepening relationships is important, as well as being adaptable and problem-solving in one's career.Technology leaders need to develop soft skills and become strategic partners in solving business problems through technology.Sheena is committed to supporting and championing women in STEM and encourages women to connect and support each other in their careers. Quotes:  06:24 - “I think one of the greatest advantages of being in technology and in an area of transformation is that we get to create solutions that really help people and change the lives of people.” - Sheena Peeters19:54 - “Building your brand is actually not necessarily about the superficial things. It's about the depth of your knowledge.” - Sheena Peeters A bit about Sheena Peeters Sheena Peeters, GM of Product and Technology at Sisu,  is a dynamic leader who specialises in driving growth through innovation and digital transformation. With a wealth of experience across various industries, Sheena's expertise lies in orchestrating complex change, cultivating leadership, and propelling organizations toward commercial success.  Sheena is also a strong advocate for supporting and championing women in STEM. She believes in creating a community where women can feel supported and celebrated in their careers.  If you’re an accomplished professional, ready to attract ideal opportunities, level up your career growth, and create a powerful presence in your industry? I’d love to know, tag me on LinkedIn, or if you need extra help to create your career success, join the Career Success Newsletter or go to my website and book a discovery call. I am here to support you! Mentioned Resources: 10 strategies you can use today to build your strategic networks. SHINE Program Connect with Sheena Peeters:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheena-peeters-a3a9a429/ Connect with Sarah Makris: LinkedIn: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-linkedin Instagram: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-instagram Facebook: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-facebook Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-youtube Thank you for listening See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  4. How to Use Your Voice to Make a Bigger Impact  with Sally Prosser

    08/09/2023

    How to Use Your Voice to Make a Bigger Impact with Sally Prosser

    In today's fast-paced and competitive world, effective communication is more important than ever. If you are a corporate executive or business leader who wants to make a lasting impression, harnessing the power of your voice is an important element in building a credible personal brand.. In this thought-provoking podcast episode we explore the challenges people face with their voice, the importance of voice warm-ups, and the strategies for overcoming fear and delivering your message with impact. Summary: Sally Prosser, Voice  and Public Speaking Coach, shares her insights on using your voice effectively in various situations. She emphasizes the importance of being aware of the power of your voice and understanding how it works. Sally discusses the challenges people face with their voice, such as speaking too softly or using a high-pitched voice. She provides tips on how to improve your voice, including doing a voice warm-up before important presentations or meetings. Sally also discusses the significance of body language and gestures in effective communication. She shares her experiences working with TEDx speakers and highlights the importance of delivering a message with impact. Sally concludes by discussing the importance of mindset and self-belief in overcoming fear and delivering powerful speeches. Key Takeaways: Being aware of the power of your voice and understanding how it works is crucial for effective communication.Doing a voice warm-up before important presentations or meetings can make a significant difference in the quality of your voice.Speaking from your diaphragm and using proper breathing techniques can help improve the resonance and power of your voice.Women can be strong stage speakers by embracing their feminine energy and using their natural voice.Maintaining a strong mindset, focusing on your body language, and using effective breathing techniques can help navigate difficult conversations.Quotes: 03:31 - "Our voice is this dynamic instrument, and we can adapt to the scenario that we're in at that time." - Sally Prosser09:12 - "Once we bring the voice down into our body, that's when we truly connect with our own voice, our own voice being the organ of the soul." - Sally Prosser16:20 - "Become rock solid in who you are, and the way to do this is to work with the mind, the body, and the breath." - Sally ProsserA bit about Sally Prosser Over the past 20 years, Sally Prosser helped hundreds of professionals speak with more confidence, had a career as a TV reporter, and built a community of more than 300 thousand on TikTok. She's a TEDx Speaker Coach, an expert on using a hairbrush as a microphone, and in 2020, was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year for PR and Media in Queensland. Sally is your one-stop-shop for everything speaking. From gaining the confidence to put yourself out there to producing a strong voice, crafting speeches for the stage, and designing a strategy to get your spoken message heard. With a strong belief that our voice is the organ of our soul, Sally's all about finding your unique voice and speaking from the heart! If you’re an accomplished professional, ready to attract ideal opportunities, level up your career growth, and create a powerful presence in your industry? I’d love to know, tag me on LinkedIn, or if you need extra help to create your career success join the Career Success Newsletter or go to my website and book a discovery call. I am here to support you! Mentioned Resources: FREE Audio Track: Pep Talk in Your Pocket: https://sallyprosser.mykajabi.com/pep-talks-in-your-pocket That Voice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/that-voice-podcast/id1475068489 Episode Suggestion: Interview with Leah Mether: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/career-success-coach/id1671222263 Connect with Sally Prosser:  Website: https://www.sallyprosser.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-prosser/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyprosservoice/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/SallyProsserVoice/ YouTube: https://web.facebook.com/SallyProsserVoice/ Connect with Sarah Makris: LinkedIn: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-linkedin Instagram: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-instagram Facebook: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-facebook Watch full video episode on YouTube: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-youtube Thank you for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  5. The Power of Effective Communication with Leah Mether

    08/02/2023

    The Power of Effective Communication with Leah Mether

    Courageous leaders start with strategic and effective communication. When leaders communicate better, they establish trust, credibility, and confidence, making it easier for them to have influence and make a positive impact. Summary: Leah Mether, Communications expert and author, joins me to share her valuable insights on effective communication and relationship building. She emphasizes the importance of building trust quickly and keeping messages simple and clear. Leah also highlights the significance of self-awareness and understanding others' communication styles. She advises setting clear expectations and having open conversations to avoid misaligned priorities and overloaded workloads. Additionally, Leah discusses the importance of building a strong network and being generous in your interactions to enhance your influence and credibility. Her book, "Steer Through the Storm," offers practical advice and scripts for leaders navigating change. Key Takeaways: Building trust quickly is crucial in effective communication.Keeping messages simple and clear helps ensure understanding.Self-awareness and understanding others' communication styles are essential for successful communication.Setting clear expectations and having open conversations can help avoid misaligned priorities and overloaded workloads.Building a strong network and being generous in your interactions enhances influence and credibility.Quotes: "Get curious, not furious." - Leah Mether."This is a big misconception with networking in general. People think it's about going out there and selling yourself for the take. Actually, it's all about generosity and relationship building." - Leah Mether."Your influence is determined by the strength of your relationships." - Leah Mether.A bit about Leah Mether Leah Mether is a communication specialist obsessed with making leadership and work-life easier through developing "soft skills." She is known for her practical, straight-shooting style. Leah's work is based on the belief that soft skills get hard results and no one is a perfect communicator. Everyone can improve. Leah's first book Soft is the New Hard: How to Communicate Effectively Under Pressure, was published in 2019 and was a finalist in the Australian Career Book of the Year Awards in 2020, and her second book, Steer Through the Storm: How to Communicate and Lead Courageously Through Change was published in July 2023. If you’re an accomplished professional, ready to attract ideal opportunities, level up your career growth, and create a powerful presence in your industry? I’d love to know, tag me on LinkedIn, or if you need extra help to accelerate your career subscribe to my  Career Success Newsletter or go to my website and book a discovery call. I am here to support you! Join the FREE Private Facebook Community:  Accelerate Your Career with Sarah Makris: https://www.facebook.com/groups/661141598808497/ Mentioned Resources: Soft is the New Hard by Leah Mether: https://www.leahmether.com.au/books/soft-is-the-new-hard/ Steer Through the Storm by Leah Mether: https://steerthroughthestorm.com.au/ Connect with Leah Mether:  Website: https://www.leahmether.com.au/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahmetherspeaker/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahmetherspeaker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahmetherspeaker Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaBYGZ60Mz7D6xVInt63pTL6w9czfFW4g Connect with Sarah Makris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-makris/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmakrisaustralia/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sarahmakrisaustralia?_rdc=1&_rdr Watch full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsXouofBwzJKhoK1HkOtT_A Thank you for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  6. How to Avoid Burnout with Clare Robinson

    07/19/2023

    How to Avoid Burnout with Clare Robinson

    In a fast-paced world that glorifies the hustle, tuning into the body's intelligence is critical to maintain health and performance and ultimately show up as an authentic, energised leader. Summary: Clare Robinson, an executive coach and leadership program facilitator, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of managing energy to avoid burnout in the workplace. She explains that humans operate in 90-minute energy cycles called ultradian rhythms and emphasizes the need to take breaks and recharge throughout the day. Clare also highlights the importance of authenticity and emotional agility in leadership, encouraging leaders to embrace the full range of emotions and create a safe space for their teams to express themselves. She shares practical tips for managing energy and setting boundaries so that we can lead more effectively  Key Takeaways: Humans operate in 90-minute energy cycles called ultradian rhythms.Taking regular breaks and recharging throughout the day is essential for maintaining energy and avoiding burnout.Authenticity and emotional agility are crucial for effective leadership.Leaders should create a safe space for their teams to express their emotions and provide support without trying to fix or solve their problems.Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining energy and well-being. Quotes: "We're all so much in our heads, pushing through, numbing out to what's going on in our bodies." - Clare Robinson"We cannot selectively numb our emotions. If we numb some of the emotions, we are numbing all of the emotions." - Clare Robinson"Emotional agility is about experiencing and expressing the full range of emotions." - Clare RobinsonA bit about Clare Robinson Clare Robinson, an executive coach, and a leadership program facilitator, joins me to talk about reducing burnout by managing energy being a luminous leader at work. Clare Robinson spent 15 years of his career as a strategy and business lead in a Marketing agency. With a high-pressure role, Clare found herself stuck in the hamster wheel of burnout. Eventually, she learned to manage her energy effectively, transforming her life and business today. Clare is the founder of Clarety Coaching, one of the leading executive coaching and leadership development businesses in the marketing services space.  If you’re an accomplished professional, ready to attract ideal opportunities, level up your career growth, and create a powerful presence in your industry? I’d love to know, tag me on LinkedIn, or if you need extra help to create your career success join the Career Success Newsletter or go to my website and book a discovery call. I am here to support you! Mentioned Resources: Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299 Emotional Agility by Susan David: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Agility-Unstuck-Embrace-Change/dp/1592409490 Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520 Connect with Clare Robinson:  Website: https://claretyinc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinsonclare/ Connect with Sarah Makris: LinkedIn: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-linkedin Instagram: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-instagram Facebook: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-facebook Watch full video episode on YouTube: https://career-success-coach.captivate.fm/sarahmakris-youtube Thank you for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

About

What does it take to stand out in your career? What do you do when your education and experience are no longer helping you to reach that next level? In Career Success Coach, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to thrive as an accomplished professional while positioning yourself as a leader in your industry, building your ideal network and attracting next-level opportunities.